Would there be any problems using Winchester Ranger, 127 GR. SXT, +P+ in a 908S as a defense load. I would not be using it as a regular diet, just enough to make sure it feeds properly.

Well, a call to S&W would probably reveal that they don't rate the guns for +P+, since there's no SAAMI specs for it. I've fired that RA9TA round you reference in a couple of 3rd Gen S&Ws and did not like the way that it made the slide hesitate at its rearmost position during the cycle - and this was with an extra-power Wolff recoil spring onboard.

OTOH, I use this round as my carry round in my Sigma and have found it works wonderfully there. The Sigma is substantially overbuilt for the 9x19; the 908 is not. The 127-gr +P+ Winchester loading is a very good round from a reputable manufacturer, for sure, but it's plenty darned hot - it does 1400 fps from my Sigma.

Before I'd risk carrying the powerful RA9TA in a 908, I'd put in an increased-power recoil spring and test-fire the gun a fair amount to make sure it works flawlessly. Frankly, I'd just never carry that loading in that gun, though - firing it in a heavy-sprung 6906 and 6946 gave me too much concern from that slide hesitation.

Others out there may disagree and may have had different experiences than I with their 3rd Gens. There are too many perfectly good loadings that will work just fine in your gun as it is, and the cold hard reality is that you're unlikely to see such a marked performance gain that it would make up for the possibility of a damaged gun or unreliable cycling when you need it.

Erich,

What would you recommend as a sef-defense load? What about Federal Hydo-Choks?

You know, there are any number of great loads available, and I think that you'd be fine with any of them: I think Hydra-Shoks would be fine. My little brother just bought a similar pistol, the 3913, and I wound up getting him some 124-gr +P Gold Dots for it.

For myself, I wound up carrying 147-grain Gold Dots in my 6946 (the last 3.5"-barrel 3rd Gen that I had).

You might look at this thread:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6951070...831018503#9831018503

Erich,
Thanks for your help.

My pleasure - I hope you enjoy the gun!