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9mm +P vs Standard Pressure: What +P Ammo Means
+P ammunition is loaded to a higher chamber pressure than the standard specification for its cartridge, to get more velocity. For 9mm Luger, the SAAMI industry standard sets a maximum average pressure of 35,000 psi for standard loads and 38,500 psi for 9mm Luger +P. SAAMI says +P ammunition should be used only in firearms designed for it and recommended for it by the gun's maker. In practice, that means you check your pistol's manual before you buy +P.
What the +P marking means
SAAMI, the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, publishes the voluntary pressure and dimension standards that US ammunition and gun makers build to. Its centerfire pistol standard, ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3, lists 9mm Luger and 9mm Luger +P as two separate pressure ratings for the same case. The cartridge dimensions are the same, so +P rounds fit any 9mm Luger chamber. The difference is the pressure inside it. The standard also notes that +P ammunition carries a +P marking on the case headstamp, so you can identify a loose round by looking at the base.
The gap between the two ratings is 3,500 psi, about 10 percent over the standard limit. That extra pressure is what pushes a bullet of the same weight a little faster. It also means slightly more recoil, more muzzle flash in some loads, and somewhat more stress on the slide, frame, springs and barrel over many rounds.
Can your pistol shoot +P?
Many current full-size and compact 9mm pistols are rated for +P, but not all of them, and some makers attach limits such as recommended spring changes or round counts. Older pistols, some small or lightweight carry guns, and some pistols with alloy frames may not be rated at all. The only reliable answer is the owner's manual or the maker's customer service line. If the manual says nothing, or you cannot find it, use standard-pressure ammunition until the maker confirms. A gunsmith can also inspect an older pistol, but the manufacturer's rating is what counts.
Our two Gold Dot loads compared
We stock two Speer Gold Dot LE Duty 9mm loads, one +P and one standard pressure. Speer publishes the following figures for each, measured from a 4-inch test barrel. Your pistol's barrel length will change the numbers somewhat.
| Load | Pressure | Bullet | Muzzle velocity | Muzzle energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speer Gold Dot LE Duty 53617 | +P | 124 grain GDHP | 1,220 fps | 410 ft-lb |
| Speer Gold Dot LE Duty 53619 | Standard | 147 grain GDHP | 990 fps | 320 ft-lb |
Speer's tables also show the 124 grain +P slowing to 1,085 fps at 50 yards and the 147 grain to 936 fps at the same distance. Both use the same bonded Gold Dot hollow point design, described in our Speer Gold Dot guide.
- Speer Gold Dot LE Duty 9mm +P 124 grain (53617): the faster load, with a sharper recoil impulse. For pistols rated for +P only.
- Speer Gold Dot LE Duty 9mm 147 grain (53619): standard pressure, so it is suitable for any pistol in good condition chambered in 9mm Luger. The heavier, slower bullet gives a recoil impulse many shooters describe as a push rather than a snap.
Both come in 50, 250, 500 and 1,000-round packs. A 50-round box ships at about 1.4 pounds and a 1,000-round case at about 28 pounds with packaging. Browse all of it in our 9mm Luger category. We do not stock 9mm FMJ range ammunition right now.
How to choose between them
Start with your pistol. If it is not rated for +P, the choice is made: use the 147 grain standard load. If it is rated, shoot a box or two of each through your own gun and magazines. Pick the one that feeds and ejects every time and that you can shoot fast and accurately. Then buy enough of that one load to practice with it and carry it from the same lot. The 9mm bullet weights answer covers point of impact differences between 124 and 147 grain, and our 9mm ammo guide covers the cartridge as a whole.
One Arizona note: heat is hard on any ammunition. Phoenix summers are hot, and a closed car or garage gets far hotter than the air outside. Keep spare carry ammo indoors and rotate the rounds you carry into practice. See how long ammo lasts in storage.
Ordering and pickup
You must be 21 or older to order. Orders ship UPS Ground from Phoenix within 2 business days, charged by weight. Check where we ship for state limits. Phoenix-area shooters can pick up at our Phoenix warehouse Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with ID. Call 480-623-4515 with questions.
9mm +P questions
Is +P the same as +P+?
No. +P is a SAAMI pressure rating with a published limit, 38,500 psi for 9mm Luger. +P+ has no SAAMI standard, so there is no published limit and each maker decides what it means. We sell standard and +P 9mm only.
Will +P ammo damage my pistol?
In a pistol its maker rates for +P, it is designed to be fired, though it adds some wear compared with standard loads over many rounds. In a pistol that is not rated for +P, do not use it. Check the owner's manual first.
Can I tell +P ammo by looking at the cartridge?
Yes. The SAAMI standard calls for a +P marking on the case headstamp, the stamped base of the cartridge. The box will also say +P. Our 53617 is +P and our 53619 is standard pressure.
Is 147 grain 9mm +P?
Not necessarily. Pressure rating and bullet weight are separate. Our Speer Gold Dot 147 grain (53619) is standard pressure. Read the box, not the bullet weight. More in our ammo FAQ.