+P .40 S&W - Does this ammo exist?

[rock jock]

I always thought that .40 S&W was loaded pretty much at its peak pressure in the standard load. Is there really any +P .40 S&W, or do the manufacturers simply bump the standard powder charge by 1% and then slap +P on it for marketing purposes?

BTW. what is the standard pressure of .40 S&W?

 

[Zak Smith]

SAAMI max for .40SW is 35,000 PSI - same as for 9x19. There is no +P spec for .40SW.

Note that there's lots of over-SAAMI-spec 9x19 shot: european (CIP) spec, or +P, +P+ without major problems, out of modern handguns. But we hear about .40SW blow ups all the time.

My theory is that .40SW has a shorter max OAL relative to bullet length (which is a function of sectional density) added to the case length. This would mean relatively less initial combustion volume, with less margin. But that's just a guess.

-z

 

[rock jock]

Dang! How did I end up posting this in the wheelgun forum? Moderator, please forgive.

 

[Tropical Z]

Centerfire Systems is currently advertising 170gr flat point +P .40S&W @ 1150 FPS which equates to 499 ft lbs of energy according to my scale.

#43AM40+P3 @ $9.97 per 50
1-800-950-1231
Made in Hungary by MFS

 

[22luvr]

I think so..............

Go to Georgia-arms.com and check out their "Shear Power Plus premium ammo. They have +P (or at least they call it that) in 155 gr JHP, 165 gr JHP and 180 gr JHP. My son and I tried some of this stuff in his H&K .40 cal USP compact. The stuff kicked like a mule and we had several jams, which is very rare with an H&K autoloader. I think it was the shape of the hollowpoint causing problems. Rather than put up with the possibility of a malfunction, I'd probably stick with a standard pressure .40 which is a pretty stout round just like it is.

 

[happy old sailor]

interesting. i have always thought 40+p was called 10mm.

 

[Zak Smith]

SAAMI max for 10mm is 37500 PSI, 2500 PSI higher than .40SW. 9x19+P is 38500 PSI, however.

10mm enjoys several advantages over .40SW besides the extra 2500 PSI:

1. larger internal case volume decreases initial pressure
2. larger internal case volume lets you stuff more, slower powder in there

-z

 

[bountyhunter]

Look at Fiocchi

Fiocchi sells some 170-gr FMJ ammo in .40SW that their website says has a muzzle velocity of 365 m/s (over 1200 feet/sec). It's not specified as +p (because their is no +p standard for .40). The muzzle energy is only about 10% below their lowest energy .357 magnum round offering, so it is plenty hot. I passed on Fiocchi as the .40 I shoot specs out at about 950 f/sec and it is already hot enough for my tastes.

 

[Justin]

*Punt*

 

[denfoote]

interesting. i have always thought 40+p was called 10mm

That's what I thought too!!!

 

[106rr]

The ammo advertised (MFS) is made in Hungary. I doubt that the Magyar language has any word for +P. It may well be marketing hype. Early reports say that it is clean reliable and potent.

 

[jc2]

European ammunition is manufactured to CIP standards not SAAMI standards. CIP does not do "+P" thing, however the standards are roughly the same--CIP standards are not appreciably "hotter" despite many rumours to that effect.

There is no SAAMI "+P" for the .40 S&W--it is just manufacturer's hype.