9x39mm Soviet

Overview

9x39mm Soviet

Computer render of various 9x39mm Soviet rounds and magazines as used in AS val and VSS Vintorez.
Source: Matej Mo - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin

Soviet Union

Type

Rifle cartridge

Entered service

1987

Status

In service

Development

1980's (SP-5 & SP-6)
1990's (PAB-9)
Early 2000's (BP)

Developer

Soviet Union - TsNIITochMash (SP-5, SP-6)
Russia - TPZ (BP)

Production

1980's - present

Producer

Soviet Union - TPZ / Tula Cartridge Plant
Russia - TPZ / Tula Cartridge Plant
Russia - KSPZ / Klimovsk Specialized Cartridge Plant

Designations

7N8 (SP-5 in Russian service)
7N9 (SP-6 in Russian service)
7N12 (BP in Russian service)

Notable users

Soviet Union
Russia

Description

Introduction

The 9x39mm Soviet is a late Cold War era rifle cartridge of Soviet orign. It was developed in the 1980's for use in suppressed weapons. The new 5.45x39mm round that was standardized for Soviet service was far too small to develop a subsonic round.

Design

The 9x39mm round is based on the case of the 7.63x39mm Soviet round, but is necked up to accept a larger diameter and twice as heavy bullet. The bullet weight helps to increase kinetic energy since all 9x39mm rounds are subsonic by design. The two most common bullet types are a general purpose round of similar design as the 5.45x39mm Soviet and a bullet with steel core for increased armor penetration.

Weapon systems

The 9x39mm round is used in the widely used AS Val silent assault rifle and VSS Vintorez sniper rifle. Other weapon systems include the OTS-14 Groza bullpup assault rifle and 9A91, SR-3 Vikhr and AK-9 sub machine guns. All these weapon systems feature an integral suppressor or are commonly used with a detachable suppressor.

Performance

The 9x39mm round has decent performance. For a subsonic round its accuracy, lethality and range are good. The armor piercing round is able to penetrate 2 mm steel at 500 meters, and 8 mm at 100 meters. The felt recoil is slightly higher than the 7.62x39mm round. The maximum effective range of this round is about 500 meters. Practical range lies between 100 and 400 meters, depending on the weapon that is used.

Users

The 9x39mm round is a rather uncommon round that is only in used by Russian law enforcement and military special units. The use of this round is increasing. Recent conflicts demonstrated the effectiveness of these heavy subsonic rounds. Export sales are also increasing, as is the number of platforms this round is used in.

Variants

9x39mm Soviet

A range of 9x39mm rounds. With from left to right: SP-5, SP-6, PAB-9, BP and SPP.
Source: Karden - © copyright lies with original owner

SP-5

General purpose round developed for accuracy. Features a small air cavity in the nose for increased lethality, as found in 5.45x39mm rounds.

SP-6

Armor piercing round with hardened steel core. Able to penetrate helmets and heavy Kevlar body armour out to at least 200 meters.

PAB-9

Low cost general purpose round that proved to be ineffective. While far cheaper than SP-5 and SP-6, it has poor accuracy and causes heavy wear on the weapon due to a higher chamber pressure.

SPP

New sniper round based on SP-5 design with increased penetration.

New armor piercing round based on the design of SP-6. Standardized as 7N12 in 2003. Tests indicate 10% improved penetration and 25% improved accuracy.

Details

Facts 9x39mm SP-5 9x39mm SP-6 9x39mm PAB-9

General

Origin

Soviet Union

Type

Rifle cartridge

Overall

Ammunition class

9x39mm Soviet

Ammunition type

FMJ

Total weight

23 g

Total length

56 mm

Color/markings

Brown lacquered steel case, red case mouth

Projectile

Diameter

9.25 mm

Weight

16.1 g

Filler

Mild steel core within lead body

Tracer

Case

Type

Bottlenecked, tapered, rimless, centerfire

Length

38.76 mm

Diameter

10.36 mm shoulder

11.35 mm rim

Propellant

0.5 g

Performance

Muzzle velocity

280 - 320 m/s at muzzle

Muzzle energy

631 - 824 J

Penetration

Class 1 and 2 body armor

General

Origin

Soviet Union

Type

Rifle cartridge

Overall

Ammunition class

9x39mm Soviet

Ammunition type

Total weight

23 g

Total length

56 mm

Color/markings

Brown lacquered steel case, red case mouth, black tip

Projectile

Diameter

9.26 mm

Weight

16.2 g

Filler

Hardened steel penetrator within lead body

Tracer

Case

Type

Bottlenecked, tapered, rimless, centerfire

Length

38.76 mm

Diameter

10.36 mm shoulder

11.35 mm rim

Propellant

0.6 g

Performance

Muzzle velocity

280 - 320 m/s at muzzle

Muzzle energy

635 - 829 J

Penetration

8 mm steel at 100 m

6 mm steel or 2.8mm titatium or 30 layers of kevlar at 200 m

2 mm steel at 500 m

General

Origin

Soviet Union

Type

Rifle cartridge

Overall

Ammunition class

9x39mm Soviet

Ammunition type

Total weight

23 g

Total length

56 mm

Color/markings

Brown lacquered steel case, red case mouth, black tip

Projectile

Diameter

9.26 mm

Weight

17 g

Filler

Hardened steel core within lead body

Tracer

Case

Type

Bottlenecked, tapered, rimless, centerfire

Length

38.76 mm

Diameter

10.36 mm shoulder

11.35 mm rim

Propellant

About 0.5 g

Performance

Muzzle velocity

310 m/s at muzzle

Muzzle energy

817 J

Penetration

Up to 10 mm steel at 10 m

Media

9x39mm Soviet

Several 9x39mm SP-6 rounds on display.

Source: Vitaly V. Kuzmin

9x39mm Soviet

Computer render of various 9x39mm rounds.

Source: Matej Mo

9x39mm Soviet

Various 9x39mm rounds showing the corresponding bullet design.

Source: Unknown author

9x39mm Soviet

Box with SP-6 armour piercing rounds.

Source: Karden

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Platforms

List of firearms using the 9x39mm cartridge (incomplete)

VSS Vintorez

The VSS supressed sniper rifle was the first weapon adopted in Soviet service using the 9x39mm cartridge.

AS Val

The AS Val silent assault rifle has a high level of commonality with the VSS.

9A91

Sub machine gun chambered for 9x39mm. Used both with and without its detachable suppressor.

VSK-94

Low cost alternative to the VSS. The design is based on the 9A91 sub machine gun.