The 9x39mm, seen here in its commercial loading, was developed as a specialized subsonic cartridge for use by Russian Special Operations. (Photo Provided by Author)
By David M. Fortier, Executive Editor
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Back in 2018, Wolf Performance Ammunition made a splash by bringing the Soviet 9x39mm subsonic cartridge to the US commercial market. Developed for Russian special operations, the cartridge had both historical and practical appeal to U.S. shooters and collectors. While its future initially looked very bright, the ban on imported Russian ammunition seems to have killed it off on the US commercial market. My question though, are there lessons we can learn from this medium-bore subsonic cartridge?
The 9x39mm is an intermediate-size cartridge developed from the Soviet 7.62x39mm M43 cartridge case. Unlike its parent though, the 9x39mm is a subsonic design developed expressly for use suppressed. It maintains the same 0.447-inch case head and 2.2-inch overall length, but the case is necked up to accept larger diameter 0.364-inch projectiles. Wolf’s offering consisted of a 278-grain FMJ-BT bimetal projectile loaded into a non-corrosive Berdan primed steel cartridge case. Muzzle velocity is approximately 1,050 fps from a 10.5-inch barrel. The cartridge was optimized for sound and flash reduction from very short barrels fitted with relatively simple sound suppressors.
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The cartridge itself was developed at the request of Soviet special operations. It was designed to be a replacement for the 7.62x39mm 57-N-231U subsonic cartridge. This had been developed in the mid-1950s, officially adopted by the Soviet Army in 1959 and placed into production in 1962. The 7.62x39mm 57-N-231U subsonic cartridge was fielded with standard Kalashnikov rifles fitted with PBS suppressors. This combination was fielded by special units of the Soviet Army throughout much of the Cold War.
The 9x39mm was first fielded by Russian Spetsnaz with the (top) VSS Vintorez and AS Val integrally suppressed sniper rifles which proved very successful in combat. (Photo Provided by Vitaly Kuzmin) Performance wise, the 7.62x39mm 57-N-231U subsonic load fired a .31-caliber 194-grain FMJ-BT projectile at approximately 989 fps. Basically, this load is equivalent to a modern 300 AAC Blackout subsonic load. Bullet weight, diameter, and velocity are all almost identical. PBS equipped AKM rifles with 7.62x39mm 57-N-231U subsonic ammunition saw service in various hot spots, including heavy use by Spetsnaz units during the Soviet’s war in Afghanistan. After-action reports from the field though were critical of the terminal performance of the subsonic 7.62x39mm ammunition.
The 9x39mm cartridge and accompanying firearms were developed as improvements over the subsonic 7.62x39mm cartridge/AKM combination. One Spetsnaz officer commented, “The 9x39mm VSS Vintorez rifle is indispensable for urban hostilities, especially at night. Your adversary does not see or hear a thing. One can fire as if you are on a shooting range at distances up to 300 meters.” Another commented, “The VSS rifle is ideally suited to execute a classic mission to eliminate a sentry. After receiving the 9x39mm VSS rifles, I immediately sent all my 7.62x39mm AKMs with PBS silencers back to storage.” During the Second Chechen War (1999–2000), one Russian marksman, armed with a 9x39mm VSS rifle and laying in ambush, managed to eliminate a whole enemy unit before they could locate his firing position.
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Comparing subsonic 300 BLK loads to the subsonic 9x39mm commercial load, the advantage goes to the 9x39mm. Since velocity is basically identical, it is not a factor. The 9x39mm’s performance advantages come through its larger diameter and significantly heavier projectile. One advantage is muzzle energy with a 278-grain generating 681 ft/lbs. compared to a 200-grain 300 BLK at 490 ft/lbs. Moving from 0.308-inch up to 0.364-inch is a noticeable increase, especially with projectiles which do not expand but only yaw. Most conventional expanding 300 BLK subsonic loads will only reliably expand to approximately .35 to .37 caliber. This is the diameter the 9x39mm starts out at. A proper expanding 9x39mm projectile would further increase its terminal performance advantage.
The (L to R) 6.5mm Grendel, 7.62x39mm and 9x39mm are all built on the same basic case. On right is a 300 AAC BLK. (Photo Provided by Author) The 9x39mm has proven successful for its intended purpose. The sound signature is very mild, even from relatively simple suppressors. Muzzle flash is basically eliminated in my experience. This makes it difficult to locate the rifleman. Terminal performance is a step-up from traditional .30-caliber subsonic loads. The 9x39mm puts a larger diameter and heavier payload on target. For certain military scenarios this type of cartridge teamed with a thermal scope and accurate semi-auto rifle would be very useful. For hunters a medium-bore subsonic cartridge like the 9x39mm would offer advantages over the 300 Blackout and perhaps the new 338 ARC.
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