I received a reply to the email I sent to Georgia Arms, here is the
email, sorry for the cut and paste look.
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If I may let me give you to facts aout out +P and +P+ ammo. The SAAMI is a
group of manufactures of ammuntion and firearms who pool their data to
insure that all ammunition specifications are similar enough so that my 3006
ammunition will safely fit and fire any anyone's 3006 rife ect. Membership
is voluntary not mandatory and many manufacturers do not belong. Are you
aware that much of the ammo from Europe, particualarly Norma, a noted
manufacturer of high quality ammunition is loaded to pressures above what
SAAMI specifices? How about NATO spec 9mm ammo? This ammo is loaded, to 38
000 psi, well above the 35000 psi set by SAAMI. Millions of these rounds
are fired every year in SAAMI spec weapons with no ill effects. The reason
I believe SAAMI has chosen not to extend the 40 S&W to +P or +P+ is due to
problems inccured in the early 90's when several manufacturers of quality
pistols simply converted their existing 9mm weapon to 40 S&W without
spending the time and money necessary to fully understand the
characteristics of this cartridge. These weapons has a large unsupported
area in the bottom of the chamber, and some had timing problems. When this
was combined with a 180 grain bullet, which was entirely too long for the 40
S&W case and a weak case design by one of the ammo manufacturers, a number
of case falures occured at normal pressures. Both the gun manufacturers,
and ammo manufactures have learned a lot about this cartridge in the last 8
to 10 years. The chambers are better than ever, timing problems has gone
away and brass manufacturers are making a stronger product than ever. Also,
new technologically advanced powders are available today which yield
diffeent and superior pressure curves to anything available in the early
90's.
We believe that with the components which we are using and with weapons
currently in use, our loads are safe to use. We have produced, tested, and
sold many thousand of the high performance round in the 7 years they have
been in production. To the best of my knowledge we have experienced no
failures in our +P or +P+ round 40 S & W ammo. The Speer Gold Dot bullet we
use in this ammo is simply the best expanding hollow point pistol bullet we
have ever tested. The faster you drive the bullet the better it performs as as
it absolutely will not come apart as most JHP's do. We wanted to offer a
round for self defense which would perhaps more quickly incapacitate an armed perpetrator and if possible save an innocent life. To this goal, I
believe we have been sucessful. The +P and +P+ designations are our way of
telling you, the consumer, that these rounds and above normal pressures, the
+P rounds average around 36000 psi and the +P+ about 37500 psi. 40 S & W
pistols are proofed at 47000 psi at the factory. Our intent is not to
mislead our customers but rather to be completely honest about our products.
Thank you for taking time to contact our company and inquire about our
products.
Thanks
Georgia Arms
