Reloading the S&W 40

Iceman675

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I'm new on this list.
Just picked up a S&W M&P 40 Saturday. Had a 40 Glock before.
MFG date is 04/12

A couple of questions..... Are the M&P's +P rated ? Owners manual doesn't really say.

Anyone have a good, pet load fr the 40 ? I prefer 165gr or lighter bullets myself. I have about 250 Speer 165gr Gold Dot and some 155gr HP, Sierra I think, around here.

thanks
 
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No SAAMI +P specification exists for the 40S&W cartridge.

Any ammunition manufacturer that is using the +P designation on 40S&W ammunition is simply stating that the ammunition is loaded beyond industry standards. This is an advertising thing

Since there is no industry standard for +P, this might be 1% over pressure, 10% over pressure or who knows how much over pressure.

No firearms manufacturer is going to sanction the use of ammunition that is loaded beyond industry standards.
 
I've got the M&P 40c, myself, and I was also looking for a good pet load. I tested several out at the range last week, and it looks like I found a good one:

Montana Gold 165gr JHP, CCI primer, 6.6gr HS-6, 1.13" COAL. This load got me about 870 fps and cycled the weapon just fine. Any less than that and I started running into problems with cycling and not getting into battery.
 
+P 40S&W loads?
Did it ever cross your mind that there was a reason your firearm isn't rated for them?
Like, there is no such thing, or, there is no need for such thing?

A 180gr bullet at nearly 1000fps, and there needs to be a +P version of that? Well, I guess there is, it's called the 10MM but takes a whole different gun to shoot it out of!

Highest velocities are gotten from the slowest powders. Hodgdon's offerings of SR4756 and Longshot will get you where you want to go with no +P pressure. In fact, the pressure will be powder than almost any other powder out there. THAT is a win/win in any Tactical Tupperware.

;)

Be safe....
 
5.0g Unique or 4.5g Bullseye under a 180g flat nose bullet seated at 1.135" COL for a mid range target load. Very safely under max, but stiff enough to give you good practice and know you are shooting a 40.

3.0g Clays or 3.0g Red Dot under the same bullet if you want to know what it feels like to shoot an M&P9. This gives a PF of 138 which is the same as a 120g 9mm bullet @ 1100 fps. I've swapped barrels back and forth and they feel identical. The only drawback is the cases will not eject very far so be sure to wear eye protection (of course) and a hat and button up the collar of your shirt :)
 
4.8 grains/WST + Rainier 165 grain plated FN or HP + CCI SP; 1.125" OAL. Burns clean, functions fine in my G27 & G22's, starting load, great for practice.

WST doesn't get much press, but it is really good powder.
 
No SAAMI +P specification exists for the 40S&W cartridge.

By golly you are right....
There are SAAMI +P specifications for the 9mm and 45 ACP but not the 40.

Not really looking for a maximum load but wondering how strong the M&P's are.

All my wheel guns are/were magnum's but I seldom shoot magnum loads in them.

thanks for the response
 
By golly you are right....
There are SAAMI +P specifications for the 9mm and 45 ACP but not the 40.

Not really looking for a maximum load but wondering how strong the M&P's are.

All my wheel guns are/were magnum's but I seldom shoot magnum loads in them.

thanks for the response

The M&P's should be as tough as any. At a recent training I was saw several other PD's with an M&P duty gun. That being said, some PD's do often go with what is cheaper due to budgets, but since I have seen several agencies with M&P's I'd dare say I'd trust them to be solid.

But... I still like my Glock. Also, I never knew 45 had a +P version. Learned something everyday.
 
My M&P Pro likes 3.9 gr of Clays under a 170 gr Missouri LSWC. Great reliability, reduced recoil , tight groups and it leaves my brass in a nice neat pile about three feet to my right. Gives me about 950 FPS out of a 5" bbl.
 
Not really looking for a maximum load but wondering how strong the M&P's are.
Can not comment on the 40s. However we got a batch of the 357SIGs.

Four of us were at the range with them for the first time. One of my buddies came over to me and told me his was shooting about 6" low.

I went and picked his up and pulled the trigger. Instantly I knew I had been stupid. I did not check the firearm before shooting it.

What had occurred is that there was a squib. My buddy kept shooting. Each shot was knocking the lodged projectile out of the barrel and getting the next one stuck.

Between the two of us this happened seven times. I pulled the firearm from the line and took it back to my office. I dislodged the stuck projectile with a squib rod and checked the barrel with a micrometer. There was no bulge. I grabbed a borescope and there was no visible ring.

The firearm was returned to service. I was VERY impressed with how strong the firearm is.
 
I would have to say that you and your buddy had some luck running with you that day. Seven squibs(1 squib and 6 lodged bullets?) and no damage to you guys or the firearm. Can you buy me some lottery tickets please. But seriously, that is a pretty good testament to the fine product that S&W is making.
 
5.0g Unique or 4.5g Bullseye under a 180g flat nose bullet seated at 1.135" COL for a mid range target load. Very safely under max, but stiff enough to give you good practice and know you are shooting a 40.

3.0g Clays or 3.0g Red Dot under the same bullet if you want to know what it feels like to shoot an M&P9. This gives a PF of 138 which is the same as a 120g 9mm bullet @ 1100 fps. I've swapped barrels back and forth and they feel identical. The only drawback is the cases will not eject very far so be sure to wear eye protection (of course) and a hat and button up the collar of your shirt :)


Yea, I tried running 3.4 gr of clays under the 170 gr LSWC and at least two out of every mag would bounce off the top of my head. ( Really distracting!) Maybe one in 20 would FTE. Had to step it up a bit to find that sweet spot.
Dave
 
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