| 9×21mm | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Pistol | |
| Place of origin | Israel | |
| Production history | ||
| Designer | Israel Military Industries | |
| Specifications | ||
| Parent case | 9×19mm Parabellum | |
| Case type | Rimless, straight | |
| Bullet diameter | 9.03 mm (0.356 in) | |
| Neck diameter | 9.63 mm (0.379 in) | |
| Base diameter | 9.93 mm (0.391 in) | |
| Rim diameter | 9.96 mm (0.392 in) | |
| Rim thickness | 1.27 mm (0.050 in) | |
| Case length | 21.15 mm (0.833 in) | |
| Overall length | 29.75 mm (1.171 in) | |
| Case capacity | 1.01 cm³ (16 gr H2O) | |
| Rifling twist | 254 mm (1 in 10 in) | |
| Primer type | Small pistol | |
| Maximum pressure | 235.00 MPa (34,084 psi) | |
| Ballistic performance | ||
| Bullet weight/type | Velocity | Energy |
| 7.45 g (115.0 gr) FMJ | 390 m/s (1,300 ft/s) | 570 J |
| 8.00 g (123.5 gr) FMJ | 360 m/s (1,200 ft/s) | 518 J |
| Source(s): C.I.P.[1] | ||
The 9×21mm pistol cartridge (also known as the 9×21mm IMI or 9 mm IMI) was designed by Israel Military Industries for those markets where military service cartridges, like the 9×19mm Parabellum, are banned by law for civilian use, such as Italy and Mexico.
Contents |
Based on the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge, the casing was lengthened from 19 to 21 mm (0.75 to 0.83 in). The bullet sits slightly deeper, which results in almost the same overall length as the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge.
The 9×21mm has 1.01 ml (15.5 grains H2O) cartridge case capacity.
9×21mm maximum C.I.P. cartridge dimensions.[1] All sizes in millimeters (mm).
The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 254 mm (1 in 10 in), 4 grooves, Ø lands = 8.79 mm, Ø grooves = 9.03 mm, land width = 3.80 mm and the primer type is small pistol.
According to the official C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'épreuve des armes à feu portatives) guidelines, the 9×21mm case can handle up to 235 MPa (34,100 psi) piezo pressure. In C.I.P. regulated countries every pistol cartridge combo has to be proofed at 130% of this maximum C.I.P. pressure to certify for sale to consumers.
As it is a rimless round, the 9×21mm is used in USPSA/IPSC competition in Open class firearms. The reasoning is that the semi-rimmed case will not lock together in a double-column magazine, causing a malfunction, whereas an improperly built .38 Super firearm can, as the rimmed cases can lock together in the magazine, causing a jam. As other .38 Super–based .38 Super Auto rimless cases became available, the 9×21mm decreased in popularity in the United States for competition use, but it is still widely used in the rest of the world.