Pistol · Proprietary · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
9mm Federal
Rimmed 9mm Parabellum cartridge developed for revolvers; designed to eliminate moon clips while providing 9mm performance in a revolver platform..
- Caliber
- 0.355″ · 9.017 mm
- Introduced
- 1989
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- 9mm Luger
- Primary use
- Self-Defense, Target
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1989
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Federal Cartridge
- Manufacturer
- Federal Premium
- Standard
- Proprietary · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 13.4 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Boxer Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 35,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 2350 yd
- Recoil
- 5.4 ft·lb
Introduced by Federal Premium
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for 9mm Federal, 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
- 9mm Luger
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 ⌀ | 9.02 | 0.355 | · |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.70 | 0.382 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 9.80 | 0.386 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.05 | 0.435 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 | 0.050 | ~ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 19.05 | 0.750 | · |
| Overall length | 29.54 | 1.163 | · |
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. 9mm Federal is highlighted below.
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.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed by Federal Cartridge in 1989 for the Charter Arms Pit Bull revolver, the 9mm Federal adds a rim to the 9mm Parabellum case so it can be used in a double-action revolver without moon clips. While clever, the cartridge never gained wide adoption and was discontinued when the Pit Bull revolver was discontinued.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 9mm Federal use?
- 9mm Federal typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 9mm Federal?
- 9mm Federal uses a 0.355″ (9.017 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 9mm Federal still in production?
- 9mm Federal is discontinued; typical availability is rare.
- What is 9mm Federal used for?
- 9mm Federal is primarily used for self-defense, target.
- What is 9mm Federal based on?
- 9mm Federal is derived from the 9mm Luger case.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) — SAAMI Generally Accepted Cartridge and Chamber Names (10-8-2021) archived
- Secondary Shooting Illustrated (NRA) — Fightin' Iron: The Nine Millimeter Round Known to None · bullet ⌀, grain weights, year archived
- Secondary American Rifleman (NRA) — Charter Arms 9 mm Pitbull Revolver · 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 →
