7.92×24mm

The 7.92×24mm cartridge is a pistol cartridge designed in Belgium by Rik Van Bruaene of VBR-Belgium.

The design objective was the development of a cartridge for use in Personal Defence Weapons (PDW), and for use in pistols, submachine guns and carbines. The technical specifications of the 7.92×24mm round are much closer to the 9×19 mm NATO pistol round than that of the 4.6×30 mm and 5.7×28 mm rounds more commonly used in PDWs. The 7.92×24mm is specially designed to fulfill a multicaliber role in the existing 9×19mm and .45 Auto frame platforms.

Design objectives
The design objectives of the 7.92×24mm project were to create a new self-defence caliber with great stopping power in a pistol and sufficient dimensions for use in a PDW or carbine style rifle. The 7.92×24mm round exceeds the minimum FBI penetration requirements—12-inch penetration when fired into ballistic gelatin. The 7.92×24mm caliber is available on the civilian, law enforcement and military markets.

The 7.92×24mm is shorter than the more ubiquitous 4.6×30mm and 5.7×28mm chamberings more commonly used in PDWs, this to allow usage in compact and sub-compact weapons. In order to be compatible with the 9×19mm and .45 Auto frame platforms, the 7.92×24mm caliber case has a special selected length of 24mm and uses different bullet types for each frame platform to fit their different lengths of 29.6mm and 32.4mm.



The round uses one standard case for both frame platforms and two series of bullets—the "S" cartridge is used to fit in the 9×19mm frame platforms whilst the "N" cartridge is used in the .45 Auto frame platforms.

7.92×24mm case


To prevent ammunition supply problems caused by the launch of a new caliber, the 7.92×24mm caliber uses a straight case, which is based on a shortened .30 Carbine case. These cases are widely available all over the world, and can be easy modified for the 7.92×24mm projectile.



7.92×24mm N cartridge dimensions
The 7.92×24mm N cartridge is intent for the use in the .45 Auto frame platforms.

The 7.92×24mm has 0.926 ml (14.26 grains) H2O cartridge case capacity.



The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 254 mm (1 in 10 in), 6 grooves, Ø lands = 7.62 mm, Ø grooves = 7.82 mm and the primer type is small pistol.

The 7.92×24mm N cartridge has a maximum length of 32.4 mm. According to the official C.I.P. (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives) guidelines the 7.92×24mm case can handle up to 3200 Bar (46412 psi) piezo pressure. In C.I.P. regulated countries, every rifle cartridge combo has to be proofed at 125% of this maximum C.I.P. pressure to certify for sale to consumers.

7.92×24mm S cartridge dimensions
The 7.92×24mm S cartridge is intended for use in the 9×19mm frame platforms.

The 7.92×24mm has 0.926 ml (14.26 grains) H2O cartridge case capacity.



The common rifling twist rate for this cartridge is 254 mm (1 in 10 in), 6 grooves, Ø lands = 7.62 mm, Ø grooves = 7.82 mm and the primer type is small pistol. The 7.92×24mm S cartridge has a maximum length of 29.6 mm.



Cartridge varieties


7.92×24mm 3P

The 7.92×24mm 3P cartridge contains three projectiles. It is fired from a smoothbore barrel equipped firearm. The impact of the three projectiles are comparable with the impact of three pellets of a 12-gauge buckshot round.

7.92×24mm BAP (Brass Armor Piercing)

This variety has different types of brass monoblock projectiles which have armor piercing capabilities at soft body armor level II and IIIA.

Although Brass Armor Piercing bullets for military use are common, the use of Brass Armor Piercing bullet for law enforcement is very controversial - according to international agreements concerning law enforcement ammunition, it is prohibited for a police officer to use bullets which can penetrate their own bulletproof vest.

The 7.92×24mm BAP cartridge is aimed at a police market where armor piercing bullets with a limited penetration are needed. Different types with different bullet weights exist.

7.92×24mm AP-HPF (Armor Piercing - Hollow Point Fragmenting)

Most law enforcement agencies prefer a bullet with greater stopping power like a hollow point bullet, traditional armor piercing bullets have a comparably low stopping effect. The 7.92×24mm AP-HPF 5.7 uses a 5.7 mm hardened steel penetrator and a brass fragmenting hollow point sabot. The 5.7 hardened steel penetrator is able to defeat body armor and the fragmenting hollow point sabot increases the stopping power against unprotected targets.

The objective of the 7.92×24mm AP-HPF 5.7 cartridge is to compete with the stopping power of the big .45 JHP bullets and also with the drill performance of the small PDW calibers 4.6×30 mm and 5.7×28 mm.

7.92×24mm FRA (Frangible) cartridges

The 7.92×24mm FRA (Frangible) bullets are designed to break-up at impact. They can be used for indoor shooting.

7.92×24mm cartridges for the military market
7.92×24mm Armor Piercing

The 7.92×24mm AP cartridges intended for the military market are based on a new patented bullet technology designed by Rik Van Bruaene. The military AP bullet contains a brass sabot and a hardened steel penetrator. This technology can be used in different calibers. Different dimensions of sabots and penetrators exist and many combinations of sabot weight and caliber are possible.

Problems with the Geneva Conventions.

To increase the stopping power of the 7.92mm AP bullets, some bullet types are provided with a penetrator/sabot combination, which separates by impact at a body of the opponent. This separation of the penetrator and sabot in the body of the opponent, causes a larger wound cavity and doubles the chance to hit a vital organ. This is similar to the 2-part fragmenting bullets. Although there is much support for this increased lethality, some people consider this separation effect to be in breach of the Hague Conventions. The separation strength from the sabot and penetrator can be changed by adapting the sabot identities. Other penetrator/sabot combinations do not have a separation on impact with a human body.

Weapons chambered
7.92×24mm N
 * PSW-Multi-caliber pistol

7.92×24mm S
 * Browning Hi-Power 7.92mm
 * Glock-VBR 7.92 pistol
 * Prototype VBR-Belgium PDW and VBR-Belgium CQBW Sidearms