Pistol · SAAMI
9mm Luger
Most popular pistol cartridge in the world.
- Caliber
- 0.3549″ · 9.014 mm
- Introduced
- 1902
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .30 Luger
- Primary use
- Self Defense, Military, Target
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1902
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- Germany
- Inventor
- Georg Luger
- Manufacturer
- DWM (German Weapons and Munitions Works)
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Abundant
- Case capacity
- 13.3 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:10
- Primer
- Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 35,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 2000 yd
- Recoil
- 5–8 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
This cartridge: 35,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for 9mm Luger, 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
- .30 Luger
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
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 ⌀ | 9.01 | 0.355 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.65 | 0.380 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 9.93 | 0.391 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 9.96 | 0.392 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.27 | 0.050 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 19.15 | 0.754 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 29.69 | 1.169 | ✓ |
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 Luger is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 741 active loads across 110 brands. Top 4 shown.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | Syntech Training Match | 147 | TSJ | 1,000 | 326 | — |
| Federal | American Eagle | 147 | FMJ | 1,000 | 326 | — |
| Federal | American Eagle Indoor Range Training | 147 | FMJ | 1,000 | 326 | — |
| FederalDisc. | Personal Defense Hydra-Shok | 147 | Hydra-Shok | 1,000 | 326 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads are shaded and marked.
Suitable powders
58 reloading powders listed for 9mm Luger, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
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 9mm Luger
2,976 models chambered in 9mm Luger
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Designed by Georg Luger in 1902 for the Luger pistol. Adopted by German military in 1908. After decades of .45 ACP dominance in US, the 9mm surged in 1980s-90s with high-capacity wonder nines.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 9mm Luger use?
- 9mm Luger typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 9mm Luger?
- 9mm Luger uses a 0.3549″ (9.014 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 9mm Luger still in production?
- 9mm Luger is active; typical availability is abundant.
- What is 9mm Luger used for?
- 9mm Luger is primarily used for self defense, military, target, competition.
- What is 9mm Luger based on?
- 9mm Luger is derived from the .30 Luger case.
- What are the best powders for 9mm Luger?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 9mm Luger include No. 2, N310, Bull's-Eye, Red Dot, among 58 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
Manufacturer sources for verified factory-load figures on this page:
- Manufacturer Speer — Gold Dot Handgun Personal Protection 9mm 115gr, 1210 fps (item 23614GD)
- Manufacturer Remington — Golden Saber Defense 9mm Luger +P 124gr, item 27603 (1180 fps)
- Manufacturer Remington — Golden Saber Defense 9mm Luger 124gr, item 27601 (1125 fps)
- Manufacturer SIG SAUER 9mm 124gr Elite V-Crown JHP (E9MMA2) — official product page, archived
- Manufacturer SIG SAUER 9mm 115gr Elite V-Crown JHP (E9MMA1) — official product page, archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 741 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
