Al though the Russian Army has already abandoned the 9x18 Makarov cartridge, a lot of East-European countries still use the 9x18 Makarov cartridge. Gigantic amounts of stock are still spread all over the world. The basic design objective is to develop a new defense system which takes a count with the gigantic stock of 9x18 mm ammunition but takes also an effort to improve the efficiency of this caliber and adapted it to the needs of our time.

While NATO still seeks to improve the performances of the 9x19 mm NATO caliber by a new small caliber PDW ammunition, the Russian Army has abandoned the 9x18 Makarov caliber in favor of an enforced 9x19 +P+ cartridge. Al though there where done efforts to improve the performances of the old 9x18 Makarov cartridge, still even the improved new Russian 9x18 PMM cartridge is too weak for the needs of our time. A new defense cartridge should start for the basic 9x18 cartridge and increases the performances of the 9x19 mm level.

VBR-Belgium patented bullet technology.

 

While the new Russian 9x18 PBM (7N25) cartridge also uses a sub-caliber penetrator, his typical construction allows not a big improvement of the performances. The dimensions of the penetrator are still too small for an acceptable wounding potential and still the bullet energy is too low. The typical VBR-Belgium bullet technology has other construction identities then the Russian technology. This allows other possibilities based on the standard 9x18 mm case. Al though it is possible to provide a VBR-Belgium Armor Piecing bullet for the 9x18 Makarov cartridge, the kinetic energy of the small / short and light penetrator does not satisfy our expectations. The short cartridge length of 25 mm based on the Over All length of the 9x18 Makarov cartridge limits the performances.

Only a bigger penetrator can improve the wounding potential of the sub-caliber bullet, but the bigger penetrator will change the over all length of the cartridge, while our intentions still are the use of the 9x18 caliber.

 

The VBR-B 9x18 KATE project.

  

The new concept of using a bigger penetrator for the 9x18 caliber opens new possibilities based on the 9x19 NATO frame platform. We step away form the old Makarov in the direction of new tactical weapons for the 9x18 caliber. This needs an adaptation of all important identities to achieve a maximum tactical efficiency. The result is the VBR-B 9x18 KATE ammunition. (Kinetic Adapted Tactical Efficiency).

 

The adaptations to the 9x19 frame platform.

9x18 Makarov / KATE-BAP / 9x19 NATO

 

9x18 Makarov vs. VBR-B 9x18 KATE.

9.22 mm Makarov              9.22 mm KATE-BAP

Compared to the 9.22mm Makarov, the 9.22 mm KATE-BAP has the advantage of a sharper point which increases the drill performance and the longer bullet increases the content of the permanent wound cavity (stopping power).

• Strategic and economic use of the old 9x18 Makarov FMJ cartridge stock.
• Uses different types of bullets on the 9x18 Makarov cartridge.
• Sharp bullet point of the 9x18 KATE-BAP increases the drill performance at soft body armor and tactical gear.
• Sharp bullet point of the 9x18 KATE-AP 6.3 increase the performances at CRISAT body armor.
• The bigger length and weight of the 9x18 KATE-HP allows a bigger expansion and deper penetration of the hollow point bullet.

  

System of conversion sets 9x18 VBR-B

Experimental drop-in barrel cal. 9x18 VBR-B 

The system of drop-in barrels provides the advantage that almost all modern 9x19 mm pistols can be modified to the new VBR 9x18 KATE ammunition.

Practical use of standard 9 x 19 mm magazines.

 

The standard Glock 9x19 mm magazine can hold 17 rounds of the VBR-B 9x18 KATE cartridges.

The standard Glock 9x19 mm magazine can hold 17 rounds of the 9x18 Makarov cartridges.

The standard Glock 9x19 mm magazine can hold a mix of 17 rounds 9x18 Makarov and 9x18 KATE cartridges.

 

The standard Glock 9x19 mm magazine sets a little bit out in thickness during filling. This is caused by the bigger dimensions of the 9.22 mm bullet of the 9x18 caliber. This has not caused significant problems. The feeding of the cartridges works fine, only it is a lit bit difficult to put the thicker magazine in the Glock pistol. The empty magazine comes back to normal dimensions.

 

 

The VBR-Belgium 9x18 KATE-BAP 85 tactical cartridge.

 

The first experimental VBR 9x18 KATE cartridge is the brass armor piercing cartridge with a bullet weight of 85 grains.

 

The VBR 9x18 KATE-BAP 85 cartridge contains a full brass THV style bullet. The hollow base of the bullet allows a larger propellant mass which is a substantial improvement compared to the standard 9x18 Steel core bullets. This increased case capacity allows a higher bullet energy to the level of the 9x19 mm cartridge. Al though different BAP bullet weights are possible, we used a 85 grains bullet to provide a deep penetration through the tactical gear of the opponent.

 

VBR-Belgium conversion set for Glock 17 cal. 9x18 mm.

 

Al though the 9 mm Makarov is a very reliable defense pistol, the design, the performances and tactical accessories are completely outdated. The Glock 17 / 19 with a 9x18 VBR-B conversion set gives a new life to the 9x18 caliber. This combination can use the old 9x18 Makarov cartridge, the 9x18 PBM cartridge and the new VBR-B 9x18 KATE cartridges. This allows the use of the old ammunition stock of the 9x18 Makarov cartridge, but for tactical performances the armor piercing VBR-B 9x18 KATE cartridge brings the performances to these of the 9x19 NATO level.

 

Target users group.

 

The target users group is focused to the countries, which still using the 9x18 mm Makarov cartridge. (East Europe, Middle East and Asia.)

 

• Special tactical teams, which need high performance ammunition in the 9x18 caliber.

 

• Use behind enemy lines where the supply of 9x18 ammunition is available while still using a high quality Glock pistol.

 

• Allows the use of the old 9x18 ammunition stock in a new weapon with a lot of tactical accessories.

 

• Easier to step over from the old 9x18 caliber to the 9x19 caliber.