9×21mm

9x21mm IMI
Type	Pistol
Place of origin	Israel
Specifications
Parent case	9x19mm Parabellum
Case type	Rimless, straight
Bullet diameter	9.02 mm (0.355 in)
Neck diameter	9.63 mm (0.379 in)
Base diameter	9.93 mm (0.391 in)
Rim diameter	9.96 mm (0.392 in)
Case length	21.15 mm (0.833 in)
Overall length	29.69 mm (1.169 in)
Primer type	Small pistol
Maximum pressure	235.00 MPa (34,084 psi)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy 115 gr (7 g) FMJ 390 m/s (1,300 ft/s) 570 J (420 ft⋅lbf) 124 gr (8 g) FMJ 360 m/s (1,200 ft/s) 520 J (380 ft⋅lbf)
Source(s): C.I.P.

The 9x21mm IMI pistol cartridge was designed by Israel Military Industries for those markets where the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge cannot be purchased by civilian users, notably Italy.

Design

Based on the 9 mm Para cartridge, the casing was lengthened from 19 mm to 21 mm. The bullet sits slightly deeper, which results in the same overall length as the 9 mm Para cartridge.

Performance

Performance is similar to the 9x19 catridge, in terms of velocity and energy.

9x21 IMI

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115 gr (7.45 g) FMJ 390 m/s (1,300 ft/s) 570 J (420 ft·lbf)

124 gr (8.04 g) FMJ 360 m/s (1,200 ft/s) 520 J (384 ft·lbf)

9x19 Parabellum

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115 gr (7.45 g) FMJ 351 m/s (1,150 ft/s) 458 J (338 ft·lbf)

124 gr (8.04 g) FMJ 335 m/s (1,100 ft/s) 452 J (333 ft·lbf)

147 gr (9.54 g) FMJ 302 m/s (990 ft/s) 434 J (320 ft·lbf)

Notes

As it is a rimless round, the 9x21mm is used in USPSA/IPSC competition in Open class firearms. The reasoning is that the semi-rimmed case will not lock together in a double-column magazine, causing a malfunction, whereas an improperly built .38 Super firearm can, as the rimmed cases can lock together in the magazine, causing a jam. As other .38 Super based rimless cases became available, the 9x21 decreased in popularity in the US for competition use, but it is still widely used in the rest of the world.

Synonyms

• 9x21mm
• 9 mm IMI

See also

• List of handgun cartridges
• List of cartridges by caliber