9×19mm

The 9×19mm Parabellum, commonly known as 9mm Luger or simply 9mm, is a rimless, bottleneck pistol cartridge used by military, police, and civilian shooters worldwide. It fires a 9.01 mm (0.355 in) diameter bullet from a 19.15 mm (0.754 in) case. The cartridge’s name, Parabellum, derives from the Latin motto Si vis pacem, para bellum, used by its maker in marketing.

The cartridge was designed by Georg Luger for Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabrik (DWM) in 1902 and was introduced with the Luger pistol in 1904. It soon became the standard service cartridge for the German Army and, after the world wars, spread globally. Today it is the most widely used handgun cartridge and is the standard 9mm Parabellum designation for NATO-aligned forces.

The case is rimless and bottlenecked, with common bullet weights ranging from about 115 to 147 grains. Muzzle velocities typically span roughly 1,100 to 1,350 feet per second, producing energy in the approximate range of 350 to 500 joules. Loads are produced at standard pressure and in higher-pressure variants labeled +P and, less commonly, +P+. Not all firearms are rated for +P or +P+ ammunition.

Usage and standards: the 9×19mm is employed in a wide range of pistols and some submachine guns and is manufactured by numerous companies. In the United States and much of Europe, SAAMI and CIP oversee pressure standards, respectively. As a result, 9mm Parabellum remains a dominant choice for military, law enforcement, and civilian markets worldwide, with extensive ammunition and firearm availability and a broad ecosystem of accessories.