Distinguishing Between 9 mm and 7.65 mm Parabellum on the Fly

Kyrie · 03-19-2018, 04:35 AM

Gentlemen,

IMO the simplest method is to try an insert a round of .32 ACP ammunition into the muzzle of the Luger.

If the Luger has a 9x19 mm barrel the .32 ACP cartridge will slip into the barrel right up to the semi-rim on the cartridge casing.

If the Luger has a 7.65 mm barrel the .32 ACP cartridge will stop before the case mouth enters the bore.

Best,

Kyrie

Edward Tinker · 03-19-2018, 08:19 AM

good point, will add this to the stickie of about the same name!

I said, use a pencil, if it fits easily it is 9mm, if it sticks a bit its a 7.65mm - but pencils are not as common as they used to be

mrerick · 03-19-2018, 08:41 AM

We have an article with photos in the FAQ document.

Why search out a .32acp round when you can use a simple pencil? If you're near ammo, why not drop a .30 Luger cartridge or 9mm Luger cartridge onto the muzzle and see if the bullet fits?

Kyrie · 03-20-2018, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

We have an article with photos in the FAQ document.

Why search out a .32acp round when you can use a simple pencil? If you're near ammo, why not drop a .30 Luger cartridge or 9mm Luger cartridge onto the muzzle and see if the bullet fits?

A) I was offering another alternative. If you don't like it feel free to not use it.

B) I haven't seen a pencil in decades.

C) I'd rather be handling a live round that cannot be chambered and fired in the firearm I've examining.

Just saying' :-)

Vlim · 03-20-2018, 06:19 AM

I printed a metric and imperial scale on my business card

Helps to measure cartridges and muzzles at shows.

ithacaartist · 04-04-2018, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyrie

C) I'd rather be handling a live round that cannot be chambered and fired in the firearm I've examining.

If the pistol turns out to be .30 Luger, wouldn't that be the case after all?

Kyrie · 04-05-2018, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

Originally Posted by Kyrie View Post
C) I'd rather be handling a live round that cannot be chambered and fired in the firearm I've examining.

If the pistol turns out to be .30 Luger, wouldn't that be the case after all?

I'm not sure I understand the question. A round of .32 ACP (7.65 mm Browning) dropped into a .30 Luger (7.65 mm Parabellum) chamber would rattle around like a BB in a boxcar. The only dimension the two cartridges have in common is the bullet diameter of .309 (or .308 if one is buying US produced ammo).

ithacaartist · 04-05-2018, 11:09 AM

You're right to question my question! You totally wrote .32 ACP...and I processed it as .30 Luger. Forgive the "Senior Moment" Please!

Kyrie · 04-05-2018, 05:31 PM

Not an issue, friend. I’m senior enough myself that if I want to chat with old friends I have to have to use an Ouija board

03-19-2018, 04:35 AM	#1
Kyrie User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 757 Thanks: 0 Thanked 212 Times in 101 Posts	Distinguishing Between 9 mm and 7.65 mm Parabellum on the Fly Gentlemen, IMO the simplest method is to try an insert a round of .32 ACP ammunition into the muzzle of the Luger. If the Luger has a 9x19 mm barrel the .32 ACP cartridge will slip into the barrel right up to the semi-rim on the cartridge casing. If the Luger has a 7.65 mm barrel the .32 ACP cartridge will stop before the case mouth enters the bore. Best, Kyrie

03-19-2018, 08:41 AM	#3
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	We have an article with photos in the FAQ document. Why search out a .32acp round when you can use a simple pencil? If you're near ammo, why not drop a .30 Luger cartridge or 9mm Luger cartridge onto the muzzle and see if the bullet fits? __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

04-05-2018, 11:09 AM	#8
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,283 Thanks: 7,007 Thanked 2,476 Times in 1,319 Posts	You're right to question my question! You totally wrote .32 ACP...and I processed it as .30 Luger. Forgive the "Senior Moment" Please! __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

03-19-2018, 08:19 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	good point, will add this to the stickie of about the same name! I said, use a pencil, if it fits easily it is 9mm, if it sticks a bit its a 7.65mm - but pencils are not as common as they used to be

03-20-2018, 06:19 AM	#5
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,032 Thanks: 1,018 Thanked 3,873 Times in 1,184 Posts	I printed a metric and imperial scale on my business card Helps to measure cartridges and muzzles at shows.

04-05-2018, 05:31 PM	#9
Kyrie User Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 757 Thanks: 0 Thanked 212 Times in 101 Posts	Not an issue, friend. I’m senior enough myself that if I want to chat with old friends I have to have to use an Ouija board