+p 9mm

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Geezer with an AR

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Can I shoot +p 9mm 124 Ammo in my M&P 2.0 9mm 5” safely,I emailed S&W with this question,they told me to ck if it was SAMMI approved, which I know they know immediately if the pistol can handle it.Kinda pissed me off.
 
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Always your prerogative to get pissed off but given the limited info you posted, I'll take S&W's side here.

It's actually SAAMI, and not every ammo manufacturer respects the very clear SAAMI standards, Buffalo Bore is the BEST example of this.

If the ammo in question is made by a well known and respected industry leader (Federal, CCI, Winchester, many more...) then yes, it's safe to use in an M&P.
 
From the manual...

"Plus-P” (+P) ammunition generates pressures in excess of the pressures associated with standard ammunition. Such pressures may affect the wear characteristics and may result in the need for more frequent service.

• “Plus-P-Plus” (+P+) ammunition must not be used in Smith &Wesson firearms. This marking on the ammunition designates that it exceeds established industry standards, but the designation does not represent defined pressure limits and therefore such ammunition may vary significantly as to the pressures generated and could be DANGEROUS."
 
I have watched M&Ps fired with SAAMI compliant +P, and others that were fired with 9mm Major, which is FOR SURE well beyond SAAMI +P limits.
None of them blew up on the spot, but the guns repeatedly fired with 9mm major all soon started shedding parts. I think the S&W written advice is spot on.
 
It is a good question and you are fortunate to have a new(ish), current production gun on which you posed the question. Asking the same + P question on an older .38 Special revolver will usually get you six different answers - from the same factory customer service rep. ;)
 
Funflyer said:
From the manual...

...• “Plus-P-Plus” (+P+) ammunition must not be used in Smith &Wesson firearms. This marking on the ammunition designates that it exceeds established industry standards, but the designation does not represent defined pressure limits and therefore such ammunition may vary significantly as to the pressures generated and could be DANGEROUS."
Click to expand...

I don't know what S&W recommends for their autoloaders, but I own one of about 5,000 early no-dash 640 .38 Special J-frames factory-etched "TESTED FOR +P+". I have not the slightest interest in using the stuff in an all-steel revolver, and certainly wouldn't shoot it from an automatic.

I called S&W to ask how many of the ones tested for +P+ were manufactured--just idle curiosity. The rep I spoke to wouldn't answer, but just gave the rote statement, "Smith & Wesson does not approve the use of +P+ ammunition in its firearms." I pointed out what the etching said, and he didn't have an explanation.
 
Geezer with an AR said:
Can I shoot +p 9mm 124 Ammo in my M&P 2.0 9mm 5” safely,I emailed S&W with this question,they told me to ck if it was SAMMI approved, which I know they know immediately if the pistol can handle it.Kinda pissed me off.
Click to expand...

Yes, you’re good.

I think the general consensus is that any handgun made in the past 50 years can handle +P safely. It might wear the gun faster but it won’t blow up.
 
Yes, you can safely use +P ammo in an M&P, but it will accelerate wear and I feel that the recoil spring should be replaced more often.
 
Shoot standard velocity for fun, practice and target work - then a few +P's t the end of the shooting session just so you know what they feel like. You should have no problems. I'd also make sure your carry +P ammo and practice std. vel. shoots to the same point of aim.
 
shouldazagged said:
I don't know what S&W recommends for their autoloaders, but I own one of about 5,000 early no-dash 640 .38 Special J-frames factory-etched "TESTED FOR +P+". I have not the slightest interest in using the stuff in an all-steel revolver, and certainly wouldn't shoot it from an automatic.

I called S&W to ask how many of the ones tested for +P+ were manufactured--just idle curiosity. The rep I spoke to wouldn't answer, but just gave the rote statement, "Smith & Wesson does not approve the use of +P+ ammunition in its firearms." I pointed out what the etching said, and he didn't have an explanation.
Click to expand...

The best answer I have read is that these were intended to be used with the Winchester 110 gr "Treasury" load, which was labeled +P+. Government contract desires and all that. The lawyers squelched that pretty quickly. :)
 
Generally +P ammo is mostly used for SD applications..........
and not shot a lot, vs the standard ammo at a lower pressure or
target ammo that is shot by the car loads, due to lower recoil and
wear on the weapon.

As mentioned, a little goes a long way and CAN be used in modern weapons.

Ammo for most pistols is loaded to pre-set pressures by the industry and can go from.....
Target, Standard, NATO, +P and....................... "Watch this".
(notice I did not say ... "Custom")

Have fun.
 
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I'll pass on the +P ammo. The pros aren't significant enough to out weight the negatives that I might have to face in a grand jury, criminal, or civil courtroom. Remember, the juries will not be made up of your peers.
 
Ironic that many LE agencies issue the M&P pistols & most also issue +P ammo . Granted they have dedicated armorers on staff . It will accelerate wear on your weapon no doubt . Personally all my 9mm SD guns carry +P ammo . I buy the Speer Gold Dot 124 +P # 53617 , Win Ranger T 124 +P # RA9124TP , or the Federal HST 124 +P # P9HST3 . I also occassionally have used both the old Fed +P+ 115 JHP # 9BPLE & the Win Ranger T +P+ 127 # RA9TA but only in a strong action .
 
The Win Ranger T +P+ 127 # RA9TA came out for use in the AR style Patrol rifles.

It was very safe in those firearms and gave a nice boost over a standard pressure 124/125 grain JHP loading

I do not recall the chronograph results off the top of my head and I may not have saved those when I stopped working with the agency
 
Just a reminder that most ammo is set up per a 4" barrel, data wise.
Since your pistol has a 5" barrel, most "Standard Ammo" will have enough fps
for the SD bullets to work properly for expansion and penetration.

A lot of the shorter barrel weapons do not put out the high fps of the longer barrels
and can help a bullet perform better at maybe expanding 100% with the extra speed.....
but this is not a given, using +P ammo.

Lots of standard ammo will work...........
many load +P for a little more insurance of getting 100% bullet performance.........
or peace of mind.

Can you shoot it... yes.
Do you need it.................... ?
 
ammo worries ?

buy a glock or 2 . they seem to do well with high pressure ammo . i have shot a number of rounds of + p , & even plus + p+ thru my glocks with out noticeable harm . not a majority of shooting mind you , but a few boxes of high pressure stuff . like the way the gun cycles with the higher stuff ... the action of the slide seems a little faster and ejection of cases is more positive also . if we go back to the info about the american loaded 9mm stuff being pretty wimpy then the hot stuff makes more sense . have read a few years back that the ammo in europe in standard loads was more akin to our +p ammo .
 
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