Does the factory advise if you can shoot +P+ from the new shield?

+P+ ammunition does not conform to SAAMI standards. As such, I'd be surprised if any firearms manufacture endorses its use.

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-John

+P+ has no advantage over +P....there's no need for it, nor is it endorsed. For example, the 9mm Rangers +P+ 127's are a very effective load, but research shows it is no more effective than the Ranger +P 124's. JMO YMMV.

Per the Shield owners manual, +P is ok, +P+ not advised

I do not think the manual said is OK, but it did say:

I've put +p+ through my Shield with no problems. Just don't get use to placing +p+ in it and you should be fine.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

Well, maybe, maybe not.

The problem is that there is no specified pressure limit for +P+, and each manufacturer chooses how to load it. Some +P+ is barely over +P, some is WAY over and dangerous in many guns.
So without knowing exactly what load you shot, it is impossible to know what the pressure was, or whether other +P+ loads are higher pressure.

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Science plus Art

I am not too sure about who endorses +P+ or not, but I have a Smith & Wesson model 640 no lock, & no dash 38 special that came from the factory with "Tested for +P+" inside the square area where the cylinder locks in place.

It would appear that S&W endorses or at least tested this firearm for +P+ rounds. Anyone have any ideas? I have never seen this on any other smith & wesson product myself, but it may be something that was common at one time. If no one believes me, I can post photos.

Yes, I can vouch for that, having seen them myself. I don't recall which load they were using to test the S&W revolvers, but they did say at the time. The S&W revolvers would not blow up with the specified loads, but they were notorious frame stretchers with continued use.

Various semiauto manufacturers have designed and tested for non-standard overpressure loads from time to time, including Sig Sauer and Beretta, but again, it is wise to know which load they used for testing and not assume any +P+ is safe. Police agencies who use overpressure rounds generally sign a warranty waiver acknowledging they will cause accelerated wear and reduced service life of the pistols.

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Science plus Art

True. But I have been using the same ammo over the course of 2 or so years with great results. I only shoot it once per year when I change out my ammo.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

What is it, the Winchester "police" loads? They're commonly available, and far from the hottest made.

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Science plus Art

In this case, positive annecdotal evidence is just about useless. It would be like saying "I smoked cigarettes for 50 years and I don't have cancer". Guns, like people are individuals and unique. Just because one person has done something successfully doesn't mean everyone will or should try.

Frankly, IMHO, the risks outweigh the benefit, in this case.

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NRA Benefactor

I don't get it. Why would anyone have such a desire to use ammo not recommended for your weapon. Why question, just don't use it and you won't have to worry about it, or even bother asking the question. Can anyone clue me in to something I am obviously missing here?

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Hold on. SWAT's at my door.

No, its the Federal police loads. 9ble I think is the model number.


Apples and Oranges. I shoot at or above 5000 rounds per gun each year. Shooting +p+ instead of normal range rounds in my gun would more then likely make my gun fail before the year end. Shooting 50 rounds or less of +p+ ammo per year will not effect the gun. People that showed signs of wear due to +p+ ammo (with the round that I currently carry) was shooting the +p+ ammo on a normal bases. With as much as I shoot, my gun is more likely to fail due to the amount of range rounds that go through the gun and not +p+ ammo that I shoot.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

The 9mm issued by my Dept is the winchester +P+ 127gr. Just want to know if the gun will handle it I will not give it a steady diet of this practice with 115gr.

Heres a thought, call the factory

Nice!

Per Paul at Smith and Wesson, yes the "Shield" is capable of handling + p+ rounds, however they do not suggest using them, not even for continued practice or range use.

S&W M&P40, SW9VE, SW40VE

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M&P 40, M&P 40C,

I am sure many of you have experimented with +p+ loads and still have 10 fingers to report that nothing bad happened. Yes, you were lucky or you know exactly what was loaded in that +P+ ammo.

But, in general, not everyone should be experimenting with +P+ loads without knowing exactly what's in the load. Of course, if you feel thrilled to have the gun blow up in your hands and/or face, your risk-taking lies completely in your own hands, no one can stop you. We're not your parents.

Experimentation thrills people ... little did they know that this is just another form of pipe-bomb.

Yes, I totally agree with you!

If your issued a Glock the +P+ ammo will wear out your wallet before it will hurt the pistol.

What, +P ammo is not enough?

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Sure you did

Nonsense.

I can buy a brand new gun tomorrow and shoot it with range loads and have my gun blow up in my face. So are you saying that I should not shoot any gun with any rounds based on what you posted?

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Don't look, reload and shoot!