The cartridge of the Nagant M1895 revolver — the only production revolver in history with a gas-seal mechanism. The bullet is seated below the case mouth; when fired, the cylinder moves forward to seal against the barrel, eliminating the barrel-cylinder gap and allowing the revolver to be effectively suppressed.
Type: Pistol
Introduced: 1895, Belgium
Parent case: None
Standardization: Soviet / Russian GRAU
Bullet diameter: 0.295" (7.49 mm)
Case length: 1.528" (38.81 mm)
Overall length: 1.528" (38.81 mm)
Max pressure: 18,900 PSI
Rim type: Rimmed
Primer: Small Pistol
Typical twist rate: 1:9.8
Muzzle velocity: 900–1100 fps
Muzzle energy: 174–290 ft-lbs
Effective range: 25 yd
Common bullet weights: 97, 108 gr
Primary use: Military, Self-Defense
Production status: Limited
Also known as: 7.62 Nagant · 7.62mm Nagant · Nagant Revolver Cartridge · 7.62x38R
History: Léon Nagant of Belgium designed both the revolver and cartridge in 1895 for Imperial Russia, which adopted it as the standard sidearm. The unique gas-seal design required a specialized cartridge: the bullet sits recessed inside the case, and the case mouth is crimped down over it. When the hammer falls, the cylinder cams forward, seating the case mouth against the barrel cone and sealing the gap.…
Notable firearms: Nagant M1895, Various Soviet contract revolvers
Military use: {"country":"Russia / Soviet Union","years":"1895-1950s","notes":"Standard Russian/Soviet sidearm cartridge through WWII; the Nagant M1895 issued to officers, NKVD, and partisan forces"}, {"country":"Various (Soviet client states)","years":"1920s-1960s","notes":"Widely distributed among Soviet-aligned forces"}
Similar cartridges: .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum, .30 Luger