I'm researching the French Mle 1950 pistol with a view to writing an article on them. I'd like to include the French ballistics. Anyone know the muzzle velocity and bullet weight of French 9mm? Also breech pressure?

A quick search through a few of my reference books reveals two
different books that say the Mle 1950 was a locked breech design that
used the standard 9mm Luger ctg.

Thanks, awlslate. The Mle 50 is a locked breech design, much like a 45 with a link under the breech. It was designed for French 9mm Luger ammo, which I think is a little hotter than most as the ammo was designed for the Mle 49 SMG which is built like a tank. I'm trying to find out the bullet weight, MV and pressure of the French issue round.

I don't believe the French 9MM was loaded any different than any other standard 9MM round. Military forces expect ammo to be usable in all issue weapons of that caliber, also, after WWII many wanted commonality with allies in case of supply issues. The French also carted off large amounts of German equipment after the end of the war (and issued it too).

The best place to ask for details on French service ammo would be on the International Ammunition Association forum. There are a lot of real specialists on there and and I have found them to be the best source for info when seeking answers on ammo.

Well, I answered my own question. In 'Le Guide Practique des Armes Français", Jean Huon states that the French loading is an 8.15 g bullet at 385 m/s, which is a 125 grain bullet at 1265 fps. These are essentially 9mm Luger +P ballistics.

FWIW: French .30 caliber Carbine ammo in the past had corrosive primers

French military ammo had corrosive primers up to 1974.

French carbine ammunition was not the only corrosive carbine ammo. Fairly large quantities of M1 carbine ammo, headstamped LC 43 and 44, IIRC, came into the country. LC didin't stand for Lake City, but for something like 'Lower China". It was corrosive and berdan primed. I almost broke a decapping pin on some of it, until I looked down into the case and saw the two flash holes. Dangerous stuff, as we all assume that carbine ammo is non corrosive.

Do the French load 9mm and other small arms ammo to the NATO standard?

__________________
NRA LIFE MEMBER

Personally I haven't seen any current small arms ammo coming from France, military or otherwise. I can tell you that Speer makes 9mm 124GDHP for the French Gendarmerie.

The Gendarmerie is part of the Ministry of the Interior, so their ammo doesn't have to meet NATO standards. They are armed with the SIG P 2022. This also applies to the National Police, under the Ministry of the Interior; the Customs, under the Ministry of Economy and Finances and the Penal Administration under the Ministry of Justice. The armed services, under the Ministry of Defense, are mostly armed with the MAC 50 although there are exceptions.

I think they load it just strong enough to make the little white
surrender flag pop out of the end of the barrel.

__________________
CSM, U S Army(Ret) 1963-1990

Seems like there was an article on the French 1950 in a Gun Digest issue some years back. (I could be wrong though!)
If there was, perhaps it could be of some use to you.