9 × 18 mm MAKAROV
Warsaw Pact standard pistol cartridge
Designed by B. V. Semin in 1946, the 9 × 18 mm Makarov was engineered to deliver useful power at bolt thrust low enough for simple blowback pistols. It became the standard service pistol cartridge of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact and remains in wide inventory service across Eastern Europe and Asia, including in Indian legacy holdings.
Full Specifications
Cartridge dimensions
| Designation | 9 × 18 mm Makarov / 9 × 18 mm PM |
|---|---|
| Case type | Rimless, tapered |
| Bullet diameter | 9.27 mm (0.365 in); land diameter 9.00 mm |
| Neck diameter | 9.91 mm (0.390 in) |
| Base diameter | 9.95 mm (0.392 in) |
| Rim diameter | 9.95 mm (0.392 in), rim thickness 1.25 mm |
| Case length | 18.10 mm (0.713 in) |
| Overall length | 25.00 mm (0.984 in) |
| Case capacity | 0.83 cm³ (12.8 gr H₂O) |
Ballistics
| 95 gr (6 g) FMJ | 319 m/s (1,050 ft/s), 305 J |
|---|---|
| Service load 57-N-181S | 298 m/s (978 ft/s), 251 J |
| High-performance 7N25 | 490 m/s (1,608 ft/s), 432 J |
| Test barrel length | 97 mm |
| Rifling twist | 240 mm (1 in 9.45 in) |
Standards & pressure
| Maximum pressure | 162.03 MPa (23,500 psi) |
|---|---|
| Primer | Berdan or Boxer small pistol |
| Penetration | 1.3 mm St3 steel plate at 20 m (service load) |
Service context
| Introduced | Designed 1946 by B. V. Semin, Soviet Union |
|---|---|
| Effective range | 50 m |
| Typical platforms | Makarov PM and Eastern Bloc blowback service pistols |
Dimensional, ballistic and pressure figures are the published C.I.P., NATO and SAAMI reference values for the 9 × 18 mm Makarov cartridge (reference data). Steadfast production lots are proof tested and certified against the applicable standard. Product imagery is an in-house Steadfast studio visualisation and is indicative only; actual finish, headstamp and lot markings follow the applicable standard and the customer order.
