CZ57
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Ruger used to and may still do so with their full size pistols.
9mm+P, is it worth it?
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Ruger used to and may still do so with their full size pistols.
AZ Five seveN
Member
Probably none, I was just making a point.
You'd be fine shooting +P+ out of a +P rated gun, but it will wear faster, and it shouldn't be done on a regular basis. I carry the Win Ranger-T 127gr +P+, but I've only actually put 250 rounds of +P+ through my M&P. The rest has been 115gr FMJ.
Edit: I stand corrected. See above post.
It is my understanding the +P+ means Higher pressure than +P which means the sky is the limit.
I've only regularly used two +P+ loadings during my LE career
1. 110gr .38 spl Treasury Load...which was .38 spl in name only, it was designed to be PC during the anti-magnum period
1. 127gr 9mm Ranger-T loading...which is loaded just a hair above +P (according to an OCD friend)
cheygriz
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I was issued two +P+ loads as well. 127 +P+ Ranger "T" and 115 +P+ Federal 9BPLE.
Obviously, when on duty, I carried departmental issue. (no choice)
When I retired, I didn't see the need for the increased penetration of the winchester "T", so I switched back to 9BPLE.
From what I've experienced and seen, +P+ is perfectly safe in quality modern weapons, even for extensive use. But since it exceeds SAAMI specs by a small margin, the gun manufacturers won't "appove" for it liability reasons.
Obviously, when on duty, I carried departmental issue. (no choice)
When I retired, I didn't see the need for the increased penetration of the winchester "T", so I switched back to 9BPLE.
From what I've experienced and seen, +P+ is perfectly safe in quality modern weapons, even for extensive use. But since it exceeds SAAMI specs by a small margin, the gun manufacturers won't "appove" for it liability reasons.
Their are good performers in almost all the bullet weights now. I prefer the 124gr. +P to 127gr.+P+ loads. These have a very well established track record. The muzzle flash is a non issue. Most of the modern JHP's use powders formulated to reduce muzzle flash. They are heavy enough to get good penetration. And expand reliably. And actually what we call +P is just considered srandard NATO loads in the rest of the world.
So the non +P loads are on the light side as opposed to the +P loads being on the heavy side. At least as far as the rest of the world goes. if I were to use non +P loads I would lean towards one of the better 147gr. loads. Several of them such as the Federal HST give superb performance in this weight. The heavier bullet gives good penetration and the modern JHP design expands very well.
So the non +P loads are on the light side as opposed to the +P loads being on the heavy side. At least as far as the rest of the world goes. if I were to use non +P loads I would lean towards one of the better 147gr. loads. Several of them such as the Federal HST give superb performance in this weight. The heavier bullet gives good penetration and the modern JHP design expands very well.
Go shoot the PDX1 and see for yourself. 124gr PDX1 +P, 115gr Federal Hi-Shok +P+ and standard pressure 147gr JHP Hydra-Shok all feel about the same in my G19 and G26. All are stronger than practice 115 WWB but no where near as snappy as my G27 or G27 w/G33 barrel.
I usually just look at how much the velocity increases to justify whether or not to get +p, I carry 147 grain HST, and last I looked the 147+p HST on has a very marginal increase in velocity, which in my mind wouldn't really do that much for expansion or penetration. Of course I have been wrong many times in my life and this may be no exception.
If you shoot enough +P ammo to wear out a modern service pistol, you've probably spent several thousand on ammo. I think you can afford to repair or replace the pistol at that point.
The way I see it, if you can shoot 40SW in what's essentially the same exact gun, +P or +P+ luger ammo is still relatively modest, in terms of recoil and gun wear.
It really depends on the gun and your recoil tolerance. For a really light weight, short barreled pocket 9, +P might not be worth it. It's like .357 mag vs .38 out of a snub. You might be better off with less recoil.
You can also get into a situation where more velocity is bad. Some hollowpoints may separate and fragment at higher velocities. This is one reason I'm not a .357SIG fan. Most of the .355" SD bullets are designed for optimal expansion and penetration at luger velocites.
The way I see it, if you can shoot 40SW in what's essentially the same exact gun, +P or +P+ luger ammo is still relatively modest, in terms of recoil and gun wear.
It really depends on the gun and your recoil tolerance. For a really light weight, short barreled pocket 9, +P might not be worth it. It's like .357 mag vs .38 out of a snub. You might be better off with less recoil.
You can also get into a situation where more velocity is bad. Some hollowpoints may separate and fragment at higher velocities. This is one reason I'm not a .357SIG fan. Most of the .355" SD bullets are designed for optimal expansion and penetration at luger velocites.
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I shot a couple boxes of the PDX1 124+P yesterday through my Glock 26, and it really wasn't bad at all. It had less felt recoil than the winchester NATO rounds I shot. I'd describe as somewhere in between .40 and my usual practice ammo as far as recoil. I'm not really sensitive to recoil anyway, to me even my M&P45 is easy in rapid fire.
I'll carry it, why not? When concealed carrying I can't carry much ammo on me so why not make sure I've got some hot ammo that might get the job done even better? At least, that's my current philosophy.
I'll carry it, why not? When concealed carrying I can't carry much ammo on me so why not make sure I've got some hot ammo that might get the job done even better? At least, that's my current philosophy.
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