Is 9mm +P safe to shoot?

9mm +P is safe in modern service pistols rated for it. +P generates roughly 10% more pressure than standard 9mm (38,500 psi vs 35,000 psi SAAMI). Check your firearm manual — most modern duty pistols are rated for +P, but some older or budget pistols are not.

What is the difference between 9mm, 9mm +P, and 9mm +P+?

9mm standard is SAAMI-rated at 35,000 psi. 9mm +P is 38,500 psi — a defined SAAMI overpressure category. 9mm +P+ is not a SAAMI standard — it is a designation used by some manufacturers for law enforcement loads that implies pressure higher than +P, but with no standardized ceiling.

Will 9mm +P damage my pistol?

Shooting occasional +P in a +P-rated pistol will not cause immediate damage, but sustained use accelerates wear on springs, barrels, and frames. Use standard pressure ammunition for regular practice and reserve +P for carry loads.

Can I Shoot 9mm +P in My Pistol?

What +P Means

10% Over Standard Pressure

SAAMI sets the maximum average pressure for standard 9mm Luger at 35,000 psi. The SAAMI-defined 9mm Luger +P pressure level is 38,500 psi — 10% above the standard maximum. This is a real, standardized specification, not a marketing term. SAAMI publishes the +P pressure level for specific cartridges where higher-pressure defense loads are common.

The higher pressure translates to higher muzzle velocity — typically 50 to 100 fps faster than a comparable standard-pressure load. For self-defense hollow-point ammunition where terminal performance is the design goal, that additional velocity affects expansion reliability at closer ranges.

For a full explanation of the +P designation system, see the companion reference page: What Is +P Ammunition?

The Spec Comparison

Standard vs. +P vs. +P+

Designation	Max Pressure (SAAMI)	Status
9mm Luger (standard)	35,000 psi	SAAMI standardized
9mm Luger +P	38,500 psi	SAAMI standardized
9mm Luger +P+	Not defined	Not SAAMI governed — varies by manufacturer

+P+ is not a SAAMI standard. Some law enforcement ammunition is loaded to +P+ pressures, but there is no standardized ceiling. Manufacturers define their own pressures. Use +P+ only if your firearm manufacturer explicitly approves it in writing — not just "rated for +P."

Which Pistols Are Rated

Modern Service Pistols vs. Exceptions

Most full-size and compact 9mm pistols from major manufacturers are explicitly rated for +P. This includes Glock (all 9mm models), SIG Sauer (P226, P320, P365, etc.), Smith & Wesson (M&P series), Beretta (92 series, APX), and most other mainstream service pistols produced after approximately 1990.

YES Glock 17, 19, 26, 43, 43X — all +P rated per Glock owner's manuals

YES SIG Sauer P320, P365, P226, P229 — +P rated

YES Smith & Wesson M&P 9 full-size, compact, Shield — +P rated

YES Beretta 92 series, 92X, APX — +P rated

YES Springfield Armory XD, Hellcat — +P rated

CHECK Walther PPS M2, PDP, PPQ — generally rated; verify your specific variant in the manual

CHECK Budget and imported pistols (Taurus, Arcus, Canik, etc.) — most modern versions are +P rated but verify; some older budget pistols are not

NO Vintage pistols — pre-1970s Walther PPK/S, Beretta Model 84, older Browning Hi-Power variants — check manufacturer guidance; many are NOT rated for +P

CHECK Pocket pistols and micro-compacts — some are rated (SIG P365, Glock 43X), but verify specifically; thin-slide designs face more stress concentration

The Wear Trade-Off

+P Accelerates Component Wear

Being "+P rated" means the pistol can safely fire +P ammunition — it does not mean +P has no effect on the pistol's service life. Higher pressure increases the velocity of the slide cycling, which increases the force of the slide against the frame and the stress on the recoil spring.

Many manufacturers acknowledge this directly in their documentation. Common phrasing: "+P ammunition is acceptable for use in this firearm, but its use should be limited to defensive carry loads and not used for regular high-volume practice." The practical translation: use +P for your carry load and standard-pressure for the range.

Recoil spring replacement: If you run a significant volume of +P through a rated pistol, replacing the recoil spring at a shorter interval than the standard recommendation is reasonable. Check the manufacturer's stated replacement interval and note that +P use shortens it.

Bottom Line

Check your owner's manual. "Rated for +P" is a manufacturer specification, not a guess. If it's rated, use +P selectively for carry loads and limit practice volume. If it's not explicitly rated, use standard-pressure ammunition.