Pistol · Military
5.8x21mm DAP92
Chinese military pistol cartridge developed for the QSZ-92 service pistol, designed to defeat body armor at close range with a hardened steel core projectile..
- Caliber
- 0.2362″ · 6 mm
- Introduced
- 1992
- Case
- Rimless
- Primary use
- Self-Defense, Target
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1992
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- China
- Inventor
- PLA (Chinese military)
- Manufacturer
- Norinco
- Standard
- Military
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 9.1 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:12
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 20,500 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 2250 yd
- Recoil
- 2 ft·lb
Introduced by Norinco
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for 5.8x21mm DAP92, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 6.00 | 0.236 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.57 | 0.259 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 7.77 | 0.306 | · |
| Shoulder angle | 23° | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 7.95 | 0.313 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 7.97 | 0.314 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.13 | 0.044 | · |
| Neck length | 6.19 | 0.244 | |
| Case length | 21.00 | 0.827 | · |
| Overall length | 32.50 | 1.280 | · |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 5.8x21mm DAP92 is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for 5.8x21mm DAP92? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
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 5.8x21mm DAP92
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed in the early 1990s by the PLA for the QSZ-92 pistol as China modernized its small arms. Features a steel-core penetrating projectile capable of defeating Type IIIA body armor at close range. Replaced the 7.62x25mm Tokarev in Chinese military service.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 5.8x21mm DAP92 use?
- 5.8x21mm DAP92 typically uses a 1:12 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 5.8x21mm DAP92?
- 5.8x21mm DAP92 uses a 0.2362″ (6 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 5.8x21mm DAP92 still in production?
- 5.8x21mm DAP92 is active; typical availability is rare.
- What is 5.8x21mm DAP92 used for?
- 5.8x21mm DAP92 is primarily used for self-defense, target.
Sources & provenance
- Secondary Modern Firearms (Maxim Popenker) — 5.8x21 DAP-92-5.8 · velocity archived
- Secondary Wikipedia — 5.8x21mm · bullet ⌀, grain weights, year archived
- Secondary The Firearm Blog (Nathaniel F.) — Modern Personal Defense Weapon Calibers 012: The 5.8x21mm Chinese · bullet ⌀, velocity archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
