I see what you are saying. The overall length of the round is in fact longer than the 9, 40, and 45, but the diameter of the shell (at its largest) is very similar to the 9. However, it is slimmer than the 40, and the 45.
I know that in America, the general consensus for handgun ammo is a big slug moving slowly will cause maximum damage. But as far as I know, they are still using this cartridge in eastern Europe/Asia. I havn't seen any reports on this rounds, lethality, all I know is I can get it cheap, and its a nasty little round to shoot