What are the specs for WW2 Nazi 9mm ammo?

SharpCdn · March 19, 2001, 11:51 PM

I am interested in reproducing as close as posible this load for a couple of my WW2 german pistols. (P.08 & p38)

I understand that they used a light bullet/high velocity combination, but am curious as to the actual projectile weight, and the average velocity from the pistols of that era.

I am also curious if they used higher pressure ammunition for their SMG's, or whether they used one load for all their 9mm firearms in their inventory at the time.

I have often wondered about the original 9mm loads, and appreciate any input you guys have on this subject.

Thanks in advance.

**Mike Irwin** · March 20, 2001, 02:07 AM

Wow, which one to answer...

Eenie, meenie, miney, moe, when the timer hollers go, grab your gun & let it show, eenie, meenie, miney, HEY MOE!

Sorry, it's late, and I'm a little punchy...

Ok, back to your question.

AFIK, the standard German loading was a 124-gr. bullet going about 1,300 fps.

Although it has been widely bandied about for years that the Germans had two separate loadings, one for handgun, one for subgun, that's not the case.

The current NATO loading is, I believe, is done to the same specs as the old German load.

SharpCdn · March 20, 2001, 06:08 PM

Yeah about the three postings...well...I was trying to post it late last night, but each time it never showed up in the topics. I thought I did something wrong at first, but by the third time I thought something was wrong with the system and just gave up...I was worried all my attempts would catch up with me later! And they did, making me look like a real twit

Thanks for the feedback Mike, I guess then that is the load I will try to replicate as best as possible. I'm glad that we are still using the original specs for this cartridge, unlike the modern tamed versions of late (ie. 357 Mag).

I'll try to nuke those other postings now...

**Mike Irwin** · March 20, 2001, 09:47 PM

Sharp,

Don't worry about it. I think every one of us has done the same thing in times past.

About a 8 months ago there was a peculiar software glitch & combination of other factors that allowed multiple identical replies in the same thread. I think the most ever seen was something like 11? Pretty humorous.

**Mal H** · March 20, 2001, 09:59 PM

IIRC, the record is 27. I remember because I had to clean up the mess.

Thank God for vBulletin!

444 · March 20, 2001, 10:57 PM

How about some opinions on this. The first handgun I ever fired was a Luger that one of our neighbors brought back from the war. He told me the story of it's capture etc. He let me fire two rounds from it. He told me that the magazine was loaded with the very ammo that it was loaded with when he captured it. Being about 8 years old at the time, I kept the fired cases. They have a Remington headstamp.

**Mike Irwin** · March 21, 2001, 02:47 AM

444,

Sure, didn't you hear the big stink about IBM supposedly not doing enough to prevent the Nazis from using Hollerith machines supplied by IBM's overseas divisions?

Probably the same for Remington...

March 20, 2001, 02:07 AM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,382	Wow, which one to answer... Eenie, meenie, miney, moe, when the timer hollers go, grab your gun & let it show, eenie, meenie, miney, HEY MOE! Sorry, it's late, and I'm a little punchy... Ok, back to your question. AFIK, the standard German loading was a 124-gr. bullet going about 1,300 fps. Although it has been widely bandied about for years that the Germans had two separate loadings, one for handgun, one for subgun, that's not the case. The current NATO loading is, I believe, is done to the same specs as the old German load. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 20, 2001, 09:47 PM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,382	Sharp, Don't worry about it. I think every one of us has done the same thing in times past. About a 8 months ago there was a peculiar software glitch & combination of other factors that allowed multiple identical replies in the same thread. I think the most ever seen was something like 11? Pretty humorous. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 20, 2001, 10:57 PM	#6
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	How about some opinions on this. The first handgun I ever fired was a Luger that one of our neighbors brought back from the war. He told me the story of it's capture etc. He let me fire two rounds from it. He told me that the magazine was loaded with the very ammo that it was loaded with when he captured it. Being about 8 years old at the time, I kept the fired cases. They have a Remington headstamp. __________________ You know the rest. In the books you have read How the British Regulars fired and fled, How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall, Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load.

March 21, 2001, 02:47 AM	#7
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,382	444, Sure, didn't you hear the big stink about IBM supposedly not doing enough to prevent the Nazis from using Hollerith machines supplied by IBM's overseas divisions? Probably the same for Remington... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 19, 2001, 11:51 PM	#1
SharpCdn Member Join Date: July 29, 1999 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 72	I am interested in reproducing as close as posible this load for a couple of my WW2 german pistols. (P.08 & p38) I understand that they used a light bullet/high velocity combination, but am curious as to the actual projectile weight, and the average velocity from the pistols of that era. I am also curious if they used higher pressure ammunition for their SMG's, or whether they used one load for all their 9mm firearms in their inventory at the time. I have often wondered about the original 9mm loads, and appreciate any input you guys have on this subject. Thanks in advance.

March 20, 2001, 06:08 PM	#3
SharpCdn Member Join Date: July 29, 1999 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 72	Yeah about the three postings...well...I was trying to post it late last night, but each time it never showed up in the topics. I thought I did something wrong at first, but by the third time I thought something was wrong with the system and just gave up...I was worried all my attempts would catch up with me later! And they did, making me look like a real twit Thanks for the feedback Mike, I guess then that is the load I will try to replicate as best as possible. I'm glad that we are still using the original specs for this cartridge, unlike the modern tamed versions of late (ie. 357 Mag). I'll try to nuke those other postings now...

March 20, 2001, 09:59 PM	#5
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,949	IIRC, the record is 27. I remember because I had to clean up the mess. Thank God for vBulletin!