What is +P Ammunition?

What is +P Ammunition?

Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to explore +P ammunition today. This specialized category of high-pressure cartridges offers enhanced performance over standard loadings while maintaining compatibility with many modern firearms. As shooters encounter these designations on ammunition boxes, questions naturally arise about safety, performance advantages, and practical applications. Today we will examine what +P ammunition is, firearm compatibility considerations, available calibers, leading manufacturers, and optimal use cases. Without further ado, let's dive into the world of high-pressure ammunition.

What Is +P Ammunition?

The +P designation indicates ammunition loaded to higher pressure levels than standard cartridges of the same caliber. The "+" symbol represents "plus," while the "P" stands for "pressure," creating a straightforward designation for ammunition exceeding standard pressure specifications. These loadings operate within carefully established safety parameters set by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI), the organization responsible for establishing voluntary industry standards for ammunition in the United States. SAAMI defines specific pressure limits for both standard and +P loadings in supported calibers. For example, standard pressure 9mm ammunition operates at a maximum average pressure of 35,000 psi, while 9mm +P is rated up to 38,500 psi—an approximately 10% increase. This pressure increase translates to higher velocities, greater energy, and potentially enhanced terminal performance compared to standard loadings using similar bullets. It's important to understand that +P ammunition is not simply "hotter" standard ammunition. Legitimate +P loads from reputable manufacturers are specifically engineered to operate safely at these higher pressures. This involves selecting appropriate powders with burn characteristics suited to higher pressures, optimizing charge weights, and sometimes utilizing specialized components like thicker-walled cases or primers designed for high-pressure applications. The development of +P standards enables ammunition manufacturers to produce higher-performance loads that still maintain compatibility with many modern firearms while providing clear labeling to help users make informed decisions. This standardization helps prevent the dangerous pressure variations that plagued early handloading and commercial loading before industry standards were established. Purchase Ammo

+P vs. +P+ Ammunition

Beyond standard +P ammunition, shooters occasionally encounter the more obscure "+P+" designation: +P+ ammunition represents loads exceeding even the established +P pressure standards. Unlike standard and +P ammunition, +P+ loads have no official SAAMI specifications or pressure limits. They exist in a gray area where manufacturers essentially certify their own pressure levels without standardized industry oversight. Originally developed specifically for law enforcement agencies, +P+ ammunition typically operates at pressure levels 15-25% above standard specifications. These loads generally remain proprietary to specific manufacturers and are often marked with warnings indicating their restricted suitability for law enforcement use or specific firearms. Due to the absence of standardized pressure specifications, +P+ ammunition varies significantly between manufacturers. A +P+ load from one company might operate at substantially different pressure levels than a +P+ load from another, creating potential confusion for users. The lack of standardization represents the primary concern with these ultra-high-pressure offerings. Most firearm manufacturers explicitly warn against using +P+ ammunition in their products, as these loads may exceed the design parameters of even firearms rated for standard +P use. The additional pressure, heat, and stress generated by +P+ loads can accelerate wear, potentially compromising safety with extensive use. For civilian self-defense applications, standard +P ammunition typically provides sufficient performance enhancement without the additional risks associated with unstandardized +P+ loads.

Is +P Ammunition Safe to Shoot?

The critical question regarding +P ammunition is whether it can be safely fired in a particular firearm. The answer depends entirely on the specific firearm's design, construction, and manufacturer guidelines: Modern firearms from reputable manufacturers typically specify their compatibility with +P ammunition in their user manuals. This information represents the definitive source for determining whether a particular firearm is rated for these higher-pressure loads. Major manufacturers like Glock, Smith & Wesson, SIG Sauer, and others clearly indicate which of their models can safely handle +P ammunition and which should be limited to standard pressure loads. Several factors influence a firearm's compatibility with higher-pressure ammunition:

• Frame strength and material (steel frames generally handle pressure better than lightweight alloys).
• Barrel construction and metallurgy.
• Locking system design in semi-automatic pistols.
• Overall engineering safety margins.
• Intended use (service/duty weapons vs. concealed carry models).

Even when firearms are rated for +P ammunition, manufacturers often include caveats about increased wear and maintenance requirements. A common recommendation suggests limiting +P ammunition to defensive or specialized uses while conducting the majority of practice and training with standard pressure loads. This approach preserves the firearm's service life while maintaining proficiency with the recoil and performance characteristics of defensive ammunition. Older firearms, particularly those manufactured before the widespread standardization of +P specifications, generally should not use these high-pressure loads unless specifically certified by the manufacturer. Vintage revolvers, early semi-automatic designs, and firearms with significant wear present particular concerns when considering high-pressure ammunition use. For any firearm not explicitly rated for +P ammunition in its user manual or manufacturer documentation, the prudent approach is to use only standard pressure loads. The marginal performance benefits of +P ammunition never justify compromising firearm safety or risking catastrophic failures.

Common Calibers Available in +P Loadings

+P ammunition is available in several popular calibers, though not all cartridges have established +P variants: 9mm represents the most common and widely produced +P loading. The approximately 10% pressure increase typically generates 50-100 fps additional velocity compared to standard loads using the same bullet weight. This performance enhancement has made 9mm +P particularly popular for defensive applications, with various bullet designs specifically optimized for the higher velocities. .38 Special +P loadings have become a standard option for defensive revolver ammunition. The pressure increase provides substantial performance enhancement for this otherwise moderate cartridge, helping it achieve adequate terminal performance from shorter barrel defensive revolvers. Many consider .38 Special +P the minimum acceptable performance level for defensive use of this caliber. .45 ACP +P loadings offer enhanced velocity in this traditionally subsonic cartridge. The pressure increase typically drives 230-grain bullets from subsonic velocities into the low supersonic range, potentially enhancing expansion and energy transfer. These loads remain popular in full-sized defensive pistols where the increased recoil can be managed effectively. Other calibers with established +P specifications include .45 Colt and .38 Super (which is inherently a higher pressure cartridge than .38 Special). Some manufacturers also produce +P loadings in cartridges like .380 ACP and .44 Special, though with more limited market presence. Notably absent from the +P landscape are most rifle cartridges and higher-pressure pistol cartridges like 10mm Auto and .357 Magnum. These cartridges already operate at substantial pressure levels, leaving limited room for safe pressure increases within existing firearm designs. Modern magnum revolver cartridges similarly lack +P variants as they were designed from the outset to operate at significantly higher pressures than their parent cartridges. Purchase Ammo

Major Manufacturers and Product Lines

Several ammunition manufacturers have established specific product lines featuring +P loadings: Federal offers +P options across multiple product lines including their HST and Hydra-Shok Deep defensive ammunition. Their HST +P 9mm loading has gained particular popularity among law enforcement agencies for its consistent expansion and penetration characteristics at the higher velocity. Speer produces their Gold Dot line in +P configurations for 9mm, .38 Special, and .45 ACP. These bonded hollow point designs were specifically engineered to perform optimally at +P velocities, maintaining controlled expansion and weight retention through barriers. Hornady features +P loadings in their Critical Duty and Critical Defense lines. Their FlexLock bullet design capitalizes on the higher velocities to deliver controlled expansion across a wider range of impact scenarios and through various barrier materials. Winchester offers Ranger T-Series and PDX1 Defender ammunition in +P configurations, primarily focused on law enforcement and personal defense applications. Their SXT technology utilizes the higher velocities to enhance expansion while maintaining adequate penetration. Buffalo Bore specializes in high-pressure loadings, offering some of the most powerful commercially available +P and +P+ options. Their Heavy line pushes the boundaries of SAAMI specifications while maintaining safety in modern firearms rated for these pressures. Underwood similarly focuses on maximum performance loads, with their +P offerings often approaching or matching the velocities of competitors' +P+ loads while remaining within official SAAMI +P specifications. Several manufacturers also produce specialized +P loadings designed for specific applications, such as Federal's Punch series engineered specifically for short-barrel defensive handguns and Hornady's Handgun Hunter line optimized for medium game hunting with pistols.

Practical Applications and Use Cases

+P ammunition serves several specific shooting applications where its performance advantages outweigh the drawbacks of increased recoil, muzzle blast, and accelerated firearm wear. Self-defense represents the primary application for +P ammunition. The higher velocities enhance bullet expansion, increase energy transfer, and can improve terminal performance through light barriers like clothing. These performance enhancements potentially increase the effectiveness of defensive cartridges, particularly in calibers like 9mm and .38 Special where standard loadings sometimes deliver marginal performance. Law enforcement agencies often standardize on +P duty ammunition to ensure adequate terminal performance while maintaining manageable recoil characteristics. The higher velocities can enhance performance through automobile glass, light cover, and other barriers occasionally encountered in law enforcement scenarios. Hunting applications sometimes benefit from +P loadings, particularly when handguns are used for medium game. The additional velocity helps ensure reliable expansion and adequate energy transfer for ethical harvests at reasonable distances. Cartridges like .45 Colt +P in strong revolvers can approach rifle-like performance for dedicated handgun hunters. Special purpose uses include maximum accuracy loads taking advantage of the flatter trajectory and reduced flight time of higher-velocity projectiles. Some competitive shooting disciplines where power factors matter may also benefit from the additional velocity of +P loads. Outside these specific applications, standard pressure ammunition typically offers the better balance of performance, shootability, firearm longevity, and cost for most recreational and training purposes. Many experts recommend practicing primarily with standard pressure loads similar in bullet weight to chosen +P defensive loads, with occasional confirmation that the defensive ammunition functions reliably in the specific firearm.

Conclusion

+P ammunition represents a standardized approach to enhancing cartridge performance while maintaining compatibility with properly rated modern firearms. These higher-pressure loads offer legitimate performance benefits for specific applications, particularly in defensive scenarios where terminal ballistic enhancement could prove critical. When used in appropriate firearms according to manufacturer guidelines, quality +P ammunition provides a safe way to extract additional performance from existing calibers without requiring specialized firearms. The key considerations for potential +P ammunition users include confirming explicit firearm compatibility through manufacturer documentation, understanding the performance trade-offs including increased recoil and accelerated wear, and selecting reputable ammunition from established manufacturers who adhere to SAAMI standards. With these considerations addressed, +P ammunition can serve as a valuable option for those seeking enhanced performance for specific applications. We here at True Shot Ammo carry +P ammunition in addition to our range of ammo for sale. Our inventory of ammunition for sale covers popular calibers like 9mm, 5.56, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Put plainly, we carry a wide range of pistol, rifle, rimfire, and shotgun ammunition optimal for shooters of all types. Whether you want to buy +P ammunition or purchase bulk ammo, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.