Is +P Ammunition Safe?

Posted by River Knox November 14, 2025
Is +P Ammunition Safe?

I’ve heard many new shooters ask “Is +P ammunition safe?” Yes, +P ammunition is safe to use in modern firearms. The “+P” designation means the round is loaded to higher pressure than standard pressure ammunition — typically 10% more pressure for most pistol calibers. Modern materials used in fireams mean that the gun’s barrel, slide, and frame are sufficiently strong to handle that extra force.

Check your firearm’s manual or the barrel markings. If it says “+P” somewhere on the gun or in the documentation, you’re good to go. If the manual warns against using +P, don’t use it. Simple as that.

What Makes +P Different

Standard SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute) sets pressure limits for every cartridge. A 9mm standard load maxes out around 35,000 PSI. The 9mm +P specification pushes that to 38,500 PSI.

Photograph showing Hornady Critical Duty ammunition in 45 ACP caliber with plus P pressure designation for defensive shooting applications. Premium defensive ammunition loaded to higher pressure specifications offers enhanced terminal ballistics. The Critical Duty line represents quality overpressure loads from a major ammunition manufacturer. Plus P defensive ammunition costs more than standard pressure practice loads but provides increased velocity. Hornady loads this 45 ACP plus P ammunition to SAAMI overpressure specifications for reliable performance. Defensive shooters select higher pressure ammunition for carry guns and self-defense purposes. The packaging clearly displays the plus P marking indicating overpressure loading. Quality defensive loads from reputable manufacturers ensure consistent pressure levels and terminal performance.

That extra pressure creates higher velocity. The bullet leaves the barrel faster. You get more energy on target. There is more expansion potential with hollow points. You get better penetration in some defensive scenarios. See my article on bullet weights in self-defense ammunition for additional information.

But pressure equals stress on components. Every time you fire +P ammunition, the slide cycles harder. The recoil spring compresses more. The barrel experiences greater force. The frame absorbs more shock. Is it so much additional stress that you should worry about it? Probably not.

Guns That Can Handle +P

Most modern firearms, especially those from major manufacturers, are built plenty tough enough for +P loads.

Photograph displaying Speer Gold Dot 124 grain jacketed hollow point ammunition loaded to plus P overpressure specifications for defensive carry purposes. Premium defensive loads from Speer offer reliable expansion and penetration at higher pressure levels. Gold Dot plus P ammunition features bonded hollow point bullets designed for consistent terminal performance. The 124 grain bullet weight combined with overpressure loading provides enhanced velocity for self-defense applications. Speer manufactures this plus P defensive ammunition to SAAMI higher pressure specifications for duty and carry use. Law enforcement and civilian shooters trust Gold Dot overpressure loads for defensive firearms. This 124 grain hollow point ammunition demonstrates quality plus P loading from an established manufacturer. Defensive ammunition at higher pressure levels costs more than standard pressure practice loads but offers improved ballistic performance.

The real concern is older guns. Vintage revolvers and pistols manufactured before modern metallurgy standards might not be rated for higher pressure ammunition. Even if they don’t say “no +P” explicitly, the absence of a rating means you shouldn’t risk it.

The Wear Factor

Here’s where it gets real. +P ammunition may accelerate wear on your firearm. Not catastrophically. Not immediately. But it is a potential issue over time if you shoot a lot.

Think about recoil springs. A standard 9mm might compress that spring to a certain point. +P compresses it further, more violently, more frequently. Springs have a service life measured in rounds. You’re burning through that life faster.

The slide batters against the frame with more force. Metal-to-metal contact under higher stress. Microscopic deformation happens. Over thousands of rounds, parts that normally last 20,000 cycles might wear out at 15,000.

None of this necessarily means your gun will explode or fail catastrophically. It means maintenance intervals get shorter. Replacement parts come sooner. If you shoot 50 rounds of +P a year for practice and carry, this matters very little. If you’re putting 500 rounds of +P downrange monthly, you may notice some accelerated wear. In my experience, I’ve never had any issues with shooting a lot of +P ammo in any of my guns.

What Actually Happens When You Fire +P

The cartridge detonates. Pressure spikes higher than standard loads. The bullet accelerates down the barrel more quickly. The slide unlocks from the barrel and flies rearward with more momentum.

That momentum has to go somewhere. The recoil spring absorbs it. The frame channels it. Your hand and arm deal with it. Everything in the system experiences greater mechanical stress.

Photograph showing Springfield XD pistol in 45 ACP with Hornady plus P defensive ammunition and paper targets demonstrating rapid fire accuracy results at fifteen yards distance. Modern firearms from major manufacturers safely handle higher pressure ammunition when rated for overpressure loads. Training with plus P defensive ammunition helps shooters understand recoil characteristics and point of impact with overpressure loads. Springfield pistols are built to fire SAAMI specification plus P ammunition in appropriate calibers. Range testing with actual carry loads reveals how higher pressure ammunition performs in specific firearms. The targets show accuracy results achieved during rapid fire shooting with overpressure defensive loads. Shooters benefit from training with their carry ammunition to understand how plus P loads affect firearm performance. Modern handguns from reputable manufacturers handle higher pressure specifications as designed by engineers.

The brass case expands more forcefully against the chamber walls. Extraction becomes more demanding because that brass grips the chamber harder. The ejector throws the case with more violence.

In a revolver, the cylinder stop experiences more stress as the cylinder tries to rotate under higher pressure. The topstrap absorbs more force directly above the chamber. Forcing cones can crack over time with sustained +P use in guns not designed for it. Early aluminum-frame snub revolvers saw issues, but many of those have been worked out over the years.

The “+P+” Question

Some ammunition is marked +P+. This is overpressure ammunition beyond even +P standards. SAAMI doesn’t have an official specification for +P+ loads. In theory, the pressures in +P+ loads could be anything.

Photograph displaying Federal 9BPLE ammunition featuring 115 grain jacketed hollow point bullets loaded to plus P plus overpressure specifications used by Illinois State Police. The legendary law enforcement load exceeds standard plus P pressure levels without official SAAMI specifications. Plus P plus ammunition represents overpressure loading beyond even higher pressure plus P standards. Federal produced this famous 9mm overpressure load for law enforcement duty use despite non-standardized pressure levels. The Illinois State Police load became renowned among shooters for terminal performance at extreme pressure levels. Law enforcement agencies fired this overpressure ammunition in duty firearms for years causing accelerated wear. Plus P plus loads lack official pressure specifications making safety determinations difficult for shooters. This Federal 115 grain hollow point ammunition demonstrates overpressure loading beyond standard SAAMI plus P limits.

Is +P+ safe? It’s tough to say as the ammo is not loaded to a known standard. Maybe the pressure is 15% more than standard — maybe it’s 50% more. For the most part, its a gamble.

Most +P+ ammunition exists in 9mm. Federal’s legendary 9BPLE offering is a 115-grain JHP loaded to +P+ pressures. Also known as the Illinois State Police load, it is a famous +P+ ammunition. Law enforcement used it for years in guns not technically rated for it.

Did they wear faster? Absolutely. Is it smart to shoot +P+ regularly? No. For self-defense carry in a modern, well-maintained pistol? It’s possible, but the risk is not recommended to take. For regular range use? You’re asking for problems.

Practical Safety Considerations

Inspect your firearm regularly if you shoot a lot of +P ammunition. Look for cracks in the frame, especially around the slide rails and the dust cover. Check the barrel and other parts for anomalies.

You may need to replace recoil springs more frequently. Be sure to read your owner’s manual and follow all the recommendations there.

Photograph showing Hornady Critical Defense ammunition in 45 ACP caliber loaded to plus P higher pressure specifications for concealed carry defensive applications. Premium defensive loads like Critical Defense provide reliable hollow point expansion through clothing barriers at increased velocities. Hornady manufactures this plus P ammunition with polymer-filled hollow points designed for consistent terminal performance. The 45 ACP overpressure loading offers enhanced penetration and expansion compared to standard pressure defensive ammunition. Critical Defense represents quality higher pressure loads trusted by concealed carriers for self-defense purposes. Plus P defensive ammunition costs more than practice loads but delivers improved ballistic performance in defensive scenarios. Hornady loads this overpressure ammunition to SAAMI plus P specifications for safe usage in rated firearms. The Critical Defense line demonstrates premium defensive loads at higher pressure levels from established ammunition manufacturer.

Watch for primer flattening and case head expansion. These are signs of excessive pressure. If your gun is in good condition and you are shooting commercially loaded ammunition, you should not see this.

If your spent brass shows primers that are completely flat or cases that look swollen near the head, something’s wrong. Either the ammunition is overloaded or your chamber is out of spec.

Why People Choose +P

Defensive ammunition performance matters. Standard pressure 9mm hollow points can work fine. But +P hollow points offer increased velocity which may ensure more reliable expansion and penetration through barriers like heavy clothing and intermediate obstacles.

The FBI protocol tests ammunition through various barriers. +P loads often perform better in these tests. Not always, but frequently enough that people notice.

Photograph displaying Springfield XD pistol in 45 ACP caliber with Hornady Custom XTP ammunition for defensive shooting and range testing purposes. Shooters must test different ammunition types in their specific firearms to determine reliable performance and accuracy. Hornady XTP hollow point bullets provide consistent expansion in both standard pressure and plus P overpressure loadings. Individual handguns perform differently with various ammunition brands and bullet weights requiring actual testing. The XD pistol represents modern firearms from major manufacturers rated for plus P higher pressure ammunition. Testing carry ammunition in defensive pistols reveals point of impact and reliability with specific loads. Hornady Custom ammunition offers quality jacketed hollow points for self-defense and practice applications. Firearm owners benefit from range sessions testing multiple ammunition types to find optimal performance in their guns.

Velocity matters for bullet expansion. Hollow points need to hit a minimum velocity threshold to open up properly. +P gives you margin. If the bullet has to go through a thick jacket or heavy bone, that extra velocity helps maintain expansion capability.

In compact pistols with short barrels, velocity drops. A 9mm load designed to expand at 1,150 feet per second from a 4.5″ barrel might only reach 1,000 fps from a 3-inch barrel. The +P version might get you to 1,100 fps, keeping you in the expansion range for the bullet design.

Revolvers and +P

Revolvers handle +P differently than semi-automatics. There’s no slide to cycle, no recoil spring to compress. The stress goes directly into the frame and cylinder.

Recoil is more dramatic in lightweight revolvers with +P ammunition. An 12-ounce snub nose shooting .38 Special +P kicks considerably harder than a 20-ounce steel-frame version with the same ammunition.

The frame flex on lightweight revolvers is greater. Aluminum and scandium frames flex more than steel under pressure. They’re designed to handle it but shoot enough +P and you’ll see more wear on the forcing cone and top strap.

.357 Magnum revolvers can obviously shoot .38 Special +P without any concern. The .357 operates at much higher pressure. Many people carry .38 Special +P loads in their .357 revolvers for reduced recoil and faster follow-up shots.

Training with What You Carry

Here’s the practical dilemma. Assume you carry +P ammunition for self-defense. Should you train with it?

Ideally, yes. You should know how your gun behaves with your carry ammunition. How it recoils. How it shoots. Where it hits at various distances.

Photograph showing Hornady plus P defensive ammunition performance results in ballistic gelatin tissue simulant demonstrating expansion and penetration characteristics. Ballistic testing reveals how higher pressure ammunition performs in controlled conditions simulating defensive scenarios. Plus P loads typically achieve enhanced hollow point expansion compared to standard pressure defensive ammunition. Gelatin testing provides measurable data on bullet penetration depth and expanded diameter after impact. Hornady plus P ammunition demonstrates improved terminal ballistics due to increased velocity from higher pressure loading. Testing in ballistic gelatin shows how overpressure defensive loads perform through barriers like heavy clothing. Plus P hollow points expand more reliably at higher velocities achieved through increased pressure specifications. Terminal ballistic performance testing helps shooters understand actual defensive ammunition capabilities in tissue simulant.

But practically, shooting hundreds of rounds of +P for training accelerates wear and costs more. +P ammunition may cost double the price of standard pressure practice ammunition. Call it about $0.50 versus $0.25 per round of 9mm. If you shoot the same premium load that you carry — expect to pay $1/round or more.

The compromise most frequently taken: shoot mostly standard pressure for training. Every range session, put at least one magazine or one cylinder of your actual carry ammunition through the gun. Enough to stay familiar, but not so much you’re destroying your bank account.

Storage and Chambered Rounds

Ammunition sitting in a chamber experiences some stress. Not pressure, but physical deformation over time. The bullet can get pushed back into the case slightly from repeated chambering or from setback against the feed ramp.

With +P ammunition, this matters more. If the bullet gets pushed deeper into the case, you’ve reduced case volume. Same powder charge in less space equals higher pressure. Potentially dangerous pressure.

Photograph showing chronograph velocity results from compact Springfield XD pistol firing plus P ammunition achieving over 1030 feet per second velocity. Short-barreled carry pistols lose velocity compared to full-size firearms with longer barrels. Plus P higher pressure loads help maintain velocity thresholds required for reliable hollow point expansion in compact guns. Chronograph testing provides actual velocity measurements from specific firearms rather than manufacturer barrel length claims. Compact defensive pistols benefit from plus P ammunition to compensate for velocity loss in three-inch barrels. Higher pressure loads deliver increased bullet velocity helping defensive hollow points expand properly from short barrels. Velocity testing reveals how plus P ammunition performs in actual carry guns with reduced barrel length. Short-barreled pistols firing overpressure loads achieve better velocities than standard pressure ammunition in same firearms.

Rotate your carry ammunition. Don’t chamber the same round repeatedly. If you chamber a round, shoot it at your next range session and replace it. Check your chambered +P rounds periodically for setback.

In revolvers, this isn’t an issue. The cartridges sit in the cylinder without chambering pressure affecting them. But semi-automatic carriers need to pay attention.

Ammunition Selection Realities

Not all +P ammunition is created equal. Some manufacturers load to the maximum SAAMI specification. Others load more conservatively and still call it +P for marketing purposes.

Some budget +P ammunition barely exceeds standard pressure levels. You’re paying for the +P marking without getting significant performance benefits.

Test your ammunition in your specific gun. Velocity varies with barrel length, chamber dimensions, and individual firearm characteristics. A chronograph tells you what you’re actually getting.

The Bottom Line on Safety

+P ammunition is safe in guns rated for it. Period. If your manufacturer says it’s okay, it’s okay.

The risks aren’t catastrophic failure. They’re accelerated wear and reduced component life. In a defensive situation, the extra performance might matter. For general shooting, standard pressure ammunition does the job fine.

Inspect your firearm regularly. Replace wear parts before they break. Don’t shoot +P+ unless you absolutely know what you’re doing and why. Modern firearms from reputable manufacturers handle +P ammunition as designed. Respect the engineering. Follow the manual. Your gun will be fine.

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