+P & +P+ Ammo ok in M&P9C?

[Zeteo]

I am buying my first M&P, a compact 9mm. I noticed while reading the owners manual online (still waiting to pick up my new gun), that +P and +P+ ammo is not recommended. At the same time, I see many folks here on this forum and all over the Internet recommending that type of ammo.

So - my question is what can I expect in terms of barrel longevity,S&W warranty, and shooting accuracy if I choose to go against the company recommendations and use high powered loads myself.

Also, what do you use yourself and what have your experiences been?


Thoughts?
Thanks,
Al

 

[Cervantes2010]

+p is OK to use ; but the +p+ is NOT, according to S&W owner's manual.

Skip

 

[OKFC05]

I noticed while reading the owners manual online (still waiting to pick up my new gun), that +P and +P+ ammo is not recommended

Not true; read it again. "Any commercial SAAMI ammunition" includes +P, for which there is a SAAMI pressure standard.

+P+ means the ammunition exceeds SAAMI standards, and each manufacturer loads it however he chooses: pressure varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. The "internet experts" who say use any +P+ ammo aren't going to replace your gun if you pick a super hot one and damage it, are they?

 

[chief38]

My Dad just passed away recently and I inherited a few boxes of +P+ "Treasury Loads" from him. One box is Federal and the other is Winchester. I have not fired any of them as of yet, but if I do I will shoot them out of a .357 Mag. I do not particularly like 95 or 110 grain bullets in 38 special, so more than likely they will decorate a shelf in my gun room as Nostalgia.

Chief38

 

[roughneck6]

In a 9mm, if you feel the need, go with a +P. The extra snap and ballistic energy is not worth the added wear and tear on the gun to fire a +P+. if you carry for a carry load and do not fire regular through your gun it will not matter. I would recommend a Speer 124 grain Gold DOt, or a 124 grain +P, third is the 147 subsonic. My agency carried the 115 grain +P+, 115 grain JHP, and the 124 grain Gold Dot. In all the shootings, it made no difference in the ability to stop a suspect. In fact the +P+ did worse when fired through windshields, or any object for that matter the bad guy was behind. Just my 2 cents.

 

[S&W forever]

Don't shoot +p+ thru a barrel longer than 8" or "kabroom"

 

[WR Moore]

Don't shoot +p+ thru a barrel longer than 8" or "kabroom"

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[Zeteo]

Thanks for the good info on using +p in the M&P9C. The reason I was confused about the whole issue is that in the owners manual, it says:

"Use only commercially manufactured ammunition with internal ballistic pressures which are in strict accordance with the specifications of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI). If you are uncertain, contact your ammunition supplier for verification."

So I go to the SAAMI site and their disclaimer says the following:

"This ammunition is loaded to a higher pressure, as indicated by the +p marking on the case headstamp, to achieve higher velocity. Use only in firearms especially designed for this cartridge and so recommended by the manufacturer."

So I was seeing a circular logic thing going on. S&W says don't use it unless SAAMI says it's ok. SAAMI say's don't use it unless S&W says it's ok.

Anyway, I appreciate the feedback so far, and will continue to follow this thread to hear of other real-world applications for my ammo choices in this weapon.

Thanks!

Al

 

[S&W forever]

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Because the box has a warning label (only use in handguns)

 

[hatt]

If you can afford to shoot enough +P or +P+ big name(Winchester etc) factory ammo to wear out an M&P or Glock, you can afford to cough up a new gun every once in a while. It'll be fine.

If you're looking for good defensive ammo google Dr. Robert's "Service Pistol Duty and Self-Defense Loads" and pick one off the list.

 

[T-BoneFL]

Thanks for the good info on using +p in the M&P9C. The reason I was confused about the whole issue is that in the owners manual, it says:

"Use only commercially manufactured ammunition with internal ballistic pressures which are in strict accordance with the specifications of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute (SAAMI). If you are uncertain, contact your ammunition supplier for verification."

So I go to the SAAMI site and their disclaimer says the following:

"This ammunition is loaded to a higher pressure, as indicated by the +p marking on the case headstamp, to achieve higher velocity. Use only in firearms especially designed for this cartridge and so recommended by the manufacturer."

So I was seeing a circular logic thing going on. S&W says don't use it unless SAAMI says it's ok. SAAMI say's don't use it unless S&W says it's ok.

Anyway, I appreciate the feedback so far, and will continue to follow this thread to hear of other real-world applications for my ammo choices in this weapon.

Thanks!

Al

Page 11 of the S&W M&P Pistol manual states:
“Plus-P” (+P) ammunition generates pressures in excess of the pressures associated with standard ammunition. Such pressures may affect the wear characteristics or exceed the margin of safety. Use of “Plus-P” ammunition may result in the need for more frequent service.

So S&W does not take a stand either way, but the "exceed the margin of safety" remark scares me - but I am a new gun owner