CIP
Definition
Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes a Feu Portatives; the European proof body that standardises chamber and cartridge specifications for European production; specifications are similar but not always identical to SAAMI for the same nominal calibre.
- Full Name
- Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes a Feu Portatives
- Purpose
- Standardizes chamber and cartridge specifications for European firearms production
- Legal Status
- Mandatory compliance for commercial firearms in member states
- Key Difference from SAAMI
- Specifications are similar but not always identical for the same nominal caliber
Common questions
What does CIP stand for?+
CIP stands for Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes a Feu Portatives, which translates to the International Permanent Commission for the Proof of Small Arms. It is the European intergovernmental body that sets and enforces firearm standards.
Why do forensic examiners need to know about CIP standards?+
Forensic examiners must recognize CIP chamber and cartridge specifications when examining European firearms and ammunition. These standards affect headstamp markings, caliber consistency, and how a weapon is chambered, all of which are critical to ballistic analysis and weapon identification.
How does CIP differ from SAAMI?+
CIP sets standards for European firearms production and is legally mandatory for commercial weapons in member states. SAAMI (American standards) covers similar nominal calibers but the specifications are often not identical. An examiner must distinguish which standard a weapon or cartridge follows to ensure correct interpretation.
Related terms
- SAAMI
- Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute; the US voluntary standards body that publishes chamber and cartridge drawings and maximum average pressure (MAP)...
- Ball Propellant
- Spherical or slightly flattened-sphere propellant grain used in pistol and some rifle cartridges; meters consistently through powder dispensers and produces a specific...
- Belted Case
- Cartridge case with a raised band (belt) ahead of the extractor groove that controls headspace; found in large-calibre magnum cartridges including .300...
- Berdan Primer Pocket
- Primer pocket with an integral anvil post and two offset flash holes; the primer cup has no anvil. Standard in European commercial...
- Boxer Primer Pocket
- Primer pocket with a single central flash hole; the primer anvil is integral to the primer cup. Standard in US commercial production....
- Extruded (Stick) Propellant
- Cylindrical rod-shaped propellant grain with single or multiple perforation; dominant in medium- and slow-burning rifle propellants for 5.56mm, 7.62mm NATO, and larger...
- Gilding Metal
- 90 percent copper and 10 percent zinc alloy used for bullet jackets in most commercial FMJ and jacketed pistol ammunition; softer than...
- GRC Database
- General Rifling Characteristics database maintained by the FBI Laboratory's Firearms and Toolmarks Unit; includes an ammunition component section that references headstamp codes...
- Headspace
- The dimensional distance from the bolt face to the datum line in the chamber at which the cartridge case head rests; excessive...
- Imperial Calibre Notation
- Calibre designation using decimal fractions of an inch, often with a name suffix indicating the designer or intended firearm (e.g. .45 ACP,...
- IOF
- Indian Ordnance Factory headstamp code (produced at Khadki / Kirkee, Pune); the primary Indian government producer of 9x19mm, .38 Special, and 7.62x51mm...
- LC
- Lake City Army Ammunition Plant headstamp code; the primary US military ammunition producer for small-arms calibres including 5.56x45mm, 7.62x51mm, and .50 BMG.
Explained in these topics
- Calibre Systems and Headstamp IdentificationCommission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes a Feu Portatives; the European intergovernmental proof body that standardises chamber and cartrid...
- Cartridge Anatomy: Case, Primer, Propellant, ProjectileCommission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes a Feu Portatives; the European proof body that standardises chamber and cartridge specifications...