9x39 Caliber Conversion Project

Here you will find information about the custom caliber - built here in the US - to match (or at least closely imitate) the Russian 9x39 caliber.  This caliber conversion is not new to US shooters, but is not well-documented.  I plan to change this.  :)

The caliber is, in its simplest form, a 7.62x39 cartridge that has been resized to accept a heavy 9mm bullet that satisfies two goals:

1. It delivers greater knockdown power due to its greater mass. 
2. It utilizes a subsonic bullet that allows for suppressed employment within the sniper support and suppressed tactical roles. 

The Russian design obviously limits the range of effective engagement to around 200 yards.  More information on ballistics is pending.

The Russian design cannot be matched because to the best of my knowledge no sample of either the ammunition or a compatible firearms has been available to the US commercial market.  If anyone knows of a source for the ammunition, please email me!!!

I will pay top dollar for samples of ammunition and/or spent cartridges.

UPDATE JULY 2008

I have received a sample SP5 round and what is reportedly a magazine from a VSS sniper rifle.

The SP5 bullet is fired and appears to be dug out of an embankment.  Since no expansion was produced, there should have been no weight loss of the round.

I am currently measuring cartridge and will compile it into a diagram.

Stay tuned, more to come in the months ahead!