What does the +P mean on my 38 Special?
Overpressure ammunition, commonly designated as +P or +P+, is small arms ammunition that has been loaded to produce a higher internal pressure when fired than is standard for ammunition of its caliber (see internal ballistics), but less than the pressures generated by a proof round.
Is 38 Special +P more powerful than 9mm?
Standard pressure . 38 Special only produces 264 foot-pounds of force (147-grain bullet at 900 feet per second out of a 4-inch barrel), while standard pressure 9mm can produce 365 foot-pounds of force (124-grain bullet at 1,150 feet per second). This is 38.25% more energy at the muzzle in favor of the 9mm.
What is the difference between a 38 Special and a 38 Special P?
38 Special cartridge, known as 38 Special +P (+P or +P+ designation indicates that the cartridge is using higher pressures, therefore it is overpressure ammunition). In 1972, the Federal Bureau of Investigation introduced a new . 38 Special +P loading that became known as the “FBI Load”.
Is 38 +P the same as 357?
Except for case length, the . 38 and . 357 are virtually identical. . 38 cartridges can be fired from revolvers chambered for the ….Comparison chart.
| .357 Magnum | .38 Special | |
|---|---|---|
| Neck diameter | .379 in (9.6 mm) | 0.379 in (9.6mm) |
| Base diameter | .379 in (9.6 mm) | 0.379 in (9.6mm) |
| Designed | 1934 | 1898 |
Can my gun handle +P ammo?
yes, with some caveats. It is well within the tolerances of modern firearms and certainly within the pressure level created by proof loads which modern guns are tested with. Therefore, it’s “safe.”
Can I shoot 38 Super Auto +P in a 38 Special?
Not only are they not interchangeable – they are designed for altogether different types of firearms. The . 38 Super is a semi-auto round, whereas the . 38 Special is designed specifically for revolvers!
Can a 357 Magnum shoot 38 Special P?
No; . 357 Magnum was specifically designed so it cannot be fired from handguns chambered in . 38 Special, but you can shoot . 38 Special in a gun chambered in .
Is +P good for self defense?
The general assumption by many is that +P self defense handgun ammo is more deadly or lethal and that it will make bad guys collapse like the life has been sucked out of them. The +P designation for ammunition has absolutely nothing to do with the potential for the ammunition to be more effective at stopping bad guys.