Lindcott Armory Pistol · Military standard
5.45x18mm Soviet
Soviet miniaturized pistol cartridge developed for the PSM pistol issued to KGB and military officers.
- Introduced
- 1972
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- Soviet Union
- Inventor
- TsNIITochMash
- Manufacturer
- Various Soviet/Russian state factories
- Standard
- Military standard
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Rare
- Bullet ⌀
- 0.222″
- Case length
- 0.71″
- Overall length
- 0.984″
- Base ⌀
- 0.301″
- Rim ⌀
- 0.301″
- Case capacity
- 7.5 gr H₂O
- Twist
- 1:16
- Primer
- Berdan Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 25,382 psi
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 100 yd
- Recoil
- 0.3–0.8 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Velocity
- 1,033–1,080 fps
- Energy
- 97–106 ft·lb
- By real loads
- 1,030–1,080 fps · 9 loads
- Typical MSRP
- $0.85/rd · price history →
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input, not a measured load. Real published loads span the "by real loads" range above.
Factory loads
In production — 9 active loads across 8 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC | $/rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiocchi | FMJ Standard | 40 | FMJ | 1,080 | 104 | — | — |
| Barnaul | FMJ Service | 40 | FMJ | 1,050 | 98 | — | — |
| Norinco | FMJ | 40 | FMJ | 1,050 | 98 | — | — |
| Wolf Performance | FMJ | 40 | FMJ | 1,030 | 94 | — | — |
| NAMMO | FMJ | 40 | FMJ | 1,030 | 94 | — | — |
| Barnaul | FMJ Steel | 40 | FMJ Steel | 1,030 | 94 | — | — |
| Tula | FMJ Steel | 40 | FMJ Steel | 1,030 | 94 | — | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | FMJ 2.6gr Sub 40gr equiv | 40 | FMJ | 1,030 | 94 | — | $0.85 |
| CBC | FMJ | 40 | FMJ | 1,030 | 94 | — | $0.40 |
| Graf & Sons | Graf Heritage | 40 | FMJ | 1,080 | 104 | — | — |
| Soviet State Arsenals | FMJ Service | 40 | FMJ | 1,050 | 98 | — | — |
| Tula Arms Plant | FMJ Military | 40 | FMJ | 1,050 | 98 | — | — |
| Norma | Classic | 42 | FMJ | 1,033 | 99 | — | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 42 | FMJ | 1,033 | 99 | — | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 42 | FMJ | 1,033 | 99 | — | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Dimensions
Reloading cost
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 5.45x18mm Soviet
3 models in the database chamber 5.45x18mm Soviet. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Developed in 1972 for the Pistolet Samozaryadny Malogabaritny (PSM) — 'small self-loading pistol' — as a concealed-carry sidearm for Soviet officers and intelligence agents. The tiny bottlenecked round was specifically engineered to penetrate early soft body armor, giving intelligence operatives a concealed weapon with armor-defeating capability. The PSM remains in limited service with Russian security forces. Ammunition is difficult to source outside Russia.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 5.45x18mm Soviet use?
- 5.45x18mm Soviet typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 5.45x18mm Soviet?
- 5.45x18mm Soviet uses a 0.222″ (5.6388 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 5.45x18mm Soviet still in production?
- 5.45x18mm Soviet is active; typical availability is rare.
- What is 5.45x18mm Soviet used for?
- 5.45x18mm Soviet is primarily used for military, self defense.
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 9 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. Spotted an error? Report it →