Caliber comparison
9mm Luger vs .45 ACP
9mm Luger or .45 ACP? In short: According to the C.I.P., the .45 ACP has the longer case (22.81 mm vs 19.15 mm). The C.I.P. allows the higher maximum pressure for the 9mm Luger (2,350 bar vs 1,300 bar). Muzzle energy of the factory loads in the catalog, as stated by the manufacturers: 9mm Luger 347–611 J; .45 ACP 331–724 J. Bullet weights: 9mm Luger 70–158 gr; .45 ACP 137–240 gr. In the gun catalog: 9mm Luger 165 models; .45 ACP 65 models. Standards retrieved on ; catalog date at the bottom of the page.
Specifications side by side
| Spec | 9mm Luger | .45 ACP |
|---|---|---|
| Ignition | Centerfire | Centerfire |
| Nominal size | 9 mm | 11.43 mm |
| C.I.P. designation | 9 mm Luger | 45 Auto |
| Maximum pressure Pmax (C.I.P.) | 2,350 bar | 1,300 bar |
| Maximum case length (C.I.P., L3) | 19.15 mm | 22.81 mm |
| Maximum overall length (C.I.P., L6) | 29.69 mm | 32.39 mm |
| Bullet diameter (C.I.P., G1) | 9.03 mm | 11.48 mm |
| Maximum average pressure, MAP (SAAMI, transducer) | 35,000 psi | 21,000 psi |
| Factory loads in the catalog (manufacturers) | 185 (14) | 96 (14) |
| Bullet weight (manufacturer data) | 70–158 gr (4.54–10.2 g) | 137–240 gr (8.88–15.55 g) |
| Muzzle velocity V0 (manufacturer data) | 259–495 m/s | 221–366 m/s |
| Muzzle energy E0 (manufacturer data) | 347–611 J | 331–724 J |
| of which lead-free | 3 | 3 |
| Models in the gun catalog | 165 | 65 |
| Shooting disciplines in Germany (by name / by caliber range) | 143 / 30 | 138 / 22 |
The C.I.P. and SAAMI each measure chamber pressure by their own method, so their figures are shown side by side and not converted from one to the other.
Factory loads: range of manufacturer figures in the catalog
Only current products are counted. Bullet weight, velocity and energy appear only where the manufacturer states them; they apply to the manufacturer’s test barrel.
9mm Luger
- Bullet weight, lower end of range: 70 gr (4.54 g) (source: federalpremium.com)
- Bullet weight, upper end of range: 158 gr (10.2 g) (source: prvipartizan.com)
- Muzzle energy, lower end of range: 347 J (source: prvipartizan.com)
- Muzzle energy, upper end of range: 611 J (source: sellier-bellot.cz)
.45 ACP
- Bullet weight, lower end of range: 137 gr (8.88 g) (source: federalpremium.com)
- Bullet weight, upper end of range: 240 gr (15.55 g) (source: federalpremium.com)
- Muzzle energy, lower end of range: 331 J (source: federalpremium.com)
- Muzzle energy, upper end of range: 724 J (source: remington.com)
Guns in the catalog
The catalog lists these models in both chamberings:
- BUL Armory Commander
- BUL Armory Government
- BUL Armory Trophy
- CZ P-10 F
- Heckler & Koch P9S
- Heckler & Koch USP
- IWI Jericho 941
- Kimber CDP II
- Kimber Custom
- Kimber Pro Carry II
- Kimber Team Match II
- Nighthawk Custom Agent 2
and 14 more
Shooting disciplines in Germany
Approved rulebooks of German shooting associations: 9mm Luger 143 by name, 30 by caliber range; .45 ACP 138 by name, 22 by caliber range. In 132 disciplines, both cartridges are allowed.
A discipline for your gun type in an approved set of sport regulations does not yet mean you have a recognized need. An association your club belongs to must certify, under its sport regulations, that the gun is approved for a discipline and required for it; on top of that come twelve months of sport shooting in a club, the shooting activity record, acquisition spacing, the quota and the minimum age. The association certifies, the authority decides. The wording of the regulations governs.
What this comparison does not say
This comparison puts specifications side by side. Which cartridge may be fired in a particular gun is determined solely by the caliber marking on the barrel or by the gun manufacturer.
How a cartridge performs on target depends on bullet, load, barrel length and distance. This page does not rate which cartridge is “better”.
Sources and date
- C.I.P. data sheet 9 mm Luger, dated 09/23/2008
- ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3 — Centerfire Pistol and Revolver Ammunition (Z299.3-2022), 9mm Luger: Velocity & Pressure Data, p. 9 (PDF p. 18)
- C.I.P. data sheet 45 Auto, dated 04/21/2020
- ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3 — Centerfire Pistol and Revolver Ammunition (Z299.3-2022), 45 Automatic: Velocity & Pressure Data, p. 19 (PDF p. 28)
- Manufacturer data in the Waffenschrank ammunition catalog: federalpremium.com, prvipartizan.com, remington.com, sellier-bellot.cz
Standards retrieved on . Our own presentation of individual figures, not an official reproduction; the original document prevails. Waffenschrank is not affiliated with the C.I.P. or SAAMI.
Specifications come from the source cited alongside them; counts are based on our catalog as of the date stated. Not legal advice: what follows from these figures in a given country is decided by that country’s law. Waffenschrank is not affiliated with the manufacturers named.
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