+P in a S&W model 669?

[Han Tzu]

Can I safely shoot +P cartridges in my S&W model 669? Its a 9mm stainless barrel and slide with alloy frame. I just today shot all of my old hollow point cartridges I had. I need to replace them with some new self defense loads. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[918v]

Get a new wolf extra power recoil spring. +P loads will beat the crap out of the frame.

 

[GRIZ22]

I advise against it as it was an issue gun for the agency I worked for (I still have a 469) and problems with cracked frames appeared shooting NATO spec ammo. You also are not getting a lot using +P ammo, more like 100 fps or so (chronoed not factory claims) in a round travelling about 1100 fps. I'm not a fan of going to "extra power springs" as they not only slow the slide down coming back byt slam that slide so much harder going forward. Something has to give and I think the engineers that designed the gun have a better idea of what strength spring to use in it than I do.

Stick with standard pressure loads as +P in 9mm really doesn't give you that much more.

 

[Han Tzu]

I don't want to beat up the gun. It is very reliable. Although as I get back into shooting after a long hiatus, replacing the original spring might be a good idea. I'm not very knowledgable on that sort of maintenance. Thanks for that idea.

A restatement of my original question would be what is a good defense load to use in a second generation S&W.

 

[918v]

147gr Ranger Talon (RA9T)

 

[Han Tzu]

good stuff. thanks 918v

 

[Han Tzu]

Thanks griz.

 

[GRIZ22]

WW 115 Silvertip Speer 124 gr Gold Dot, are good I like just about any 147 gr jhp as tehy seem the most accurate in my S&W autos. Any JHP from the major manufacturers will work well.

 

[Han Tzu]

Standard pressure loads sound like my best bet. I think what happened to me was I was reading too much combined with drooling over the 25 round boxes of expensive defense rounds sold at my local ammo store. I will pick up a few boxes of the recommended ammo and practice hitting the target.