What +P ammo means, and how +P rows price against standard
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Guide reviewed 2026-10-09. The facts below are quoted from SAAMI and Federal Ammunition. The price table is computed from listing titles on this site.
What SAAMI says
SAAMI's centerfire pistol and revolver standard (Z299.3-2022) lists "9mm Luger +P," "38 Special +P," "38 Super Automatic +P" and "45 Automatic +P" as separate cartridge entries next to their standard versions. Its footnote for them reads: "This ammunition is loaded to a higher pressure, as indicated by the +P marking on the case headstamp, to achieve higher velocity. Use only in firearms especially designed for this cartridge and so recommended by the manufacturer."
That footnote is the standard's own wording. Whether a given firearm is rated for +P is stated in its owner's manual or by its maker. Federal Ammunition lists "9mm Luger +P" as its own caliber category in its handgun lineup, separate from "9mm Luger."
How +P rows price against standard rows
Median price per round for listings whose title says +P, against listings of the same caliber that do not, for calibers with at least 5 of each. Positive means the +P median is higher. Titles are read as written by the merchant, so a +P load not labelled in its title counts as standard here.
| Caliber | Standard median $/rd | +P median $/rd | +P vs standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| .38 Special | $0.63/rd (652 listings) | $1.08/rd (163 listings) | +71% |
| .45 ACP | $0.70/rd (1124 listings) | $1.48/rd (164 listings) | +111% |
| 9mm | $0.46/rd (1319 listings) | $1.09/rd (172 listings) | +136% |
Prices exclude shipping and tax.
Caliber tables: 9mm, .38 Special, .45 ACP.
Cheapest right now
- 9mm: $0.23/rd at Cheaper Than Dirt. Buy at Cheaper Than Dirt
Sources
Where this comes from.
Sources were opened and read on or before . Quotes are the publisher's own words; the page may have changed since.
- SAAMI Z299.3-2022, centerfire pistol and revolver pressure and velocity (PDF) (+P footnote, cartridge list, bullet weight tolerance)
- Federal Ammunition: FAQ (shelf life answer)
Buyer's guides