Sorry if this is a moronic question but I hear alot about +P and +P+ ammo and have never seen it sold in any stores. Could someone elaborate for me please and tell me what it is or what the +P and +P+ means! Thank You! drf
What is +P+ ammo?
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gulogulo1970
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+P is hotter than the standard loading.
+P+ is yet even hotter than +P.
+P can be used in pretty much any good condition modern gun made for that standard round. You might have to change recoil springs in some guns.
+P+ can't be used in some guns, even the modern ones. A +P+ 38spl is almost a 357 magnum and could grenade your 38 revolver. Some +P+ 9mm is submachine gun ammunition and could cause problems but probably won't blow up your gun.
+P+ is yet even hotter than +P.
+P can be used in pretty much any good condition modern gun made for that standard round. You might have to change recoil springs in some guns.
+P+ can't be used in some guns, even the modern ones. A +P+ 38spl is almost a 357 magnum and could grenade your 38 revolver. Some +P+ 9mm is submachine gun ammunition and could cause problems but probably won't blow up your gun.
There are no pressure standards for +P+ ammunition. To determine if it is safe to shoot in your pistol, you must do the following.
1. Contact the ammunition manufacturer and ask for the pressure rating of the ammunition.
2. Contact the pistol manufacturer and ask them if this pressure rating falls within the design spec of the pistol.
1. Contact the ammunition manufacturer and ask for the pressure rating of the ammunition.
2. Contact the pistol manufacturer and ask them if this pressure rating falls within the design spec of the pistol.
Source: http://home.sprynet.com/~frfrog/miscellk.htm#+P
Q. What is +P and +P+ ammunition?
A. "Plus P" and "Plus P Plus" ammunition is simply ammunition loaded to higher than normal SAAMI (Sportings Arms & Ammunition Makers Institute) pressure specifications. "Plus P-ing" was first done with law enforcement pistol ammunition in an effort to wring the last bit of power out of a cartridge. For most rounds the gain in performance is minimal and leads to increased wear and tear on the firearm. The +P+ ammunition is loaded to about 15 percent higher pressure levels than +P. +P+ loadings are generally limited to "law enforcement sale only." The SAAMI pressures for pistol ammunition are given below. Note that there are no SAAMI specifications for +P+ loads, but by general industry agreement they are about 15 percent greater than +P. Note that there are no SAAMI specifications for +P pistol loads other than those shown below. (The .38 Super is frequently listed as "+P" but that is just to differentiate between the "Super" round and the original .38ACP round.)
Standard Load +P Load +P+ Load
Approximate Velocity Pressure (PSI)
(Max Avg) Approximate Velocity Pressure (PSI)
(Max Avg) Approximate Velocity Pressure (PSI)
(Max Avg)
9 mmr 1180 35,700 1225 38,500 1330 42,000
.38 SPL 845 17,000 915 18,500 950 22,000
.45 ACP 850 21,000 950 23,000 n/a n/a
Q. What is +P and +P+ ammunition?
A. "Plus P" and "Plus P Plus" ammunition is simply ammunition loaded to higher than normal SAAMI (Sportings Arms & Ammunition Makers Institute) pressure specifications. "Plus P-ing" was first done with law enforcement pistol ammunition in an effort to wring the last bit of power out of a cartridge. For most rounds the gain in performance is minimal and leads to increased wear and tear on the firearm. The +P+ ammunition is loaded to about 15 percent higher pressure levels than +P. +P+ loadings are generally limited to "law enforcement sale only." The SAAMI pressures for pistol ammunition are given below. Note that there are no SAAMI specifications for +P+ loads, but by general industry agreement they are about 15 percent greater than +P. Note that there are no SAAMI specifications for +P pistol loads other than those shown below. (The .38 Super is frequently listed as "+P" but that is just to differentiate between the "Super" round and the original .38ACP round.)
Standard Load +P Load +P+ Load
Approximate Velocity Pressure (PSI)
(Max Avg) Approximate Velocity Pressure (PSI)
(Max Avg) Approximate Velocity Pressure (PSI)
(Max Avg)
9 mmr 1180 35,700 1225 38,500 1330 42,000
.38 SPL 845 17,000 915 18,500 950 22,000
.45 ACP 850 21,000 950 23,000 n/a n/a
Gotta stick the "usually" in there...
There is definitely +P+ 9mm out there that is hotter than you describe. BATF has issued a warning about some of it that's hot enough that it is generally considered to be unsafe in any pistol.
The NATO or other military stuff is not loaded to SAAMI and may be way hot, especially if for machine guns. Also for example, an old Cor-Bon load, a .38 Spl. 115 gr JHP @ 1250 fps was reportedly loaded to some 32,000 psi.
I found an old .357 round at home that is a jhp. It has +P+ on it! I'll have to post a pic of it.
From what I've read, standard 9mm is loaded to a SAAMI maximum of 35,000 PSI. The "+P" designation ups the pressure limit to 38,500 PSI.
European (CIP?) ammo specs are different, as are their measurement methods.
I have some commercial 9mm +P+ ammo. According to the box, it's loaded to a pressure of 40,000 C.U.P. This is "probably" more than 40,000 PSI, but I'm not aware of any way to convert C.U.P. to PSI.
European (CIP?) ammo specs are different, as are their measurement methods.
I have some commercial 9mm +P+ ammo. According to the box, it's loaded to a pressure of 40,000 C.U.P. This is "probably" more than 40,000 PSI, but I'm not aware of any way to convert C.U.P. to PSI.
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