Pistols safe for .45ACP +P ammo?

[valnar]

I've read through some of the messages on this forum but can't find a definitive answer.

What guns .45ACP guns can handle .45+P ammo?

I've read that 1911's have no problems, or some problems. The Smith 625 is okay, but the older model 25-2 would be a bad idea.

SIG P220? No. Ruger? Yes.

Glock? Don't know.

Which guns, both revolvers and autos, are okay for +P ammo?

Thanks,
Robert

 

[pyblood]

Most modern handguns can handle +P loads with moderation. If you have a newer handgun, and you don't shoot a lot of +P loads, I would not worry.

 

[Wedge]

I am going to go out on a limb and say that my Ruger Blackhawk with .45 ACP cylinder will handle them even though I haven't shot them before.

 

[valnar]

It surprises me that .45+P is not a more common variation, like .38sp+P.

It's a good size, good weight, but its' chief complaint is it flys a little slow. 'tis the same arguement against the original .38 Special.

Using a .45ACP+P would solve the dillema of 9mm vs .45. Do you want small and fast, or big and slow? I say neither.

-Robert

 

[tc300mag1]

Hk's will its in the manual as ok by them .. glocks will and rugers will with heavyer recoil spring

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

SIG P220's with the "green" colored main spring are
suppose to be rated for use with +P ammo.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[clubsoda22]

supposedly you can shoot 45 super out of an unmodified HK USP without much worry.

If you plan on using +P a lot, just get a heavier recoil spring and most modern guns (all of the big companies) will handle it.

I occasionally shoot +P+ rangers from my taurus 9mm. given the size of the taurus, i don't see it as a problem, but just to make sure, i replaced the spring and guide rod with a dual captive spring guide rod like the USP. I'm very happy with it. Not only did it make me more comfortable shooting +P+ but felt recoil is way down too. The taurus has a perfect reliability record.

 

[WonderNine]

I am going to go out on a limb and say that my Ruger Blackhawk with .45 ACP cylinder will handle them even though I haven't shot them before.

A Ruger Blackhawk will easily handle Buffalo Bore .45LC and .44 magnum @ 1,300 fpe.

No need to worry about a wimpy little .45ACP +P.

 

[hksw]

The only two that I know that have been officially approved for .45 ACP +P by the manufacturers are HK USP and Hi Point.

 

[Wedge]

Wondernine...I shoot some big boys out of the Blackhawk. My friend with a .454 Casull (SRH) won't shoot 'em. I have just never shot a ACP +P

 

[HogRider]

The S&W 4506 will handle +P without a problem. Even shoots 45 Super without any modification but a heavier recoil spring.

 

[clubsoda22]

The S&W 4506 will handle +P without a problem. Even shoots 45 Super without any modification but a heavier recoil spring.

That leads me to believe the ruger p90 could too....hmm, cdnn had some 4506's pretty cheap.

 

[tc300mag1]

i would change the spring on the ruger though its pretty lite something like 12 pounds i would think the hammer would batter the frame. Some one on ruger forums was talking about this and his did excatly that.

 

[BluesBear]

I have fired a lot of .45 ACP +P in a S&W 25-2. The S&W N-frame is amply strong enough.

What I would be careful of is a S&W or Colt 1917. While I have fired a limited amount of +p in a S&W 1917, with no adverse indications, I wouldn't advise a constant diet of them.

 

[Jeff]

Hmmm.....I always thought "pistols" meant autoloaders.

Am I wrong here?

All of this talk of N-frames and Blackhawks seems a little curious, IMO.


edited to add: I see the original poster asked about both revolvers and autos. Move along....nothing to see here.

 

[stans]

Modern firearms in 45 ACP should be able to handle +P, but anytime you increase the operating pressure you will also increase the rate of wear, that is true for any gun in any caliber. 45 ACP +P just does not seem to be a really popular item, perhaps because the standard pressure ammo seems to work well for defense against mean humans.

 

[MrMurphy]

Considering the Ruger P90 was originally designed for 10mm, I'd say +P is definitely fine.

 

[stans]

Considering the Ruger P90 was originally designed for 10mm, I'd say +P is definitely fine.

Then why did Ruger not chamber it in 10mm?

 

[Detritus]

Then why did Ruger not chamber it in 10mm?

Marketing decision.....

 

[BUSTER]

i've shot 20,000 +or - +p+ ammo thru my g-19 with stock parts from factory without a problem, it still has original stock recoil spring, all glocks are capable of shooting this type of ammo

 

[tc300mag1]

Ruger decided the 10mm would never catch on sp they swapped it to a 45 instead

 

[BryanP]

Sig P220

Although I keep the diet of +P ammo in my P220 to a minimum, it can handle it just fine. Mine is serial # G246xxx so I'm good.

http://www.logicsouth.com/~lcoble/dir5/sig-faq.htm

In 1994 at Serial Number G219166, SIGARMS made a few design changes to the P220, one of which has been already mentioned here: the addition of the hammer reset spring. Other changes made at that time included:

* Removal of serrations milled on the frontstrap
* Thickening and strengthening the aluminum alloy frame to better withstand +P ammunition -- a change that required modification to aftermarket grips for the P220.
* A somewhat stronger recoil spring (a 20-22 pound spring tinted green for easy differentiation from the older model.
* Internal changes to permit a double-action only variant of the P220.

 

[Mr. Mysterious]

The manual for my SW99 in .45ACP only says not to fire +P rated ammunition through certain S&W revolvers.

 

[Schwatt]

Ruger developed the P90 to be chambered in 10mm originally, to try to get a contract from the fed gov (FBI), after the shootout in Miami in '86.

THe FBI claimed that the reason so many of their agents were killed/wounded was because they were using ONLY 9mm's, and .38 spl's.

The reason was most definitely not that the agents, like so many other fed gov agents, don't practice enough with their weapons

After the shootout, the FBI decided that they should adopt a bigger caliber (10mm), to make up for their poor shooting skills. Several manufacturers developed pistols in 10mm to try to get the contract. Glock was another, and there were one or two others that escape me now.

 

[rich2u]

Actually said agent hit the purp in the heart with a 9mm. It did not penetrate deep enough to kill him immediatly. The ski vest he was wearing caused the bullet to expand prematurely. Also at least one of if not both guys were former army special forces, feds were seriously out gunned. He was using a mini 14 with 3o rd clips.