9 X 39 RUSSIAN

During the Cold War years, Russian Special Forces were looking at a weapons system that could be used as a sub-sonic round but they were also looking for something that gave better armour penetrating abilities than the existing 7.62x39’s that they were using for covert operations. Spetsnaz units at that stage were using rifles fitted with detachable silencers and loaded with 7.62x39 US (Umenshennaya Skorost – Low velocity) ammunition. To achieve subsonic velocity along with acceptable ballistics, these cartridges were loaded with heavier bullets, but its performance was still inadequate. It was during the mid-1980’s that TsNIITochMash (The Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering) in Klimovsk unveiled the 9x39, which was based on the standard 7,62x39 M43 case necked up to 9mm. it was launched in two variations, namely SP-5 (standard ball with lead core, and was intended for accurate sniper work out to 300-400 meters) and SP-6 (armour-piercing bullet with hardened steel core, which could defeat typical military type body armour at the ranges of up to 300-400 meters).

                               

SP-5 mild steel core.

                               

SP-6 Armour Piercing with hardened steel core. Able to penetrate helmets and heavy Kevlar body armour out to at least 200 meters. Second specimen is a dummy load.

                               

7N12 bullet providing increased accuracy and penetration. Second specimen is a new commercial production for Wolf Performance Ammunition