9mm kurtz and 9mm corto

[rhuff]

I have handloaded 9mm Kurtz/380 Auto for many years, as I have accumulated a "few" handguns in this caliber. Actually, in the summer months, I carry a 380 auto in my hip pocket, daily.

The factory JRN ammo is 95gr. I have loaded a "ton" of the plated 100gr RN bullets with 100% success. Just set your OAL of the 100gr bullets to the OAL of factory RN FMJ rounds, and you will be set....or you can purchase FMJ RN 95gr bullets.

The cases are small, and are a bit of a challenge to handle compared to 38 Special, or 9mm.....but completely doable and sooooo much cheaper than purchasing factory ammo.

I have found, for me, that loading with a fast burning powder like Bullseye, Red Dot, and others, produces my best results. Accuracy is excellent when I do my part.

[Eugen]

Ruff, thanks for your information. I just started reloading this caliber. My EDC is a Sig P238 in 380acp. 9mm is my favorite round; 380 or 9mm kurtz is my next favorite round to shoot.

I've succesfully used Berry's plated 100gr (.356) RN with 3.1-3.4gr of Win231 with COL of .980". I also have used this in my Beretta and Femaru and they cycled and shoot well.

The reason I posted the question is that I had no idea what projectile weight for their 9mm kurtz was used in the 30s or during wartime by the axis powers. I thought about trying to handload an identical round as possible for those hand guns. Just because.

Loading 380 is definitely more of a challenge than 9mm. However loading 7.65mm (32acp) for my Beretta 1935 and Femaru P model 37 and a few other vintage guns is a real bear. One must have OCD to get that powder drop accruate. But, I am learning.

[rhuff]

Originally Posted by Eugen

The reason I posted the question is that I had no idea what projectile weight for their 9mm kurtz was used in the 30s or during wartime by the axis powers. I thought about trying to handload an identical round as possible for those hand guns. Just because.

I must apologize for miss reading the above question. A bit of brain fade I suppose. I have some fairly old 380 Auto ammo, which is all 95gr., but none of it is 1930 era ammo.....sorry.

[Eugen]

DJU, I can speak to the ones I own. Hungary and Italy were part of the Axis. To briefly summarize, Beretta made the Model1934 in 9mm corto (Although I understand there were some made in 7.65mm called the M1935). When Italy wanted to surrender to the Allies, the Nazi's took over the Beretta factory and over saw the production M1935s for the Wermacht. These were 7.65mm.

In the case of Femaru, a Hungarian manufacturer that later evolved into FEG, a 9mm kurtz model 1937 was in production for the military, police and civilian market. Under contract the Nazi's had Femaru produce a similar model 37, with the only changes being only in 7.65mm and an added thumb safety. The Germans seemed to prefer the 7.65mm caliber in these two instances.

So unlike the Walther PPK that I understand started life in 7.65mm and then 9mm kurtz was added later, the Beretta and Femaru models mentioned above were 9mm shorts initially and 7.65mm models came later.

I love these 7.65mm and 9mm short guns. They are a hoot to shoot, especially with the reduced cost of ammo that I handload.