#38 SPECIAL VS 9MM BULLET SIZE MANUAL#

38 Auto (.38 ACP), which was introduced in 1900. 38Īnother cartridge developed before the standardization of the +P designation is the. 38 Special case lengthened by 0.135' to prevent chambering in. 38 Special +P ammunition can be loaded toĪ MAP of 20,000 psi. +P loads show a 158 grain lead bullet at a MV of 890 fps and ME of 278 ft. Remington and Winchester 2011 catalog figures for their. Velocity (MV) of 1090 fps and muzzle energy (ME) of 425 ft. 38/44 loads call for a 158 grain lead bullet at a muzzle Remington and Winchester catalog figures from 1966 for their To allow +P ammo to be used in medium frame revolvers, it is loaded to lower 38/44 factory loads wereĭiscontinued and, in 1974, replaced by (less violent). 'High Velocity,' 'High Speed,' or '.38/44' on theīox, but customers persisted in shooting them in medium frame revolvers (Coltĭ-frame and S&W K-frame), with the potential for damaged orīlown-up guns and injured shooters. 44 frame size double action revolvers then produced by Colt (New Special loads that were intended for use ONLY in large frame revolvers, The 1930's saw ammo makers market high pressure. Historically, the +P designation grew out of the experimentsĬonducted by American ammunition manufacturers during the late 1920's with high Here are the standard and +P MAP's for these cartridges: SAAMI hasĮstablished +P pressure levels for these cartridges and factory loaded +PĪmmunition is available from the major U.S.

The most commonly encountered +P handgun calibers are. The gun should clearly state its suitability for use with +P ammunition.

#38 SPECIAL VS 9MM BULLET SIZE MANUAL#

On the barrel and the owner's manual supplied with Such firearms should be identified by the caliber marking Specifically designated by the manufacturer as suitable for this elevated +P.' +P loads should be fired ONLY in firearms +P ammunition is headstamped accordingly, for example TheyĪre not magnums and cannot withstand the pressure generated by magnumĮach caliber for which +P ammunition is available has its own standard Is a limit to the strength of the handguns available in these calibers. Of course, there is a limit to how much the MAP can safely be increased, as there Such loads are usually intended for use by law enforcement agencies. '+P+,' on the other hand, is an unofficial designation used by some manufacturers for ammunition loaded to higher than +P pressure. This article is about SAAMI specification +P ammunition that is available to civilian shooters. The purpose is to increase the effectiveness of standardĬalibers, such as the. Loaded to higher than normal maximum average pressure (MAP) and thus higher '+P' is an official SAAMI designation for ammunition +P Handgun Ammunition (.38 Special, 9x19mm.

38 special vs 9mm bullet size