The manual says not to use +p+, but I noticed on an earlier post a lot of folks use it.

I've shot Win 127 +P+ out of several 9MM guns with no problems. But I would avoid a steady diet of +p or +p+ ammo.

You don't say what brand of pistol you have. Wolf makes different weight recoil springs for some. I've used Winchester +P+ ammo for years in my Beretta with the heaviest recoil spring available and never had a problem. Still, if the manufacture says not to use the ammo you risk voiding the warranty at minimum.

its a s&w SD9

Think of +P+ like racing with the family car. Taking the family car out and running it up to 120+ mph for a short time is unlikely to blow an engine or tire and you can probably do it several times without any apparent damage to the vehicle. But do that every day or take it to the track and run it that fast for several hours straight and the vehicle that should last several years may be worn out quickly.

Just remember that you are assuming the risk by using it. If your gun breaks, don't go crying to S&W to fix it for free since they clearly state not to use it in your pistol.

If you want +P+ ammo for defensive carry then buy a couple boxes and try a few magazines of it out to make sure it feeds well and you can hit what you aim at. Then set it aside for that use and buy standard velocity ammo to practice with. If you are making enough money to practice with +P+ on a regular basis you can afford to buy new pistols to replace the ones that wear out prematurely.

My M&P, Sigma, and 437 all uses +p+ ammo. I all of my carry ammo once per year to change out the ammo. It should be fine as long as your not at the range every week shooting it out.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

Dan, here's the deal on +P+: there is no way of knowing how +P+ is loaded unless you specify exactly what brand and load you are discussing. The SAAMI pressure standards go up to +P, but anything higher than that, and the manufacturer decides.

All +P+ is not created equal.

For example, the WIN 9mm +P+ is not all that much higher than SAAMI +P, and several people use it sparingly with no visible harm in Sigma/SD pistols. However, when you pick up another +P+ from another company, especially from overseas, it is going to be different, probably higher.

Since using +P+ voids your warranty, it is your decision what ammo to use, and you bear the responsibility. I like the analogy of taking your family car racing; it may or may not hurt it, but it stresses it more.

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Science plus Art

If you NEED "+P+" ammo....get a bigger caliber!

That is like telling someone that is buying a F150 that if they need the bigger V8 then they should get the F250.

I want to carry the most powerful round for the caliber that I carry.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

Not at all. Its like telling A FRIEND thats buying an F150 to pull a 15,000 lb trailer...that HE needs at least a 250 and might think about an F350.

I HAD an MP9c.....traded it off and bought a 629....

StuperDan, carry what you wish and don't look back. Carry what YOU think is the best. Make sure it functions properly and then pay more attention to training and practice.

One of the best PROVEN self defense 9MM rounds is the Win 127 gr +P+.

Much of the advise you get on the internet may or may not be helpful. You got to have a good BS filter and use it. Some people offer advise that isn't helpful at all and make things more confusing to those that ask a legtimate question.



I'm south of Seattle. I have some Win +P+. Your welcome to try some.

Thanks for the responses! My question was more for information, not that I wanted to use it. I chose the 9mm because it was the best compromise between recoil and power for me.

I'm rolling gold dot 124gr +p.

I don't really plan to race my family car, but its nice to know I could if I wanted to!

Short answer- The gun will be fine as long as you don't make a habit of shooting +P+. As long as you've got a good gun and not something like a Hi-Point.

+P+ is hard to find and expensive. Most of it comes in those little 20 or 25 packs of rounds that cost $1 a pop. If you shoot 500 rounds of it you burned enough ammo to buy a new gun.

I find +P HP's to be more than adequate to meet my needs. I agree, as a fan of the 9mm I find the "you need a bigger gun" thing kinda annoying.......sure, I could carry a .45, or a .44 Magnum......but I like 9mm and so I think +P is fine for me and my CZ85b.

Think of it this way, many gun makers use the same frame as their 9mm to make their .40 pistols, like a Glock 22 .40 is the same frame as the 17 9mm. If the frame and slide can take tens of thousands of rounds of .40 than it can "handle" 9mm +P+.

There is a big difference in the +P+ ammo, for example back in the 90's a bunch of the Hirtenberger +P+ 9mm made for SMG's like the MP5 came in, and people were breaking their pistols with it because the stuff was super hot.....