I thing you meant 9x39 not 9.3x39. Anyway...

Russian stand point differs.

Look at what Russian are looking in to:
AN-94, and ak-107 which are 5.45x39, and ak-108 which is 5.56.

They are also researching/ starting to produce rifles as these in 9x39 - due to the reason of subsonic round for use with silencers, and as effective short range, compact assoult rifle.
Groza OC-14 9x39 and 7.62x39
AS VAL 9x39
SR-3 Vikhr 9x39
9a91 9x39

From the author Peter Kokalis... he talks about how the Russians longed for a better round and how they said the 9x39mm "knocked those Chechnians flat" in the war. Also he commented on how poorly the 5.45x39.5mm did in Afghanistan, and how the soldiers commented on wanting something better, even a return of the 7.62x39mm.

The AN-94 is still in the experimental phase, and probably won't be adopted due to its complexity to clean and dissasemble and difficulty to manufacture.

Otherwise, the 5.45x39.5mm is still being used because its what they have a ton of mags and ammo for. The 7.62x39mm isn't accurate enough and the 5.45x39.5mm isn't poweful enough.

As you can see below, the 9x39mm is more than just a silenced tactical round, it is being used in more platforms, including "Krink" style rifles:

world.guns.ru/assault/as65-e.htm

world.guns.ru/assault/as64-e.htm

It is 9x39mm and not 9.3, I got confused with the hunting cartridges for a while, thanks for correcting me on that one.

I am pretty sure he commented on that in Shotgun News. Also, David Fortier, who did a series called "Combat Cartridge Trends" in Shotgun News may have commented on this.

ETA: found one of his (Kokalis's) comments. December 1st issue of SGN, Volume 59, Issue 34, 2005, Page 14: "However, numerous recent reports indicate experienced Russian military personnel, in particular special operations troops, are disenchanted with the performance of the 5.45x39mm cartridge and long for a return of the original 7.62x39mm round."

Also, Russian forces use what they are issued. If a regular Russian soldier is given a 5.45x39.5mm rifle, he won't throw it back at his commander and demand a better rifle... he uses what he is issued and what he is trained and taught to use.

Quoted: Don't remember reading it in any of his shotgun News articles. Fourtier posts on this board under the name "gunwritr".  You can contact him yourself.

I repeat:

Volume 59, Issue 34, December 1, 2005 of Shotgun News. I am holding the magazine in my hand, and can clearly tell what is in his article.

Quoted: And who is the author? Kokalis or Fourtier?

The author of the series "Combat Cartridge Trends" is Fortier. The author of the article I gave you ("Two Roads, Same End") is Kokalis. Also, as you asked, I sent him a private IM.

Did you see the quote from Fortier Kokalis I told you about?

So what was I saying?

Kokalis wrote the one I quoted you on.

Fortier wrote ANOTHER, DIFFERENT ARTICLE that also mentioned the weakness of the 5.45. I did not quote that one but if you want it I can get it.