Need some help! Whats the difference!

[mechanicworkman]

I could use some gun expert advice. My manufacturer Beretta manual technical data provides the caliber as "7.65 mm. (mod 81) - 9 mm short (mod 84).

I realized I only had a few cartridges in my clip, so last December I went to the sporting goods store, thinking I had a [Pietro Beretta Gardone V.T. - Made in Italy semi-automatic] 9 mm pistol - I was told the only 9mm they had was "9mm Luger 115 gr. FJM 5200)", so I bought a couple boxes.

Now I notice that the cartridges in my clip are shorter - "WIN .380 auto". both the shell and the copper tip on the 9mm are both a little longer than the .380's. I look at my pistol, and know it is stamped below the barrel "mod. 84B - Cal.9 short"; on the barrel itself, it is stamped "Cal. 9 short .380 auto"

Did I buy the wrong caliber bullets? Will the 9mm bullets work, and is it safe or should I have .380 short?

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

"9mm Short" (or Kurz) is known as .380 ACP here.

.380 ACP = 9x17
9mm Luger = 9x19

Will the 9mm bullets work, and is it safe or should I have .380 short?

No, they are NOT interchangeable. You need .380 ACP or .380 Auto.

 

[RainDodger]

A .380 Auto (or ACP) is the same as a 9mm Kurz (short).

A .380 Auto is NOT the same as a 9mm Luger (Parabellum).

They are NOT interchangeable.

You bought the wrong cartridges and they will not chamber in your pistol because they are too long. The .380 cartridges will be shorter than a 9mm Luger.

 

[RainDodger]

Sorry - looks like we posted at the same time...

 

[NukemJim]

Unfortunetly you bought the wrong kind of ammo. It happens, do not feel bad.
Do NOT try to shoot it in your gun, it probably would not fit.

There are a number of different 9mm rounds, offhand they are (and as always I could be wrong )

9mm short AKA .380 AKA 9mm Kurtz (German for short)
9 X 18 mm for some Soviet era guns
9 X 19 mm Most common round in 9mm in the US
9 X 23 mm uncommon round has been used in competitive shooting matches


If I was in a gunstore and somone asked for 9mm that is what I would get them and be correct about 99% of the time.

Good luck and best wishes

NukemJim

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

"9mm short" is another name for .380 Auto. 9mm Luger is not the right ammo for this gun.

Wow, four responses while I was typing mine. You guys are quick.

 

[mechanicworkman]

thanks guys for the advice!

 

[earlthegoat2]

And unfortunately for you it is a 380 and that ammo is quite difficult to get right now.