5.45×39mm
Videos
Page
The 5.45×39mm cartridge is a rimless bottlenecked intermediate cartridge. It was introduced into service in 1974 by the Soviet Union for use with the new AK-74. The 5.45×39mm gradually supplemented and then largely replaced the 7.62×39mm cartridge in Soviet and Warsaw Pact service as the primary military service rifle cartridge.
5.45×39mm cartridge
Service rifle cartridge cases: (Left to right) 7.62×54mmR, 7.62×51mm NATO, 7.62×39mm, 5.56×45mm NATO, 5.45×39mm.
Service rifle cartridges loaded with projectiles: (Left to right) 7.62×54mmR, 7.62×51mm NATO, 7.62×39mm, 5.56×45mm NATO, 5.45×39mm.
Kazakh soldier training with an AKS-74 rifle equipped with a blank fire adaptor
Intermediate cartridge
Videos
Page
An intermediate cartridge is a rifle/carbine cartridge that has significantly greater power than a pistol cartridge but still has a reduced muzzle energy compared to fully powered cartridges, and therefore is regarded as being "intermediate" between traditional rifle and handgun cartridges.
From left to right: 9×19mm (pistol cartridge) 7.92×33mm (intermediate cartridge) 7.92×57mm (fully powered cartridge)
The Sturmgewehr 44, a development of the earlier Maschinenkarabiner 42(H)
The 10.4x38mmR Swiss is an early example of an Intermediate cartridge.