Lindcott Armory Pistol · Soviet / Russian GRAU
7.62x38mmR Nagant
The cartridge of the Nagant M1895 revolver — the only production revolver in history with a gas-seal mechanism.
- Caliber
- 0.3079″ · 7.82 mm
- Introduced
- 1895
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Military, Self-Defense
- Status
- Limited
- Introduced
- 1895
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- Belgium
- Inventor
- Léon Nagant
- Manufacturer
- PPU / Fiocchi (current); Soviet state arsenals (historical)
- Standard
- Soviet / Russian GRAU
- Status
- Limited
- Availability
- Specialty
- Case capacity
- 12 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:9.8
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,900 psi
- Eff. range
- 25 yd
- Max range
- 75 yd
- Recoil
- 2–3.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 900–1,083 fps · 8 loads
- 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.
CIP TDCC · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 7.82 | 0.308 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 7.26 | 0.286 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 8.38 | 0.330 | · |
| Shoulder angle | 30° | — | ~ |
| Base ⌀ | 8.94 | 0.352 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 9.86 | 0.388 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.25 | 0.049 | · |
| Neck length | 1.50 | 0.059 | ≈ |
| Case length | 38.80 | 1.528 | · |
| Overall length | 38.80 | 1.528 | · |
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. 7.62x38mmR Nagant is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 8 active loads across 5 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolf | Range | 98 | FMJ | 1,083 | 255 | — |
| MEN | Standard | 98 | FMJ | 1,083 | 255 | — |
| Fiocchi | Range | 98 | FMJ | 1,083 | 255 | — |
| PPU | Range | 98 | FMJ | 1,083 | 255 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | Sport | 100 | FMJ | 1,083 | 260 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | Lead FP | 98 | Lead FP | 900 | 176 | — |
| Fiocchi | Lead FP | 98 | Lead FP | 900 | 176 | — |
| PPU | Lead FP | 98 | Lead FP | 900 | 176 | — |
| Graf & Sons | Graf Heritage | 98 | Lead FP | 1,100 | 263 | — |
| Hornady | Hornady Sub | 98 | Lead FP | 1,100 | 263 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 98 | Lead Flat Nose | 1,080 | 254 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 98 | Lead Flat Nose | 1,080 | 254 | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 98 | Lead Flat Nose | 1,080 | 254 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 98 | Lead Flat Nose | 1,080 | 254 | — |
| RWS | Classic | 98 | Lead Flat Nose | 1,080 | 254 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
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 7.62x38mmR Nagant
12 models in the database chamber 7.62x38mmR Nagant. Browse all →
Connected reference
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. This gave the Nagant slightly higher velocity than comparable revolvers and — uniquely — made it suppressible. The M1895 served Russia through WWI, the Revolution, WWII, and into the early Cold War. Soviet officers, NKVD agents, and partisans carried it across some of the 20th century's most consequential conflicts. PPU of Serbia and Fiocchi still produce the cartridge for the large collector market.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 7.62x38mmR Nagant use?
- 7.62x38mmR Nagant typically uses a 1:9.8 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 7.62x38mmR Nagant?
- 7.62x38mmR Nagant uses a 0.3079″ (7.82 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 7.62x38mmR Nagant still in production?
- 7.62x38mmR Nagant is limited; typical availability is specialty.
- What is 7.62x38mmR Nagant used for?
- 7.62x38mmR Nagant is primarily used for military, self-defense.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 8 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →