The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - The use of (and hype around) +P ammunition

jmr40 · July 30, 2013, 11:02 AM

When revolvers were the main gun carried by LE many were restricted to 38 instead of 357 mag for political reasons. Many got around this by purchasing 357 revolvers, but special ordering 38 +p+ ammo that was loaded to very near 357 performance.

USA made 9mm ammo has always been very mild compared to what was commonly used in the rest of the world. What we call +p here is actually pretty close to standard power levels everywhere else. I'm getting 1250 fps from my G-19 with +p 124 gr bullets. That will match 125 gr 357 mag loads from 3" barrels. To match 357 perfromance in a gun that is lighter, more compact, has far less recoil, muzzle blast and holds 3X more ammo makes +p a winner for me.

July 30, 2013, 11:02 AM	#4
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	When revolvers were the main gun carried by LE many were restricted to 38 instead of 357 mag for political reasons. Many got around this by purchasing 357 revolvers, but special ordering 38 +p+ ammo that was loaded to very near 357 performance. USA made 9mm ammo has always been very mild compared to what was commonly used in the rest of the world. What we call +p here is actually pretty close to standard power levels everywhere else. I'm getting 1250 fps from my G-19 with +p 124 gr bullets. That will match 125 gr 357 mag loads from 3" barrels. To match 357 perfromance in a gun that is lighter, more compact, has far less recoil, muzzle blast and holds 3X more ammo makes +p a winner for me.