On this page you can see firearm cartridge sizes relative to each other. I will update the photo as I get access to more cartridges.
Left to Right (other known names):
.38 S&W Special
7.62x25mm Tokarev
.22WMR (22 Magnum)
.45ACP
9mm (Luger, Parabellum, 9x19mm, NATO)
.380ACP (9mm Kurzt, 9x17mm, 9mm short, 9mm Browning short)
.22LR
Though not readily visible in the photo above, the 9mm and .380ACP casings differ in width as well as length. The 9mm is slightly wider towards the primer (bottom end of photo) end and tapers down towards the slug end. The 380 is a straight-walled casing. The .380 also shoots a lighter projectile than the 9mm. 9mm projectiles come in weights such as 115, 124, 147 grains while .380 slugs hover around 90 grains.
While the slug diameters of the .22WMR and .22LR are nearly the same, their casings also differ in more than length. The .22WMR casing is tapered and larger in diameter than the straight-walled .22LR casing. The .22WMR casing is also crimped down around the slug while the .22LR casing is about the same diameter as its slug. This is why both .22WMR and .22LR can be fired from one gun (a revolver such as the Ruger Single Six) without changing barrels but the cylinder must be change. The slug weights of LR and WMR are usually similar; 30-50 grains.
Top view, same order as above. As you can see the .38, 9mm and .380 all have approximately the same diameter as do the 22WMR and LR. But that .45ACP really does stand out in the crowd.
This page was last modified on 22 May 2009 16:28