(Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes à Feu Portatives) rulings, the 4.6×30mm can handle up to 4,000 bar (400 MPa; 58,015 psi) Pmax (the nominal maximum) piezo[clarification needed] pressure.

[6] Despite the relatively high Pmax the bolt thrust of the 4.6×30mm is on a similar level when compared with traditional service sidearm cartridges.

The German Army version of the 4.6×30mm cartridge (DM11 Penetrator)[8] weighs 6.5 g and uses a 2-g copper-plated steel bullet projectile at 720 m/s (2,362 ft/s) muzzle velocity.

At the stated effective range of 200 m, the DM11 projectile will be traveling at approximately Mach 1.25 (425 m/s) under International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).

The Action 4.6×30mm Law Enforcement cartridge weighs 6.5 g and is loaded with a 2 g CuZn-alloy (brass) solid hollow point projectile that achieves 700 m/s (2,300 ft/s) muzzle velocity.

At the range of 50 m, the 2 g Action projectile travels at approximately Mach 1.67 (586 m/s or 1923 f/s) under International Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).

At the range of 100 m, the 2.7 g ball projectile travels at approximately Mach 1.36 (463 m/s) under International Standard Atmosphere conditions at sea level (air density ρ = 1.225 kg/m3).

Ball cartridge technical data:[13] VBR produces a 4.6×30mm two-part controlled fragmenting projectile that is claimed to increase the content of the permanent wound cavity and double the chance of hitting a vital organ.

[14] Heckler & Koch claims that the CPS Black Tip ammunition made by Fiocchi has a muzzle energy of approximately 525 J that is comparable to 9×19mm rounds.