+P+ Info req

[Agent Tikki]

Hey guys, anyone know if Glocks can handle +P+ loads? I pretty sure they can put I wanna be sure. Along those same lines, where can you find such information online for any handgun/firearm? Any definative sources available out there?

[LloydXmas250]

I would consult a Glock manual. It should read in there. Like most modern guns (and I'm assuming here, be sure to check for sure) it will say it can handle it but advises against over usage as it wears down the gun faster.

[brianinca]

There is no such spec from SAAMI, +P+ is made up by marketers and you'll have no idea what the actual chamber pressure would be.

15+ years ago I saw a couple of rental Glock 17's that had cracked slides at the ejection port, they had been shot during a "tactical" class and the instructors used their own NATO 9mm SMG ammunition. Both pistols were sent back to Glock and repaired for free.

If you want your 9mm to act like a 357 Magnum, get a 357 SIG.

Regards,
Brian in CA

[J-cat]

Winchester advertises their +P+ pressure to be around 42,000 PSI. Glocks can and are used to fire 9mm Major ammunition which runs on even higher pressures. S&W's .356 TSW was a 9x21mm running at 48,000 PSI. There is no need to worry, although the wear and tear will be exponentially more severe.

[Agent Tikki]

There is no such spec from SAAMI, +P+ is made up by marketers and you'll have no idea what the actual chamber pressure would be.

15+ years ago I saw a couple of rental Glock 17's that had cracked slides at the ejection port, they had been shot during a "tactical" class and the instructors used their own NATO 9mm SMG ammunition. Both pistols were sent back to Glock and repaired for free.

If you want your 9mm to act like a 357 Magnum, get a 357 SIG.

Regards,
Brian in CA

Got a .357 sig. Thx. I have a 9mm and a .40 and a .357 sig. They even make it for .40 and .357.

I'm confident that my Glocks can stand up to the rigors of a few hundred hot rounds, but hey, I'm a Glock man, and I'm not practicing everyday with +p+ rounds that cost 4-5 times more than a FMJ target round. But I will shoot a few boxes of it to make sure my boys will eat em, and practice every once and while, follow up shots and double taps, since the recoil should be pronounced.

I just wish manufacturers would list ammo specs on all their guns. If I were to get a .38 spl revolver or .380 auto for the little lady, would JHP +p rounds break her new gun? Inquiring minds want to know!

[J-cat]

Not with today's modern steels.

[Legasat]

I just wish manufacturers would list ammo specs on all their guns. If I were to get a .38 spl revolver or .380 auto for the little lady, would JHP +p rounds break her new gun? Inquiring minds want to know!

Many gun manufacturers do list what they can handle. But since every +p+ could be different, how could they possibly list that?

[ojisan]

"would JHP +p rounds break her new gun?"

I would recommend that +P ammo be used in guns with a locked breech: Colt Mustang / Government, Ruger LCP, Kel-Tec P3AT, etc.
I think the Walther PP / PPK should be OK with this ammo too due to their steel construction.

I would avoid using +P in blowback guns with cast zinc frames.

[HighLander51]

I got on a kick years ago of running +P+ loads in competition. Basically a 125gr going about 1,320 fps. Well, sure enough after about 25,000 rounds I cracked the slides on both G17's at the forward part of the ejection port. The guns keep running, but shot a couple of feet left at 15 yards. So I backed off the load (4.8 grains Tite Group to 4 grains) to about 1,150 fps. 50,000 miles later, no problems.

[JPurp]

I have noticed most gun manufacturers stick to a standards based system like SAAMI. Check online under support or FAQ.

For example SIG's online FAQ says +P built to SAAMI/CIP/NATO spec is OK for occasional use. +P+ will void warranty.

I think you are going to have a hard time finding a manufacturer that will bless +P+ rounds until such time that there are standards based specs for those loads.

-JP

[shortround1]