Theirs Vs Ours (calibers)

[QRQ 30]

I am no expert on weapons by any means. I was taught that Communist weapons were almost always slightly larger than US so they could use captured ammo in their weapons. An example would be 82 v 81 mm mortars.

I got interested in the 9 mm discussion and did some conversions. The 9 mm is slightly smaller than our .357 at .354. Or going the other way the .357 is 9.06 mm. As the .357 has a reputation for high penetration I can see why the 9 mm is still popular.

That falls from the general rule that "theirs" are usually slightly larger than "ours".

[Cincinnatus]

Maybe I'm missing something, but this isn't making much sense to me.

[QRQ 30]

Originally Posted by Cincinnatus

Maybe I'm missing something, but this isn't making much sense to me.

Admitted that I am probably rambling this morning.

There are probably two points but it all boils down to our UW roll. Those who supply and support world wide revolution (Soviets and Chicoms of the past) Manufactured weapons so they could use captured US?NATO ammo and not vice versa. Guerillas depend upon captured equipment to operate. This is a very important consideration when being deployed into a denied area and can dictate the type of weapons carried. When deployed in a covert action, "battlefield resupply" is sometimes all that is available.

[HOLLiS]

QRQ, LOL, I heard that too when I was in RVN. But for firearms, close is not good enough. Head spacing is critical. But I did not learn that until I got into reloading. Charlie also had a 60 mike mike, that was compatable with our stuff. One of morter men, carried a Chi-Com 60 Mike Mike, it was a tube, base plate and a handle (look like it came off a wood stove). He was very good with it. Some Marines in my company used the NVA packs, gear was hard to come by. We liked the AK over the M16, but noone would used it, the sound of the AK would draw friendly fire.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by QRQ 30

I am no expert on weapons by any means. I was taught that Communist weapons were almost always slightly larger than US so they could use captured ammo in their weapons. An example would be 82 v 81 mm mortars.

I got interested in the 9 mm discussion and did some conversions. The 9 mm is slightly smaller than our .357 at .354. Or going the other way the .357 is 9.06 mm. As the .357 has a reputation for high penetration I can see why the 9 mm is still popular.

That falls from the general rule that "theirs" are usually slightly larger than "ours".

This is a common misconception. Very few opposition rounds will interchange. The 82mm mortar may be able to fire an 81mm round, if the firing pin size and placement is correct. The 9x19 Parabellum will not function in the 9x18 Makarov, the 5.56x45 will not run in the 5.45x39, the 7.52x39 will not run in a 7.62x51, nor will the 7.62x54RR. The 12.7mm is not interchangable with the .50 BMG round, nor the 14.5mm.

Further, the calibers and metric bore diameters are not exactly the same. A 7.62 projo may run from .307 or so to .311. A .38 is the same bore diameter as a .357. The 9mm is a nominal .355. A .44 bullet is actually a .429. The .45 is close at .451-.454.

TR