9x39mm (no ontology)

From Mazeworld

Revision as of 15:15, 20 June 2012

The 9x39mm is an anti-personnel, subsonic cartridge developed by TsNIITochMach. It is one of the three armor-piercing rounds of the game, characterized by relatively low base power but low drop of performance as the target armor class increases. It is considered a medium-tier caliber.

Real-life data

Based on the well-known 7.62x39mm round but with an enlarged neck to hold a 9mm bullet, the 9x39mm caliber was developed by a team from Soviet, now Russian firearms manufacturer TsNIITochMach in the 1980s.

This caliber was requested the Spetsnaz, the Special Forces of the Soviet Union and later of Russia. In the past, the Spetsnaz noticed that the range of silenced semi-automatic pistols is very limited, forcing them to switch to special, silenced variants of AK and AKM rifles, which used a special, subsonic variant of 7.62x39mm; it was named 7.62x39mm US, corresponding to Umenshennaya Skorost, which translates to "Low velocity". However, the performance of those special adapted rounds wasn't exactly suited to the Spetsnaz's needs.

As such the 9x39mm was requested and developed. It is a naturally subsonic caliber, which achieves low velocity while retaining sufficient power for various needs. Several variants were produced, of which the SP-5 and SP-6 are the most well-known. The cartridges were based on 7.62x39mm cases, but adapted to a 9mm bullet. The SP-5 bullet was a standard, lead bullet for sniper purposes at an effective range of 300 to 400 meters. The SP-6 bullet is a hardened steel core bullet, armor-piercing capable at the same ranges, but is more expensive.

Two weapons were initially developed for 9x39mm caliber: the VSS Vintorez sniper rifle, and the SR-3 Vikhr assault rifle. Both weapons are selective-fire, and were known for being manufactured with integral silencers and for using standardized magazines, interchangeable between them.

As of today, this cartridge is still used by the Russian Spetsnaz.

Mazeworld overview

The variant used in Mazeworld is the armor-piercing SP-6 round.

How to read this?

Between the three armor-piercing calibers in the game, the 9x39mm is the best one. It is considered a medium-tier caliber due to its average power, but has the immense advantage of having a very 'flat' damage curve as the target's armor class increases.

Thanks to its medium power and armor-piercing capability, the 9x39mm caliber is capable of doing almost universally the same 52% damage to targets of all armor classes except HEV-level AC. Because of this, the 9x39mm is arguably one of the best calibers of the game, as it is equally lethal for practically all kinds of enemies, weaknesses and strength perks not counted.

9x39mm ammunition is rare, fitting only in two weapons of the game. Such ammunition can be found at random in the rooms, or bought in a gun shop/weapon shop for 12 P$/round, in boxes of 30.

Weapons compatible

Class 1 weapons

• Tula Arms VSS Vintorez

Class 2 weapons

• KBP 9A91

Gallery

See also

• Ammunition
• Weapon

• Wikipedia article