9x39mm PAB-9 is a type of rifle ammunition featured in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat.
General Characteristics[]
The PAB-9 cartridge is a cheaper version of the SP-6 as the latter is expensive and difficult to manufacture. The PAB-9 used stamped metal penetrators rather than machined ones, the penetrator of the PAB-9 was larger and more exposed than that of the SP-6, and the PAB-9 had a flat nose to make it easier to feed from magazines. PAB-9 rounds performed worse due to cheaper materials used.
PAB-9 rounds have similar performance to the 5.45x39mm BP and 5.56x45mm AP rounds, with a fairly high penetration ability - making them invaluable against heavy armor. However, despite having superior air resistance, they tend to be fired at much lower velocities, making them ineffective at distances where the BP and AP rounds may perform better.
It can also be found in 9x39mm SP-5 and 9x39mm SP-6 variants.
Compatible Weapons[]
Appearances[]
Shadow of Chernobyl[]
A round for the Tunder S14 and the VLA assault rifles and the Vintar special sniper rifle. The later and cheaper modification of the armor-piercing round. It has a subsonic bullet which due to its special design can penetrate most bulletproof vests at a range of up to 300 meters.
― In-game description
Locations[]
Duty and Monolith veterans and experts will likely be the player's best source of these rounds, as well as the rare and more powerful armor-piercing varieties. Spetsnaz operatives deployed in Pripyat carry these rounds as well. The Barkeep and Sakharov will also begin selling 9x39mm rounds after the player deactivates the emitter in Yantar, although typically in small quantities, and not too often. They tend to be found in stashes (Backpack with the loot, Secret stash in the bus in Yantar), as well as any outposts held by the Monolith, particularly within Pripyat. Colonel Petrenko will commonly sell them.
Clear Sky[]
Cheap general-purpose round. Despite a subsonic velocity, it provides considerable stopping power. Used with the Tunder S14 and SA Avalanche assault rifles, as well as the Vintar BC special-purpose sniper rifle.
― In-game description
Locations[]
9x39 caliber rounds are more available in Clear Sky, as the Military, Duty, and the Monolith are not the only factions to use them. Some Loners and Renegades equip 9x39mm rounds, the latter equips them later in the game. This ensures that the player can acquire 9x39mm rounds without too much trouble, although they generall come in small quantities. Mitay, Sakharov, and the Mine Trader in the Red Forest may sell these rounds in small quantities.
Call of Pripyat[]
The SP-5 is a subsonic sniper round with a bimetallic casing. The round contains a steel core with a gap behind it that is filled with lead. Requires a silencer for stealth firing. Used by special services of Warsaw Pact countries.
― In-game description
In Call of Pripyat, the ammunition is referred to in-game as SP-5; however, it shares its appearance, statistics and in-game code with the Clear Sky PAB-9 ammunition, most likely as a result of developer oversight.
Locations[]
Owl sells them at the start of the game, and a Vintar BC can be found in the Burnt farmstead anomaly in Zaton, thus giving the player a head start. Many Duty and Monolith members use 9×39mm ammo, when killed these bullets can be acquired from their bodies. Later on in the game, Loners begin to equip 9×39mm caliber rifles as well. Hawaiian will commonly have these bullets in stock, albeit in small quantities.
Trivia[]
- In real life, the PAB-9 was made to be a low-cost substitute for the SP-6 round, using a stamped rather than machined steel core bullet. The bullet ended up being so poorly performing that it was withdrawn from use shortly after and is no longer made.
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