9mm?

[flamdrags]

Newbie question...
9mm Para vs. 9mm Luger, what's the difference? Is there a difference? Reading and shopping, 9mm auto's are usually listed as 9mm Para while the actual rounds seem to be (always?) labeled 9mm Luger. What gives?
-Timothy

[Callahan]

There's no difference between the 9 mm Parabellum and the 9 mm Luger. Georg Luger introduced the 9mm cartridge, the 9mm Luger, in 1902 in Germany. Both his pistol, the P-08, and his cartridge were adopted by the German military in 1908 and Germany has used the 9mm Luger cartridge (9mm Parabellum and 9x19) ever since. It and the .38 Special date back to '02 and are perhaps the two most successful handgun cartridges in history.

[flamdrags]

...so where does "Parabellum" come from and why is it used so frequently in reference to pistols chambered in 9mm? (This is equally fascinating and frustrating that to be competently knowledgeable about the sport/hobby one must have a working knowledge of the vast history of it. I'd consider this a bonus, as one interested in history in general, but also intimidating. The reason why certain things last or fail to, is not always a matter of logic/rationale, but history, economics, politics, etc. One needed know the history of baseball to know that touching all four bags equals a run scored, but here there is a vast history to acquaint oneself with to be confident in matching a round to a gun. I just hope those with the knowledge are patient enough with those of us who are eager to acquire it.)

[flamdrags]

Oh, and by the way, Thanks!

[DoubleAction]

In Germany the Parabellum was not referred to as the Luger,as it was in the United States and English speaking countries.Adolf F. Stoeger of New York in the early 1920s arranged with the maker of the Parabellum,DWM,to register with the U.S. Patent office the name" A.F. Stoeger Inc. New York Luger Registered U.S.Patent Office" on the right side of the frame.George Luger was an employee of DWM,which also manufactured the Borchardt.George Luger wanted to turn the Borchardt into a more effectual weapon and the Parabellum ( Luger ) was the results of those efforts.

[DoubleAction]

Parabellum is a word derived from the Latin "si vis pacem,para bellum"which means "If you want peace,prepare for war.This was adopted by DWM firearms,the manufacturer of the Parabellum pistol.Para bellum was originally a telegraphed message( Parabellum Berlin) and DWM adopted it later as their trademark.

[Callahan]

Yup, the Germans conveniently dropped the "if you want peace" part of the saying... Para bellum ... for war.

[Callahan]

Flamdrags: I'll grant you that there is a lot of history and current info to absorb, but this forum and others as well as whatever you run into in your daily life: magazines, visits to gun shops, talks with "experts," will help you to make a better decision should you ever decide to get strapped. Even if you decide to never buy a handgun or a long gun you will have invested some valuable time here.