Modren Guns

1
Bullet types.
Many and various bullet types have been developed for fighting,
training and other applications; only the most common are
mentioned below.
Lead bullets are the oldest type and today used mostly in revolver and small-bore
rimfire ammunition. These are formed from lead, or more often, an alloy of lead and
antimony. Such bullets are inexpensive but usually can’t withstand higher velocities, and
produce significant lead fouling in a rifled bore during prolonged use. Lead bullets are
most often used for target shooting and practice, and (sometimes) for hunting.
LRN - Lead LWC -

Round-Nose LSWC - Lead Semi-
Lead WadCutter
bullet WadCutter bullet
bullet
Jacketed bullets are the most common and are the only available for
military weapons due to international treaties. Such bullets are
designed using a lead core that is enclosed by a gilding-metal
jacket. These bullets are known for good penetration, but stopping
power is often less significant than that of expanding bullets.
Jacketed bullets are sometimes referred as “ball” bullets on
historical grounds.
FMJ - Full Metal jacketed bullet

Hollow-point bullets are currently the most popular choice for police and self-
defense ammunition. Such bullets are designed with the hollow cavity in the nose
(therefore the common name “hollowpoint”). This cavity causes the bullet to expand once
it hits the soft tissue of human or animal body; thus results in reduced penetration but a
wider wound channel and faster target incapacitation.
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LHP - Lead SJHP - Semi- JHP - Jacketed

Hollow-Point Jacketed Hollow- Hollow-Point
bullet Point bullet bullet
Armor-piercing pistol ammunition is nowadays mainly intended for
use against adversaries with body armor. The simplest AP bullets for
handgun ammunition are usually made from solid brass or bronze;
sometimes these bullets are made with pointed tips to further
improve penetration. Since such bullets, because of their hardness,
may cause excessive wear to the barrel, they may be covered with
some a softer materiel, such as Teflon. In some cases, AP bullets
are made with the traditional soft brass or other gilding-metal jacket
and with a composite core, made of a hardened steel penetrator
together with some other filler. One example of such ammunition is
the Belgian FN 5.7mm SS190 bullet, which has core made partly of
steel (front) and partly of aluminum (rear). Another example is the
Russian 9mm 7N21 bullet, which has a hardened steel core that
passes throughout entire bullet and is exposed at the tip; the space
between the jacket and core is filled with polyethylene.
4.5x40R SPS
This unique ammunition was developed in USSR in the late sixties

for combat divers. Development took place at the State Technical
Institute of Precision Machine Building (TSNII TochMash), and this
cartridge is used in only one weapon, unique to this cartridge, the
SPP-1 underwater pistol. The SPS cartridge has a bottlenecked,
rimmed brass case. The long projectile is made from mild steel, with
a pointed tip. To protect the cartridge from salt water, the primer
pocket and case mouth are protected with special sealing; the
bullet is covered by protective lacquer coating of dark green color.
When fired in water, the bullet is stabilized by drag forces. When
fired in air, bullet is not stabilized at all, and tumbles in its
trajectory.
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Muzzle
DesignatioManufacture Bullet Muzzle
velocity, Comments
n r weight, g energy, J
m/s
SPS 13,2 250 413 Steel bullet
4.6x30 HK
This tiny cartridge is a joint product of the German arms-making

company Heckler & Koch and British ammunition maker Radway
Green. It was developed especially for a compact, submachine-gun
type Personal Defense Weapon, known as HK MP7A1. the cartridge
represents a scaled-ip rifle round and is loaded with long, pointed
bullets to provide adequate effective range (up to 150-200 meters)
and good penetration against the body armor. There also are other
types of loadings in this caliber, such as expanding bullets (for
police use) and ball and frangible bullets (for training). So far, only
one weapon is produced in numbers to fire this cartridge, the
aforementioned HK MP7A1 PDW, which is adopted by German army
and British Military Police. Ammunition in this caliber is loaded in
Switzerland, Italy and UK.
Muzzle
Designatio Bullet Muzzle
Manufacturer velocity, Comments
n weight, g energy, J
m/s
Ruag, Armor
4.6 DM 11 2.0 685 470
Switzerland piercing
Ruag, Ball (lead
4.6 Ball 2.6 600 468
Switzerland core)
Ruag,
4.6 Action 2.0 685 470 Expanding
Switzerland
4.6
Fiocci, Italy 1.94 732 520 Frangible
Sinterfire
Radway Armor
4.6 AP 1.6 725 420
Green, UK piercing
Note: velocities are shown from HK MP7A1 PDW
5.45x18 MPTs
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The 5.45x18 MPTs (Malokalibernyj Pistolentyj Tsentralnogo boya –

small-bore pistol centerfire) cartridge was developed in 1971-72 in
the State Technical Institute of Precision Machine Building (TSNII
TochMash), for use in easily concealable pistols then in
development at the request of the KGB. The case is rimless and
bottlenecked (i.e. the diameter of the body of the case is greater
than the caliber), and unlike most other Soviet military cartridges, is
made of brass rather than steel. Bullets are pointed and jacketed.
Initially, only one bullet was produced, with a combination mild
steel / lead core; during the nineties, when the PSM pistols were
exported to Europe for sale in commercial markets, another type of
bullet was produced, with a soft lead core. This cartridge is known
for serious penetration (considering its tiny size), but the stopping
power is marginal to say the least.
Bullet Muzzle Muzzle
Manufactur
Designation weigh velocity, energy, Comments
er
t, g m/s J
TulaCartrid
5.45х18
ge Works,2,5 315 124 Military issue
MPTs (7N7)
Russia
PSO TulaCartrid
Export version
5.45x18.000- ge Works,2,68 320 137
with lead core
01 Russia
5.7x28 FN SS190
Buy 5.7x28 ammo at discount prices at Lucky Gunner

The famous FN Herstal Company of Belgium started the
development of this new ammunition in 1986. Originally intended for
a sub-machine gun - type personal defense weapon developed under
5
codename “Project 9.0”, the new cartridge represented a typical

scaled-down rifle cartridge, with a relatively long, bottlenecked
rimless case and a long, pointed bullet. Early bullets, known as the
5.7mm SS90, had metal jackets and lightweight plastic cores;
however, with the intention of improving penetration against body
armor, in around 1994 FN developed a heavier SS190 AP bullet with
a composite core, consisting of hardened steel at the front and
aluminum at the rear. Later on, several other types of bullets were
introduced, including the heavier SB193 for subsonic loads, the
tracer L191 and the “practice” SS192 with a soft core instead of a
steel penetrator. So far the only handgun that fires this ammunition
is Belgian-made FN Five-seveN pistol; it is also used in FN’s P90 sub-
machine gun and considered for several more weapons in several
countries such as Sweden and Singapore.
Bullet Muzzle
Designatio Manufactur Muzzle
weigh velocity, Comments
n er energy, J
t, g m/s (*
FN, Armor piercing,
SS190 2,02 650 427
Belgium from pistol
Armor piercing,
SS190 FN, Belgium 2,02 715 516
from P90 PDW
FN, Tracer, from
L191 2,02 650 427
Belgium pistol
FN, Subsonic, from
SB193 3,6 280 141
Belgium pistol
FN, Training, from
SS192 1,8 620 346
Belgium pistol
5.8x21 DAP92-5.8
Chinese designers began development of a new small-bore, pistol

and sub-machine gun cartridge in around 1994. They copied the
concept of the Belgian 5.7x28 cartridge / weapons system, and so
far this ammunition has been used in one military-type pistol and
several prototype sub-machine guns; neither these weapons nor the
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ammunition has so far been offered for export from China. The main
goal of this cartridge is to provide users with significant penetration
against military helmets and body armor at ranges up to and beyond
50 meters. According to available information, the current versions
of the DAP92-5.8 cartridge use composite core bullets, with steel
front and lead rear parts of the core.
The DAP92-5.8 cartridge uses a lacquered steel case of rimless,
bottlenecked design. The standard bullet type is FMJ with a
composite core. Penetration is given as “guaranteed penetration of
PLA-issue steel helmet (1.3mm steel) at 100 meters plus 5 cm (2
inches) of pine wood behind”. Apparently, a subsonic load is also
available, with a muzzle velocity of about 290 m/s; bullet weight for
this round is unknown so far.
Muzzle
Designatio Bullet Muzzle Comment
Manufacturer velocity,
n weight, g energy, J s
m/s
State
DAP92-5.8 factories, 2,99 480 (* 344
China
*) Muzzle velocity is given for QSZ-92 pistol
6.5x25 CBJ / MS
This cartridge is a recent development, which is intended to

compete with smalll-caliber Personal Defense Weapons (PDW)
ammunition such as 4.6x30 HK or 5.7x28 FN. Designed in Sweden,
this cartridge is based on elongated 9mm case, necked down to
6.5mm, which can be loaded with variety of bullets. The prime
"military" loading is a subcaliber armor piercing (AP), which
consists of a 4mm tungsten projectile loaded into 6.5mm discarding
sabot, made of plastic. Use of discarding sabot allows this cartridge
to reach significant muzzle velocities without raising barrel
pressure to dangerous levels. This cartridge is still in developmental
form but it certainly looks promising.
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Muzzle
DesignatioManufacture Bullet Muzzle
velocity, Comments
n r weight, g energy, J
m/s
4mm
tungsten
AP 2.0 830 690
subcaliber
bullet
Note: muzzle velocity shown from 200mm PDW / SMG barrel
7.62x25 TT (7.63x25 Mauser, .30 Mauser)
This cartridge, initially known as the 7.63x25 Mauser, was developed

in 1896 for the famous Mauser C96 pistol; it was developed from the
7.65mm Borchard cartridge of 1893. During the early 1920s, Soviet
Russia bought significant numbers of C96 Mauser pistols from
Germany and, after close examination, in the late twenties selected
a slightly modified version of this cartridge as a future pistol and
sub-machine gun round for the Red Army. At the same time, guns
chambered for the original 7.63mm Mauser cartridge and made by
Mauser and several Spanish companies (most notably Astra), were
sold in significant numbers to China and various South American
countries. The key differences between original 7.63mm Mauser and
7.62mm Soviet loadings were the size of the extraction groove and
diameter of the primer pocket (The Soviet cartridge used primers of
larger diameter). Both cartridges were originally loaded to the same
characteristics. It must be noted that several “sub-machine gun”
loadings, produced during and after WW2, produce pressures well
beyond the levels of the original Mauser loading, and are thus
unsafe in older Mauser and Astra pistols. Also, certain loads
produced since 1951 may have bullets with composite steel / lead
cores, for both increased penetration and decreased cost.
These cartridges were used in pistols from Mauser, Astra and Star
made during interwar period, as well as in many sub-machine guns
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and Tokarev TT pistols and its clones, produced since 1933 in USSR
and several other countries.
This cartridge uses a rimless, bottlenecked case, usually made of
brass. The standard loading is an FMJ bullet with lead or composite
lead/steel core. Special loads, such as tracers and AP were also
developed during WW2 and afterwards for use in sub-machine guns.
In recent times, some commercial loadings have become available
with lightweight expanding bullets; these loads obviously are
intended for civilian use in older, military surplus pistols.

Designatio Manufacture
weight velocity energy, Comments
n r
,g , m/s J
Reeds Modern
JHP Custom 3,9 650 824 commercial
Ammo, USA loading
DWM, Original 7.63mm
DWM 403 5,5 424 494
Germany Mauser load
Soviet military
State
loading with steel-
57-N-134S factories, 5,5 430* 508
cored bullet (since
USSR
1951)
S&B,
Czechoslovak
7.62-Pi Czechoslova 5,5 480* 634
military load
kia
Yugoslavian “sub-
machine gun”
Prvi
military load; may
Partizan,
7.62 M49 5,5 518* 738 be unsafe in most
former
commercial
Yugoslavia
pistols in this
calibre
* muzzle velocity as fired from Tokarev TT-33 pistol.
7.62x41 SP-4
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The SP-4 is a very specialized round, developed for the needs of the
KGB and Spetsnaz elements of the Soviet armed forces. The key
niche of this ammunition is noiseless and flash-less firing during
various special operations. The only weapons that use this cartridge
are the PSS self-loading pistol and the NRS-2 scout knife with a
single-shot weapon built into the handle. Both weapons are of Soviet
origin. This cartridge uses a bottlenecked rimless case with a very
short neck. The cylindrical bullet is made from mild steel, with a
brass driving band at the front. The bullet is seated in the cartridge
flush with the mouth, and its base rests on the piston, which
separates the bullet from the small load of special propellant. When
the cartridge is fired, the propellant gas pushes the piston forward
violently, driving the bullet forward and out of the case; the piston is
then jammed tightly at the neck of the case, locking the powder
gases inside. Immediately after shooting, the fired cases are under
strong pressure from inside, and thus are unsafe; in time, the gases
inside the case cool down and thus pressure decreases. However,
Soviet manuals require special handling of fired cases of SP-4
ammunition. Another interesting fact about this ammunition is that
these cartridges are void of any headstamps, for obvious reasons.
Bullet Muzzle
Designatio Manufactur Muzzle
weight, velocity, Comments
n er energy, J
g m/s
Bullet is a steel
SP-4 9,3 270 339 unjacketed
cylinder
7.65x17SR (7.65mm Browning, .32 ACP)

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This cartridge, known in Europe as 7.65mm Browning and in USA

as .32 ACP, was developed by John Browning in around 1896-97,
together with one of his pistol designs – a simple blowback pistol,
which he sold to the Belgian FN company in 1899. In a very short
time, the FN / Browning pistol of 1899/1900 pattern became very
popular with European police and security forces; and just three
years later this cartridge was introduced in USA along with the Colt
Model 1903 pistol, another creation of John Browning. It must be
noted that this cartridge never caught on in the USA, and the only
military use it saw there was in Colt’s Model 1903 pistols, issued to
general officers of US Armed forces until the mid-seventies. On the
other hand, it found wide military acceptance in Europe, being
issued to military personnel such as naval officers and aviators, and
even to infantry officers in countries such as France, Germany,
Hungary, and some others. In the police ranks, this cartridge served
well into the seventies, being issued along with smaller pocket-type
pistols, of which the most notable were the famous Walthers – PP
and PPK.
This cartridge uses a brass cylindrical case with an extractor
groove and a small rim (the so called semi-rimmed design, hence
the SR suffix in the metric designation). The presence of a rim
means that this cartridge was intended for use in both semi-
automatic pistols and revolvers (a great many such weapons being
made in Europe before World War One, mostly in Belgium). The
standard loading is a jacketed bullet; however, today several good
factory loadings with expanding bullets are available in this caliber.
Muzzle
DesignatioManufactur Bullet Muzzle
velocity, Comments
n er weight, g energy, J
m/s
FN, Standard
FMJ 4,6 280 180
Belgium load
7.62x17 Type 64
The 7.62mm Type 64 load was developed in China during the early
sixties for two pistols – the pocket-sized Type 64 pistol, intended for
police use, and the specialized Type 64 silenced pistol. Basically,
this round represents the 7.65mm Browning case with the rim
removed, and loaded to a lower velocity and muzzle energy. Later
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on, Chinese factories made more weapons in this caliber, such as

the Type 67 silenced and Type 77 pocket-size pistols. During the
early eighties, China also produced a specialized version of the
same cartridge for use by on-board security on aircraft. This
loading, known as 7.62mm Type 84, is loaded with a frangible semi-
jacketed bullet, which is said not to penetrate a typical aircraft hull
at ranges of 2 meters, but is effective against human targets at
ranges up to 15 meters.
The Type 64 cartridge has a straight, rimless brass case. The
standard loading is a jacketed bullet with a lead core in Type 64
loading or frangible bullet in Type 84 loading.
Muzzle
DesignatioManufactur Bullet Muzzle
velocity, Comments
n er weight, g energy, J
m/s
Type 64
FMJ 4,8 240 138
load
7.65x21 (7.65mm Luger / Parabellum, .30 Luger)
This cartridge was developed in around 1898-99 by Georg Luger

from the earlier 7.65mm Borchard cartridge. Adopted in 1900 as a
standard military cartridge by Switzerland, along with the famous
Luger “Parabellum” pistol, this cartridge was also used as a military
load in Brazil, Finland and Lithuania. However, since World War Two
this cartridge has been replaced by the more potent 9x19 Luger
cartridge, and by now is obsolete as a military load.
The 7.65mm Luger / Parabellum cartridge has a bottlenecked
rimless brass case; the typical loading is a jacketed bullet.
Bullet Muzzle
Designatio Manufacture Muzzle
n r energy, J
g m/s
DWM, Original
FMJ 6,03 370 412
Germany load
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9x17 Browning Short (9mm Short / Kurz / Corto, .380 ACP)
This cartridge, generally known in Europe as the 9mm Browning

Short (to distinguish it from earlier and now obsolete 9mm Browning
Long, which had a case 20mm long), was developed by John
Browning in the USA, to improve the effectiveness of the Colt M1903
pistol. Names like Kurz and Corto also mean “short” in the German
and Italian languages, respectively. In the USA this cartridge was
introduced in 1908 along with the Colt M1908 pistol, as the .380 ACP.
In Europe this cartridge was introduced in around 1912, in another
Browning creation, the FN Model 1910 pistol. It must be noted that
in the USA this cartridge was never popular as a service round; it
was usually referred to as a “pocket gun” round, and the minimum
adequate chambering for self-defense. On the other hand, in Europe
this round quickly found favor among many military and police
organizations, and between the wars it was adopted as a standard
military pistol loading in countries like Czechoslovakia, Italy and
Yugoslavia. The military role of this cartridge mostly ended during
the fifties with the establishing of NATO and the adoption of the
more powerful 9x19 round as NATO standard. However, it served as
a police round in many countries (such as Germany, Italy and
Switzerland) up until the seventies, and is still used to a limited
extent by law enforcement services like the Italian Guardia di
Finanza.
This cartridge is available in a wide spectrum of loadings, either
with military-type jacketed bullets or more popular self-defense and
police loads with hollowpoint bullets. The case is straight, usually
made of brass, but this ammunition also may be found with
aluminum (made in USA) or steel (made in Russia) cases.
Muzzle Muzzle
DesignatioManufacture Bullet
velocity, energy, Comments
n r weight, g
m/s J
13
Special
service load
FMJ Fiocci, Italy 4,66 360 302 issued by
Guardia di
Finanza (Italy)
Modern
SilverTip Winchester,
5,5 305 255 commercial
JHP USA
load
FMJ FN, Belgium 6,16 290 260 Original load
Modern
Remington,
JHP 6,61 285 268 commercial
USA
load
9x18 Police / Ultra
This cartridge started its life under the name of “9mm Ultra” during
mid-thirties as an experimental joint development of the GECO and
Carl Walther companies, both from Germany. This development
represented an attempt to create a cartridge powerful enough for
military and police purposes, yet suitable for a relatively compact
and simple blowback-operated pistol. GECO produced experimental
ammunition, and Walther made several prototype pistols, but at that
time development never went any further. However, during the early
seventies this cartridge was revived as the “9mm Police” in an
attempt to provide German police with weapons more effective than
the then-available pistols chambered for 7.65mm Browning and 9mm
Kurz. Several police-type pistols were made for this cartridge in
Germany and Italy, and ammunition was produced by Hirtenberger
in Austria. However, German police authorities finally decided to use
the more potent 9x19 Luger ammunition, and the 9x18 Police soon
went into oblivion.
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The 9x18 Police and Ultra rounds are similar except for headstamps;
both have straight, rimmed cases made of brass, and usually are
loaded with a jacketed bullet of truncated cone shape.
NOTE: This cartridge must not be confused with 9x18 PM described
below.

Designatio
Manufacturer weight, velocity, energy, Comments
n
g m/s J
Original
JFP GECO, Germany 6,09 320 312 “Ultra”
loading
Hirtenberger, “Police”
JFP 6,48 323 338
Austria loading
9x18 Makarov PM
The development of a new cartridge, suitable for smaller, blowback-

operated pistols, apparently began in the USSR just prior to start of
Great Patriotic War; a few pistols were tested, but the outbreak of
the war stopped the development. Soon after the war ended, the
Soviet army seriously re-considered the role of the military pistol,
and selected the improved 9x18 round as a future military cartridge.
While this round was only marginally powerful by Western
standards, it proved to be adequate for personal defence weapons,
and Soviet tactical doctrine of the time had no use for sub-machine
guns, which usually require more powerful pistol-type cartridges to
be of any military use. Officially adopted in 1951, this cartridge was
also imposed upon Warsaw Pact countries during the sixties and
seventies in an attempt at standardization; so far the 9x18 PM
remains in active military and police service in most ex-USSR
republics, including Russia. Pistols for this cartridge were
manufactured in USSR and Russia, as well as in Bulgaria, China,
15
Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland. Ammunition is still

manufactured in Russia, as well as in the USA (for commercial use).
Just prior to the Moscow Olympic Games of 1980, Soviet
ammunition factories developed several specialized loads at the
request of the KGB; these included expanding and frangible bullets,
as well as improved penetration loads; the Army and police
continued to use standard issue jacketed ammunition. During the
early nineties, the Russian army tried to extend the effectiveness of
this round with the introduction of the “Improved” or “high impulse”
PMM loading, with more powerful propellant charge and lighter
bullet, but this was never adopted for safety reasons.
The 9x18 cartridge, generally known as “9mm Makarov” or “9mm
PM” after the most popular pistol that used it, was actually
developed by designer Syomin. It has a straight, rimless case
usually made of lacquered steel (military issue) or brass (some
commercial loads). The standard Soviet military / police load used a
round-nosed jacketed bullet with a composite core, made partly of
lead and partly of mild steel (as a less expensive alternative to
lead). The steel insert is of mushroom shape and does not help
penetration much when compared with similar bullets with pure
lead cores. Other loads include some specialized rounds, such as
frangible SP-8 (developed in 1980 to be used on board aircraft; it
must be noted that many Soviet commercial aircraft crews of the
time were armed with pistols, usually stored in the pilot’s cabin in a
special safe, to resist plane hijack attempts). Other specialized
rounds include expanding and armor-piercing ammunition for law
enforcement. Commercial ammunition, made in Russia for export as
well as in other countries, is available with either jacketed bullets
with lead cores, or with more or less traditional expanding JHP
bullets.

Designatio Manufacture
weight, velocity, energy, Comments
n r
g m/s J
USSR,
57-N-181S 6,1 315 302 Standard issue
Russia
57-N-
‘Improved’ PMM
181SM Russia 5,5 410 462
round
(7N16)
AP round,
PBM Russia 3,7 519 498
limited issue
16
Czechoslovak
military issue
round for Vz.82
Czechoslova
Vz.82 4,5 400 360 pistol and
kia
Vz.61 Scorpion
sub-machine
gun
With expanding
bullet; hollow
cavity in the
bullet nose is
SP-7 Russia 6,1 325 322
covered by
polymer plug to
improve
feeding
Frangible
ammunition for
SP-8 Russia 4,1 255 133
onboard use in
aircraft
Winchester, Commercial
FMJ 6,16 310 296
USA load
Commercial
JHP Russia 6,16 321 317
load
Cor-Bon, Commercial
JHP +P 6,16 342 360
USA load
Commercial
JHP Russia 7,45 310 358
load
9x19 Luger / Parabellum, 9mm NATO
This cartridge, generally known as “THE 9mm”, is usually also

referred to as “9mm Luger” (after the name of the Georg Luger, who
designed the pistol originally associated with this round) or “9mm
Parabellum” (after the trade mark of the German DWM company that
originally made this round). It was developed at the request of the
17
German Navy in 1902, which liked the 7.65mm “Parabellum” pistol

developed by Luger and made by DWM, but wanted more stopping
power. Following this requirement, DWM shortened the case of the
original 7.65x21 Luger/Parabellum round to 19mm and loaded it with
9mm jacketed bullet of truncated cone shape. The “Parabellum”
pistol chambered for this cartridge, was adopted by the German
Navy in 1904 and (with a modified pistol) by the German Army in
1908. This round saw extensive use by German armed forces during
World War One, in various pistols and in the first sub-machine guns.
In around 1917 the original flat point bullet was replaced by ogive
shaped jacketed bullet that has remained standard for military
loadings until now. Between the wars, this cartridge continued its
service with the German armed forces in a variety of pistols and
sub-machine guns; it was also accepted as a military load by
several other countries, starting with Belgium, which brought out
one of the most successful and historically important 9mm pistols
of all time, the FN Browning High Power. After the World War Two the
9mm Parabellum was quickly adopted as a standard pistol and sub-
machine gun chambering throughout NATO, with the notable
exception of the USA, which stuck to its .45 ACP cartridge for some
forty more years. It was adopted as a military load by many other
countries worldwide, and since the seventies it also found its way
into the police weapons of many nations. A hundred years old, today
this cartridge remains the most popular and long-lasting
chambering for pistols and sub-machine guns in the world. It
combines adequate combat effectiveness with relatively compact
size that allows for a large magazine capacity. All in all, this is
probably the best and most popular compromisecombat pistol
cartridge in the world.
The 9x19 cartridge uses a straight rimless case with slight taper.
The cases usually made of brass, but aluminum and lacquered steel
cases may also be encountered. The standard military loading is an
ogive-shaped jacketed bullet with a lead core, while police and
commercial loadings may exhibit a wide variety of bullet types –
expanding, frangible etc. In recent years, several types of military
armor-piercing loadings were manufactured in countries like
Austria, China and Russia.
One warning note must be made about military ammunition in this
caliber. In many countries the 9x19 cartridge was considered
primary as a sub-machine gun loading, and thus was loaded to
higher velocities and pressure levels to provide the necessary
effective range for infantry and other military personnel armed with
SMGs. In many cases, the same ammunition was also issued to
18
troops with pistols, which often resulted in degraded lifespan or

even damage to the guns and injuries to the shooters. Therefore,
great care must be taken when shooting military issue or surplus
ammunition in commercial or older military pistols, which may not
stand up to the stronger recoil and higher barrel pressures of
certain military “sub-machine gun” loadings.

Designatio
n
g m/s J
AP load with
hardened steel
7N31 Russia 4,2 600 756 core exposed at
the tip of the
bullet
Special police
EMB Hirtenberger,
5,0 500 625 load with low-
Police Austria
ricochet bullet
AP load with
hardened steel
7N21 Russia 5,3 460 560 core exposed at
the tip of the
bullet
Military-issue
ammunition
M882 USA 7,26 385 538
loaded to NATO
standards
Remington, Commercial
JHP 7,45 352 461
USA round
Winchester, Commercial
SilverTip 7,45 374 521
USA round
JHP +P 7,45 381 540
USA round
Remington, Commercial /
JHP +P+ 7,45 400 596
USA police round
2Z ball Radway 7,45 427* 679 Military issue
Green, UK ammunition for
British Sterling
sub-machine
19
guns
JHP 8,04 341 467
USA round
Military issue
ammunition for
Balle ‘O’ France 8,00 385** 593 French MAT-49
sub-machine
guns
Military issue
ammunition for
Hirtenberger,
L7A1 ball 8,04 393* 620 British Sterling
Austria
sub-machine
guns
JHP Remington,
9,53 302 435 Subsonic round
Subsonic USA
Comment: for sub-machine gun loadings muzzle velocities are given

as fired from FN Browning High Power (*) or Mle.1950 (**) pistols
9x20 Browning Long
Developed in around 1903 in Belgium, this cartridge was intended

for FN Browning model 1903 military type pistol. It was used as a
military service cartridge in Belgium and Sweden, also chambered
in several British Webley & Scott semi-automatic pistols. Today it is
mostly obsolete.
Bullet Muzzle
Designati Manufactur Muzzle
on er energy, J
g m/s
military
FMJ FN 7.1 335 398
loading
20
9x21 IMI
Developed during 1980s, this cartridge is a virtual copy of the

famous 9x19 Luger / Parabellum, except for the longer case. It has
similar ballistics and overall length, and it's sole purpose is to be
used in civilian pistols in countries where use of 'military caliber'
cartridges is restricted for government purposes only (i.e. Italy,
France).
Bullet Muzzle
Designati Manufactur Muzzle
on er energy, J
g m/s
JHP 8 366 535
9x21 SP-10 / SP-11 / SP-12
The development of this relatively high-powered pistol ammunition,

intended for both sub-machine guns and semi-automatic pistols,
commenced in Russia during the early nineties. The key goal was to
provide military and law enforcement personnel with pistol
ammunition, which would be, more effective against body armor
than available rounds. Designers from TSNII TochMash (city of
Klimovsk, Russia) first developed an armour piercing bullet with
hardened steel core, exposed at the tip of the projectile, and then
developed a new experimental round, initially known as RG052.
Since 1993 this development was funded by the FSB (Federal
Security Service of Russia), and the first production rounds were
issued under the codename SP-10 (SP stand for Spetsialnyj Patron –
21
special cartridge). Adopted in 1996, SP-10 ammunition is almost

entirely used in one line of pistols (known under the codenames
SR.1, Vector or SPS) and in one sub-machine gun, the SR.2 Veresk,
both used by FSB and special elements of other law enforcement
agencies in Russia. The original armor piercing SP-10 cartridges
were soon complemented by other types of ammunition, including
the SP-11 with a low-ricochet ball bullet (suitable for use against
unprotected targets and for training), the SP-12 with expanding
bullet and the SP-13 with armor-piercing tracer bullet. In about 2003
this nomenclature was changed to the Russian standard
7Nxx designations, marking the official approval of this ammunition
for all services.
The SP-10 cartridge, currently known as the 9x21 7N29, has a
straight rimless case, usually made of steel and with dark green
lacquer coating. The armor-piercing bullet is of proprietary design; it
has a hardened steel penetrator core that is exposed at the bullet
tip, to ease the separation of the jacket upon the penetration of
body-armor plates. The space between the penetrator and jacket is
filled with polyethylene. The bullet is designed to stay intact upon
impact with soft body tissue to conform to international treaties,
and in this case it acts as a typical “ball” bullet of similar weight
and energy. It must be noted that this cartridge is ballistically
similar to some of the “hotter” 9x19 loadings; the longer case is
necessary because of the longer bullet, which has relatively low
volume density because of its composite core that consists of
polyethylene filler and relatively long steel penetrator of 6mm
diameter. Other types of bullets are fairly conventional.
These cartridges must never be used in pistols chambered for
commercial 9x21 IMI ammunition because they generate pressures
far beyond industry standards for the 9x21 IMI.

DesignatioManufactur
weight, velocity, energy, Comments
n er
g m/s J
Original
RG052 Russia 6,5 – 7 415 - 430 560 experimental
loading, 1992
With low ricochet
7N28 Russia 7,9 390 600
FMJ bullet
7N29 Russia 6,7 410 563 With AP bullet
7BTZ Russia 7,2 395 562 With AP-T (tracer)
22
bullet
.357 SIG (9x22)
The .357 SIG cartridge is one of the most recent creations,

developed as a joint effort between the US branch of the
international SIGARMS Company (trade marks SIG, SIG-Sauer) and
the US-based Federal Cartridge Company. This cartridge was
obviously intended primarily for the US market; its main goal was to
provide American law enforcement officers with a cartridge similar
in ballistics and especially penetration to the famous .357 Magnum
revolver round, yet suitable for use in conventional semi-automatic
pistols. This cartridge has been very successful so far, being
officially adopted by several major US law enforcement agencies
including the Texas DPS and the US Secret Service; several
companies make pistols for this cartridge, including SIGARMS,
Beretta and Glock. It is worth nothing that the latter company
marks its pistols chambered for this cartridge as “.357”, without any
mention of the trademark of its major rival.
The .357 SIG cartridge case is based on the earlier .40 S&W
cartridge, having similar case head and body diameter, as well as
similar overall length, for obvious reasons of ease of conversion of
available pistols from .40 S&W to .357 SIG by changing the barrel
and return spring. The case design, however, is different, as the .357
SIG uses a rimless bottlenecked case with reinforced webbing (the
base part of the cartridge), necessary because of the higher
working pressures. The standard loading is a jacketed hollowpoint
bullet.
Bullet Muzzle
Designatio Muzzle
Manufacturer weight, velocity, Comments
n energy, J
g m/s
JHP Cor-Bon, USA7,45 457 778
23
JHP Federal, USA 8,1 411 684

JHP Cor-Bon, USA8,1 434 763
Hornady,
JHP 9,5 374 663
USA
.38 Super Automatic (9x23SR)
Developed in around 1929 by Colt, this was more powerful version of

the original .38 Colt Automatic round, developed by John Browning
before the turn of 20th century. Originally .38 Super was chambered
in a Colt's "Government model" (M1911A1) pistols for police use, but
today it is motly used for sport purposes in shooting disciplines like
IPSC or IDPA. It is also a good self-defence load.
Bullet Muzzle
DesignatioManufactur Muzzle
n er energy, J
g m/s
JHP
7.45 396 584
9x23 Largo (9mm Bergmann-Bayard)
This cartridge was developed in Germany in around 1903 for military

type semi-automatic pistols, by the Theodor Bergmann Company.
These pistols were later produced in Belgium by Pieper under
Bergmann’s license, and adopted by Spain and Denmark, hence the
original Bergmann-Bayard name (“Bayard” was the trademark of the
24
Pieper Company). This cartridge saw extensive use in Spain, being

the standard pistol and sub-machine gun ammunition of the Spanish
military and police between the start of the century and late
eighties, hence the other common name, the 9mm Largo (or “9mm
Big” when translated from Spanish, to distinguish it from other 9mm
cartridges). Some of the Spanish ammunition may also be found
labeled '9mm Camp Giro' after another pistol design, but it is the
same cartridge.
The 9x23 Largo has a straight, rimless case usually made of brass.
The standard loading has a full metal jacket (ball) bullet.
Bullet Muzzle
n er energy, J
g m/s
FMJ 8,1 341 470
9x25 Mauser Export
Developed in around 1906 by Mauser and DWM, this round was

originally chambered in a series of experimental Mauser self-loading
pistols, most notably the C-06/08. Between the World wars this
round was also used in a number of submachine guns, such as
Swiss SIG MKMO, Austrian Steyr MP-34 and Hungarian 39M and
43M. Today it is obsolete.
Bullet Muzzle
n er energy, J
g m/s
FMJ
8.3 415 714
.40 S&W (.40 Smith & Wesson, 10x22)

25
The .40 Smith & Wesson cartridge was developed by the famous US
arms-making company Smith & Wesson and another famous
ammunition maker, the Winchester-Olin company, in around 1989-90.
This cartridge was developed by shortening the 10mm Automatic
(10x25) cartridge case by 3 millimeters (about 1/8 of an inch), to
match the overall length of the popular 9x19 cartridge, while
providing users with more energy and impulse from a larger and
heavier bullet. Compared with its parent 10mm Automatic cartridge,
the .40 S&W allows the pistols to be made smaller and lighter,
especially in the grip area; it is also somewhat less powerful, but
still has enough potential to meet most police and self-defense
requirements. Today, the .40 S&W offers a good compromise
between the two most popular service loads of the last century, the
9x19 Luger/Parabellum and the .45 ACP. It provides better terminal
effectiveness than the 9x19, while permitting a bigger magazine
capacity in the same space when compared with the .45 ACP. The
one “danger” of the .40 S&W is that its dimensions allow
manufacturers to make shortcuts in design by simply rebarrelling
existing 9mm pistols to the larger cartridge; due to the increased
recoil impulse, this may cause excessive wear to frames and other
parts of pistols initially designed for 9x19 ammunition. Not
surprisingly, today many manufacturers prefer to design their new
pistols for .40 S&W and then “downgrade” them to 9x19 if
necessary, and not vice versa. A great many companies make
pistols for this round, and several sub-machine guns chambered for .
40 S&W also are known to exist, such as the MP5/40 and UMP-40,
both made in Germany by Heckler & Koch, or the Taurus-FAMAE,
made in Brazil.
The .40 S&W has a rimless, straight case, usually made of brass
(steel-cased .40 S&W ammunition is made in Russia for export). The
most common service loading uses an expanding jacketed or semi-
jacketed bullet, but many other types of loading are also available.
DesignatioManufacture Bullet Muzzle Muzzle Comments

n r weight velocity, energy, J
26
,g m/s
Remington,
JHP 10,69 350 654
USA
Winchester,
JHP 11,66 308 553
USA
10mm Automatic (10x25 Auto)
This cartridge was created in a search for the “ultimate” combat

round which, while duplicating the terminal effectiveness of such
proven “man-stoppers” as the .45 ACP or .357 Magnum, should
provide a bigger magazine capacity when compared with the .45
and be better suited for semi-automatics when compared with the .
357. This cartridge retained the overall length of .45 ACP, so it could
be used in rebarreled pistols originally designed for the .45; the
case was entirely new. Originally loaded only by Norma of Sweden
from 1983, this load was first used in the US-made Bren Ten pistol,
and latter on in Colt’s Delta Elite. In around 1988 this cartridge was
picked up by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a
replacement for the 9x19 Luger/Parabellum, which proved itself
inadequate on several rather bloody occasions, such as the
infamous Miami massacre of 1986. Smith & Wesson quickly
produced several pistols in this chambering, and Heckler & Koch of
Germany made a limited number of its MP5 sub-machine guns in
10mm for FBI agents. However, the FBI and several other US law
enforcement agencies soon discovered that this cartridge in its
original loading was poorly suited for many officers because of its
severe recoil, and the FBI quickly adopted a reduced-charge
loading, which then lead to the shorter .40 S&W cartridge described
above. Today, this round is most popular in the USA among civilian
shooters, where it is used for self-defense and hunting. Several
companies still make guns in this caliber, such as Tanfoglio of Italy
and Glock of Austria.
27
The 10mm Automatic has a straight, rimless case, usually made of

brass. Most common loads include various types of expanding or
jacketed bullets.

Designatio
Manufacturerweight, velocity, energy, Comments
n
g m/s J
Norma, Original load,
JHP 11,02 408 917
Sweden ca.1983
Modern
Winchester,
JHP 11,34 393 875 commercial
USA
load
Norma, Reduced power
JHP 11,66 290 490
Sweden ‘FBI ‘ load
Norma, Original load,
JHP 12,96 366 868
Sweden ca.1983
.45 ACP (.45 Automatic Colt Pistol, 11.43x25)
This cartridge was developed as a result of extensive tests of the

terminal effectiveness of various rounds that were conducted in
1904 by Col. Thompson and Maj. La Garde on behalf of the US Army.
As a result of these trials, the commission recommended the
replacement of the existing .38 caliber revolver cartridge with a
cartridge that fires bullet of 0.45 inch caliber (11.43mm). The
original recommendations were for a bullet of 200 grains (12.96
gram), but this was later changed to a 230 grain jacketed “ball”
bullet. The case was designed by cutting down the .30-03 rifle
cartridge case to length just below one inch. In 1911, this cartridge
was officially adopted by the US military as the “Cartridge, .45
caliber Ball, M1911”, along with the famous Colt M1911 pistol. Since
its introduction this cartridge has been used in many semi-
28
automatic pistols, as well as in a few revolvers (using half-moon or

full-moon clips) and in several sub-machine guns, starting with
famous Thompson. This cartridge was never popular in Europe, and
was adopted only by Norway, in their M/1912 and M/1914 pistols,
which were licensed Colt designs. On the other hand, this cartridge
was and still is extremely popular in USA, as well as in South and
Central Americas; for many years this round was a standard military
issue in countries like Argentine and Brazil.
Despite the fact that the US Army replaced the .45 ACP as its
standard issue pistol ammunition in 1985, this cartridge still fares
quite well, thanks to its large bullet, which offers significant
terminal effects even in military “ball” configuration. What is even
more interesting is that at the moment of this writing (late 2005),
the US Army is again looking for a military pistol firing the same
old .45 caliber round.
The .45 ACP, also known as the .45 Automatic, has a rimless,
straight case, usually made of brass, although it also may be
encountered with aluminum (US-made) or lacquered steel (Russia-
made) cases. The standard military bullet is of jacketed type,
weighting 230 grain (14.9 gram). Self-defense and police ammunition
can be loaded with great variety of bullets, including frangible,
expanding and other types of bullets. Most common police or
defensive loadings used jacketed hollowpoint bullets of various
makes, weighting from 185 to 230 grains (11.99 to 14.9 gram).

Designatio
n
g m/s J
Various Original
M1911 ball 14,9 275 563
makers, USA military load
JHP 11,99 305 557
USA load
JHP +P 11,99 347 721
USA load
JHP 14,9 267 531
USA load
FMJ 14,9 255 484
USA load
Commercial
JHP +P Cor-Bon, USA 14,9 290 626
load
29
SP-3 AND PZAM SILENCED PISTOL AMMUNITION

Agents outside of USSR.
Cartridg Metric Bullet Muzzle Muzzle
e designation weight velocity energy
8 g / 123 ~ 175 m/s / 122 J / 90
PZAM 7.62x63
grain 570 fps ft-lbs
8 g / 123 ~ 150 m/s / 90 J / 66 ft-
SP-3 7,62x38
grain 490 fps lbs
loaded 7.62mm PZA loaded 7.62mm 7.62mm SP-3 cartridge and

silent cartridge and PZAM silent spent SP-3 case and bullet,
fired case (note cartridge and fired loaded into steel clip used
projecting piston) case (note for MSP pistol
projecting piston Note that piston is of two-
and slightly stage telescoped design
bottlenecked
cartridge) loaded
into steel clip, as
used forS4M pistol
30
SP-4 SILENCED AMMUNITION

The key problem with the SP-3 and PZAM ammo
were their telescoped pistons, which projected
significantly from fired cases and thus made almost
impossible to develop the semi-automatic weapons
for these cartridges. During late 1970s and early
1980s Soviet designers solved this problem by
developing the 7.62x42 SP-4 ammunition, which
used the same basic principle. The telescoped two-
stage piston has been replaced by single-stage
piston, which did not projected from the case when
fired; the standard 7.62mm M43 bullet has been
replaced by the cylindrical bullet, made of mild
steel, and fitted with a brass driving band at the
front. This cartridge has been adopted circa 1983 by
KGB and Spetsnaz elements of the Soviet Army,
along with six-shot, magazine fed, blowback
operated semiautomatic PSS pistol and single-shot NRS-
1 scout shooting knife. The SP-4 ammunition and PSS pistols are
still in use by elite Spetsnaz units within Russian armed forces, as
well as by some FSB and MVD elite units. Apparently, the earlier
MSP pistol with SP-3 ammo and S4M pistol with PZAM ammo
were not phased out of service and still can be encountered in the
hands of serious operators, who not require multi-shot capabilities
of PSS / SP-4 system.
metric
cartridge bullet weight muzzle velocity
designation
200 m/s / 655
SP-4 7.62x41 9,3 g / 143 grain
fps
31
7.62mm SP-4 silent cartridge (left) compared to 9x19 Parabellum

cartridge (right)
\
SP-5 AND SP-6 SUBSONIC ASSAULT RIFLE AMMUNITION

Next line of development, also initiated by
Spetsnaz requirements, also involved silenced
weapons, but in more powerful form. Since the
effective range of silenced pistols is severely
limited, scout and Spetsnaz elements of the Soviet
army originally employed AK and AKM rifles, fitted
with detachable sound suppressors (silencers) and
loaded with special versions of 7.62x39 M43
ammo, known as 7.62x39 US (Umenshennaya
Skorost – Low velocity). To achieve subsonic
velocity along with acceptable ballistics, these
cartridges were loaded with heavier bullets, but its
performance was still inadequate. So, during the
late 1980s, soviet designers developed improved
sub-sonic ammunition, suitable for specially
designed automatic weapons. These cartridges,
known as SP-5 and SP-6, were based on a 7.62x39
M43 case, necked-out to 9mm, and loaded with
heavy, streamlined bullets. The SP-5 cartridge was
loaded with standard “ball” bullet with lead core,
and was intended for accurate sniper work out to
32
300-400 meters. The SP-6 cartridge featured an

armour-piercing bullet with hardened steel core,
which could defeat typical military type body
armour at the ranges of up to 300-400 meters. Two
weapons were initially developed for this
ammunition, both based on the same receiver and
gas operated action – VSS sniper rifle and AS
assault rifle. Both weapons were selective fired,
with integral sound suppressors, and used same
magazines with 10- or 20-round capacity. Latter
on, several more weapons were developed for 9x39
ammunition, such as SR-3 and 9A-91 compact assault
rifles, used by elite Internal Affairs Ministry, Police and State
Security units. The one problem, associated with 9x39, as well as
with most other special purpose cartridges, is that such
ammunition is usually quite expensive. An attempt was made
during late 1990s to produce much cheaper 9x39 AP loading,
designated as PAB-9. This cartridge featured bullets with stamped
(instead of machined) steel cores, as well as increased driving
surfaces. As a result, accuracy was poor and barrel wear
significantly increased, so this ammunition is apparently no longer
in use.
metric
designation
12,5 g / 193 290 m/s / 950
7.62 US 7,62x39
grain fps
16,8 g / 260 280 m/s / 920
СП-5 9x39
grain fps
280 m/s / 920
СП-6 9x39 16 g / 247 grain
fps
33
left to right: SP-5 ball cartridge case and bullet; SP-6 AP dummy
cartridge, and 7.62x39 M43 cartridge for scale
SP-10 ARMOR PIERCING PISTOL AMMUNITION

This development leads us back to pistol
ammunition, but this time with improved
penetration capabilities rather than stealth. The
proliferation of body armor rendered most military
pistols, with its ammunition being about 100 years
old, almost obsolete. The one way to deal with
body armor is to adopt smaller-caliber, high
velocity bullets for both pistols and submachine
guns. This gives additional benefit of flatter
trajectory and lessened recoil, both beneficial for
accuracy. At the minus side, the terminal
performance of the small-caliber, light weight
bullets is somewhat questionable. After initial test
and research, conducted since late 1980s under
the codename “Grach”, Russian armed forces
adopted an improved version of the world’s most
popular pistol ammo, the 9x19 Parabellum. First
produced circa 1994, this version of the 9mm
features an armor piercing bullet of proprietary
34
design, and a powerful powder charge, which

brings this cartridge, officially designated as 7N21,
to the +P+ level, with peak pressures running up to
2 800 kg per square meter. Armor piercing bullet
for 7N21 ammo features a hardened steel
penetrator core, enclosed into bimetallic jacket.
The space between the core and jacked is filled
with polyethylene, and the tip of the penetrator is
exposed at the front of the bullet, to achieve better
penetration. Bullet of the similar design, but of
lighter weight, is used in another service 9x19
cartridge, 7N31, which has been developed in late
1990s for the GSh-18 pistol, and latter was adopted
forPP-2000 submachine gun. Another offspring of
the ”Grach” trials is the 9x21 family of ammunition.
Adopted by the Federal Security Bureau (FSB) of
Russian Federation, this cartridge in its basic form,
known as SP-10, is more or less a stretched-out
7N21 cartridge with improved performance; 9x21
ammo also available in AP-T (tracer) and SP-11 low-
ricochet ball (with lead core) bullets. This ammo is
used inSPS “Gyrza” pistol and in SR-2 “Veresk”
submachine gun.
metric
designation
460 m/s / 1508
7N21 9x19 5.3 g / 82 grain
fps
600 m/s / 1967
7N31 9x19 4.2 g / 65 grain
fps
390 m/s / 1278
7N28 / SP-11 9x21 7.9 g / 122 grain
fps
430 m/s / 1410
7N29 / SP-10 9x21 6.7 g / 103 grain
fps
35
9mm SP-10 AP cartridge (right) compared to 9x19 Parabellum

cartridge (left)
UNDERWATER PISTOL AND RIFLE AMMUNITION
Next line of development, almost unique to the
Soviet armed forces, is the underwater firearms
and ammunition for these. Initially developed
during late sixties, underwater cartridges
propelled the long and slim drag-stabilized
bullets, and were used in four-barreled SPP-1
break-open pistols. To achieve better loading and
extraction, the bottlenecked brass cartridges
were rimmed and loaded using special flat clips,
which held all four rounds together. Both primer
pockets and case necks were sealed against the
water, and the steel bullets were covered by
special lacquer coating. Initially satisfied with
the pistol, Special Forces elements of the Soviet
Navy requested further development and by the
mid-1970s soviet designers brought in an unique
underwater assault rifle, the APS(which, in fact,
was a smoothbore weapon). This weapon used
cartridges, externally similar to earlier SPS pistol
ammunition, but based on the standard 5.45x39
M74 cases. This “rifle” ammunition is available in
36
two basic forms, MPS “ball” and MPST “tracer”.

BothAPS underwater automatic weapon and SPP-
1Munderwater pistol are still in use by Russian navy, as well as
offered for export.
metric
designation
13.2 g / 204 250 m/s / 820
SPS 4.5x40R
grain fps
360 m/s / 1180
MPS 5.66x39 15 g / 232 grain
fps
Note: for underwater cartridges muzzle velocities
listed in air; in the water, MV depends on the
actual depth
underwater cartridges, left to right:

7.62x39 M43 cartridge for scale;
4.5mm SPS cartridge case and bullet;
4.5mm SPS dummy cartridge;
5.66mm MPS dummy cartridge
SMALL-CALIBER PISTOL AMMUNITION
The last development, which could be
considered as a “special purpose”, took the
place during 1970 – 1972 timeframe, when the
KGB requested the development of an “easily
concealable pocket pistol, with flat shape and
not thicker than a matchbox (17mm)”. This
pistol was intended as a concealed carry
weapon for security personnel, as well as self-
defense weapon for top ranked officials. After
a short research designers rejected available
western “pocket-gun” ammunition, such as
6.35x16SR and 7.65x17SR, as entirely
unsatisfactory, and rapidly developed a small
round, which looked more or less like scaled
37
down 7.62x39 M43 cartridge. The 5.45x18

MPTs cartridge had a rimless bottlenecked
case, made of brass, with pointed jacketed
bullet. The terminal performance of this tiny
cartridge is rather unspectacular, but it has a
reputation for penetrating soft body armor at
shorter distances. However, it is by no means
an “armor piercing” ammunition, and the
latter attempts to use it for larger PDW-type
weapons such as full-size OTs-23 “Drotik”
automatic pistol, turned into a predictable
failure. Still, the extremely compact and quite
reliable 5.45x18 PSM pistol is widely used as a self-
defense weapon for Army and MVD generals, as well as by
various law enforcement operatives, working under cover.
metric muzzle
cartridge bullet weight
designation velocity
7N7 / 5.45mm 2.5 g / 39 320 m/s / 1050
5.45x17
MPTs grain fps
5.45mm 7N7 cartridge (right) compared to 9x19 Parabellum

cartridge (left)
AMMUNITION (CARTRIDGES, SHOTSHELLS)
FOR TACTICAL SHOTGUNS
Shotguns are widely used for hunting various game, for sport, as
well as for a variety of military, police, security and civilian home
38
defense purposes. Actual spectrum of shotgun ammunition

produced worldwide is extremely broad, although actual number of
calibers (gauges) is quite limited.
Shotgun caliber (gauge) is an old measure that lists a number of full-
bore lead ball projectiles that can be made for a specified bore from
a pound (454 gram) of lead. therefore, the smaller the gauge number,
the larger the bore diameter, and vice versa. Today, the most
common shotgun gauge in the world is 12 (bore diameter about 18 -
18.5 mm), with 20 and 16 running for 2nd and 3rd places. Bigger
bore gauges (10, 8) is seldom used for anything but hunting,
although one Russian police / anti-riot weapon fires 4 gauge (23mm)
shot shells. Smaller bores (28, 32, .410) also seldom used for
anything but hunting or sport. In police / security / military shotguns,
the 12 gauge is the king of the game.
Shotgun shells in the same gauge also can differ by material (plastic
with brass base, paper with brass base or all-brass, the latter two
gradually sliding into obsolescence), and by shell length
(uncrimped), which usually equals to chamber length. Today, the
most common chamber / shell lengths in 12 and 20 gsuge are
70mm / 2 3/4" and 76mm / 3" (also known as 12 / 20 gauge Magnum).
Older guns may have 67 mm chambers, and some newer hunting
guns may have 89 mm / 3 1/2" "Super-Magnum" chambers. Most
modern tactical shotguns usually feature 76mm / 3" magnum
chambers and proofed to fire "Magnum" loads, but also can safely
fire shorter, standard shells.
Typical load for shotgun shell is shot (number of small ead balls),
buckshot (larger lead balls, usually above 5mm in diameter), full-
bore slugs made of various materials (lead, frangible metallic alloys,
rubber or soft plastic for less-lethal applications), or sub-caliber
slugs (usually made from lead, brass or hardened steel for LE /
Military applications).
Most typical loading for use against human targets is a buckshot,
with load consisting of several round lead balls 6-9mm in diameter,
with about 5 to 27 ball pellets to the shell, depending on the
buckshot size, gauge and shell lenght. Effective range for buckshot
rounds is about 20-25 meters, although single pellets can cause
serious body damage beyond this range. Lead slugs can be fired
with good accuracy at ranges up to 50-70 meters, and are lethal
against human targets at bigger distances. Effective range for less-
lethal rounds depend on the type of projectile (single slug or
multiple rubber balls, material, etc) but usually varies from 5-10
meters (minimum safe distance) and up to 20-25 meters.
39
Typical modern 12 gauge shotgun shell with translucent plastic hull

and brass base, loaded with 8 "00" size buckshot pellets
Most common buckshot sizes and weights
Buckshot size Nominal pellet diameter Pellet weight
0000 .38" / 9.7 mm 87 grain / 5.67 g
000 .36 / 9.1 mm 73 grain / 4.7 gram
00 .33" / 8.4 mm 55 grain / 3.5 gram
0 .32" / 8.1 mm 49 grain / 3.15 gram
1 .30" / 7.6 mm 44 grain / 2.8 gram
2 .27" / 6.9 mm 29 grain / 1.9 gram
3 .25 / 6.4 mm 24 grain / 1.6 gram
4 .24" / 6 mm 16 grain / 1 gram
12 GAUGE SHOTGUN AMMUNITION
Below are just few of the myriads of shotgun loads in 12 gauge

made worldwide, to give an idea of the power of typical shotgun
loadings.
Muzzle
Load Muzzle
Designation energy, Comments
weight velocity
J
1.25 1500
standard load,
70mm, slug oz / fps / 458 3 700
Remington
35.4 g m/s
1.375 1500
Magnum load,
76mm, slug oz/ 38.9 fps / 458 4 080
Remington
g m/s
1290 standard load (12
70mm, 00 1.5 oz /
fps / 393 3 290 pellets),
buckshot 42.5 g
m/s Remington
76mm, 00 1.875 1225 3 710 Magnum load (15
buckshot oz / 53 fps / 373 pellets),
40
g m/s Remington
70mm, Tactical reduced
1200
"Reduced 1 oz / recoil load (8
fps / 366 1 900
recoil" 00 28.3 g pellets),
m/s
buckshot Remington
1325 Police / tactical
70mm, "TAC-8" 1 oz /
fps / 404 2 315 load (8 pellets),
00 buckshot 28.3 g
m/s Remington
AMMUNITION GALLERY:
CARTRIDGES FOR HANDGUNS, RIFLES AND MACHINE

GUNS
This gallery contains photos of cartridges for pistols, revolvers,

submachine guns, military bolt action, semi-automatic and
automatic rifles, sniper rifles, assault rifles, machine guns and anti-
material rifles.
Ammunitions for revolvers
Left to right shown:

1. .32 SW Long
2. 7.62 Sport (Russian, based on 7.62 Nagant)
41
3. 7.62х38R Nagant
4. .38 SW
5. .38 SW Special
6. .357 Magnum
7. .41 Magnum
8. .38-44
9. .44 Special
10. .44 Magnum
11. .455 Webley Mk.II
12. .45 Shofield
13. .45 Colt (.45LC)
14. .454 Casull
15. .500 SW Magnum
AMMUNITION FOR SEMI-AUTOMATIC PISTOLS AND
SUBMACHINE GUNS

1. 5.45x18 MPTs
2. 5.7x28 FN
3. 6.35x16SR Browning / .25ACP
4. .25 NAA
5. .32 NAA
6. 7.65x17SR Browning / .32ACP
7. .30 Pedersen
8. 7.62x25
9. .223 Timbs (5.56/7.62x25)
10. 7.63 Mannlicher
11. 7.65x21 Luger
12. 8x22 Nambu
42

1. 9x17 Browning Kurz / Short / .380 ACP
2. 9x18 Ultra
3. 9x18 Makarov PM
4. 9х18 Makarov PM (lead-core bullet for police use)
5. 9x19 Luger
6. 9x19 7N31 armor piercing
7. 9x20SR Browning Long
8. 9x21 IMI
9. 9х21 SP11
10. 9х21 SP10 armor piercing
11. .38 Super
12. 9x23 Winchester
13. .357 SIG
14. 9x25 Mauser export
15. 9 Winchester Magnum
16. .40 SW
17. .41AE
18. 10mm Auto
19. .45 GAP
20. .45 ACP
21. .45 Winchester Magnum
22. .50 AE
AMMUNITION FOR ASSAULT RIFLES
(INTERMEDIATE POWER AMMUNITION)

1. 4.9 DM11 caseless
2. 4.6x36 HK spoontip bullet (experimental, Germany)
3. 4.9x49 Enfield (experimental, UK)
4. 5.45x39 7N6
5. .222 Remington Special (experimental, USA)
6. .224 Winchester E2 (experimental, USA)
7. 5.56x45 NATO
8. 5.56x45 / .223 Remington composite case (experimental)
9. 5.8x42 DAP-87
43
10. 6x45 SAW (experimental, USA)

11. 6x49 Unified (experimental, USSR)
12. .25 Winchester FA-T110 (experimental, USA)
13. 6.5 Grendel
14. 6.8 Remington SPC
15. 7x43 FN / .280/30 British
16. .30 M1 carbine
17. 7.62x39 M43
18. 7.62x45 Vz.52
19. 7.92x33 PP Kurz
20. 9х39 SP5 subsonic sniper ball
21. 9х39 SP6 subsonic AP
AMMUNITION FOR MILITARY RIFLES, SNIPER

RIFLES AND MACHINE GUNS

1. 6x60 USN (.236 Lee Navy)
2. 6.5x50SR Arisaka
3. 6.5x52 Carcano
4. 6.5x55 M92
5. 6.5x55 M42 sniper
6. .276 Pedersen (7x51)
7. 7.35x51 Carcano
8. 7.5x54 M1929C
9. 7.5x55 GP11
10. 7.62x51 NATO
11. 7.62x54R
44

1. 7.65x53 (x54) Argentinean Mauser (1939)
2. 7.65x53 (x54) Argentinean Mauser
3. .30-06 US / 7.62x63
4. .300 Winchester Magnum
5. .303 Mk.VII / 7.7x57R
6. 7.7x58SR Type 92
8. 7.92x57 Mauser
9. 7.92x61 Norwegian
10. 8x50R Steyr
11. 8x50R Lebel
12. 8x56R M30 Steyr
13. 8x59 M35 Breda
14. 8x63 M32 Bofors
15. .338 Lapua Magnum
16. 9.3x64 (9СН)
AMMUNITION FOR LARGE CALIBER MACHINE GUNS
AND SNIPER / ANTI-MATERIEL RIFLES
45

1. .408 Chey-tac
2. .416 Barrett
3. .460 Steyr
4. 12.7x81SR Breda / .50 Vickers export
5. 12.7x99 Browning / .50 BMG
6. 12.7x108
7. 14.5x114
46
AICW - ADVANCED INFANTRY COMBAT WEAPON

(AUSTRALIA)
2001 concept of the AICW system
2003 concept of the AICW system

47
2005 testing prototype AICW VX3 weapon
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO + 40mm

Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt + Metal Storm patented stacked-
projectile caseless
Overall length: 738 mm
Barrel length: n/a
Weigth: 6.48 kg unloaded, w/o sight; 7.85 kg loaded w/o sight (30
5.56mm + 3 40mm rounds); 9.9-9.9 kg loaded w. electronic sight
Rate of fire: 650 rounds per minute (for 5.56mm barrel)
Capacity: 30 rounds (5.56mm) magazine plus 3 40mm rounds in the
G/L barrel
THALES EF88 / F90 ASSAULT RIFLE (AUSTRALIA)
Thales EF88 / F90 assault rifle with 40cm barrel

48
Thales EF88 / F90 assault rifle with 50cm barrel and underbarrel
grenade launcher
F90 carbine F90

Caliber 5.56x45 NATO 5.56x45 NATO
Length 700 mm 802 mm
Barrel length 407 mm 508 mm
Weight 3.25 kg 3.39 kg
Rate of fire 850 RPM 850 RPM
Magazine 30 rounds 30 rounds
STEYR STG.77 AUG ASSAULT RIFLE (AUSTRIA)
Steyr AUG A1 in standard rifle configuration (military green colour)

49
The drawing of the Steyr AUG prototype (circa 1974). From original
patent. Notethe open sights instead of the latter built-in telescope
sights
Same prototype drawing, major components: barrel group, receiver,

plastic housing with magazine and trigger group (from top to
bottom)
Steyr AUG with M203 40mmgrenade launcher

50
Steyr AUG A1 Carbine (police black colour)
Steyr AUG A2 with Carbine configuration (shorter barrel) and with

Picatinny-type rail installed instead of standard telescope sight
Steyr AUG A3 Carbine with 16inch barrel and optional forward grip /
tactical flashlight and telescope sight
51
Steyr AUG A3 Carbine with 16inch barrel and special 40mm grenade
launcher;grenade launcher sight is attached to the top of removable
telescopic riflesight
Steyr AUG A3 in Sniper configuration, with heavier and longer

20inch barrel,detachable bipod and long-range telescopic sight
Comparison of various AUG barrels, from top to bottom: LMG/heavy

barrel with bipod;standard rifle barrel; carbine barrel; SMG barrel.
52
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO (.223rem)

Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length: 805 mm (with standard 508 mm barrel)
Barrel length: 508 mm (also 350 mm SMG, 407 mm Carbine or 621
mm LMG heavy barrel)
Weight: 3.8 kg unloaded (with standard 508 mm barrel)
Magazines: 30 or 42 rounds box magazines
Rate of fire: 650 rounds per minute
Effective range of fire: 450-500 meters with standard assault rifle
barrel
STEYR ACR - ADVANCED COMBAR RIFLE (AUSTRIA)
Steyr ACR
Steyr ACR layout shematic

53
Steyr ACR action drawing from Steyr patent

gas piston in forward position, breech block with chamber in upper
position
Caliber: 5.6 mm fleschette

Action: Gas operated, rising breech
Overall length: mm
Barrel length: 540 mm
Weigth: 3.23 kg w/o magazine
Rate of fire: rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 24 rounds
FARA 83 ASSAULT RIFLE (ARGENTINA)
Caliber: 5,56x45mm
54
Overall length: 1000 mm (745 mm with butt folded)

Weight: 3,95 kg empty
FN FAL ASSAULT RIFLE (BELGIUM)
Belgian FAL prototype (ca.1950) chambered for British .280

(7x43mm) intermediate cartridge
Austrian Steyr Stg.58 - license built FN FAL
British L1A1 SLR - license built "inch pattern" FN FAL with SUIT
optical sight
Brazilian IMBEL LAR - another license built FN FAL, one of few FAL
models still in production now
55
Canadian C2 Squad Automatic Weapon - a heavy barreled version of

FAL, intended as Light Machine Gun
FN FAL "Paratrooper" model (also known as FAL 50.63) with

shortened barrel and folding butt
DSA-58OSW - a select-fire "sawed off" FAL clone made by DS Arms

(USA) for police use
Caliber : 7,62mm NATO (7.62x51)

Action: Gas operated, tilting breechblock, select-fire or semi-auto
only
Length: 1100 mm (990 / 736 mm for "Para" model)
Barrel length: 533 mm (431 mm for "Para" model)
Weight: 4.45 kg empty (3.77 kg empty for "Para" models)
Magazine capacity: 20 rounds (30 rounds for heavy barreled SAW
versions)
Rate of fire: 650-700 rounds per minute
56
FN CAL ASSAULT RIFLE (BELGIUM)
FN CAL assault rifle with fixed butt
FN CAL assault rifle with folding butt and optional telescope sight
Caliber: 5.56x45 mm
Weight: 3.0 kg empty
Magazine capacity: 20 or 30 rounds
FN FNC ASSAULT RIFLE (BELGIUM)
FN FNC rifle of late manufacture (with enlarged triggerguard)

57
Same rifle, right side view. note the spring-loaded dust cover on the
cockinghandle slot
FN FNC of earlier manufacture, with butt folded
FN FNC Para, with shorter barrel, butt folded and magazine

removed.
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO

Overall length: standard model 997 mm (776 mm with folded
butt);"Para" model 911 mm / 680 mm
Barrel length: 449 mm (363 mm "Para" model)
Weight with empty magazine: 4.06 kg (3.81 kg "Para"model)
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (accept all STANAG-compatible
magazines)
Rate of fire: about 700 rounds per minute
Effective range: 450 meters
58
FN F2000 ASSAULT RIFLE (BELGIUM)
FN F2000 assault rifle, in standard configuration, with telescope

sight
FN F2000 assault rifle, in "Tactical" configuration, with Picatinnyrail

and back-up open sights
FN F2000 assault rifle, with telescope sight and 40mm FN EGLM

grenade launcher
59
FN F2000 assault rifle, in standard configuration, disassembled into

major components
FN FS2000, a semiautomatic-only version for civilian shooters
FN F2000 rifle being fired by Belgian soldier. Note spent case

emerging from theport at the front of the rifle
Caliber: 5.56x45 mm NATO

Weight: 3.6 kg empty, in standart configuration; 4.6 kg with 40mm
60
grenade launcher
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (any NATO / STANAG type magazines)
FN SCAR: MK 16 AND MK 17- SPECIAL FORCES COMBAT

ASSAULT RIFLE (USA/ BELGIUM)
FN SCAR-L / Mk.16 rifle prototype (1s generation, late 2004), left

side view
FN SCAR-L / Mk.16 rifle, 2nd generation prototype, with FN EGLM

40mm grenade launcher attached
FN SCAR-H / Mk.17 rifle prototype in CQC (Close Quarter

Combat,short barrel) configuration,7.62x51 mm NATO version
61
FN SCAR-L / Mk.16 rifle partially disassembled; note additional

quick-detachable barrel
Image: Christopher Rohling via CharlesCutshaw
5.56mmNATO FN SCAR-L / Mk.16 rifles of current production, top to

bottom in Long Barrel (LB), standard (Std) and Close Quarter
Combat(CQC) configurations
Image: FNH USA
62
7.62mm NATO FN SCAR-H / Mk.17 rifles of current production, topto

bottom in Long Barrel (LB), bstandard (Std) and Close Quarter
Combat(CQC) configurations
Image: FNH USA
5.56mm FN SCAR-L PDW "Personal Defense Weapon"
Mk.16SCAR-L (Light) Mk.17 SCAR-H (Heavy)

7.62x51NATO basic
Caliber 5.56x45 NATO 7.62x39 M43 and others
additionally
Overall length, 850 mm(max) / 620 997 mm (max) / 770
standard configuration mm (min) mm (min)
Barrel length 172mm/6.5" (PDW), 330mm/13"(CQC),
63
254mm/10" (CQC),
406mm/16" (Std),
355mm/14" (Std),
508mm/20" (LB)
457mm/18" (LB)
Weight 3.5kg empty 3.86 kg empty
Rate of fire 600 rounds per minute 600 rounds per minute
20 rounds (7.62x51
NATO)
Magazinecapacity 30 rounds standard
30 rounds (7.62x39
M43)
IMBEL MD-2 AND MD-3 (BRASIL)
IMBEL MD-2 rifle (MD-3 rifle in the insert below)
Caliber: 5.56x45 mm (.223 remington)

Overall length: 1010 mm (764 mm with folded stock)
Weigth: 4.4 kg
IMBEL MD-97 ASSAULT RIFLE (BRAZIL)

64
IMBEL assault rifles, top "military" MD-97L, bottom "police"MD-

97LC; versions with folding buttstocks
MD-97L MD-97LC
Caliber 5,56x45mm NATO
1010 mm (770 mm 850 mm (600 mm with
Overall length
with butt folded) butt folded)
Weight 3,7 kg rmpty 3,3 kg empty
Rate of fire ?
Magazine capacity 20 or 30 rounds
LAPA FA 03 ASSAULT RIFLE (BRAZIL)

65
Caliber: 5,56x45mm NATO

IMBEL IA2 5.56 ASSAULT RIFLE CARBINE (BRAZIL)
Caliber 5.56x45 / .223 Rem

Gas operated, rotary bolt
Action
locking
Length, mm 600 – 850
Barrel length, mm 330
Weight, kg 3.38
Rate of fire, rounds/minute 750
Magazine capacity, rounds 30 (STANAG compatible)
ENFIELD EM-2 / RIFLE, AUTOMATIC, CALIBER .280,

NUMBER 9 MARK 1 (GREAT BRITAIN)
66
EM-2 assault rifle, officially adopted in Britain as Rifle, Automatic,

No.9 Mk.1 but never put into service. Note that the backup sights
are in raised position.
EM-1 prototype assault rifle.
EM-2 disassembled into major components.
From let to right: British experimental .280 (7x43mm) cartridge for

EM-2; Soviet 7.62x39mm M43; US/NATO 5.56x45mm (.223 Rem);
US/NATO 7.62x51mm (.308 Win).
Caliber: 7x43 mm (.280 British)
Action: Gas operated
Weight: 3.41 kg with empty magazine
Rate of fire: 450 - 600 rounds per minute (depends on source)
67
ENFIELD SA-80: L85A1 AND L85A2 ASSAULT RIFLE, L22

CARBINE (GREAT BRITAIN)
Enfield SA80-IW (Individual Weapon), chambered for experimental

4,85x49 ammunition
image courtesy of LEI Ltd (UK)
L85A1 rifle, with carrying handle and front sight installed instead of
more common SUSAT telescope sight
Upgraded L85A2 with SUSAT sight

68
British soldier sights the L85A2 rifle fitted with German-made

40mm grenade launcher
L22A1 carbine
image courtesy of LEI Ltd (UK)
69
L22A2 carbine, as issued to Royal Armoured Corps tank crews in

Iraq; note thatit
Caliber: 5.56x45 NATO
Overall length: 780 mm (709 mm in Carbine variant)
Barrel length: 518 mm (442 mm in Carbine variant)
Weight: 4.13 kg (with SUSAT optical sight and no magazine); 5 kg
withSUSAT and loaded with magazine with 30 rounds of ammunition
Effective range: about 500 meters (with SUSAT sights)
HAENEL / SCHMEIISER MKB.42(H) MACHINE CARBINE /

ASSAULT RIFLE (GERMANY)
Caliber:7.92x 33 (7.92 mm Kurz)

Action: Gas operated, tilting bolt
Overalllength: 940 mm
Weigth: 4.9 kg empty
70

WALTHER MKB.42(W) MACHINE CARBINE / ASSAULT

RIFLE (GERMANY)
SCHMEISSER MP 43MP 44 STG.44
MP 43 assault rifle, the first production variant of the Sturmgewehr,

left side
MP 43 assault rifle, the first production variant of the Sturmgewehr,

right side
71
MP 43 assault rifle partially disassembled
Stg.44 assault rifle with the Krummlauf Vorsatz J (curvedbarrel)

attachment, which was designed to be fired "around the corner"or
from inside the armored vehicle
Caliber:7.92x33 mm (7.92mm Kurz)

Weigth: 5.22 kg
MAUSER GERAT 06 / STG.45 ASSAULT RIFLE

(GERMANY)
72
Mauser Gerät 06, an early roller-locked, gas-operated prototype

dated to cicra 1943
Mauser StG.45(M), one of the veryfew pre-production rifles
Caliber: 7.92x33mm (7,92mmKurz)

Action: delayed blowback
Weight: 3.7 kg
HECKLER & KOCH G3 RIFLE (GERMANY)
Earliest variant of G3 rifle with flip-up rear sight and metallic

ventilated handguards
G3A3 with drum type rearsight, plastic ventilated handguards and

fixed stock
73
G3A3 with attached bayonet and plain plastic handguards of more

modern appearance
G3A4 - retractable butt version of the G3
G3KA4 - the shortest G3 variant with retractable buttstockand most

modern integral pistol grip / trigger unit made entirely of plastic
Caliber: 7.62mm NATO (.308 win)

Action: Roller-delayed blowback
Weight: 4.5kg
Barrel length: 450 mm (315 mm on G3KA4 model)
HECKLER&KOCH HK 33 AND HK 53 (GERMANY)

74
HK33A2
HK53A2
HK53A3 with retractable buttstock
HK33 HK33K HK53

5.56x45mm (.2235.56x45mm (.2235.56x45mm (.223
Caliber
Rem) Rem) Rem)
919 mm865 mm780 mm
740 mm with670 mm with590 mm with
Length
retracted stock inretracted stock inretracted stock in
A3 variant A3 variant A3 variant
75
Barrel
390 mm 322 mm 211 mm
length
Weight
3.9 kg 3.65 kg 3.0 kg
empty
Magazine
25, 30, 40 rounds 25, 30, 40 rounds 25, 30, 40 rounds
capacity
Rate of fire 750 rds/min 750 rds/min 750 rds/min
HECKLER UND KOCH G41 (GERMANY)
HK G41
close-up view to the G41 receiver with dust cover, forward assist
button and STANAG magazine veil
images courtesy of www.HKpro.com

Action: Delayed blowback
Overall length: 997 mm (fixed butt) or 996/806 mm (folding butt)
76

Weigth: 4.1 kg
Magazine capacity: 20, 30 or 40 rds
HECKLER-KOCH HK G36 ASSAULT RIFLE (GERMANY)
HK G36 assault rifle (standard German army version with dual sight
system) with 40mm AG36 underbarrel grenade launcher
Image: Heckler-Koch
HK G36 assault rifle with optional accessory kit which includes

forearm with four Picatinny rails and a low-profile scope rail on the
receiver
77
HK G36C 'Compact' or 'Commando' assault rifle, with optional

Picatinny rails on forend
Image: Heckler-Koch
HK G36E rifle (Export version) with single 1.5X telescope sight and
spare magazine clamped to the left side of the inserted one.
Image: Heckler-Koch
HK G36K "short" (Kurz) assault rifle, with buttstock folded; standard

version with iron sights and Picatinny rail
Image: Heckler-Koch
78
HK G36KE short assault rifle, export version, with 'E' type telescope
sight / carrying handle setup
Image: Heckler-Koch
G36 G36K G36C

Caliber 5.56x45mm (.223 Rem)
Length (buttstock open / 720 / 500
998 / 758 mm 860 / 615 mm
folded) mm
Barrel length 480 mm 320 mm 228 mm
3.6 kg (3.3 kg 3.3 kg (3.0 kg
Weight empty 2.8 kg
G36E) G36KE)
Magazine capacity 30 rounds standard
Rate of fire 750 rounds per minute
HECKLER UND KOCH G11 (GERMANY)
HK G11 rifle
79
HK G11K2 pre-productional rifle
HK G11 rifle with the optional optical scope installed

80
Second prototype of the G11 (HKpro.com)
13th prototype of the G11 (HKpro.com)
Caseless ammunition - early variant at the left, latest variant DM11

(cutout view) - at the right
81
Schematic drawing of the G11 bolt & feeding system
Caliber: 4.7 mm caseless

Action: Gas operated, rotating breech
Magazine capacity: 50 or 45 rds
HK416 MODULAR ASSAULT RIFLE / CARBINE / UPPER

RECEIVER ASSEMBLY (GERMANY)
82
HK416 carbine with 10.5 inch (267mm) barrel
HK416 carbine with 14.5 inch (368mm) barrel

Overall length (stock collapsed/extended): 10" barrel: 686 / 785
mm;14" barrel:
Barrel lengths: 10.5" / 267mm; 14.5" / 368mm; 16.5" /419mm and 20" /
508mm
Weight: 3.31 kg w. 10.5" barrel, 3.5kg w 14.5" barrel
HECKLER-KOCH HK417 ASSAULT RIFLE (GERMANY)
2006 prototype of HK417 rifle with 20" barrel; note that it used HK
83
G3-compatible
Current (2008) version of HK417 rifle with 12" / 30cm barrel, basic
version
Image: Heckler & Koch
Current (2008) version of HK417 rifle with 12" / 30cm barrel, fitted
withtelescope sight with night vision adapter, folding bipod and a
sound moderator(silencer)
Current (2008) version of HK417 rifle with 16" / 40cm barrel

Current (2008) version of HK417 rifle with 20" / 50cm barrel, with
telescopesight and detachable bipod
Caliber: 7,62x51mm NATO

Overall length: 905 - 985 mm with 406 mm barrel / 35.6" - 38.8" with
84
16" barrel
Barrel length: 305 mm / 12", 406 mm / 16" or 508 mm / 20"
Weight: 4.36 kg - 4.96 kg, depending on barrel length
MADSEN LIGHT AUTOMATIC RIFLE LAR M/62

(DENMARK)
Madsen light automatic rifle LAR M/62, caliber 7.62x51 NATO, fixed
butt
Madsen light automatic rifle LAR M/62, caliber 7.62x51 NATO, fixed
butt
Madsen light automatic rifle LAR M/62, caliber 7.62x51 NATO,

folding butt
85
Madsen light automatic rifle LAR, caliber 7.62x39 M43 Soviet, made
for Finnish assault rifle trials

Weight: 4.3 kg
Rate of fire: 550 - 600 rounds per minute
CRISTOBAL M2 AND M1962 ASSAULT RIFLE / CARBINE

(DOMINICAN REPUBLIC)
Cristobal Model 2 assault rifle / carbine

86
Cristobal Model 2 Cristobal Model 1962

Caliber .30 M1 US Carbine (7.62x33 M1)
Action Delayed blowback
Overall length 945 mm 866 mm
Weight, empty 3.53 kg 3.96 kg
Magazine capacity 30 rounds
IMI GALIL ASSAULT RIFLE (ISRAEL)
Galil ARM 5.56mm. The only differences from the Galil AR are the
folding bipod andcarrying handle
87
Same rifle, with bipods unfolded. Insert shows the left-side fire
selector /safety switch with Hebrew markings.
Galil AR 7.62mm. Note the longer barrel and deeper magazine
Galil SAR 5.56mm with shorter barrel (with older type brownish
color wooden forearm)
Galil MAR 5.56mm, or Micro-Galil. The most modern Galil derivative.

88
Galil AR / Galil AR / Galil

Galil SAR
ARM ARM MAR
7.62x51mm
Caliber 5.56x45mm NATO
NATO
Overall length 690 /
1050 / 810 979 / 742
(stock open / 840 / 614 mm 445
mm mm
folded) mm
195
mm
4 kg
(without 3.95 kg
2.95
Weight, empty bipod an (4.35 kg 3.75 kg
kg
carrying ARM)
handle)
35
Magazine
25 rounds 35 or 50 rounds round
capacity
s
600 -
750
650 rounds 650 rounds 650 rounds per round
Rate of fire
per minute per minute minute s per
minut
e
150-
Effective 500 - 600 200
450 meters 300 meters
range of fire meters meter
s
GALIL ACE ASSAULT RIFLES (ISRAEL)

89
5.56mm Galil ACE models 21, 22 and 23 rifles (from top to bottom)
image: Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Ltd.
7.62x39 Galil ACE model 32 rifle

7.62x51 Galil ACE model 52 rifle

DATA FOR GALIL ACE 20 21 22 RIFLES

90
Galil ACE Galil ACE Galil ACE

21 22 23
Caliber 5.56x45 NATO
Action Gas operated, rotating bolt
Overall length (butt 730 / 650 847 / 767 975 / 875
extended / collapsed) mm mm mm
Weight 2.8 kg 3.3 kg 3.44 kg
Rate of fire ~ 700 rounds per minute
Data for Galil ACE 31 32 rifles
Galil ACE Galil ACE
31 32
Caliber 7.62x39 M43
Gas operated, rotating
Action
bolt
Overall length (butt extended / 730 / 650 895 / 815
collapsed) mm mm
~ 650 rounds per
Rate of fire
minute
Data for Galil ACE 52 53 rifles
Galil ACE
Galil ACE 53
52
Caliber 7.62x51 NATO
Gas operated, rotating
Action
bolt
Overall length (butt extended / 935 / 855 1043 / 963
collapsed) mm mm
~ 650 rounds per
Rate of fire
minute
TAVOR TAR-21 ASSAULT RIFLE (ISRAEL)
91
Tavor TAR-21 assault rifle(standard version)

Image: IWI Ltd.
Tavor TAR-21 assault rifle (standard version), fitted with 40mm

M203 grenade launcher and grenade launching sight
Image: IWI Ltd.
Tavor CTAR 21 assault rifle (compact version)

Image: IWI Ltd.
92
Tavor MTAR 21 assaultrifle (micro version)

Image: IWI Ltd.
Tavor STAR 21 (designated marksman) rifle

Image: IWI Ltd.
Civilian (semi-automatic only) version of the Tavor. Note the

93
different shape of the butt, handguard and the trigger guard,

basically similar to that of the Micro-Tavor (civilian versions with
oversized trigger guard also manufactured).
Image: IWI Ltd.
Tavor TAR-21 partially disassembled

Image: Dean Roxby (Canada)
TAR C21 / TAR M21 /

TAR 21
CTAR 21 MTAR 21
Caliber: 5,56x45 NATO
Action Gas operated,rotating bolt
Overalllength 720mm 640 mm 590 mm
Barrellength 460mm 380 mm 330 mm
Weight 3,27 kg empty 3,18 kg empty 2,95 kg empty
Magazinecapaci
30 rounds
ty
750- 900 750- 900 750- 900
Rateof fire rounds per rounds per rounds per
minute minute minute
IWI X95 ASSAULT RIFLE / CARBINE / SUBMACHINE GUN

(ISRAEL)
94
5.56mm IWI X95 assault rifle
5.56mm IWI X95 assault carbine

95
9mm X95 submachine gun with optional sound suppressor (silencer)
IWI X95 L rifle IWI X95 carbine IWI X95 SMG

Caliber 5.56x45 NATO 5.56x45 NATO 9x19 Luger / Para
Length 640 mm 580 mm 580 mm
Weight 3.05 kg 2.98 kg 2.98 kg
Rate of fire 700 ~ 1000 RPM 700 ~ 1000 RPM 750 ~ 1200 RPM
Magazine 30 rounds 30 rounds 32 rounds
INSAS ASSAULT RIFLE (INDIA)

96

Overall length: 945 mm with fixed butt; 960 / 750 mm with folding
butt
PINDAD SS2 ASSAULT RIFLE (INDONESIA)
Pindad SS2-V1 assault rifle
Pindad SS2-V2 assault rifle with Pindad-made 40mm grenade

launcher
Pindad SS2-V4 assault / para-sniper rifle

97
Pindad SS2-V5 assault rifle
SS2-V1 SS2-V2 SS2-V4 SS2-V5

Caliber 5.56x45 mm NATO
Overall length (butt 990 / 740 920 / 670 990 / 740 770 / 520
open / folded) mm mm mm mm
Barrel length 460 mm 403 mm 460 mm 252 mm
Weight 3.4 kg 3.2 kg 4.2 kg 3.2 kg
Rate of fire ~ 700 rounds per minute
KHAYBAR KH2002 ASSAULT RIFLE (IRAN)
Khaybar KH 2002 assault rifle
Caliber: 5.56x45 mm
Overall length: 730 mm (with "medium" barrel)
Barrel length: n/a
Weight: 3.7 kg with empty magazine
98

CETME A, B, modelo 58, C Assault Rifles (Spain)
Stg.45(M) - German predecessor to CETME rifles, made at the

Mauser Werke in 1945
Early CETME assault rifle prototype chambered for experimental

7.92x40mm cartridge
CETME modelo A assault rifle, chambered for 7.62x51mm reduced

load cartridge
CETME modelo B / mod. 58 with 30 rounds magazine

99
CETME modelo C rifle(semi-automatic only "Sporter" version shown)
data for CETME mod. B / Mod. 58 rifle
Caliber: 7.62x51 mm reduced power load; also 7.62x51mm NATO

Action: delayed blowback
Weight: 4.4 kg
CETME MOD. L AND LC (SPAIN)
CETME Mod. L assault rifle
Caliber: 5.56x45 mm NATO (.223 rem)

Overall length: 925 mm (860/665 mm mod. LC)
Barrel length: 400 mm (320 mm mod. LC)
Weigth: 3.4 kg empty (3.22 kg Mod. LC)
100
BERETTA BM 59 (ITALY)
Beretta BM59 - left side view, bayonet (in sheath) and bipod
attached
Same gun, right side view
Beretta BM59 Para (folding buttstock)
Beretta BM59 - civilian semi-auto version withouth gas cut-off and

flash-hider / grenade launcher
101
Caliber: 7.62x51 mm NATO (.308 Winchester)

BERETTA AR-70/223 AND AR-70/90 ASSAULT RIFLE

(ITALY)
Beretta AR-70/223 assault rifle
Beretta SCS-70/223 carbine - partially cut out view

102
Beretta AR 70/90 assault rifle.Installation of the folding stock,

shown below the rifle, will convert it into SC-70/90 carbine
configuration
Beretta SCP 70/90 assault carbine.The detachable barrel adaptor is

used to launch rifle grenades.
AR-70/90, SC-
AR-70/223 SCP-70/90
70/90
5.56x45mm
Caliber 5.56x45mm NATO (SS109/M855)
M193
998 mm
908 mm
756mm SC-
Length 995 mm 663 mm with
70/90 with
folded butt
folded butt
Weight, empty 3.8 kg 4.07 kg 3.80 kg
Magazine
30 rounds
capacity
650 rounds per
minute
Effective range 400 meters 500 meters 350 meters
103
BERETTA ARX-160 ASSAULT RIFLE (ITALY)
Beretta ARX-160 assault rifle, early prototype (ca.2008)
Beretta ARX-160 assault rifle, production version (2013) in 5.56x45

NATO
Beretta ARX-160 assault rifle, production version (2013) in 7.62x39

M43 Russian
104
Beretta ARX-160 assault rifle, production version with GLX-160

grenade launcher
Beretta ARX-100 self-loading rifle for civilian use, in 7.62x39 Russian

105
Beretta ARX-160 assault rifle partially disassembled
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO, 7.62x39 M43

Overall length: 820-900 mm with 406 mm barrel and butt in ready
position; 680 mm with butt folded
Barrel length: 305 mm / 12" or 406 mm / 16", quick changeable
Weight: ~ 3.1 kg with 406 mm barrel, w/o mag
DIEMACO / COLT CANADA C7A1 C7A2 ASSAULT RIFLE,

C8 CARBINE(CANADA)
106
Diemaco C7A1 rifle (top) and upgraded C7A2 rifle (bottom), both
fitted with Elcan optical sights
Diemaco C8A1 carbine
Diemaco C7 Diemaco C8
Calibre 5.56 x 45 NATO 5.56 x 45 NATO
Length 1020 mm 840 / 760 mm
3.3 kg empty w/o 2.7 kg empty w/o
magazine magazine
Weight
3.9 kgloaded with 30 3.2 kgloaded with 30
rounds rounds
Magazine
30 rounds 30 rounds
capacity
800 rounds per 900 rounds per
Rate of fire
minute minute
107
TYPE 56 ASSAULT RIFLE (PR CHINA)
Type 56 assault rifle with machined (milled) receiver
Type 56 assault rifle with stamped steel receiver
Type 56-1 assault rifle with bottom-folding stock and bayonet in

opened (combat)position
Type 56-2 assault rifle with side-folding stock; note that bayonet is
discardedalong with its integral mounting
108
Type 56-1S semi-automatic rifle in 5,56x45 / .223 Remington caliber

(export-only"civilian" version)
Type 56C compact assault rifle, with side-folding stock, short barrel
and 20-round magazine
Caliber: 7.62x39 mm
Weight: 3.80 kg
TYPE 63 (68) ASSAULT RIFLE (PR CHINA)
Type 63 assault rifle with 20-rounds magazine
Caliber: 7.62x39 mm
109
Weigth: 3.49 kg
rate of fire: 750 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 20 rounds detachable box magazines
TYPE 81 ASSAULT RIFLE (PEOPLE REPUBLIC OF CHINA)
7.62x39 Type 81-1 assault rifle, folding butt version, left side
5.8x42 Type 87-1 experimental assault rifle, used to develop and

test 5.8mm DBP87 cartridge for QBZ-95 rifle
Type 81S (late production export version with fixed butt) assault
rifle (top) and Type 81 MGS light machine gun (bottom)
110
Caliber: 7.62x39 mm M43

Overall length: 955 mm (730 mm with butt folded for Type 81-1)
Weight: 3.5 kg
NORINCO TYPE 86S RIFLE (PR CHINA)
Caliber: 7.62x39 mm
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (AK-47 type)
QBZ-95 AND QBZ-95-1, QBZ-97 [TYPE 95, 95-1 AND 97]

ASSAULT RIFLE (PEOPLE REPUBLIC OF CHINA)
111
5.8x42mm QBZ-95 assault rifle, left side view
5.8x42mm QBZ-95 assault rifle, right side view; magazine is

removed and a 4X telescope sight is installed
5.56x45mm QBZ-97 / Type 97 assault rifle; note different magazine

port, designed to accept STANAG / M16-type magazines
112
improved 5.8x42mm QBZ-95-1 (Type 95-1) assault rifle
5.8x42mm QBZ-95-1 (Type 95-1) short assault rifle (carbine) with

new 35-mm underbarrel grenade launcher
Data for QBZ-95 (QBZ-97 in parenthesizes, where differs from QBZ-

95)
Caliber: 5.8x42 mm (5.56x45 mm NATO)
Weight: 3.4 kg unloaded
Rate of fire: ~ 650 rounds per minute
TYPE 03 / QBZ-03 ASSAULT RIFLE (CHINA)

113
Type 87 experimental assault rifle, a predecessor to Type 03
Type 03 (QBZ-03) assault rifle, with bayonet attached
Type 03 (QBZ-03) assault rifle, partially disassembled
Caliber: 5.8x42 mm
Overall length: 950 mm (725mm with butt folded)
Barrel length: n/a
Weight: 3.5 kg
Rate of fire: ~650 rounds per minute
CQ / M311 ASSAULT RIFLE (CHINA)

114
Original CQ rifle
CQ-M4 carbine
Typical receiver markings of CQ rifle
Caliber: 5.56x45 mm
QBS-06 underwater assault rifle (PR China)

115
QBS-06 underwater assault rifle
special underwater cartridge 5.8x42 DBS-06
Caliber 5.8x42 DBS-06

Action Gas operated, rotary bolt
680 mm (with stock
Length, mm
collapsed)
Barrel length, mm No data
Weight, kg 3.15 kg
Rate of fire, rounds/minute No data
Magazine capacity, rounds 25
FX-05 XIUHCOATL ASSAULT RIFLE (MEXICO)

116

Overall length: 1087 mm (stock extended) or 887 mm (stock folded)
Barrel length: mm
FEDOROV
117
Fedorov "Avtomat" - the first practical assault rifle ever adopted

Image: Semen Fedoseev
Fedorov "Avtomat" action, removed from the wooden stock. Note

that barrel is in full recoil position and locking plates are lowered
and bolt isunlocked (right locking plate is visible in front of the
round cocking handleknob).
Image: Semen Fedoseev
Diagram showing the locking action of Fedorov avtomat. Top - bolt is

locked tothe barrel, bottom - barrel is in full recoil, bolt unlocked
and partiallyopened
Parts are numbered as follows: 1 - barrel; 2 - bolt; 3 - locking lug
(one of two);4 - fixed lug in receiver.
118
Caliber: 6,5x50SR Arisaka

Action: short recoil operated
KALASHNIKOV AKS-74U (KRINKOV)SHORT ASSAULT

RIFLE (RUSSIA - USSR)
AKS-74U short assault rifle
AKS-74U-UBN with the BS-1 "Tishina" 30mm suppressed grenade

launcher(shown detached, along with special blank launcher
cartridge and 30mmHE-DPgrenade)
119
Caliber: 5,45x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Overall length: 735 mm (490 mm with foldedbuttstock)
Magazine capacity, 30 rounds standard
Weight empty: 2,71 kg
Effective range: about 200 meters
KALASHNIKOV AK-101 ASSAULT RIFLE (RUSSIA)
Kalashnikov AK-101 assault rifle with 40mm GP-30 underbarrel

grenade launcher

Length, mm: overall: 943; w/folded stock: 700;
Barrel lenght: 415 mm
KALASHNIKOV AK-103 ASSAULT RIFLE (RUSSIA)
Caliber: 7.62x39 M43

120
Length, mm: overall: 943; w/folded butt 700;

Barrel Length, mm: 415
Magazine capacity, 30 rounds
KALASHNIKOV AK-102, AK-104, AK-105 ASSAULT

RIFLES (RUSSIA)
5.56mm Kalashnikov AK-102 assault rifle (AK-105 looks exactly the

same)
7.62mm Kalashnikov AK-104 assault rifle
Caliber: AK-102 5.56x45 mm NATO; AK-104 7.62x39 M43; AK-

105 5.45x39 M74
Length, mm: overall: 824; w/folded butt 586
Barrel Length, mm: 314
Weight, 3.0 kg empty
121
KALASHNIKOV AK-107 AND AK-108 ASSAULT RIFLE

(RUSSIA)
AK-107 assault rifle
AK-107 assault rifle, disassembled
Illustration of the balanced action, with dual, counter-moving gas

pistons above the barrel.
122
Modified AK-107 assault rifle, as displayed in 2011. Note new top

cover with integral Picatinny rail. Night sight is installed.
Close-up view on the receiver and controls of the modified AK-107

rifle. Note four-position safety / selector lever.
123
New diopter-type rear sight of the improved AK-107 rifle
Caliber: 5.45x39mm (5,56x45NATO for AK108)

Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs, balanced bolt-
carrier/bolt group to reduce recoil jumping
Length: 943 / 700 mm
Barrel lenght: 415 mm
Sighting range,m: 1000
Rate of fire: 850 (900 for AK108) rounds per minute
KALASHNIKOV AK-9 COMPACT ASSAULT RIFLE

(RUSSIA)
124
Kalashnikov AK-9 compact assault rifle
Kalashnikov AK-9 compact assault rifle
Caliber: 9x39 mm SP-5, SP-6

Overall length: 465 / 705 mm; 646 / 881 mm with silencer
Barrel length: ?
Weight: 3,1 kg with empty magazine, 3.8 kg with silencer installed
Rate of fire: ? rounds per minute
NIKONOV AN-94
AN-94 assault rifle, buttstock in the open position

125
AN-94 rifle, buttstock folded
Author poses with the AN-94 assault rifle (Interpolytech-2001

exhibition,Moscow, Russia)
Caliber: 5.45x39 mm
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt; moving barrel-receiver-gas drive
group for delayed recoil action
Overall length: 943 mm (728 mm with butt folded)
Weight, without magazine: 3.85 k g
Cyclic rate of fire: 1800 and 600 rounds per minute variable
(seedescription below for explanation)
Maximum effective range: 700 meters
126
AEK-971 ASSAULT RIFLE (RUSSIA)
Early model AEK-973 rifle in 7.62x39mm
Early model AEK-971 rifle in 5.45x39mm
Late production model AEK-971 rifle in 5.45x39mm with red-dot

sight
Prototype AEK-973S rifle in 7.62x39mm with telescoped butt

127
Caliber: 5.45x39mm (AEK-971), 5.56x45 (AEK-972) and 7.62x39mm

(AEK-973)
Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt, balanced
Weigth: 3.3 kg without magazine
Magazine capacity: 30 rds, all standart AK-47 or AK-74 magazines
depending on caliber
OTS-11
Caliber: 9x39 mm SP-5, SP-6

Overall length: 490 mm (butt folded) or 730 mm (butt extended)
GROZA OC-14 / OTS-14

128
"Groza" OC-14 / OTs-14 Assault Rifle in "assault" configuration
"Groza" OC-14 / OTs-14 Assault Rifle in "Grenadier" configuration
"Groza" OC-14 / OTs-14 Assault Rifle with silencer and telescope

sight
Caliber, mm: 9x39 SP-6, 7.62x39 M43

Length: 610 mm (with grenade launcher installed)
Weigth: 2.7 kg in basic configuration; 4.0 kg with attached grenade
129
launcher
Magazine: 20rds (9mm), 30rds AK-47 type (7.62mm)
AS "VAL" SILENCED ASSAULT RIFLE (USSR / RUSSIA)
AS "Val" silenced assault rifle, with shoulder stock opened
AS "Val" silenced assault rifle, with shoulder stock folded
AS "Val" silenced assault rifle, partially disassembled; note

thatbarrel is significantly shorter than integral silencer
130
Author prepares to fire AS "Val" silenced assault rifle
Caliber: 9x39 mm (SP-5, SP-6)

Length: 875 mm / 615 mm (stock open / folded)
Effective range: 400 meters
SR-3 / SR-3M "Vikhr" compact assault rifle (Russia)

131
SR-3 Vikhr compact assault rifle, shoulder stock folded.
SR-3 Vikhr compact assault rifle, shoulder stock extended.

132
SR-3M Vikhr compact assault rifle, early model, with 'old pattern'
20-round magazine; shoulder stock and forward grip extended.
SR-3M Vikhr compact assault rifle, current issue model, with 'old
pattern' 20-round magazine, quick-mounted silencer and telescope
sight.
SR-3M Vikhr compact assault rifle, current issue model, with 'new
pattern' 30-round magazine.
133
SR-3 SR-3M
Caliber: 9x39 SP-5, SP-6
410 / 675 mm
Overall length (butt
396 / 640 mm 700 / 970 mm with
folded / open)
silencer
2.2 kg less magazine
2.0 kg less
Weight: 3.2 kg with empty 30-rd
magazine
magazine and silencer
900 rounds
per minute
10 or 20
Magazine capacity 10, 20 or 30 rounds
rounds
9A-91 COMPACT ASSAULT RIFLE (RUSSIA)
9A-91 compact assault rifle (early model) with buttstock in open

position
9A-91 compact assault rifle (current production model) with

attached silencer and red-dot sight
134
9A-91 compact assault rifle (current production model) with red-dot

sight
9A-91 compact assault rifle (current production model)

with silencer detached and shoulder stock folded
Caliber: 9x39 mm
Overall length:605 mm with open butt, 383 mm with folded butt
Barrel length: ??
Magazine capacity: 20 rounds<span style="font-size: 12pt; Times New
Roman" ;"="">
135
A-91 ASSAULT RIFLE (RUSSIA)
7.62mm prototype A-91 bullpup assault rifle, as made in mid-1990s.

Note unusual position of the integral 40mm grenade launcher, which
is mounted above the barrel.
5.56mm NATO A-91 assault rifle, most recent version (2003).
Caliber: 7.62x39mm and 5.56x45mm NATO

136
Barrel length: ??
Weight: 3.97 kg empty (with integral grenade launcher)
APS UNDERWATER ASSAULT RIFLE (RUSSIA)
APS rifle, with butt collapsed; note crude non-adjustable iron sights
and unusual magazine
Caliber: 5.6x39 mm MPS

Overall length: 823 mm (butt retracted), 615 mm (butt collapsed)
Barrel length: n/a
Weight: 2.4 kg less magazine; 3.4 loaded
Rate of fire: 600 rounds per minute (in air)
ASM-DT
137
One of ASM-DT assault rifle prototypes, with underwater magazine

andadditional equipment (above) and with standard "above water"
magazine(below)
Caliber: 5.45 mm (5.45x39 forabove water firing and 5.45mm

special underwater ammunition forsubmerged firing)
Overall length: n
Barrel length: n
Weight: kg
Rate of fire: ~600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (for above waterconfig) or 26 rounds
(for underwater config)
ADS DUAL-MEDIUM / AMPHIBIOUS / UNDERWATER

ASSAULT RIFLE (RUSSIA)
Early prototype of the ADS dual-medium / amphibious assault rifle

138
configured for above-water fire, with standard AK-74 magazine

loaded with 5.45x39 ammunition
Early prototype of the ADS dual-medium / amphibious assault rifle

configured for under-water fire, loaded with special magazine with
underwater ammunition with long, needle-like bullets; it was based
on the earlier ASM-DTexperimental dual-medium / amphibious
assault rifle
ADS dual-medium / amphibious / underwater assault rifle, current

model, which can be used in same configuration either above or
below the water, with only change being ammunition type (in similar
magazines)
139
ADS dual-medium / amphibious / underwater assault rifle configured

for above-water "Spetsnaz" use; grenade launcher barrel is
removed, and a silencer and night sight are installed for special
operations
Diagram from original Russian patent, issued in 2006, for the design
of the 5.45x39 PSP underwater cartridge and bullet, which
protrudes down the cartridge case all the way to its base.
Caliber: 5.45x39mm 7N6 / 7N10 / 7N22 for above-water fire and

5.45x39 PSP or PSP-U for under-water fire
Weight: 4.6 kg (with integral 40mm grenade launcher)
KOROBOV TKB-408 ASSAULT RIFLE (USSR)

140
Korobov TKB-408 assault rifle
Caliber: 7.62x39mm M43

Barrel length: n/a
Weight: 4.3 kg
Rate of fire: n/a
KOROBOV TKB-517 ASSAULT RIFLE (USSR)
Korobov TKB-517 assault rifle. The small "tube" above the barrel is
a cleaning rod.

Overall length: mm
Barrel length: mm
Weight: kg
141
KOROBOV TKB-022 ASSAULT RIFLE [EXPERIMENTAL]

(USSR / RUSSIA)
7.62mm Korobov TKB-022 experimental assault rifle, first model in

the TKB-022 line, circa 1962
7.62mm Korobov TKB-022PM experimental assault rifle, left side,

circa 1965
142
7.62mm Korobov TKB-022PM experimental assault rifle, right side,

circa 1965
Caliber:7.62x39 mm M43 (also experimental 5.6x39mm)

Action: Gas operated, vertically sliding bolt
Overalllength: 525 mm / 20.7"
Barrel length: 415 mm / 16.3"
Weigth: 2.8 - 2.4 kg (depending on version) / 6.2 - 5.3 lbs
Rate of fire: 560 rounds pr minute
BARYSHEV AB-762 AND AVB-762 ASSAULT RIFLES (RUSSIA)
Baryshev AB-7,62 prototype assault rifle, chambered for 7,62x39

ammunition
Czech-made LCZ B20 (AVB-7,62) prototype automatic rifle,

chambered for 7,62x51NATO ammunition
143
Diagram from original patent, issued to Baryshev for his delayed-

blowback action
AB-7,62 / LCZ B10 AVB-7,62 / LCZ B20

7,62x54R or 7,62x51
Caliber 7,62x39 M43
NATO
Overall length (stock
960 / 710 mm 1000/ 750 mm
open / folded)
Weight, empty 3,6 kg 3,9 kg
Rate of fire 750 rounds per minute 750 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 30 rounds 10 or 20 rounds
ASh-12.7 assault rifle (Russia)

144
ASh-12.7 assault rifle is being demonstrated by KBP's chief small

arms designer, V.Zelenko
photo: "National Defense" magazine
same photo, close-up view on the rifle

145
ASh-12.7 assault rifle prototype with 3-shot revolver UBGL and

silencer
12.7x55 ammunition for ASh-12.7 assault rifle, L-R: with light bullet,
with duplex load, with heavy bullet, with AP bullet
photo: "National Defense" magazine
146
12.7x55 case compared to .499 LWR, .50 Beowulf and 7,62x39 for
scale
Kalashnikov AK-12 assault rifle (Russia)
5.45x39, 5.56x45, 7,62x39;

Caliber
7,62x51 NATO
Action Gas operated, rotary bolt
Length, mm 945 / 725
Barrel length, mm 415
Weight, kg 3.3 (less magazine)
Rate of fire, rounds/minute 600/1000
Magazine capacity, rounds 30 or 60
147
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES KINETICS SAR-21

ASSAULT RIFLE (SINGAPORE)
SAR-21 assault rifle
SAR-21 - another view
SAR-21 RIS (Rail Interface System), with reflex-type ("red dot")

sightand a detachable vertical foregrip.
148
SAR-21 field strippedinto major subassemblies

images courtesy of ST Kinetics

Weight: 3.82 kg without magazine and accessories, 4.44 kg loaded
withmagazine and 30 rounds of ammunition
Effective range: about 500 meters
Armalite AR-10 (USA)
The original AR-10 of the late 1950s. Note the three-prong flash
hider and a bayonet lug under the barrel
149
The AR-10B rifle, a modern "civilian" re-creation of the AR-10.

Notethe lack of the bayonet lug and the M16A2-type rear sight and
pistol grip
AR-10A2 is, basically, an upscaled AR-15A2 rifle, chambered for the .

308Winchester (7.62x51mm) cartridge. Note that the charging
handle is above thebuttstock, as on AR-15 / M16 rifles. The furniture
is similar to the M16A2 rifle,except for the muzzle brake
AR-10(T) - a target grade version of the "new" AR-10, with Picatinny-

type rail instead of the carrying handle, and the match barrel
The original AR-10, partially field-stripped. The similarity to the

latter AR-15/ M16 rifles is obvious
Caliber: 7,62mm NATO (7.62x51mm)

Length : 1016 mm
Barrel Length: 508 mm
150
Weight: 4.31 kg empty, without magazine and sling

Magazine: 20 rounds
Rate of fire: 700 rounds per minute (original military version)
Armalite AR-18 assault rifle (USA)
Original AR-18 assault rifle, made by the Sterling Armaments of UK
The "reincarnated" AR-180B of recent manufacture. Semi-automatic

onlyand with plastic lower receiver with integral pistol grip
Schematic view of the AR-18 (from the original Armalite patent,

issued in 1968)
Caliber: 5.56x45 mm (.223 Remington M193)

Overall length: 940 mm (738 mm with folded stock)
Weight: 3.09 kg with empty 20 rounds magazine
Magazine capacity: 20, 30 or 40 rounds
151
ColtM4 and M4A1 carbine / assault rifle (USA)
Colt M4 carbine, current issue model with removable carrying

handle, left side
Colt M4 carbine, current issue model with removable carrying

handle, right side
Colt M4 carbine, old version with fixed M16A2-style carrying handle

and M203 grenade launcher
152
Colt M4 carbine, current issue model with Trijicon ACOG telescope

sight installed over the integral Picatinny rail and M203 grenade
launche mounted onto the RIS forend.
Colt M4 carbine with Mk.18 CQBR upper receiver, fitted with

Aimpoint red-dot sight and additional back-up iron sights (BUIS)
THOR Global Defense Group TR-15 carbine, manufactured along the

lines of US GI M4, but fitted with a number of accessories such as
AAC silencer, Vltor rail forend and buttstock, and Trijicon ACOG 4X
optical sight
image: THOR Global Defense Group
153
image: THOR Global Defense Group
Caliber: 5.56mm NATO

Overall length: 838 mm (stock extended); 757 mm (stock fully
collapsed)
Weight: 2.52 kg without magazine; 3.0 kg with magazine loaded with
30 rounds
Maximum effective range: 360 m
Colt CAR-15 / XM-177 Commando (USA)
Colt CAR-15 - earliest version
Colt XM-177E1
154
Colt Commando (model 733, note M16A2-style brass deflector and

forward assist)
Data for current production Colt mod 933 Commando
Caliber: 5.56x45 mm (.223 Remington)

Overall length: 680 - 762 mm
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds (or any other M16 type magazine)
Stoner 63 weapon system: rifle and carbine (USA)
7.62mm Stoner 62 weapons in light machine gun (top) and rifle

(bottom)configurations
photo: SMGLee
155
5.56mm Stoner 63 weapons, in rifle (top) and light machine gun

configurations
photo: SMGLee
5.56mm Stoner 63A rifle, with detachable bipod

photo:
5.56mm Stoner 63 carbine

photo: SMGLee
156
diagram from original US patent, granted to Eugene Stoner for

design of Stoner62 / 63 weapon system
Stoner 63A rifle Stoner 63A carbine

(XM22) (XM23)
Caliber 5.56x45mm M193
Action gas operated, rotating bolt
911 mm (679mm w.
Overall length 1022 mm
folded butt)
Weight, empty 3.72 kg 3.67 kg
750 - 900 rounds per 740 - 800 rounds per
Rate of fire
minute minute
TRW LMR - Low Maintenance Rifle (USA)
TRW LMR (Low Maintenance Rifle) in its final shape, right side, with
attached M6 bayonet
157
TRW LMR (Low Maintenance Rifle) in its final shape, left side, with
30-round magazine attached

Action: Gas operated, locked by rollers
Weight: 3.63 kg loaded
Bushmaster M-17s rifle (USA)
Bushmaster M-17s rifle, left side view.

158
Bushmaster M-17s rifle, right side view, with installed Red Dot
sight.
Caliber: 5.56x45 mm (.223 Remington)

Magazine capacity: Accepts all M16/AR15 magazines, standard
capacity 30 rounds
Ruger AC-556 assault rifle / Mini-14 GB rifle (USA)
Ruger AC556 assault rifle with 30-round magazine. Note the fire
mod selector at the rear of receiver, above the trigger
159
Ruger AC556F assault rifle, with short barrel, 20-round magazine

and stockopened
Ruger AC556F assault rifle, with stock folded
Ruger Mini-14/GB "paramilitary" rifle, less magazine
Ruger Mini-14/GB-F "paramilitary" rifle with folding stock, full-

length barrel and 30-round magazine. Note lack of fire selector on
receiver
Ruger Mini-14 rifle, original version (1980's production) with

aftermarket magazine
160
Ruger Mini-14 "Ranch" rifle of pre-2005 production. Note receiver

with integral scope mounts and folding rear sight
Ruger Mini-14 rifle, current version (as made since 2005). Note
different front and rear sights and polymer handguard which covers
most of the operating rod;
Ruger Mini-30 "Ranch" rifle of current manufacture, with polymer

stock
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 Remington); also 7,62x39 M43 in

Mini-30
Overall length: 943 mm (851 / 603 mm for AC-556F)
Barrel length: 470 mm (330mm for AC-556F)
Magazine capacity: 5, 10, 20 or 30 rounds detachable box magazines
Rate of fire: 750 rounds per minute (for AC-556 only)
Alliant Techsystems / Heckler-Koch XM-29 SABR / OICW assault

rifle (USA)
161
The XM-29 SABR OICW (Objective Individual Combat Weapon) in its

present configuration (2002).
Some of the early OICW configuration alternatives (late 1990s).

1 - combined 5.56mm rifle and 20mm launcher (present
configuration);
2 - 20 mm launcher with detachable 4.6mm HK PDW submachine
gun;
3 - 20mm launcher in the standalone configuration.
The left side view on the XM-29 OICW, showing its controls on the
sighting unit.
162
The major components of the XM-29.
XM-29 OICW ammunition - HE (High Explosive) ant TP (target

practice) rounds for 20mm unit and KE (Kinetic Energy) 5.56mm
NATO round.
Caliber: 5.56 mm NATO (KE) and 20x85mm (HE)

Action: Gas operated, rotating bolt (KE), unknown (HE)
Barrel length: 250 mm (KE) 460 mm (HE)
Weight: ca 5.5 kg empty; ca 6.8 kg loaded
Magazine capacity: 20 or 30 rounds box (KE) and 6 rounds box (HE)
SIG 516 tactical rifle (USA)

163
SIG 516 Patrol rifle
SIG 516 Precision Marksman rifle
Sig 516 Precision

SIG 516 Patrol
Marksman
Caliber: 5.56x45 NATO / .223 Remington
Gas operated, short stroke piston,
Action
rotary bolt locking
Overall length 920 ... 947 mm 914 ... 1003 mm
Barrel length 406 mm / 16" 457 mm / 18"
Weight, less magazine 3.3 kg 3.5 kg
750 - 900
Rate of fire (for MIL / LE
rounds per n/a
versions only)
minute
FN SCAR: Mark 16 and Mark 17- Special Forces Combat Assault

Rifle (USA/ Belgium)
164
FN SCAR-L / Mk.16 rifle prototype (1s generation, late 2004), left

side view
FN SCAR-L / Mk.16rifle, 2nd generation prototype, with FN EGLM

40mm grenade launcher attached
FN SCAR-H / Mk.17 rifle prototype in CQC (Close Quarter

Combat,short barrel) configuration,7.62x51 mm NATO version
FN SCAR-L / Mk.16 rifle partially disassembled; note additional

165
quick-detachable barrel
Image: Christopher Rohling via CharlesCutshaw
5.56mm NATO FN SCAR-L / Mk.16 rifles of current (2007/2008)

production, top to bottom in Long Barrel (LB), standard (Std) and
Close Quarter Combat(CQC) configurations
Image: FNH USA
7.62mm NATO FN SCAR-H / Mk.17 rifles of current (2007/2008)

166
production, top to bottom in Long Barrel (LB), standard (Std) and

Close Quarter Combat(CQC) configurations
Image: FNH USA
Mk.16SCAR-L (Light) Mk.17 SCAR-H (Heavy)

7.62x51NATO basic
Caliber 5.56x45 NATO 7.62x39 M43 and others
additionally
Overalllength, 850 mm(max) / 620 997 mm (max) / 770
standard configuration mm (min) mm (min)
254mm/10" (CQC), 330mm/13"(CQC),
Barrellength 355mm/14" (Std), 406mm/16" (Std),
457mm/18" (LB) 508mm/20" (LB)
Weight 3.5kg empty 3.86 kg empty
Rate of fire 600rounds per minute 600 rounds per minute
20rounds (7.62x51
NATO)
Magazinecapacity 30 rounds standard
30 rounds (7.62x39
M43)
Robinson Armaments M-96 and XCR rifle (USA)
Robinson Armaments M-96 rifle in standard configuration

167
Robinson Armaments M-96 rifle in top-feed ("Bren-type")

configuration,with short barrel
Robinson Armaments M-96 RAV-02 assault rifle (selective-fired),

version chambered for 7.62x39mm
Robinson Armaments XCR rifle, caliber 5.56x45mm, with open

sights (detachable and folding).
Robinson Armaments XCR rifle, caliber 5.56x45mm

168
Robinson Armaments XCR rifle, caliber 6.8x43mm Remington SPC,

with Trijicon ACOGtelescope sight
Data for RobArm XCR rifle
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO; also 6.8x43mm Remington SPC and

7.62x39 M43
Overall length: 959 mm (stock open), 696 mm (stock folded)
Barrel length: 407 mm (other lengths available)
Weight: 3.4 kg
Rate of fire: n/a
Z-M Weapons LR-300 assault rifle / Para USA Tactical TargetRifle

(USA)
Z-M Weapons LR-300-ML assault rifle, early (circa 2001) version

169
Z-M Weapons LR-300-SR semi-automatic rifle, late production

version(circa 2006)
Para USA Tactical Target Rifle, with buttstock open
Para USA Tactical Target Rifle, with buttstock collapsed
Specifications forZ-M Weapons LR-300 rifles

LR-300-SR LR-300-14.5 LR-300-ML
Caliber 5.56x45mm / .223 Remington
Gasoperated, rotating bolt, direct
Action
impingement
946 mm / 896 mm /
Overall length 820 mm / 32.25"
37.25" 35.25"
419 mm / 368 mm /
Barrel length 293 mm / 11.5"
16.5" 14.5"
2.95 kg / 6.5 2.72 kg / 6.0
Weigth 2.54 kg / 5.6 lbs
lbs lbs
950 rounds per
Rate of fire -- --
minute
170
Magazine
30rounds
capacity
Specificationsfor Para USA Tactical Target Rifle
Caliber 5.56x45 mm / .223Remington
Gas operated,rotating bolt, direct
Action
impingement
Overall length, stock open
838 mm (667 mm) / 33" (26.25")
(folded)
Barrel length 419 mm / 16.5"
Weigth 3.45 kg / 7.6 lbs
GIAT FAMAS assault rifle (France)
FAMAS F1 (original version). Note original straight FAMAS magazine

that holds 25 rounds
FAMAS rifle stripped into major components

171
FAMAS G2 (latest version, with 30 rounds STANAG magazine)
Modifications of the FAMAS G2, now available from GIAT Industries

172
FAMAS-FELIN system prototype (2001). Modified FAMAS G2 rifle

fitted with electronic day/night optical sight, laser rangefinder and
an interface to the other soldier equipment, such as helmet-
mounted display (HMD).
Technical data
FAMAS F1 / FAMAS G2
Caliber - 5.56mm NATO (.223rem)
Action - Delayed blowback
Overall length - 757 mm
Barrel length - 488 mm
Weight - 3.61 kg with empty magazine / 3.8 kg with empty magazine
Magazine capacity - 25 rounds (proprietary) / 30 rounds (STANAG)
Muzzle velocity - 960 m/s / 925 m/s
Rate of fire - 900-1000 rounds per minute / 1000-1100 rounds per
minute
Effective range - 300 meters / 450 meters
173
GRENADE LAUNCHERS
German Mauser K98k carbine (WW2 period) with attached cup-

shaped grenade launcher.
French soldier aims with the rifle grenade, mounted to the barrel of
the FAMAS assault rifle.
Modern Yugoslavian rifle grenade, ready to be fired from the muzzle

of Zastava M70 assault rifle.
174
American soldier aims with the M4 carbine, combined with M203

underbarrel grenade launcher.
A variety of 40mm grenades for NATO-standard grenade launchers.
Soviet-made AK-74 assault rifle with GP-25 40mm underbarrel

grenade launcher.
German HK69 40mm single-shot grenade launcher.

Image: www.autoweapons.com
175
Russian GM-94 43mm multi-shot grenade launcher (with tubular

magazine above the barrel).
Drawing of a future multi-shot 40mm SAAB-Bofors AGR grenade

launcher with computerized sight and time-fuzed grenades.
Automatic grenade launchers
US troops with Mk.19 mod.3 automatic grenade launcher.
Soviet Taubin 40,6mm automatic grenade launcher on field trials,

circa 1938.
176
Two view drawing of American Mk.18 mod.0 grenade launcher

(1962), one of the first such weapons to be developed and used in
combat in S-E Asia. Unlike most successors, this was not truly
automatic, as it fired via hand-crank located at the right side of the
receiver.
Chinese soldier fires an early version of the 35mm W87 automatic

grenade launcher, fitted with drum magazine.
40mm CIS 40GL automatic grenade launcher, made in Singapore; it

is installed on some infantry combat vehicle.
Antitank grenade launchers.
German Panzerfaust grenade launcher of WW2 era.

177
Soldier aims with the Soviet RPG-7 grenade launcher.
Metal Storm multi-shot grenade launcher (Australia)
Diagram of the Metal Storm 40mm 3-shot grenade launcher,

mounted above the F88 (Steyr AUG) rifle.
Note the electronic fire control module, loaced in the butt of the
rifle.
Caliber: 40mm (others possible)

Type: stacked-projectile, caseless multishot system
Overall length: n/a
Weight: n/a
Effective range: up to 400 m
Capacity: 3 shots (current 40mm model, single barrel)
HK69 40MM GRENADE LAUNCHER (GERMANY)

178
HK69 grenade launcher, with shoulder stock retracted; short-range

rear sight in ready position.
HK69 grenade launcher, with shoulder stock extended.

179
HK69 grenade launcher, ladder sight in ready position.
Caliber: 40mm (40x46)

Overall length: 683 mm with stock extended; 463 mm with stock
retracted
Effective range: up to 150 meters point target, up to 350 meters area
targets
HK79 40MM UNDERBARREL GRENADE LAUNCHER

(GERMANY)
180
HK79 grenade launcher, mounted on the 7.62mm HK G3 rifle.

Overall length: n/a
targets
AG36 / AG-C / EGLM / XM320 GRENADE LAUNCHER

(GERMANY)
AG-36 grenade launcher mounted under the barrel of the HK G36C

assault rifle.
181
HK AG36 grenade launcher, with the breech opened for reloading.
AG36 grenade launcher in action with Spanish soldier, mounted

under the HK G36Erifle.
182
Caliber: 40x46mm
Type: single shot
Effective range: up to 400 m area targets; up to 150 m point targets
HK GMG GRENADE LAUNCHER / MACHINE GUN

(GERMANY)
HK GMG on tripod (low position) with ammunition box.

image: Heckler-Koch
HK GMG on tripod (high position) with ammunition box; note that

183
ammunition canbe fed from either side.
Caliber: 40x53mm High Velocity

Type: blowback operated, belt fed automatic grenade launcher
Weight: 28.8 kg gun body plus 10.7 kg tripod and 8 kg softmount
Effective range: up to 1500 meters against point targets, up to 2200
mmaximum
PANZERFAUST / FAUSTPATRONE ANTITANK GRENADE

LAUNCHERS (GERMANY)
Panzerfaust 30M disposable grenade launcher and its HEAT grenade

in in-flightconfiguration.
Aiming Panzerfaust 30M Klein grenade launcher (from WW2 era

German manual).
184
From bottom to top: Panzerfaust 30M Klein, Panzerfaust 60M,

Panzerfaust 100M.
Panzerfaust Panzerfaust Panzerfaust Panzerfaust

30M Klein 30M 60M 100M
Caliber,
101 mm / 33 149 mm / 33 149 mm / 50 149 mm / 50
warhead /
mm mm mm mm
barrel
recoilless, recoilless, recoilless, recoilless,
Type
disposable disposable disposable disposable
Overall
~ 1 meter ~ 1 meter ~ 1 meter ~ 1 meter
length
Weight 3,25 kg 5,35 kg 6,25 kg ~ 8kg
Max effective
30 meters 30 meters 60 meters 100 meters
range
Armor
150 mm 200 mm 200 mm 220 mm
penetration
PANZERFAUST 44 (PZF 44) LANZE ANTITANK GRENADE

LAUNCHER (GERMANY)
Panzerfaust 44 Lanze (Pzf 44) grenade launcher in ready to fire

configuration.
185
Top, Pzf 44 grenade with rocket booster and fins folded; bottom,
recoilless launch cartridge.
Pzf 44 grenade in in-flight configuration.
German soldier prepares to fire Pzf 44.
Caliber: 44 mm barrel, 67mm warhead

Type: recoilless launch + rocket booster
Overall length: 880 mm launcher; 1162 mm ready to fire
Weight: 7,8 kg unloaded with telescope sight, 10,3 kg loaded and
ready tofire
Effective range: up to 300 m against moving targets
Armor penetration: 370 mm
186
RPZB.43 OFENROHR / RPZB.54 PANZERSCHRECK

ANTITANK ROCKET LAUNCHER (GERMANY)
RPzB.43 Ofenrohr antitank rocket launcher with its rocket
RPzB.54 Panzerschreck antitank rocket launcher
German soldier firing RPzB.43 Ofenrohr antitank rocket launcher;

note gas mask necessary to protect shooter's face from rocket
backblast
187
German soldier firing RPzB.54 Panzerschreck antitank rocket

launcher
Caliber 88 mm
Type Rocket launcher
Overall length 1400mm
9.5 kg empty (RPzB.43)
Weight
11 kg empty (RPzB.54)
Max. effective range ~150 meters
Armor penetration 210 mm / 90o
RPG-2 ANTITANK GRENADE LAUNCHER (USSR /

RUSSIA)
RPG-2 antitank grenade launcher with grenade; note that

stabiliztator finson grenade are unfolded as after the launch.
Caliber: 40 mm barrel; 82mm warhead

Type: recoilless
Weight: 2.83 kg empty; 4.67 kg loaded with grenade
188
Effective range: 100-150 meters

Armour penetration: 200 mm
RPG-7 ANTITANK GRENADE LAUNCHER (USSR / RUSSIA)
RPG-7V antitank grenade launcher with PGO-7 telescope sight and

a PG-7VM grenade in ready to load condition (with launch charge
attached).
RPG-7D antitank grenade launcher (version for airborne troops),

disassembled for transportation / airdrop.
PG-7VM HEAT grenade cut-out.
PG-7VL HEAT grenade.

189
PG-7VR tandem (dual-warhead) HEAT grenade.
TBG-7V Thermobaric (FAE) grenade.
OG-7V fragmentation antipersonnel grenade (1999).
Caliber: 40 mm launcher; 40 and 70 - 105mm warheads (depending

on the grenade model)
Type: recoilless launch + rocket booster
Weight: 6.3 kg unloaded, with PGO-7 telescope sight
Effective range: 200-500 meters, depending on the grenade type
SOME GRENADES, USED IN RPG-7 (SOVIET/RUSSIAN

ORIGINS)
OG-
PG-7V PG-7VL PG-7VR TBG-7V
7V
Year of
1961 1977 1988 1988 1999
adoption
Warhead
85 93 64 / 105 105 40
caliber, mm
Weight, kg 2.2 2.6 4.5 4.5 2.0
Effective
range, 500 500 200 200 350
meters
RPG-26 ANTITANK DISPOSABLE GRENADE LAUNCHER /

ROCKET-PROPELLED GRENADE (USSR / RUSSIA)
190
RPG-26 rocket-propelled antitank grenade in ready to fire position

(sights raised, red trigger button on the top exposed).
Caliber: 72.5mm
Type: rocket
Weight: 2.9 kg complete
Armour penetration: ~ 440 mm
GP-25 AND GP-30 UNDERBARREL GRENADE LAUNCHER

(USSR / RUSSIA)
GP-25 launcher mounted on the AK-74 assault rifle. Note how the
quadrant sight is mounted on the left side of the launcher mount.
GP-30 launcher mounted on the AK-74 assault rifle. Note rubber

recoil pad on the stock, which is issued with every GP-25 and GP-30
launcher.
191
GP-30 launcher mounted on the AK-74 assault rifle. Note how the
quadrant sight is mounted on the right side of the launcher mount.
40mm grenades for GP-25 and GP-30 launchers, made in Bulgaria

by"Arsenal": left VOG-25 (Arsenal designation RHE-F), right VOG-25P
(Arsenal designation RHE-FJ, Jumping). The smaller diameter part
at the rear of both grenades contains propellant and primer.
Caliber: 40mm
Overall length: 320 mm GP-25, 276mm GP-30
Weight: 1.5 kg unloaded GP-25, 1.3 kg unloaded GP-30
Effective range: up to 150 meters
BALKAN
192
"Balkan" automaticgrenade launcher.
"Balkan"automatic grenade launcher, with belt drum attached.

193
7P39 40mm caseless ammunitionfor "Balkan" automatic grenade

launcher loaded in belt.
7P39 40mm caselessgrenade: cut-out view and rear view (right).
Caliber:40mm
Type: automatic grenade launcher
Overalllength: n/a
Weight: 32 kg unloaded on tripod + 14 kg loaded boxwith 20 rounds
Device
194
Device "DM" noiseless grenade launcher / carbine.
MVD Spetsnaz operator is aiming with Device "DM" noiseless

grenade launcher / carbine.
Photo: Rugevit.ru
9mm PFAM noiseless cartridge, loaded with armor piercing bullet.
9mm PMAM noiseless blank cartridge, which is used to propel

30mmBMYa-31 grenade (shown above the cartridge).
195
Caliber: 9mm / 30mm

Type: single-shot muzzle-loading launcher (with optional 9mm
noiseless bullet-firing capability)
Overall length: 720 mm (480 mm when shoulder stock is folded)
Effective range: up to 300 m with grenade, up to 200 mm with 9mm
bullet
Armour penetration: ~10 mm
BUR GRENADE LAUNCHER (RUSSIA)
Caliber 62mm
Type Rocket launcher
Overall length mm
Weight 4.8 kg ready to fire
Max. effective range ~650 meters
M79 40MM GRENADE LAUNCHER (USA)

196
M79 grenade launcher, with ladder sight in 'ready' position.

image courtesy of www.autoweapons.com
same M79 launcher, with various types of 40mm rounds (Illum, HE-
FRAG, buckshot, 22lr multi-barrel adaptor etc).
M79 launcher, partially opened for reloading.


Effective range: up to 150 meters (point target), up to 350 meters
(area target)
197
M203 40MM UNDERBARREL GRENADE LAUNCHER

(USA)
XM148 / Colt CG-4 grenade launcher on early model M16 rifle. The
XM148 served as a proof of concept for more sucessful M203
grenade launcher.
M203 40mm grenade launcher installed on the M16A1 assault rifle.
M203 grenade launcher with M16 handguards, removed from the

rifle.
198
Drawing from M203 manual, which depicts the loading process,

from top to bottom:1) opening the breech 2) inserting the round of
ammunition and 3) closing thebreech.

target
EX-41 MULTI-SHOT GRENADE LAUNCHER (USA)
the EX-41 grenade launcher, developed by China Lake Research

Facility of US Navy.
Caliber: 40x46 low velocity

Type: multi-shot, cartridge-firing, manually operated
Overall length: n/a
Weight: ~8.1 kg unloaded
199

BAZOOKA ANTITANK ROCKET LAUNCHER / 2.36-INCH

A.T. ROCKET LAUNCHER M1 M1A1 M9 M9A1 (USA)
M1 Bazooka rocket launcher
US soldier aiming M1 Bazooka rocket launcher
M1 Bazooka rocket launcher diagram

200
M9 Bazooka rocket launcher
US soldier aiming M9A1 Bazooka rocket launcher
M6A1 Bazooka rocket
M6A3 Bazooka rocket
M1A1 Bazooka M9 Bazooka

Caliber 60 mm / 2.36” 60 mm / 2.36”
Type Rocket launcher Rocket launcher
Overall length 1380 mm 1550 mm
Weight 6.0 kg empty 6.5 kg empty
7.6 kg loaded, ready8.1 kg loaded, ready
201
to fire to fire
Max. effective range ~300 meters ~300 meters
Armor penetration 90-100 mm / 90o 90-100 mm / 90o
M202 M202A1 M202A2 FLASH MULTISHOT ROCKET LAUNCHER
/ FLAMETHROWER (USA)
M202A1 FLASH grenade launcher less clip, with covers opened.
Clip of four M74 incendiary rockets for M202 FLASH grenade

launcher / flamethrower (drawing).
202
Drawing of the M74 incendiary rocket in flight configuration (with

tail fins extended).
US soldier aims the M202A1 FLASH grenade launcher /

flamethrower, possibly during the Vietnam war.
US soldier aims the M202A2 FLASH grenade launcher /

flamethrower, circa 1991.
203
Caliber: 66 mm
Type:rocket
Overalllength: 686 mm empty launcher, 883 mm loaded with clip
Weight: 5.22 kg unloaded, 12 kg loaded with clip of4 rockets
Effective range: up to 200 m (750 m maximum)
NORINCO LG3 AUTOMATIC GRENADE LAUNCHER (PR

CHINA)

Length: 1030 mm
Weight: 27 kg gun body + 15 kg tripod mount
Rate of fire: 340 – 400 rounds per minute
QLZ 04 AUTOMATIC GRENADE LAUNCHER (PR CHINA)

204
Caliber: 35 x 32SR mm
Length: 1026 mm
Weight: 26 kg
Rate of fire: 350 – 400 rounds per minute

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1

LRN - Lead LWC -

FMJ - Full Metal jacketed bullet

LHP - Lead SJHP - Semi- JHP - Jacketed

This unique ammunition was developed in USSR in the late sixties

This tiny cartridge is a joint product of the German arms-making

The 5.45x18 MPTs (Malokalibernyj Pistolentyj Tsentralnogo boya –

Buy 5.7x28 ammo at discount prices at Lucky Gunner

codename “Project 9.0”, the new cartridge represented a typical

Chinese designers began development of a new small-bore, pistol

This cartridge is a recent development, which is intended to

7.62x25 TT (7.63x25 Mauser, .30 Mauser)

This cartridge, initially known as the 7.63x25 Mauser, was developed

Bullet Muzzle Muzzle

7.65x17SR (7.65mm Browning, .32 ACP)

This cartridge, known in Europe as 7.65mm Browning and in USA

on, Chinese factories made more weapons in this caliber, such as

7.65x21 (7.65mm Luger / Parabellum, .30 Luger)

This cartridge was developed in around 1898-99 by Georg Luger

9x17 Browning Short (9mm Short / Kurz / Corto, .380 ACP)

This cartridge, generally known in Europe as the 9mm Browning

9x18 Police / Ultra

Bullet Muzzle Muzzle

The development of a new cartridge, suitable for smaller, blowback-

Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland. Ammunition is still

Bullet Muzzle Muzzle

9x19 Luger / Parabellum, 9mm NATO

This cartridge, generally known as “THE 9mm”, is usually also

German Navy in 1902, which liked the 7.65mm “Parabellum” pistol

troops with pistols, which often resulted in degraded lifespan or

Bullet Muzzle Muzzle

Comment: for sub-machine gun loadings muzzle velocities are given

9x20 Browning Long

Developed in around 1903 in Belgium, this cartridge was intended

Developed during 1980s, this cartridge is a virtual copy of the

9x21 SP-10 / SP-11 / SP-12

The development of this relatively high-powered pistol ammunition,

special cartridge). Adopted in 1996, SP-10 ammunition is almost

Bullet Muzzle Muzzle

.357 SIG (9x22)

The .357 SIG cartridge is one of the most recent creations,

JHP Federal, USA 8,1 411 684

.38 Super Automatic (9x23SR)

Developed in around 1929 by Colt, this was more powerful version of

9x23 Largo (9mm Bergmann-Bayard)

This cartridge was developed in Germany in around 1903 for military

Pieper Company). This cartridge saw extensive use in Spain, being

9x25 Mauser Export

Developed in around 1906 by Mauser and DWM, this round was

.40 S&W (.40 Smith & Wesson, 10x22)

DesignatioManufacture Bullet Muzzle Muzzle Comments

10mm Automatic (10x25 Auto)

This cartridge was created in a search for the “ultimate” combat

The 10mm Automatic has a straight, rimless case, usually made of

Bullet Muzzle Muzzle

.45 ACP (.45 Automatic Colt Pistol, 11.43x25)

This cartridge was developed as a result of extensive tests of the

automatic pistols, as well as in a few revolvers (using half-moon or

Bullet Muzzle Muzzle

SP-3 AND PZAM SILENCED PISTOL AMMUNITION

loaded 7.62mm PZA loaded 7.62mm 7.62mm SP-3 cartridge and

SP-4 SILENCED AMMUNITION

7.62mm SP-4 silent cartridge (left) compared to 9x19 Parabellum