9 x 21 9mm pistols

I picked up a Steyr 1912 (Mod. 1911) a number of years ago. It's in 9X21 - I've run 38 Super through it with no issues. You still see them around - least-wise - you use to.
 
I bought an old Ipsc open gun in 9x21 for $300 a few years back, it’s a EAA gold team factory built in 1993. Gun runs good small frame tanfoglio parts fit published loads from my sierra manual make major. I bought it as cheap entertainment only down side to it being a factory gun is the slide has no dove tail cuts and the frame has an old 3 hole optic mount pattern and they are hardened steel so they can’t be drilled or cut for modern mounts or slide rackers. But other then that it runs.
 
I would imagine a 1/8” adapter plate from 3 hole to whatever 4 hole configuration would be easy enough to make.
I ended up with about 8 or 10 boxes of Fiocci ammunition in a lapse of judgement lol. That will Learn me!
 
I know a guy who used to shoot a 9x21 1911 Open gun in IPSC. God it was annoying picking up brass. lol

Hahaha, yeah after the one indoor match a year I break mine out for fun all my friends start complaining about 9x21 brass jamming up their presses. I’m not as much of a brass hound as the supercomp guys.
 
I shot a match with an older gentleman in the summer in London that was using one and said he had tons of brass so this is why he used it. I was pretty amazed as I hadn't seen anyone else shooting this caliber and wondered where he got his brass. If it was quite popular years ago - that would answer that question.
 
It's popular in countries that doesn't allow civilian ownership of firearms chambered for military cartridges. I think that is actually the only reason it exists. Usually whatever gun in 9x19 was just chambered for 9x21 instead. Essentially identical performance, at least with standard factory fodder.
 
I shot a match with an older gentleman in the summer in London that was using one and said he had tons of brass so this is why he used it. I was pretty amazed as I hadn't seen anyone else shooting this caliber and wondered where he got his brass. If it was quite popular years ago - that would answer that question.
Years ago in Italy civilians were not able to use 9X19, they only could have 9X21, should have plenty of brass available in Europe i guess.
 
I thought 9mm Steyr pistol ammo was 9x23mm?

Turns out - you are correct. For years I had assumed it was 9X21. It's only about an eighth of an inch longer than the 9X19. I just went and put a vernier on one and it is indeed 9X23.
Sorry for the screw up and thank you for your correction.
 
Hahaha, yeah after the one indoor match a year I break mine out for fun all my friends start complaining about 9x21 brass jamming up their presses. I’m not as much of a brass hound as the supercomp guys.

I'm pretty thorough in my brass prep and nothing gets through but it's still annoying to sort out it and .380. Now what the hell am I going to do with a dozen pieces of this ####? lol
 
Turns out - you are correct. For years I had assumed it was 9X21. It's only about an eighth of an inch longer than the 9X19. I just went and put a vernier on one and it is indeed 9X23.
Sorry for the screw up and thank you for your correction.

And not to be confused with 9x23 Winchester, which was a real screamer.
 
Turns out - you are correct. For years I had assumed it was 9X21. It's only about an eighth of an inch longer than the 9X19. I just went and put a vernier on one and it is indeed 9X23.
Sorry for the screw up and thank you for your correction.



.38 Super and especially 9x23 Winchester are not suitable for the 1912 despite fitting well enough. Many guys use .38 Super brass to reload suitable ammunition but using .38 Super ammunition is gonna beat the hell out of the gun and may lead to failures of varying severity.
 
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.38 Super and especially 9x23 Winchester are not suitable for the 1912 despite fitting well enough. Many guys use .38 Super brass to reload suitable ammunition but using .38 Super ammunition is gonna beat the hell out of the gun and may lead to failures of varying severity.
I wasn't aware that the 9X23 Winchester cartridges were too hot for this gun, but it does make sense, that modern ammo may not be suitable for a hundred your old gun. I have never tried a factory 38 Super round in my gun - I do use that brass though and load to the published load recommendations for 9x23 - or I will now. I did load to 9x21 specs. Thanks for the cautionary tips.
 
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