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Lindcott Armory

Pistol · CIP

9mm Ultra

Also known as 9mm Police · 9x18mm Ultra · 9mm PA

West German police and military cartridge developed as a blowback-compatible 9mm round that fits in compact pistol designs without a locked-breech action.

Caliber
0.3547″ · 9.01 mm
Introduced
1936
Case
Rimless
Primary use
Military, Law Enforcement
Status
Active

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VelocityBeing verified
EnergyBeing verified
Typical grains95 · 100 gr
Identity
Introduced
1936
Type
Pistol
Origin
Germany
Inventor
Heinrich Ortgies
Manufacturer
Walther, various German
Standard
CIP
Status
Active
Availability
Limited
Build
Case capacity
11.5 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:10
Primer
Small Pistol
Case type
Rimless
Pressure & range
Max pressure
26,107 psi
Eff. range
50 yd
Max range
100 yd
Recoil
3–5 ft·lb
Subsonic
Capable

Ballistics

Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 9mm Ultra.

Performance

Best for Withheld until verified
Best for Withheld until verified
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 · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀ 9.010.355 ✓
Neck ⌀ 9.650.380 ✓
Shoulder ⌀ n/a
Shoulder angle n/a
Base ⌀ 9.810.386 ✓
Rim ⌀ 9.370.369 ✓
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 1.250.049 ✓
Neck length n/a
Case length 17.850.703 ✓
Overall length 25.270.995 ✓

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 Ultra is highlighted below.

Factory loads

Verification

Being verified

Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.

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 Ultra

7 models in the database chamber 9mm Ultra. Browse all →

Walther Walther PPK .380 ACP 3.35-inchWalther Walther PPK 7.65mm 3.27-inchWalther Walther PP 7.65mm 3.86-inchSIG Sauer SIG P232 .380 ACP 3.6-inchWalther PP Super 9mm PoliceWalther PP SuperWalther Walther PP 7.65mm

Connected reference

FirearmsFirearms in 9mm Ultra

History

Originally developed in 1936 by Walther for a compact Luftwaffe pistol requirement. After WWII, West German police forces adopted the cartridge for the Walther PP and related blowback-operated pistols. The 9mm Ultra offered more power than .380 ACP in a package compatible with compact blowback designs without the locked-breech requirement of full 9mm Luger. Still produced by European manufacturers for police users.

FAQs

What twist rate does 9mm Ultra use?
9mm Ultra typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is 9mm Ultra?
9mm Ultra uses a 0.3547″ (9.01 mm) diameter bullet.
Is 9mm Ultra still in production?
9mm Ultra is active; typical availability is limited.
What is 9mm Ultra used for?
9mm Ultra is primarily used for military, law enforcement.

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 →