After I wrote about about +P ammunition a while back, there were several reader responses. For that reason, I have dug into the matter again to come up with more data on the subject. The term +P is associated with certain handgun cartridges. It essentially means “loaded to greater pressure.” In the strict sense of the word, the term belongs to SAAMI─Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturer's Institute. SAAMI technicians have determined that four pistol cartridges─.38 Spl., .38 Super, 9 mm Luger and .45 ACP─may be loaded to a certain higher pressure levels and sold, as long as they are marked “+P.” Note that .45 Colt is not a SAAMI-sanctioned +P cartridge. Some readers have mentioned that a popular internet information source says that it is, but the latest listings from the SAAMI are to the contrary.
May 07, 2012
