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Professionally Reviewed by:

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.

Credentials:

  • 2x Team Safari Competitor
  • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
  • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
  • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified

9mm Browning Long (9x20mm): At a Glance

Key Characteristics
Firearm Type Pistol, Semi-automatic
Primer Type Small Pistol
Used For Military, Law Enforcement, Self-Defense
Case Design Rimless, Straight
Year Introduced 1903

9mm Browning Long (9x20mm): At a Glance: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Moderate recoil for easier control
  • Good stopping power for a pistol round
  • Compact size suitable for concealed carry
  • Effective for self-defense applications
  • Historical significance in European military use

Cons

  • Limited availability of modern ammunition
  • Fewer firearm options compared to more common calibers
  • Less powerful than some modern pistol cartridges
  • Limited popularity outside of collectors' circles
  • Lack of modern load development

9mm Browning Long (9x20mm): A Comprehensive Overview

The 9mm Browning Long, also known as 9x20mm SR, is a pistol cartridge developed by John Browning for FN Herstal in 1903. It was designed to provide improved stopping power over the 7.65mm Browning (.32 ACP) while maintaining manageable recoil in blowback-operated pistols. This cartridge saw limited but notable use in military and law enforcement applications during the early 20th century.

History and Development

The 9mm Browning Long was introduced in 1903 as a more powerful alternative to the 7.65mm Browning (.32 ACP). It was specifically designed for use in the FN Model 1903 pistol, which was adopted by several European militaries, including Sweden and the Netherlands. The cartridge featured a longer case than the 9mm Browning Short (9x17mm, .380 ACP) to accommodate more powder and achieve higher velocities.

Despite its initial adoption by some military forces, the 9mm Browning Long never gained widespread popularity. It was eventually overshadowed by other pistol cartridges like the 9mm Parabellum and .45 ACP. Production of firearms chambered for this round largely ceased by the 1950s, although some surplus weapons remained in use for several more decades.

Technical Specifications

The 9mm Browning Long cartridge has a case length of 20mm and an overall length of 28.5mm. It typically uses a 115-grain (7.45g) bullet, achieving muzzle velocities around 1,070 fps (326 m/s) and muzzle energies of 292 ft-lbs (396 J). The cartridge operates at relatively low pressures, making it suitable for use in simple blowback-operated firearms.

9mm Browning Long (9x20mm) Timeline:

Year Event
1950s Production of firearms chambered for 9mm Browning Long largely ceases
1940 Swedish military phases out use of the 9mm Browning Long in favor of the 9mm Parabellum
1907 Swedish military adopts the FN Model 1903 pistol chambered in 9mm Browning Long
1903 FN Herstal introduces the 9mm Browning Long cartridge alongside the FN Model 1903 pistol

9mm Browning Long Performance Characteristics

Key performance metrics of the 9mm Browning Long cartridge

Characteristic Performance
Bullet Weight 115 grains (7.45g)
Standard loading for this cartridge
Muzzle Velocity 1,070 fps (326 m/s)
From a 5-inch barrel
Muzzle Energy 292 ft-lbs (396 J)
Moderate energy for a pistol cartridge of its era
Effective Range 50 meters
Typical effective range for military and law enforcement use
Case Length 20mm
Longer than the 9mm Browning Short (9x17mm)

Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity

This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common 9mm Browning Long (9x20mm) loads.

Note: Actual velocities may vary based on specific loads, barrel length, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

9mm Browning Long (9x20mm): Effective Range for Different Applications

This table provides estimated effective ranges for 9mm Browning Long ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.

Application Effective Range (yards) Notes
Military/Combat 0-50 Limited use in modern military applications
Law Enforcement 0-25 Rarely used in modern law enforcement
Target Shooting 0-50 Suitable for short-range target practice
Self-Defense 0-15 Effective at close range, but limited by low power

Note: The 9mm Browning Long is an obsolete cartridge with limited modern applications. Effective ranges are significantly shorter than more contemporary pistol cartridges due to its lower power and older design. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.

Applications for 9mm Browning Long (9x20mm)

The 9mm Browning Long is an obsolete cartridge with limited modern applications:

Historical Firearms
  • Primarily of interest to collectors and historians
  • Used in some early 20th century European military and police pistols
  • Examples include the FN Model 1903 and Browning M1903
Target Shooting
  • Occasional use in vintage firearm competitions
  • Limited availability of modern ammunition restricts widespread use
  • Reloading may be necessary for regular shooting
Self-Defense
  • Not recommended for modern self-defense applications
  • Low power compared to contemporary defensive cartridges
  • Limited ammunition availability and firearm options
Collecting
  • Valued by collectors of early semi-automatic pistols
  • Important for studying the evolution of handgun cartridges
  • Firearms chambered in this caliber are often considered collectibles

9mm Browning Long (9x20mm) Comparisons

The 9mm Browning Long, also known as 9x20mm, is a pistol cartridge developed in the early 20th century. To understand its characteristics and applications, let's compare it to similar cartridges:

9mm Browning Long vs. 9mm Parabellum ▼

9mm Browning Long vs. .380 ACP ▼

Recoil Energy Comparison

Compare the estimated recoil energy of 9mm Browning Long with other pistol cartridges. (Based on a 2 lb pistol)

Note: Recoil energy can vary based on specific loads and firearm characteristics. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

Ballistic Trajectory Comparison

This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of 9mm Browning Long with other pistol cartridges over distance.

Note: Trajectories are calculated for a 25-yard zero. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and firearm characteristics.

Wind Drift Comparison

This chart compares the wind drift of 9mm Browning Long with other pistol cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.

Note: Wind drift is calculated for a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and firearm characteristics.

Energy Retention Comparison

This chart compares the energy retention of 9mm Browning Long with other pistol cartridges over distance.

Note: Energy values are calculated based on typical bullet weights and velocities for each cartridge. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and environmental conditions.

9mm Browning Long (9x20mm) Sectional Density

The 9mm Browning Long, also known as 9x20mm, is a pistol cartridge developed in 1903 for the FN Model 1903 semi-automatic pistol. This table compares the sectional density of different bullet weights for this cartridge.

Cartridge Bullet Weight (gr) Sectional Density
9mm Browning Long 108 0.136
9mm Browning Long 115 0.145
9mm Browning Long 124 0.156

Note: The 9mm Browning Long is an obsolete cartridge, and data on its various loadings can be limited. The sectional density values provided are calculated based on the bullet diameter of 0.355 inches. Actual commercial loadings may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the 9mm Browning Long (9x20mm)?

A: The 9mm Browning Long, also known as 9x20mm, is a pistol cartridge developed by John Browning in 1903 for FN Herstal. It was primarily used in early 20th century European military and police pistols.

Q: How does the 9mm Browning Long compare to the 9mm Parabellum?

A: The 9mm Browning Long is slightly longer than the 9mm Parabellum (9x19mm). It has a case length of 20mm compared to the 19mm of the 9mm Parabellum. The 9mm Browning Long typically has lower pressures and velocities than modern 9mm Parabellum loads.

Q: What firearms were chambered for 9mm Browning Long?

A: Notable firearms chambered for 9mm Browning Long include the FN Model 1903, Webley & Scott Model 1909, and various European police pistols. It was also used in some submachine guns like the SIG MKMO.

Q: Is 9mm Browning Long ammunition still available?

A: 9mm Browning Long ammunition is no longer in common production. It is considered obsolete and is primarily of interest to collectors. Some specialty ammunition manufacturers may produce limited runs for collectors and enthusiasts.

Q: Can 9mm Browning Long be used for self-defense?

A: While it was once used for military and police applications, 9mm Browning Long is not recommended for modern self-defense use. Its limited availability, older firearm designs, and performance characteristics make it unsuitable compared to modern cartridges specifically designed for self-defense.