These feature non-expanding bullets with shaped cuts along the sides, making them resemble Phillips head screwdrivers. Some non-expanding projectile types were developed, such as the Polycase ARX or the Lehigh Xtreme Defense. The only exception is if your local laws or ordinances prohibit the use of expanding ammunition, or your firearm of choice does not reliably feed with them (but does with FMJ). In general, you should not use FMJ for your self-defense or concealed carry firearm, except when training, practicing, or plinking with it. Over-penetration is a phenomenon where the bullet passes entirely through the intended target, potentially retaining enough energy to wound or kill an unintended person behind the target. While inexpensive, the use of FMJ ammunition in self-defense and duty presents a significant risk of over-penetration. In civilian and law enforcement contexts, FMJ bullets are generally relegated to training and recreation. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the Geneva Convention but rather the Hague Convention, which prohibited expanding bullets by militaries between signatories. There is also a legal reason behind their use in military contexts over expanding ammunition. FMJ ammunition is made of two parts: a relatively soft lead core and an outer jacket made of a harder metal, such as copper, nickel, or mild steel.įMJ bullets are constructed this way to protect the barrel from bare lead fouling, increasing reliability and allowing for higher muzzle velocities than with unjacketed ammunition.
The most familiar type of non-expanding bullet is the Full Metal Jacket (FMJ), known in the military as “ball” ammunition. They are loaded with bullets designed not to deform on impact when they do, it is an unintentional effect. Non-Expanding Projectilesīy far, the most common types of 9mm ammunition can be generally described as non-expanding.
It is not uncommon for full-size 9mm Parabellum pistols today to have a standard magazine capacity ranging between 15 and 19 rounds.Īlthough many types of 9x19mm ammunition were created for this cartridge, they can be grouped into three major categories: non-expanding projectiles, expanding projectiles, and exotic projectiles. Most importantly, the handguns chambered for this cartridge have a relatively high capacity. The cartridge remained in common use because it is lightweight, inexpensive, delivers mild recoil yet adequate stopping power. 45 ACP M1911A1 pistol was replaced with the 9mm Beretta M9. Remarkably, despite being a NATO member, the United States did not adopt 9mm until 1985, when the venerable. The 9mm NATO cartridge designation refers to a specific combination of bullet weight and construction (124 grains FMJ) and powder charge (roughly equivalent to +P). By 1939, 9mm was adopted by Belgium, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, most of the British Commonwealth, and various other countries.ĩmm was later adopted by NATO as the standard pistol cartridge for all their pistols and submachine guns. Since then, it became one of the most widely used pistol calibers in Europe for use in pistols and submachine guns. Why are there so many types, and does it matter what kind you use in your home defense or self-protection firearms? A Brief Historyįirst introduced in 1901 by Georg Luger, then working for the German weapons manufacturer DWM, the 9mm Luger cartridge was initially designed for the Luger pistol, which became the standard service pistol of the German Army at the time.
civilian market, it’s possible to find many brands and projectile types. Since its original introduction at the turn of the 20th century, dozens of different types of 9x19mm ammunition were created.Įven in the U.S. It is used worldwide by the military, police, security forces, and civilians. The 9x19mm Parabellum, also known as the 9x19mm Luger, or simply the 9mm, is the most common centerfire pistol caliber globally.