Uppercut’s 22 LR, 32-grain, jacketed hollow point bullet features nose skiving that initiates full and reliable expansion through 2.5- to 4-inch semi-auto pistols, while retaining the weight needed to hit critical penetration depths needed for self-defense. Plus, CCI ’s legendary priming ensures it will always be ready if ever required.

The new Hevi-Bismuth pest control centerfire handgun shotshells are loaded with the Catalyst lead-free primer and HEVI-Bismuth pellets. At 9.6 g/cc, the shot carries nearly the same density and downrange energy of lead but adheres to all non-toxic ammunition requirements. Available in 9mm Luger, 38/357 Mag., 40 S&W, 44 Spl/Rem Mag., 45 Auto, and 45 Colt.

The new 10mm Auto 105-grain No. 9 pest control centerfire handgun shotshells produce consistent patterns that make it easier to knock down nasty critters such as snakes and other pests in tight quarters. Packed in reusable boxes of 10 shotshells.

New 9mm Luger Blazer Brass handgun ammunition features reloadable brass cases, quality primers, and clean-burning propellants. The new lower-recoil, 100-grain load offers consistent, reliable, accurate performance for target shooting.

Attendees of the 2024 SHOT Show are encouraged to stop by Booth No. 11838 for a first-hand look at these new products and more. For more information on all products from CCI Ammunition, go to www.cci-ammunition.com.

It’s said imitation is the greatest form of flattery. The Browning Hi Power 9mm is a case in point with numerous clones produced and active around the world. The European American Armory (EAA) Girsan offerings are prime examples. The EAA-imported Girsan Hi Power models are garnering much attention. Their variety is pushing the original Hi Power design to its maximum potential. The EAA MCP35 PI LW OPS (MCP35 PI LW) chambered in 9mm is the subject of this article and captures EAA’s ability to offer something beyond just a clone.

Let’s break down the naming nomenclature before proceeding. This will clue us in to what the EAA Girsan MCP35 PI LW OPS offers. The PI indicates shorter barrel/slide—3.8-inch barrel versus normal 4.7-inch barrel. In 1911 terms, think commander-size versus full size government model, or in polymer striker fired lingo, Glock 19 versus Glock 17. LW stands for lightweight aluminum frame (as opposed to steel.) OPS indicates a railed dust cover and slide cut for mounting an optic via the Shield RMSc footprint.

BROWNING PEDIGREE

The Hi Power was the original “wonder nine” existing well before the 1980s when the term became popular. The Browning Hi Power can be thought of as the blending of American and European handgun design concepts. It took a company of Browning’s stature to pull this feat off and have it accepted on both sides of the Atlantic. The Browning Hi Power was conceived in response to a 1921 French military requirement for a new service pistol. The French requirements were that the pistol have a capacity of at least 10 rounds, a magazine disconnect device, an external hammer, a positive safety and be simple to disassemble and re-assemble. The 9mm cartridge was seen as natural selection based on WWI experiences.

Samuel Colt was not interested in pursuing the potential French contract, so Browning turned to Fabrique Nationale (FN) with two prototypes. With Colt holding the patents to his 1911, Browning had to create something different so as not to infringe on existing 1911 patents. FN submitted a Browning prototype to the 1922 French pistol trials. Based on feedback, Browning prepared two more prototypes and re-submitted it to the French Army in 1923. Browning died in November 1926. Browning was awarded a patent for the Hi Power design posthumously in 1927.

After Browning’s death, the Hi Power design was taken over by FN designer and Browning’s friend Dieudonné Saive. With no market interest for a new service handgun in the late 1920s, Saive was able to refine Browning’s base design. By 1928, many of Browning’s previous patents for the 1911 were expiring. By 1931, the Browning-Saive Hi Power design incorporated a curved rear grip backstrap, barrel bushing that was integral to the slide (versus removable barrel bushing), and a 13-round magazine.

Unlike Browning’s earlier 1911 pistol, the Hi Power barrel is not moved vertically by a toggling link. Instead, a hardened bar crosses the frame under the barrel and interacts with a slot under the chamber at the rearmost part of the barrel. The barrel and slide recoil together for a short distance but, as the slot engages the bar, the rear of the barrel is drawn downward and stopped. By 1934, the Hi-Power design was complete and ready to be produced. The Hi Power was first adopted by Belgium for military service in 1935 as the Browning P-35. Ironically, France decided not to adopt the Hi Power.

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

The Hi Power is one of those rare weapons that served with both sides’ militaries in WWII. In 1954, the British military adopted the Hi Power as its first standard semi-automatic pistol. 50 more armies also adopted it after WWII. Interestingly, the Hi Power was also the choice of such elite units as the British SAS, SBS, and Royal Marines. The FBI HRT and various intelligence agency direct action units utilized the Hi Power until the late 1980s. Impressive, indeed, that after more than 50 years since its introduction, the Hi Power was still the “go to” sidearm for elite law enforcement and military operators.

While the upside of the Hi Power such as capacity, reliability and ergonomics obviously outweigh its negatives, the Hi Power has features that could be improved upon. The trigger pull is especially heavy for a single action, it has minimalist sights, a weak internal extractor, and its slide/hammer is prone to biting a shooter’s hand. Custom gunsmiths created a cottage industry of offering services to improve standard Hi Power models. Browning/FN’s decision to discontinue Hi Power production in 2018 opened the door for a company like EAA/Girsan to offer its own version of the Hi Power. The consumer market clearly indicated it was not yet ready to forgo the classic design. FN subsequently reversed course, and, in 2022, re-introduced a Hi Power variant.

STUDENT BECOMES THE MASTER

In collaboration with EAA, Turkish manufacturer Girsan has advanced Hi Power-style handguns to the point where John Browning would be impressed with the multiple models offered. The EAA MCP35 PI LW OPS is an example of this with straight trigger, 15-round magazine, aluminum frame, railed dust cover, extended beavertail grip, ambidextrous safeties, G10-style grip panels, beveled magazine well with a “toe” to hang the bottom finger on, undercut trigger guard, fiber optic iron sights, absence of a magazine disconnect safety, slide cut for mounting a red dot, extended slide release lever AND compact slide/barrel compared to Browning’s original length. This one sentence should serve notice the EAA MCP35 is a fresh take on the Hi Power and not just a clone.

The MCP35 LW has a 3.88-inch barrel contributing to an overall length of 7-inches. Almost an inch of this is the extended beavertail. The MCP35 LW weighs 25 ounces. This is approximately a 1/2 pound lighter than similar sized steel frame Hi Powers. I bring attention to these measurements as the MCP35 LW PI sits in your holster as comfortably as in your hand.

In this age of polymer high-capacity handguns, the Hi Power has turned into an aficionado’s weapon that attracts users with its natural handling and ergonomics. Put a metal framed MCP35 LW PI in your hand and you will realize there is nothing like it in the polymer striker fired world we live in.

RANGE TIME

The first range session turned into 300 rounds after I just couldn’t put the MC35 down. It was refreshing to see a metal framed handgun function out of the box without needing a break in period. The MCP35 in 9mm is neither too tight, which affects reliability, or so loose it rattles. This provides the proper blending of reliability and accuracy.

An assortment of bullet types were fired from various ammunition manufacturers – Black Hills Ammunition, SIG Sauer, Hornady, Federal/American Eagle – to verify reliability. 9mm loads fired ranged from 115-grain to 147-grain with both hollow points and FMJ bullet types tested. The MCP35 LW PI has a full-size grip with aesthetically pleasing, yet functional, black G10 style grips. No texturing or stippling is present on the frame. However, the MCP35 ergonomics and the textured grip panels do a good job securing the MCP35 to your hand.

One immediate concern any time a double-stack magazine is used is how it’s width affects grip and trigger manipulation. Browning and Saive made sure the Hi Power frame did not sacrifice ergonomics in the quest for capacity. Even average size hands have no issue working the trigger or other controls on the Hi Power. The Hi Power feels smaller in the hand compared to other double stack designs. This is attributed to how the top of grip reduces inward near the slide, thus moving the hand closer to the trigger and shortening the trigger reach. The Hi Power design has a grip that seems to fit everyone’s hand. This combined with single action trigger creates a handgun that is easy to shoot well. EAA/Girsan’s incorporation of an extended beavertail grip and straight trigger shoe only supports this.

PERFORMANCE

Testing started with verifying zero and then firing several magazines rapidly at various steel man-sized targets. The EAA Girsan fiber optic front and nicely done rear sight is superior to other Hi Power sights we’ve encountered. The sights were zeroed out of the box for 25 yards using the classic 6 o’clock hold. Further testing consisted of strings of fire against steel plate racks and popper targets at 7, 15, and 25 yards.

Considering the Hi Power’s primary role as a fighting/defensive handgun we decided to further evaluate the EAA MCP35 LW PI using drills experienced at various firearms schools. Condition one “cocked and locked” carry typified by the Hi Power allows a shooter to merely swipe off the beefed-up manual safety and engage a target. The extra two-round capacity of the MCP35 LW PI 15-round magazines should not be discounted, either, as an important benefit. The beavertail frame settled MCP35 LW PI naturally into hand and provided a point of reference when drawing the pistol from a holster. One of the benefits of choosing a Hi Power-style pistol is the plethora of aftermarket accessories available in the form of holsters. Holsters from Versacarry and Galco were used during this review.

OBSERVATIONS

It’s understood that the Hi Power’s trigger design with its arrangement of springs and levers limit what can be done to improve it. The MCP35 LW PI’s single-action trigger broke at 6 to 6.5 pounds. The straight trigger did help compensate for this. Deservedly or not, more was expected from the trigger. This was based on how many other positives EAA/Girsan had created with the MCP35 LW PI – including dispensing with the onerous magazine disconnect safety.

The shortened slide and frame on the MCP35 LW PI will not accommodate certain lights or lasers. This is not really intended as a criticism; just a heads up before investing in a tactical light or laser. For example, a Surefire 300 will not fit. However, a Crimson Trace CMR-301 Rail Master Pro light and laser combo will. Along these same lines, the mounting of a red dot will do away with your rear sight, preventing an iron sight co-witness. How serious of an issue this is up to the end user.

NEW AGE HI POWER

The majority of testing was done with iron sights, though trying a red dot could not be resisted. A Zero Tech Thrive HD Red Dot Micro Reflex was mounted on the EAA MCP35 LW PI. Weighing only 6 ounces, the Zero Tech Thrive HD Micro Reflex’s features advanced shake-awake technology. The Thrive HD projects a 3 MOA dot with ten adjustable levels while offering up to 150,000 hours of runtime with a CR20232 battery. Zero Tech has designed the Thrive HD to be recoil-, fog-, and water-proof.

The Zero Tech Thrive HD/EAA MCP35 LW PI combo performed better than expected. Here was a weapon designed in the 1920’s combined with a modern, compact red dot. The natural point ability of the EAA MCP35 LW PI comes into its own in this realm with the Zero Tech Thrive HD doing its part, as well. The Thrive HD’s rectangular lens offers a superior field of view compared to other red dot options. The minimal frame of the Thrive HD  almost disappears when focusing on the target with the red dot. The dot is crisp with no halos or disfiguration. The red dot was “there” and seamlessly located at first draw. This is a compliment to the EAA choosing a direct mount method versus plates allowing the Zero Tech to sit as low as possible on the slide. The Hi Power’s already low bore axis is further enhanced with the MCP35 LW PI’s beavertail and undercut trigger guard allowing for a very stable sight picture no matter how many or how rapid rounds are fired.

STILL WORTHY

The basic Hi Power is too well known to attempt any new expose, however the EAA MCP35 PI LW OPS tested here serves as reminder why the base design still holds a prominent place in the world. The EAA MCP35 PI LW OPS represents a good balance of features for daily use. The lighter weight and more compact dimensions are certainly beneficial, along with ability to mount a compact red dot. The EAA MCP35 PI LW OPS is a sound combination, functionally speaking, while still allowing a user to indulge oneself by having something not so typical.

SPECIFICATIONS

SIG Sauer HQ in Newington, NH has been a busy place the last several years. Multiple successes with major military and law enforcement solicitations have that effect. Across the board—long arms, handguns, SMGs, belt fed machine guns, suppressors, optics, and ammunition—SIG is at the top of the heap as a manufacturer and a developer.

The company’s civilian offerings have been just as impressive. Unlike other manufactures, who often forget about their civilian customers after getting a taste of military contracts, SIG’s dynamic leadership team keeps the hammer down by feeding the market with its current production pistols while offering new items based on feedback from its customers. Even with their preeminent position, SIG has no problem expanding their product line by offering weapons that many considered unobtainable at one point. We’re talking about releases of classics like the P210 Target and P210 Carry. Another recent entry into this category has pistol aficionados sitting up and taking notice—the P226 XFIVE is now made here in the U.S. in the SIG Custom Works shop. Previous P226 XFIVE’s were Teutonic offerings from the German-based SIG MasterShop. These were discontinued in 2012.

Before we get into P226 XFIVE details, let’s get a little background on the P226 pistol family. The SIG Sauer P226 was spawned from the P220. P220 design work started in the late 1960s when the Swiss wanted a less pricey sidearm in lieu of the P210, which had a complex (and expensive) manufacturing process. The P220 entered Swiss service in 1975.

Many of the innovative features introduced on the P220/P226 family still prevail today on more recent designs from SIG, as well as on other manufacturer’s weapons. A great example is how SIG modified Browning’s locked breech short recoil design. Instead of slots machined into the slide interacting with locking rings on top of the barrel, SIG utilized the forward edge of the chamber which locks into the slide’s ejection port. This removed complex machining operations from the production process. De-cocking lever, automatic firing pin safety, and a pinned breechblock in the steel slide are other examples of SIG-perfected concepts that are common today.

The P226 reflected SIG’s quest to generate an entry for the early 1980’s US XM9 joint service pistol trials conducted to find a replacement for the M1911A1. The P226 was modified from the P220 design to accept double column magazines. When the dust settled after years of testing and evaluation, only the Beretta 92F submission and SIG P226 satisfactorily completed the trials. As most readers already know, the P226 was not chosen to replace the venerable M1911A1. The Beretta 92F was given the nod for a variety of factors outside the scope of the article. The P226 test performance impressed a lot of observers, though. It gained the attention of various military units, many with elite status, and law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and around the world; with the U.S. Navy Seals preeminent on this list of interested parties. Early on, it was evident the P226’s reliability, accuracy, safety, and ammunition capacity set it apart from its handgun peers.

Features

The target audience, pun intended, for the P226 XFIVE is anyone wanting a tack-driving, long-slide P226 variant. The XFIVE features support this role—extended, railed dust cover, all-steel construction (instead of the typical P226 aluminum frame), 5-inch bull barrel, Dawson-style adjustable rear sight plate, fiber optic front sight, and, most significantly, a fully adjustable AX3 single-action only (SAO) trigger. Ambidextrous manual safeties are present on the XFIVE in lieu of the de-cocking lever usually found on the DA/SA P226. A low-profile alloy magwell is seamlessly fitted to the bottom of the grip. The three 20-round magazines with extended basepads that arrive with the XFIVE fit nicely into the magwell, aesthetically and functionally speaking.

The increased forward weight from the long dust cover and all steel construction (totaling 45.6 ounces of weight) minimizes recoil/muzzle flip. A pronounced beavertail further sets apart the P226 XFIVE from most other SIG Sauer P226 models. The custom Hogue Cocobolo grips and alloy magwell serve as notice that something special is afoot. With the XFIVE, SIG created a P226 that pushes the envelope. Along these lines, the Dawson rear sight plate can be removed to directly mount a SIG Romeo1Pro, Romeo2, or any other optic using the standard SIG “PRO” footprint.

The single action only trigger is definitely attractive, especially to those that have never been fond of DA/SA hammer-fired trigger characteristics—especially those looking at a target grade competition handgun. The P226 XFIVE offers the shooter the best of the P226 design with a more appealing single action-only trigger mechanism. The P226 XFIVE’s 5-inch cold hammer-forged barrel and SAO trigger combine with near perfect lock-up in the stainless steel slide/barrel interface to provide maximum accuracy; all the while maintaining excellent reliability.

The SAO trigger is a key component of the XFIVE equation. The XFIVE trigger characteristics aid in rapid target engagement with a trigger pull just under four pounds. The longer slide/barrel combo contributes more mass, aiding in increased muzzle control for double taps or longer strings of fire. SIG ergonomics, combined with the slide’s smooth tracking during recoil and manageable 9MM muzzle signature, allows for a very stable sight picture no matter how many or how rapid rounds are fired. The extended beavertail guides one’s hand to the optimum grip position during the draw stroke and aids in recoil management. It is not hard to fathom why some may consider the XFIVE applicable to personal defense/tactical work, not just target or match shooting.

The P226 XFIVE’s manual safeties are located within user’s natural thumb swipe distance. The slide lock lever sits further toward the rear of the frame compared to other handguns—the 1911 for example. This all but eliminates the chance of unintentionally engaging the slide lock during strings of fire—as can happen when shooters rest their thumb on the lever with other designs. Another positive attribute is that the P226 XFIVE’s safety can remain engaged while the shooter manipulates the slide.

Out of the Box

Our T&E was conducted at the Echo Valley Training Center, a private facility located near Winchester, VA. The SIG P226 XFIVE’s first test was verifying sight zero and then firing several magazines rapidly at various steel targets. This quickly shows if any reliability issues exist. The sights were zeroed out of the box for 25 yards. Further testing consisted of strings of fire against steel plate racks and popper targets at 7, 15, and 25 yards. Standard 15-round and extended 20-round P226 magazines without XFIVE basepads augmented the three 20-rounders that arrived with the XFIVE.

Sights

The SIG fiber optic front sight and target rear sight proved advantageous not only for monotonously stacking bullet holes on top of each other, but also for rapid shot placement when working a plate rack. The stock iron sights assist in maximizing accuracy with a crisp, clear sight picture with the fiber optic front gathering the right amount of light without being obscenely bright. The XFIVE sights tracked smoothly during recoil when firing multiple rounds. SIG has done an excellent job of providing a target-style sight that does not protrude grotesquely upward thanks to the way the Dawson-style plate is milled into the top of the XFIVE’s slide.

The target sight set up is refreshing to use after years of using handgun sights that feature dots and other designs meant for rapid shot placement at close range. Of late, it seems handgun sights are slowing drifting back to wider rear notches and thin front posts that provide more precise aiming. This trend likely stems from data that shows sights are not used that much in close range affairs; shooters relying on hand-eye coordination for shot placement in defensive encounters. You might as well have sights conducive for longer range work. We found it possible to accurately engage man-sized steel targets at 50 yards; similarly sized targets out to 100 yards had better seek cover with the P226 XFIVE deployed.

Accuracy

The benefits of the tuned, single-action trigger proved evident during range evaluation. Groups fired were impressive, with bullets unerringly hitting their mark. Rapid fire magazine dumps still found rounds clustered in the “A” zone of an IPSC target. The XFIVE routinely fired groups into one jagged hole at 10 yards. Bench testing could not be resisted after witnessing the unsupported accuracy results. We quickly realized the P226 XFIVE possessed inherent accuracy superior to what most shooters are capable of. That level of mechanical accuracy is a nice feeling that instills confidence in a handgun. Shooting from sandbags produced several 1-inch groups at 25 yards with the XFIVE’s iron sights. It would be interesting to see what size groups the pistol would produce with a red dot optic, especially as distances increased.

PERFORMANCE

SIG Sauer Elite ammunition led the way in testing with both FMJ, Match and V-Crown JHP loads used. Hornady, Norma, and Federal ammunition was also used. Loads fired spanned 115-grain to 147-grain with hollow points and FMJ bullets. No malfunctions were experienced while test firing over 450 rounds with the SIG P226 XFIVE.

The natural pointability of the P226 XFIVE was confirmed with the speed of getting the sights aligned on target. The manual safety was positive and easy to manipulate. We’ll admit to nostalgic feelings towards the P226 XFIVE’s exposed cocked and locked hammer. The swiping down/deactivating of the safety lever brought back memories of our early days running single action handguns. The beavertail frame settles the weapon naturally into your hand and provides a point of reference when drawing the pistol from a holster. The custom grips tapering up to the slide sits the P226 XFIVE in your hand in such a way that keeps extended beavertail settled over the web of the shooter’s hand.

Wrap Up

Most are unaware that SIG even offers a package like the P226 XFIVE with extended beavertail, single-action trigger, and ability to mount a red dot. All should appreciate what the P226 XFIVE offers in terms of accuracy, reliability, handling, and capacity. The P226 XFIVE’s uncanny accuracy will get everyone’s attention. We should be glad the P226 XFIVE is now U.S.-made for multiple reasons…including increased availability and a more attractive price point.

SPECIFICATIONS

Make: SIG Sauer
Model: P226 XFIVE
Caliber: 9mm Luger
Mags Included: 3-20 round magazines with alloy basepads
Barrel Length: 5in
Overall Length: 8.6in
Sights: Adjustable Dawson-style rear/fiber optic front (Red dot can be mounted)
Sight Radius: 6.8in
Height: 5.9in
Width: 1.7in
Weight Empty: 45.6oz
MSRP: $2399
URL: SIG Sauer

The Equalizer retails for $599 and features a single-action trigger that allows for a short take-up, clean break, and fast reset to make follow-up shots quicker. The slide operates using easy-to-rack technology to cater to a wide variety of needs and the frame includes a picatinny-style rail to mount lights or lasers for any defense scenario. A new optic cut pattern allows the user to mount their choice of sight for enhanced accuracy and the 3.675-inch barrel gives a longer sight radius for increased iron sight precision. The Equalizer also features a new grip texture and pattern designed to give you more control when firing and more comfort when carrying.

Check out the EQUALIZER at www.smith-wesson.com.

One of the many things that seem to interest firearms owners is caliber conversions. Often, the conversions are desired to enable the shooter to fire less expensive ammunition. During the recent “ammo shortage,” .22 caliber rimfire conversion kits became very popular. Another reason shooters like to change calibers is to experience a different “feel” in their weapon. Whatever the reason, many machine gun shooters are drawn to caliber conversions.

A Brief Sten History

During World War II, the Sten “machine carbine” was Great Britain’s answer for an inexpensive weapon that could be manufactured in large numbers in a short period of time. By 1941, the British were no longer able to afford the expensive U.S. Thompson or the indigenous Lanchester. The desperate, cash-strapped government needed an effective, but cheap weapon to arm its troops. The solution to the problem was the utilitarian Sten. The Sten was made in several guises; the most widely produced was the Mark II model, with an estimated three-million manufactured. According to Captain Peter Laidler, British armorer and author of the excellent book The Sten Machine Carbine, the name Sten was derived from the creator’s last names; Colonel Reginald Shepherd and Harold Turpin and the last two letters representing England. The Sten continued to serve in a number of Third World countries long after World War II had ended. The simple design could be easily copied and manufactured by nations having limited industrial capacity.

Modern Stens

The British Sten Mark II, 9mm submachine gun was reproduced in fairly large numbers by U.S. Class II manufacturers prior to the 19 May 1986 government ban on manufacturing. The guns were built from original surplus part sets, using a newly manufactured receiver: these are commonly called “tube guns.” The Sten is very popular today and remains one of the least expensive submachine guns on the market, although they have increased dramatically from their pre-1986 retail price of approximately $250. Original Sten guns are far less common and generally cost substantially more than a “tube gun.” Original Sten guns qualify as Curio and Relics, while “tube guns” do not.

China

During World War II, the Chinese received a number of 9mm Sten MKII machine carbines under Canada’s Mutual Aid Act. Those Sten MKIIs were manufactured at Canada’s famous Long Branch Arsenal. The weapons destined for China were similar to those made for the British and Canadian armies except that they were marked with Chinese characters on the top of the magazine housing. The markings translated to: “Sten hand carry machine gun, Canada manufactured.” The bottom of the magazine housing retained the standard Long Branch markings, in English, normally located on the top of the housing.

During the late 1940s, the Nationalist Chinese began to manufacture their own version of the Sten designated the Type 38. The 9mm Type 38 was similar to the British and Canadian MKII model except it had no semiautomatic feature, a front sling swivel was added and the sheet metal housing covering the trigger mechanism had a triangular, rather than rounded, shape.

Since the 1920s, China had been embroiled in a civil war between Communist forces led by Mao Tse-tung, and the Chinese Nationalist Party led by Chiang Kai-shek, the conflict continued through World War II. The struggle finally ended in 1949, with a Communist victory. During the conflict, all of the Nationalist Chinese arsenals, and many weapons, were captured by the Communists.

With mainland China under Communist influence, they began adopting, and eventually with technical assistance from Russia, began manufacturing Soviet pattern weapons. The ammunition used in Soviet weapons was also imported and eventually manufactured in-country. Despite the influx and local manufacture of weapons, there were still not enough small arms to equip the large Chinese Army. After decades of fighting, China had collected a potpourri of small arms. Most of the weapons were chambered in a number of different calibers making the supply of ammunition to troops in the field a logistical nightmare. The ever resourceful Chinese decided to solve the problem by converting their collection of weapons to the standard Soviet cartridges of the era; for pistols and submachine guns, it was the 7.62x25mm.

The 7.26x25mm Tokarev Cartridge

The Russians first adopted the Tokarev round in 1930 for use in their Tokarev TT-30 and TT33 semiautomatic pistols. The cartridge was copied directly from the German 7.63 Mauser round. The 7.62×25 Tokarev became the standard Russian pistol and submachine gun cartridge during World War II. Its popularity became more widespread after the war, when many European countries came under Communist influence, and adopted both Soviet designed weapons and ammunition. The standard Soviet 7.62x25mm round features an 85.8 grain full metal jacket projectile. The bottleneck cartridge cases on ComBloc 7.62x25mm ammunition were originally made of brass, but copper washed or lacquered steel cases were adopted, to conserve critical metal (brass). The Communists produced tracer, armor piercing and armor piercing incendiary rounds, but these are seldom encountered in the U.S. Some of the cartridges have projectiles made of mild steel; again this was done more to conserve material (lead) than to create an “armor piercing” bullet, despite what the media reports. The projectile’s velocity can exceed 1,600 feet per second when fired from a 10-inch submachine gun barrel, and has a very flat trajectory.

Caliber Conversions

Back in the 1990s, inexpensive kits were available to convert the popular British Sten Mk II submachine gun to fire the Soviet 7.62x25mm cartridge. (See SAR Vol. 5, No. 1, October 2001 issue.) The kits were originally fabricated by the Communist Chinese who wanted to standardize their weapons, many of which had been supplied by their Western World War II allies, to ComBloc calibers. Since the 7.62x25mm round is too long to fit in a 9mm Sten magazine, a modified Type 54 (the Chinese version of the Soviet PPS43) magazine was used. To adapt the magazine to the Sten, the rectangular portion of the Sten magazine housing was cut away, and replaced by a Type 54 housing welded to the remnant of the Sten housing. The standard Sten bolt was modified to work with the Type 54 double feed magazine. The cartridge base measurements of the 9mm Parabellum and 7.62x25mm cartridges were close enough so that no alterations to the bolt face were required. The Chinese conversion, kits like many surplus items that were once common, are now an item that is seldom encountered.

The primary problem encountered with the Chinese conversion kits was that to install the modified magazine housing, the front sight had to be removed. Most Stens have their front sights welded in place. This made the conversion problematic for most who didn’t want to remove the weld primarily because it would damage the finish, and because most Sten front sights won’t stay in place for long without welding.

While the Chinese conversion kits are few and far between, there is a now a new and better solution for those wanting a 7.62x25mm conversion: Sten magazines that have been reconfigured to accommodate the longer 7.62x25mm cartridges. This was done by removing the concave rib at the rear of the original Sten magazines and welding a steel plate over the cavity. The magazines are stenciled on the back 7.62×25. There is a good reason for this and it applies anytime 7.62x25mm barrels are anywhere near 9mm cartridges. A 9mm Parabellum cartridge will chamber in a barrel chambered for the 7.62x25mm round. HOWEVER, a 9mm bullet will not fit down the small bore of a 7.62mm barrel without causing severe damage to the firearm and the shooter.

Instead of the previous method of removing the front sight and exchanging the magazine housing and bolt, all that is needed are a few converted magazines, a 7.62x25mm barrel and lots of ammo. Although the original Sten recoil spring will work, it will eventually be damaged by the increased recoil of the 7.62 round. To solve the problem, there are special springs available that are designed specifically for the 7.62 conversion. The barrels, while still somewhat scarce, could easily be fabricated by a qualified gunsmith.

Despite their reputation, Sten magazines are reliable if a cartridge angle of 8-degrees is maintained by periodic inspection and adjustment. Double stack, single feed magazines are difficult to load by hand, and Sten magazines are no exception. The bad news is that the 9mm British magazine loaders, that make loading almost fun, will not work with the longer 7.62x25mm rounds.

The standard Sten sights are not calibrated for the flat trajectory of the 7.62 ammo, but this generally does not present a problem for most owners, who tend to fire their Stens in more of a point and shoot style. The report and felt recoil of a 7.62x25mm Sten immediately makes the shooter aware that the weapon is not firing 9mm ammunition.

While the supply of surplus 7.62x25mm ammunition seems to come and go, it is currently available and less expensive than 9mm. Most of the ammo is berdan primed and corrosive, not a concern if you clean accordingly. The abundance of this ammunition has created some new conversions; one of the most popular is for the AR-15. Recently, Wise Lite Arms introduced a semiautomatic version of the British Sterling in 7.62x25mm.

Cartridge Comparison(in inches unless otherwise noted)

Sources:

Sten magazines converted to 7.62x25mm
on an exchange basis.
PO Box 258
Boyd, TX 76023
(940) 433-8095
www.wlawarehouse.com/store_front/sterling/7-62×25-mag-conversion/

Special recoil springs for the 7.62x25mm conversion

Scott Andry Machine
108 Beaufort Road
Fremont, NC 27830
(919) 242 6334
scott@samachine.com

7.62x25mm Ammunition

Century Arms
http://www.centuryarms.com/
(800) 527-1252

I.O. Inc
PO Box 847 Monroe, NC 28111
(866) 882-1479

By Bob Campbell

It is easy to make a case for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge as the most popular handgun caliber of all time, and even easier to make a case for the 9mm as the most popular bullet diameter for semi auto handguns. The various 9mms are not well understood and seldom interchangeable, and each has a bit of history behind them.

First, I examined the cartridge case list offered by our premier brass maker, Starline. There were no less than eleven 9mm calibers, all of which can use the same bullet. These included the .380 ACP, 9 Super Comp (9x 23mm), 9x19mm Parabellum, 9mm +P, 9 x 21mm, 9x18mm Makarov, 9mm Largo, 9mm Win. Mag, .38 Super, .38 Super +P and .38 Super Comp. By contrast there are six .38 caliber revolver cases and three .45 auto cases. (The .45 ACP, .45 +P and .45 Super.)

In the 9mm family we find true rimless cartridges like the 9x19mm Parabellum but also the semi-rimmed .38 ACP and .38 Super. I stated all could use the same bullets. The 9 x 18 Makarov actually uses a .363-inch bullet while the others use .355 inch jacketed or .356 to .358 inch lead bullets, but the Makarov performs adequately with jacketed 9mm bullets. Some .38 Supers do well with .357-inch revolver bullets. I have extensive experience with quite a few, especially the Largo, Parabellum and .38 Super variants. I am experimenting with the newest and arguably the best, from Hornady. Careful attention to each caliber is demanded – not many will be able to quote dimensions and loading data off the top of their head.

9mm Luger

The first pistol cartridges were bottleneck types for easy feeding in then new semiauto pistols. But .30 caliber FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) bullets proved relatively ineffective in use. The powerful .30 Mauser was said to be effective if it hit bone. Adventurer Winston Churchill found it quite deadly. The .30 Luger was less powerful. When blown out to 9mm it offered more acceptable wound potential. This is quite the opposite of the modern fashion of necking cases down, but precedent can be found in the rebated cylinder of the 1860 Colt Army .44 revolver. The 9mm Parabellum has been manufactured in practically every country in the free world and communist bloc nations as well. It is easily the most diverse in terms of case dimensions, case rim width and case mouth diameter of any of the 9mms. Just the same, good accuracy can be had with careful load selection, given a good handgun. Care must be taken reloading 9mm cases, as many are Berdan primed or loaded with corrosive powders. Adopted by the German Navy in 1904 and the German Army in 1908, followed by French and British services after World War Two, and adopted by the United States in 1981 as a martial cartridge, the 9mm Parabellum still enjoys worldwide popularity. It’ powerful enough for most uses but offers low recoil. Velocities vary, but 115 grains at 1,175 fps is the commercial standard and 1,350 fps with the same bullet is possible and generally rated as a +P+ cartridge.

.380 ACP (or 9mm Korto or 9mm Kurz, Italian and German, respectively, for 9mm Short)

Developed for John Browning’s pocket pistol as an improvement over the .32 ACP, this caliber is regarded as the minimum acceptable defense caliber by many. Surprisingly accurate and almost always feed reliable. Standard velocity is 95 grains at 950 fps.

9mm Mauser

Not to be confused with Red 9 Mausers. The Broomhandle was chambered for the German Army in .30 Mauser. After the Luger was adopted supply problems doubled. A version of the Mauser in 9x19mm Parabellum caliber was developed. During World War I, both caliber Mausers were in service but the guns chambered for the 9mm Luger had a big ‘Red 9’ on the grip to differentiate between calibers. These guns were chambered for the standard Parabellum cartridge. The 9mm Mauser was designed primarily for export. Case length was 25 mm. Velocities approach .357 Magnum levels. The 9mm Winchester Magnum, which jolts a 115-grain bullet to 1,475 fps, is not dissimilar.

9mm Mars

The Mars pistol was viewed with awe on a technological basis, but on a practical basis was rejected by the military. The Mars pistol was described in official reports as kicking severely and being difficult to handle. But the cartridge was powerful indeed by any standard. Sources conflict on the velocity of this weapon, but 130 grains at 1,400 fps seems a safe description.

Few concerns wished to popularize the other guy’s cartridge. Nationalistic concerns dictated cartridge selection. As a result, 9mm cartridges were introduced which served only one nation or saw limited popularity. One of the reasons the 9mm Parabellum was so popular was its compactness. The longer rounds, the 9mm Bayard and 9mm Steyr, offer little ballistic advantage. The Bayard was introduced in 1910. It has a 23 mm case and is more popularly known as the 9mm Largo. At one time, military loadings were hotter than the 9mm Luger with slightly heavier bullets but offer little real advantage. The Largo is NOT interchangeable with the .38 Super, as the longer bullets often used in the Largo will not allow a cartridge to be unloaded through the ejection port once chambered. My 1930’s vintage Colt .38 Super has a much smaller “slide window” than the Star Largo of the same period.

Modern commercial Largo ammunition is available only in Blazer from CCI. Velocity with a 124-grain projectile is 1,100 fps. With a solid Astra 400 or Star Super, the Largo can be handloaded to equal the 9mm Luger +P. Recently, a quantity of Spanish 9mm Largo was imported by Surplus International LLC, in corrosive and non-corrosive dating.

9mm Steyr

This is 23 mm cased cartridge similar, but not identical to the Largo.

9mm Browning Long

Introduced in the 1903 Browning pistol, this is an intermediate pistol cartridge which falls between the .380 ACP and 9mm Parabellum. Functional velocities were 110 grains at 1,100 fps. The Browning, LeFrancais and a few Webley and Scott pistols were chambered for this cartridge. Large numbers were released on the American civilian market but most will be found rechambered via sleeving the chamber for the shorter .380 ACP. Purportedly, rather stout loadings were safe in these guns.

Twenty-year-old notes show 90 grains at 1,050 fps was safe in the converted browning.

9 x 21mm

Some nations prohibit military calibers for civilian ownership but do not prohibit handgun ownership. The normal course was to chamber shorter, lighter 9mm handguns for the “legal” .30 Luger. In addition, .45 caliber guns, which use a .900-inch long cartridge case, were chambered to fire the .38 Super, which no one has used as a martial cartridge to the best of my knowledge. The Italians came up with an answer that points out the silliness of such restrictions. The .45 was answered with a short cartridge called the .45 HP but the 9mm was lengthened and dubbed the 9x21mm. Loaded to 9mm Parabellum power levels, it was legally acceptable. In IPSC competition, the 9mm Parabellum is regarded as a Minor caliber. Minor caliber handguns receive lower scores than Major calibers for the same hit. Higher velocity loadings such as the .38 Super could make a small bore perform in Major category. The 9x21mm allowed IPSC shooters to make Major 9 with certain loads. Regarded by some as a dangerous practice, such loading was eventually prohibited by match rules. The 9 x 21 is no longer as popular as it once was.

9mm Ultra

When the first wave of terrorism struck Europe, European police were for the most part woefully under-armed. The Walther PPK in .32 ACP was the norm. The .32 was often carried in a ponderously slow full flap holster. The .380 ACP Walther was carried by savvy cops in a fast draw holster. Obviously, more was needed. The Walther PP Super was considered a stopgap until rearmament with the new breed of 9mms (The P 220 and P7M8) was accomplished. The Super used a cartridge lengthened from the .380’s .680 inch to .760 inch. Effective velocities were published as 123 grains at 1,050 fps. I believe the cartridges I fired used 100-grain bullets. The load and gun combination is very easy to use well and accurate. The cartridge uses a slightly rebated rim.

9mm Glisenti

Dimensionally identical to the 9mm Parabellum. Inferior to the Parabellum cartridge, velocities with a 123-grain bullet are just over 1,000 fps. Never fire 9mm Luger ammunition in a Glisenti caliber firearm. The 9mm Glisenti was the caliber of the original Villar Perosa submachine guns.

9mm Federal

The 9mm Federal is a rimmed 9mm Luger cartridge designed for use in revolvers. Intended to offer more power than the .38 Special in a compact, efficient cartridge without resorting to the recoil, blast and perhaps political unacceptability of the .357 Magnum. Only Charter Arms produced a few revolvers in their five-shot Bulldog line. Ruger was reportedly gearing up to produce a Security Six in 9mm Federal but never did. An excellent cartridge, more efficient than the .38 Special. Velocity was 1280 fps with a 115-grain bullet.

9 X 23mm Winchester

Loaded by Winchester and briefly chambered in a Colt pistol, but the problem is that the case length lends itself only to being chambered in .90-inch case guns such as the Colt 1911. Ballistically, it is slightly superior to the .357 SIG. But the SIG can be chambered in lighter guns due to a smaller case length. The 9x23mm Winchester looks like the .38 Super but has thicker case walls. The 9x23mm Winchester does away with the .38 ACP Super’s semi-rim, an advantage in feed reliability and accuracy, and is loaded considerably hotter. A good cartridge but one that seems doomed to obscurity.

9mm Winchester Magnum

Used in single shot Thompson Contender pistols and chambered in the large, heavy Whildin auto pistol. Velocities have been quoted as 1,475 fps with a 115-grain bullet. Basically an updated 9mm Mauser.

9x25mm Dillon

Designed to offer great velocity and low recoil and to make most efficient use of state of the art compensators, the 9x25mm Dillon is a necked down 10mm case. 115 grains at 1,566 fps qualify this round as one of the most powerful 9mm cartridges ever produced. Chambered in 10mm and .45 size guns, it offered savvy shooters an edge.

9mm Action Express

The original .41 AE was an ingenious solution to the deficiencies of the 9mm Parabellum. 9mm pistols could be converted to .41 by a simple barrel change. The .41 caliber cartridge uses a rebated or 9mm Luger sized case rim. With proper set up and careful breech face polish, the gun could work well, especially in the Browning Hi Power.

The genius of Evan Whilden went one further with a case that not only featured a rebated rim but a bottleneck necked to 9mm! Why go back to the original diameter? The 9mm Action Express could function in a normal 9mm sized pistol but offered much greater case capacity than the 9mm. As much as 1,500 fps with a 124-grain bullet has been reported. A rare but interesting cartridge.

The .38/9mms

The cartridges were called .38’s for the American market but are 9’s by any other name.

.356 TSW

A long-cased 9mm used by Team Smith and Wesson, this cartridge had some potential but like other long case rounds was killed by the .357 SIG and new rules in competition.

.38 ACP

When John Moses Browning first developed his automatic pistol cartridges he did not completely trust case mouth headspacing. Most European cartridge cases headspaced on the case mouth but Browning felt that hedging the bet by giving the .32 ACP and the .38 ACP a semi-rim would be beneficial. The .38 ACP was chambered in his early double link Colt pistols. The .38 ACP fired a 130-grain bullet at about 1,050 fps, a 300 fps advantage over the Army’s .38 Long Colt. The Army seriously considered the .38 ACP and may have adopted a 1911 in this caliber but for bad experience with the .38 revolver in the Philippines.

The .38 ACP Super was introduced in 1927. A sharply invigorated load, it should never be fired in older double link Colt pistols. The Super jolts a 130-grain bullet to 1,300 fps. Effect against light cover and vehicles was enough for the gun to become a favorite of the FBI. Accuracy problems due to the pistol’s headspacing on the semi rim were sometimes experienced, and late model Colt production headspaces on the case mouth. Very few guns are still in production for this cartridge. One of the best is SIG’s P 220.

.38 TJ

The .38 TJ will be the best of the .38 autos. The .38 TJ is similar to the .38 Super, but as strong as the 9x23mm. Case dimensions were carefully engineered by Hornady engineers for excellent feed property. So far, tests are excellent.

Other 9mms

The 9.8mm Colt was the result of an attempt at a foreign contract, chambered in a kind of 3/4 size 1911. Operational ballistics were listed as 130 grains at 1,000 fps. Probably very similar in power to the .40 caliber Smith and Wesson, if a bit longer. The 9.65 Belgian is about the same round. It is probable only a handful of men have ever seen these cartridges.

And the most successful of course, previously covered in these pages, is the .357 SIG. Designed to work in 9mm and .40 caliber size guns, the .357 SIG is a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson necked down to 9mm. Velocity with similar weight bullets equals most Magnum loads in the four-inch barrel. Unlike other hot 9mm cartridges, this one has been accepted wholeheartedly by the police community.

As we can see, everything from pedestrian pocket cartridges to full power Magnum-level performance is covered by the 9mm class of cartridges. They are a dynamic choice, diverse in origin, great in popularity, and growing daily.