Lindcott Armory Rifle · SAAMI
9x39mm Russian
Soviet suppressor cartridge designed from the ground up for subsonic operation.
- Caliber
- 0.365″ · 9.27 mm
- Introduced
- 1987
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- 7.62x39mm Soviet
- Primary use
- Military, Tactical
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1987
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Soviet Union
- Inventor
- TsNIITochMash
- Manufacturer
- TsNIITochMash / Soviet Military
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 27 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:9.45
- Primer
- Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 56,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 400 yd
- Max range
- 600 yd
- Recoil
- 3–5 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 925–1,050 fps · 18 loads
- Parent case
- 7.62x39mm Soviet
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open 9x39mm Russian ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
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 ⌀ | 9.27 | 0.365 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.72 | 0.383 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.70 | 0.421 | ~ |
| Shoulder angle | 17° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.35 | 0.447 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 11.33 | 0.446 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.50 | 0.059 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 5.70 | 0.224 | ≈ |
| Case length | 38.70 | 1.524 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 56.00 | 2.205 | ✓ |
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. 9x39mm Russian is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 18 active loads across 15 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tula Arms Plant | Tula FMJ | 278 | FMJ | 1,050 | 680 | — |
| MFS | MFS Sub | 250 | FMJ Sub | 1,050 | 612 | — |
| Hornady | Sub-X Subsonic | 250 | Sub-X | 1,050 | 612 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 250 | FMJ | 984 | 537 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 250 | FMJ | 984 | 537 | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 250 | FMJ | 984 | 537 | — |
| RWS | Classic | 250 | FMJ | 984 | 537 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 250 | FMJ | 984 | 537 | — |
| PPU | Standard | 250 | FMJ | 984 | 537 | — |
| Armscor | Standard | 250 | FMJ | 984 | 537 | — |
| Wolf | FMJ | 250 | FMJ | 984 | 537 | — |
| Wolf Performance | FMJ Sub 250gr | 250 | FMJ Sub | 935 | 485 | — |
| Barnaul | FMJ Steel Sub 250gr | 250 | FMJ Steel Sub | 935 | 485 | — |
| NAMMO | FMJ Subsonic 250gr | 250 | FMJ Sub | 935 | 485 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | FMJ Sub 250gr | 250 | FMJ Sub | 935 | 485 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
2 reloading powders listed for 9x39mm Russian, 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.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed by TsNIITochMash in the 1980s for Spetsnaz special forces. The VSS Vintorez ('thread-cutting saw') and AS Val were purpose-built rifles for this cartridge. All are integrally suppressed. Standard military loads remain subsonic, making the combination essentially hearing-safe and extremely difficult to locate by sound.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 9x39mm Russian use?
- 9x39mm Russian typically uses a 1:9.45 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 9x39mm Russian?
- 9x39mm Russian uses a 0.365″ (9.27 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 9x39mm Russian still in production?
- 9x39mm Russian is active; typical availability is common.
- What is 9x39mm Russian used for?
- 9x39mm Russian is primarily used for military, tactical.
- What is 9x39mm Russian based on?
- 9x39mm Russian is derived from the 7.62x39mm Soviet case.
- What are the best powders for 9x39mm Russian?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 9x39mm Russian include Lil'Gun, IMR 4227.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 18 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →