Yes, the prices drew tears!
By the standards of that day, the 9mm was a powerful round indeed!
A 1934 Peters ammo roster listed the 9mm with 125-grain FMJ and HP bullets.
The Springfield SA-35, inspired by the famed P.35 pistol, is chambered for the 9mm cartridge.
From 4 barrels they clocked 1,030 fps, packed 300 ft-lbs of energy.
The 7.65 (.30) Luger sent 93-grain bullets at 1,173 fps from 412 barrels, with 284 ft-lbs.
The 9mm was just getting traction; the 7.65 would fade.
U.S. military sidearm cartridges, from left: .45 Colt, .38 Long Colt, .38 Special, .45 ACP, 9mm. The 9mm is smaller than its predecessors — but more powerful than it looks!
The Foundation
The Germans were on the ball before the world caught fire in 1914.
In 1893 theyd trotted out the 757 rifle cartridge, in 1905 the 857 JS and 9.362.
All are still commercially loaded, still popular.
From left: .380 Auto, 9×19, .45 ACP, all with Black Hills’s fast, deep-driving HoneyBadger bullets.
Soon it caught the attention of other nations.
Russia came late to the party.
[For another perspective, check out9mm vs. 45 ACP: The Ultimate Caliber Conundrum.]
Several ammo makers offer potent 9mm loads, like these 115-grain Hornadys clocking 1,135 fps.
Oddly enough, this round owes much to North Americas firearms wizard John Moses Browning.
But as early as 1894 hed developed a gas-driven .38 pistol.
The next year he had a blowback-cycled .32.
Range time endears the 9mm to many shooters raised on the .45 ACP. Speed and accuracy both count.
Upon firing, breech and barrel stayed locked as recoil started them rearward.
A link pulled the barrel down, separating them.
Refined, this mechanism cycled the 1911 that would serve U.S. armed forces for 74 years.
Larger magazine capacities sell the 9mm. Each round carries a capable punch in a compact package.
John Brownings .32 ACP Model of 1900 was patented in 1897.
Improvements blessed its successor, the Model 1903.
Almost concurrently, a 9mm version appeared, Brownings first nine.
Competitive pistols in 9x19mm have proliferated. Modest recoil is a big advantage in timed events.
Over the next 20 years, the prolific designer would come up with several more pistols.
The Model 1903 would appear in .380 ACP.
The pistol was also produced in Canada during WWII to supply Canadian, Chinese, Greek and British troops.
The SA-35 from Springfield Armory takes the classic P.35 design and adds numerous subtle — but significant — upgrades and enhancements.
The 919, in contrast, has prospered for over a century.
Thank the P.35 or the 1902 Luger for its strong start.
But credit too the 919s design, and the ammunition manufacturers that have continuously improved its performance.
The Details
The case is of typical straight, rimless profile.
Its .754 inches long, with a .392 head, a .394 rim, a .380 mouth.
It holds about 14.5 grains water and uses a small pistol primer.
Maximum overall cartridge length: 1.169.
Bullet diameter, as for other commercial 9mms, is .355.
SAAMI lists maximum average breech pressure at 35,000 psi, 33,000 CUP.
Standard rifling in 919 barrels has a spin rate of 1 turn in 9.8 inches.
Ballistically, the 919 is a close match to the .38 Automatic, circa 1900.
Bullet options have proliferated for this popular cartridge.
Commercially loaded jacketed bullets range in weight from 115 to 147 grains, with 115 and 124 top sellers.
The NATO military load is frothy, hurling a 124-grain FMJ at 1,250 fps.
Black Hills loads a 100-grain solid-copper Honey Badger to that speed.
Among the most appealing of myriadnewnines is Springfield Armorys SA-35.
Yes, its profile is clearly that of the Browning-designed P.35.
But the American-made SA-35 has refinements some visible, some internal.
The feed ramp has been improved.
The white dot front sight and serrated rear make aim easier for aging eyes.
The stainless 4 5/8-inch barrel, rifled 1-in-10, is cold-hammer-forged.
The SA-35s double-stack mag also holds 15 rounds, up two from the original P.35 production.
[Dont miss Massad Ayoobs article:Is There a 9mm 1911 Problem?]
The matte-blued, forged carbon-steel frame and slide of the 32-ounce SA-35 give it real-gun feel and fine balance.
Fully checkered walnut grips hug your hand.
Palm the slide back, let it whisk a cartridge home.
Theres nothing tinny or polymer here.
Likely as not, those sights find the target as if drawn by a string.
Trigger pull is a manageable, if not light, 5.7 pounds.
Because it holds easily on target, you should find the SA-35 eager to like.
Mine, just in, is itching for more range time.
What better venue to exercise 9mm ammo than one of the two pistols that helped launched its remarkable career?
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