SAAMI and +P

by
posted on September 22, 2011
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
wiley-clapp.jpg (2)

SAAMI stands for Small Arms Ammunition Manufacturer's Institute. It is an organization in which member companies establish standards for the production of all types of commercial ammunition. This includes the actual dimensions of a given round—width, length, case wall thickness, etc—as well as the pressure level to which it is loaded. When the SAAMI member companies agree to these yardsticks, gunmakers may proceed with building guns that can comfortably accept SAAMI-standard ammunition. Although handloading is an active and widely practiced adjunct to the shooting sports, no gunmaker will ever warrantee his gun when it is used with handloads. That's because they cannot exert any control over the way the ammo was loaded or what components were used. With virtually all commercial ammunition sold in America loaded by SAAMI members, the shooting public can proceed with their sport in relative safety. It is an excellent example of an industry regulating itself.

In the case of a few cartridges, the need for greater performance has driven SAAMI to create a so-called “+P” level of pressure. This simply means that the ammunition is loaded to a slightly higher pressure and is safe to use in guns rated by their makers to be strong enough to handle it. Some shooters are insistent on squeezing every last bit of velocity out of their hardware and this +P business is a controlled and safe way to get it done. But only a few cartridges have a +P standard and printing that mark on a box of hot-loaded cartridges of another type just won't do.

I have heard that .45 Colt ammunition loaded to high velocity and marked +P is available from several makers. The .45 Colt is an elderly cartridge, probably our longest-serving handgun round. Originally designed for use with black powder, the cavernous .45 Colt case will accept large charges of smokeless, which can destroy older revolvers. As loaded by SAMMI standards, .45 Colt ammo is on the mild side. Yes, I am aware that there are much stronger .45 Colt guns on the market, and some will take a great deal more pressure. But if higher pressure ammo finds its way into older guns, you have a recipe for accelerated wear and possiblydisaster.That's why there is no SAAMI standard for .45 Colt +P.

Latest

Finnish LMG Foxhole 1939
Finnish LMG Foxhole 1939

Winter Warrior: The Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 LMG

A little-known light machine gun from the inter-war era, the Finnish Lahti-Saloranta M/26 garnered a poor reputation during its service in World War II, but a closer look and some context reveals how innovative it was for its time.

Federal Ammunition Honored By National 4-H Shooting Sports

Federal Ammunition was recently honored with the 2025 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneer Award, which recognizes individuals or companies that have made significant contributions to the 4-H Shooting Sports program at a national level.

I Have This Old Gun: Polish Vis 35 Radom

One of the lesser-known designs from the 1930s, the Vis 35 Radom is widely considered to be one of the best of the pre-World War II handguns.

Rifleman Q&A: Colt 1860 12-Notch Conversion

"At a gun show, I saw a Colt 1860 Army Richards Conversion with 12 cylinder notches instead of the usual six. The dealer was not sure whether this was original to the gun. Were these extra notches a factory variation or just some frontier gunsmith’s backroom project?"

July 2025 Sees Lowest Gun Sales Numbers In Nearly Six Years

Following a nearly six-year, record-setting run, according to the latest NICS and NSSF reports, firearm sales have dropped just slightly below a million during the month of July.

Review: Extar EP9 Carbine

Sporting polymer construction, partial compatibility with America's rifle, a unique bolt assembly and a no-lubricant-required design, American Rifleman staff decided the Extar EP9 Carbine, in 9 mm, deserved closer inspection.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.