Ammo101 - 9mm Rounds Explained: Luger, Makarov, NATO & More

What’s the difference between 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x18 Makarov, and all those other 9mm rounds?

In this episode of Ammo101, we break down the entire 9mm family — from the iconic 9x19mm Parabellum to old-school Cold War cartridges like the 9x18mm Makarov, rare finds like 9mm Largo, and specialty rounds like +P and +P+.

Whether you're new to shooting, a collector, or just trying to figure out what works in your handgun or PCC, this guide will clear the confusion around 9mm calibers.

Covered in this video:

9mm Luger vs 9mm NATO

What is 9mm +P and +P+?

The Soviet 9x18 Makarov

9x21mm IMI: Italy’s workaround

9mm Largo (9x23mm): Spain’s military round

Rare calibers: 9mm Steyr and more

Learn the history, the specs, and the use cases — all in under 2 minutes.

Have a rare 9mm cartridge? Drop it in the comments — we might cover it next!

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