Walther PP Super

[dfletcher]

Just picked this up locally. Walther PP Super in the 9X18 Ultra chambering - pretty much an "easier to handle version of the Walther PP.

IMG_1462.jpg
Magazines are expensive and hard to find. Ammo is pretty reasonable. But being a 9X18 the obvious question is whether 380 ACP ammo can be used - anyone got one and tried?

The 9X18 Ultra ammo costs about the same but more difficult to find, would be nice to have that ability.

[Capybara]

Can you fire .380 out of 9 x 18 Makarov? Yes. Is it safe? Relatively. Will it keyhole? Yes, likely. Is there point to doing it? No. Who wants to send bullets downrange sideways?

9 x 18 Makarov is easy to reload or if you don't reload, it's in the same general price range as .380 ACP and not that hard to find.
All of the major online ammo retailers sell it. What? You don't have your FFL03 and COE so you can have it shipped to your door? Why not?

[saki302]

I dont think .380 will work.

They did make a version in .380acp- i owned one back in the 90s. If you could source a barrel, it's probably as simple as a barrel swap to fire. 380.

If .380 would fire as is, it'll be held by the extractor, which if it breaks will be hard to source (unless it's a normal PPk extractor)

[ar15barrels]

Just picked this up locally. Walther PP Super in the 9X18 Ultra chambering - pretty much an "easier to handle version of the Walther PP.

IMG_1462.jpg
Magazines are expensive and hard to find. Ammo is pretty reasonable. But being a 9X18 the obvious question is whether 380 ACP ammo can be used - anyone got one and tried?

The 9X18 Ultra ammo costs about the same but more difficult to find, would be nice to have that ability.

I would not try 380 due to the headspace being so different.
Yes, the extractor may hold the case back and the round may fire, but it also may not depending on how the extracter grabs the case.
Lacking proper brass, i would be tempted to cut down 223 cases to 18mm long and loading a few to try.
9x18 ultra uses standard 0.355" 9mm bullets.

For less brass forming work, there's these:

https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/28401

The internets say that 9x19 dies load 9x18 ultra just fine with a 223/380 shellholder.

[ar15barrels]

Can you fire .380 out of 9 x 18 Makarov? Yes. Is it safe? Relatively. Will it keyhole? Yes, likely. Is there point to doing it? No. Who wants to send bullets downrange sideways?

9 x 18 Makarov is easy to reload or if you don't reload, it's in the same general price range as .380 ACP and not that hard to find.
All of the major online ammo retailers sell it. What? You don't have your FFL03 and COE so you can have it shipped to your door? Why not?

The gun in the OP is NOT a 9x18 Makarov.
The gun in the OP is a 9x18 ultra.
The two cartridges use different bullet diameters and cartridge dimensions.
9x18 ultra is basically a 380 with a 1mm longer case.

[DanGunner]

I have a 1944-vintage PP in .32 ACP that’s well worn in cosmetic terms but is one of my most consistently accurate pistols. I true joy to shoot.

[dfletcher]

Can you fire .380 out of 9 x 18 Makarov? Yes. Is it safe? Relatively. Will it keyhole? Yes, likely. Is there point to doing it? No. Who wants to send bullets downrange sideways?

9 x 18 Makarov is easy to reload or if you don't reload, it's in the same general price range as .380 ACP and not that hard to find.
All of the major online ammo retailers sell it. What? You don't have your FFL03 and COE so you can have it shipped to your door? Why not?

I may have not made clear that the "9X18 Ultra" is dimensionally different than the 9X18 Makarov - case length of each is 18mm but the Ultra bullet diameter is .355 vs .360 of the Makarov. In true "let's make it difficult to have fun" fashion the 380 ACP diameter is the same but case length is 1mm shorter.

I reload and have C&R FFL and COE, but I have 2nd home in OR so have ammo shipped there - no sales tax.

I understand "shoot only for what she's chambered for" and the 9X18 Ultra really doesn't cost all that much. But it does kind of get my interest. I got 5.56 and 300 Blackout cases to work in my Winchester 351 SL May just pop off a few rounds in the back yard to see if it functions.

[dfletcher]

I would not try 380 due to the headspace being so different.
Yes, the extractor may hold the case back and the round may fire, but it also may not depending on how the extractor grabs the case.
Lacking proper brass, i would be tempted to cut down 223 cases to 18mm long and loading a few to try.
9x18 ultra uses standard 0.355" 9mm bullets.

For less brass forming work, there's these:

https://www.grafs.com/catalog/product/productId/28401

The internets say that 9x19 dies load 9x18 ultra just fine with a 223/380 shellholder.

Re reloading I think I'd use 9mm Luger cases trimmed back. The "internet" also suggests using Makarov cases sized down through Luger sizer die. I can give that a try, see how much extra effort is required to squeeze it down. This can't be anymore of a challenge to reload than the 41 AE.

[Capybara]

I may have not made clear that the "9X18 Ultra" is dimensionally different than the 9X18 Makarov - case length of each is 18mm but the Ultra bullet diameter is .355 vs .360 of the Makarov. In true "let's make it difficult to have fun" fashion the 380 ACP diameter is the same but case length is 1mm shorter.

I reload and have C&R FFL and COE, but I have 2nd home in OR so have ammo shipped there - no sales tax.

I understand "shoot only for what she's chambered for" and the 9X18 Ultra really doesn't cost all that much. But it does kind of get my interest. I got 5.56 and 300 Blackout cases to work in my Winchester 351 SL May just pop off a few rounds in the back yard to see if it functions.

Thank you for educating me. I'm surprised I own four 9 x 18 Makarov pistols, reload myself, reload 9 x 18 Mak and have never even heard of a caliber called 9 x 18 Makarov Ultra? I thought that was the name of the gun for some reason. You learn something new every day on Calguns!

[Grendel Guy]

On a similar note I took my son's buddy out shooting. I took my 9mm S&W and my Mak. The ammo boxes were marked 9mm and 9mm Mak. The S&W shot the Mak ammo fine for about 5 times before I noticed he was shooting the Mak ammo in it. My fault for not checking up on him. Never again.

[dfletcher]

Thank you for educating me. I'm surprised I own four 9 x 18 Makarov pistols, reload myself, reload 9 x 18 Mak and have never even heard of a caliber called 9 x 18 Makarov Ultra? I thought that was the name of the gun for some reason. You learn something new every day on Calguns!

Actually it's called the 9X18 Super. Or the 9X18 Ultra. Or the 9X18 Super Ultra.. I'm not 100% clear on it or what the gun is called either. I know what the magazines are called "Expensive as Heck"

[Capybara]

Actually it's called the 9X18 Super. Or the 9X18 Ultra. Or the 9X18 Super Ultra.. I'm not 100% clear on it or what the gun is called either. I know what the magazines are called "Expensive as Heck"

Wow, super confusing. Guess I'll stick with my regular old 9 x 18 P64 and Makarovs ;-)

[dfletcher]

Wow, super confusing. Guess I'll stick with my regular old 9 x 18 P64 and Makarovs ;-)

I'm guessing the West Germans weren't eager to emulate the Eastern block types.

I have a P64 and with a Wolff mainspring it's a nice shooter. There's a 2nd one up in OR with my name on it, picking it up this weekend. C&R and under $300.00. Still good deals out there.

[Capybara]

I'm guessing the West Germans weren't eager to emulate the Eastern block types.

I have a P64 and with a Wolff mainspring it's a nice shooter. There's a 2nd one up in OR with my name on it, picking it up this weekend. C&R and under $300.00. Still good deals out there.

Nice score. It wasn't that long ago that P64s were $150 in like new condition. Ah, the good old C&R days of the late 90s, early 2000s.