The 9х19mm pistol-fired armor-piercing cartridge 7N31 is designed to destroy enemy manpower, wearing body armor, in the open, behind light covers, and inside vehicles. It is fired by the 9mm GSh-18 pistol and 9mm PP-2000 submachine gun.

The 9x19mm 7N31 armor-piercing cartridges boast considerably greater stopping power and penetration than 9x19mm Para, 7.62x25mm TT, .40AE, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45 ACP, thus, boosting combat efficiency of employed small arms.

When fired from the GSh-18 pistol, the 7N31 cartridge penetrates Army body armor, designed to protect personnel against AKM- and AK-74-fired steel-cored cartridges such as the 57-N-231 and the 7N6 cartridges, at a range of five to ten metres and different steel plates.