This specific cartridge is a small-caliber, high-velocity round developed in Belgium. Known for its flat trajectory and armor-piercing capabilities, it is commonly used in personal defense weapons and some submachine guns. For instance, the FN Five-seven pistol and the P90 submachine gun are chambered for this particular ammunition.
The cartridge’s effectiveness against body armor, coupled with its relatively low recoil, contributed to its adoption by military and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Its historical development ties to the need for a more effective personal defense weapon cartridge against emerging threats. Within the Canadian context, access and regulations surrounding this ammunition are subject to specific legal frameworks.