Key Differences Between 9mm Luger and 9mm Largo Ammo for Sale

Obviously, 9mm Luger and 9mm Largo ammo both fire 9mm bullets. And, if you look at them, they’re relatively similar in size, too. But that’s where the common ground ends. These two cartridges are not the same, and attempting to fire one in a gun chambered for the other can result in catastrophic failure. 

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s look at some of the key differences between these cartridges. 

Where 9mm Luger and 9mm Largo Ammo Differ

Here are some of the major differences between 9mm Luger and 9mm Largo ammo for sale. 

• 9mm Largo was developed in 1903 by Theodor Bergmann and Hugo Schmeisser for the Bergmann-Bayard Pistol and subsequently adopted by Spanish and Danish militaries.
   
• The 9mm Luger was developed in 1901 by Georg Luger for the original Luger semi-automatic. It is also known as 9x19 Parabellum and simply as 9mm Parabellum as well as 9mm Luger. It has since become the most popular handgun cartridge in the world and countless guns have been built around this chambering, including famous models like the Glock G19, G17 and the Browning Hi-Power and Beretta 92FS. 
  
  
• These cartridges have slightly different base diameters. In the 9mm Luger it is 9.93mm and in the 9mm Largo it is 9.91mm. 
  
  
• They also differ in cartridge length. The 9mm Luger is 29.69mm OAL whereas the 9mm Largo is 33.53mm. 
  
  
• The 9mm Luger typically fires a bullet that weighs between 115 and 147 grains, though there are outliers. The 9mm Largo fires bullets that typically weigh between 124 and 127 grains. 
  
  
• Chamber pressures also constitute a massive difference between these cartridges. The 9mm can produce maximum chamber pressures of 35,000 PSI, per SAAMI, whereas the 9mm Largo can produce chamber pressures of about 30,000 PSI. This is one of the most important differences between these cartridges. Due to the substantially different chamber pressures generated, guns chambered in 9mm Luger cannot fire 9mm Largo safely and vice versa. Also, the chamber dimensions are not the same, as indicated by the differences in cartridge diameter and length. 
  
  
• The 9mm Largo produces higher recoil than the 9mm Luger, despite the fact that chamber pressures are lower. This makes recoil a little harder to manage in most guns chambered for 9mm Largo than for 9mm Luger. It also generates generally higher muzzle velocities. This can make 9mm Luger more practical for smaller-framed shooters and those who are sensitive to recoil, and contributes to its popularity. 
  
  
• The 9mm Luger is a far more popular cartridge, and likely the most popular handgun cartridge ever developed. Most gun shops are likely to have 9mm and a good variety of options; many will not even carry 9mm Largo ammo for sale.
   
• There are many more guns chambered in 9mm Luger than there are chambered in 9mm Largo. Many of those chambered in the latter are older, military models. Many firearms intended for sports shooting and civilian markets have been chambered in 9mm, as well as PDWs and SMGs, like the HK MP5 and the Sig MPX SBR. 

While this does not cover all of the differences between 9mm Luger and 9mm Largo ammo for sale, it does cover some of the major distinctions between the two, especially those that make chamberings for the one incompatible with the other. 

Guns That Take 9mm Largo Ammo

While 9mm Largo ammo for sale might be relatively rare, there are still a number of guns that have been chambered for it over the years. Here are some of the ones you might encounter. 

• The original Bergmann-Bayard pistol, produced in Belgium under license for the Spanish Army. 
  
  
• The Bergmann Mars pistol.
  
  
• Campo Giro pistols.
  
  
• Astra 400 and Astra A-80 pistols.
  
  
• Arrizabalaga JO.LO.AR pistols.
  
  
• CETME C2 submachine guns.
  
  
• Isard Pistols
• Llama Extra pistols.
  
  
• Destroyer Carbines 
  
  
• Labora Frontbernat M-1938 SMGs
  
  
• Parinco 3R SMGs
  
  
• Several Star Bonifacio Echeverria pistols, including the Modelo Militar, Modelo A and Modelo M.
   
• Star Bonifacio Z-45 SMG.

There are other handguns and SMGs that were chambered in 9mm Largo, but these are some of the major contenders. Conversely, there are many more platforms that have been chambered in 9mm Luger, including a wide range of handguns (both semi-auto platforms and revolvers) as well as SMGs, PDWs, and pistol-caliber carbines, or PCCs. 

Here for 9mm Largo Ammo for Sale?

Whereas many gun shops don’t carry 9mm Largo ammo for sale (or even guns with 9mm Largo chamberings), we do. In fact, we carry ammo that is still in good shape and excellent for target shooting. If you are the proud owner of a gun chambered in 9mm Largo and are having a hard time finding 9mm Largo ammo for sale, check out the previous link and if you have any questions before you buy get in touch with us and we will assist.