Max Popenker on Russian Pistols and Ammunition: 7N21, 9x21mm, 9x18mm, and more

Published on February 16, 2021
Duration: 36:46

Max Popenker, a leading authority on Russian small arms, details the evolution of Soviet and Russian handgun cartridges and pistols. The discussion covers the shift from 7.62x25mm to 9x18mm Makarov, the development of specialized rounds like 5.45x18mm for deep concealment, and the modern push for high-penetration 9x19mm and 9x21mm AP rounds to counter body armor.

Quick Summary

Max Popenker, a leading authority on Russian small arms, details the evolution of Soviet and Russian handgun cartridges. Key rounds discussed include the 7.62x25mm, 9x18mm Makarov, 5.45x18mm for deep concealment, and modern high-penetration 9x19mm (7N21, 7N30, 7N31) and 9x21mm AP rounds designed to defeat body armor.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Max Popenker
  2. 00:41Early Soviet Ammunition Choices (7.62x25mm)
  3. 03:41Post-WWII Doctrine Shift
  4. 06:44Development of 9x18mm Makarov
  5. 09:01Specialized 9x18mm Rounds (RG028, SP8)
  6. 12:215.45x18mm PSM Deep Concealment Pistol
  7. 15:54Modern 9x19mm AP Developments (Project Grach)
  8. 18:347N21 and 7N30 Cartridges
  9. 22:197N31 and the GSh-18 Pistol
  10. 25:269x21mm SR-1 'Gyurza' Pistol & Ammo
  11. 28:08Future Outlook: PL-15 and Udav Pistols

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key Russian handgun cartridges discussed by Max Popenker?

Max Popenker discusses the evolution from 7.62x25mm to 9x18mm Makarov, specialized rounds like 5.45x18mm for deep concealment, and modern high-penetration cartridges including 9x19mm variants (7N21, 7N30, 7N31) and 9x21mm (SP10).

Why was the 9x18mm Makarov developed?

The 9x18mm Makarov was developed post-WWII for compact, lightweight pistols for short-range self-defense. It aimed to provide better stopping power than 7.62mm at close ranges while allowing for simple blowback pistol designs.

What is significant about modern Russian 9x19mm AP ammunition?

Modern Russian 9x19mm AP rounds like 7N21, 7N30, and 7N31 are designed for superior body armor penetration. They operate at significantly higher pressures than standard NATO loads and require firearms specifically engineered to handle them.

What is the purpose of the 5.45x18mm cartridge?

The 5.45x18mm cartridge, used in the PSM pistol, was designed for deep concealment by KGB agents and high-ranking officials. Despite its small size, its pointed steel-core bullet offers surprising penetration against soft body armor.

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