Pistol · CIP
9x21mm
Italian-designed pistol cartridge developed for use in countries where 9mm Parabellum is restricted to military use.
- Caliber
- 0.3555″ · 9.03 mm
- Introduced
- 1980
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- 9mm Luger
- Primary use
- Self-Defense, Target/Competition
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1980
- Type
- Pistol
- Origin
- Italy
- Inventor
- Israel Military Industries (IMI) / Franco Benvenuti Agency
- Manufacturer
- IMI / Fiocchi
- Standard
- CIP
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 15.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:10
- Primer
- Boxer Small Pistol
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 34,084 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 50 yd
- Max range
- 1750 yd
- Recoil
- 5–6.5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 9x21mm. Parent case: 9mm Luger.
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 ⌀ | 9.03 | 0.356 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.63 | 0.379 | ✓ |
| 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 | 21.15 | 0.833 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 29.75 | 1.171 | ✓ |
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. 9x21mm is highlighted below.
Factory loads
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 9x21mm
Lineage
History
Italy's domestic pistol cartridge, legally allowed in civilian use where 9mm Parabellum is restricted to military. Developed in 1990 with dimensions that prevent chambering in standard 9mm Luger pistols, enabling Italian civilians to own semi-automatic pistols without competing with military cartridge specifications.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 9x21mm use?
- 9x21mm typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 9x21mm?
- 9x21mm uses a 0.3555″ (9.03 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 9x21mm still in production?
- 9x21mm is active; typical availability is limited.
- What is 9x21mm used for?
- 9x21mm is primarily used for self-defense, target/competition.
- What is 9x21mm based on?
- 9x21mm is derived from the 9mm Luger case.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — 9x21mm archived
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — 9x21mm IMI archived
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 35 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
