9 x 39 mm

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The 9 x 39 mm is a cartridge used in the Russian VSS Vintorez sniper rifle and the AS Val assault rifle.

The SP-5 is the standard issue ball round.

The SP-6 is the AP armor piercing round, capable of defeating most body armor.

The PAB-9 was an AP round which was cheaper to produce than the SP-6.^[1]

The round is basically a standard Russian 39 mm long cartridge like the 5.45 x 39 and 7.62 x 39 modified to fit a 9 mm bullet of weight and size high enough to reduce the velocity (by mass and reduced propellant) to subsonic speeds (below 343 m/s). Most rifles and assault rifles fire supersonic ammunition that will produce a very audible sonic boom that cannot be suppressed. This round provides better lethality and penetration quality over most standard pistol ammunition of subsonic speeds.