Standard pressure, +P, 'short barrel'

[Jamie]

Regarding ammo, (specifically 9mm), for compacts, snubbies, is there that big a difference between standard, +P, is +P wasted on a short barrel gun, is 'short barrel' the best way to go. I spent a little time on the Speer site, the differences aren't that big, about 10%, (maybe 10% IS a big difference, IDK), interested in the what the experts think.

 

[handgunner356]

Too many variables from gun-to-gun to say for sure. Bullet placement means more than any certain number on paper. Plus P ammo will give the maximum velocity/energy of any load, where "short barrel" loads are designed to expand at the lower velocity from short barrels. With revolvers it's more of POA/POI question, but with autos the relieability is more of a factor to consider. Look at it like this, no one ever survived a gunfight wishing they had a less powerful gun.

 

[moxie]

There is usually quite a big difference between standard pressure and +P loads, in any caliber. Shoot them both and the difference is readily apparent. Short barrel loads MIGHT be best, depending on the gun. These are usually +P and more powerful than standard pressure loads. I haven't made a direct comparison in 9mm yet, but I know that in my .38 LCR, all the +P loads are MUCH stouter than the standard pressure. And in my gun, the 125 +P Golden Saber is noticeably more accurate than other rounds, whether +P or not, including my own handloads and the Speer +P 135 Gold Dot Hollow Point. So that's what I carry. Test as many different rounds as you can and get the round that works best, for you, in your gun.

 

[Jamie]

Yeah, it's amazing the difference in accuracy between different ammo, when I first took my Sigma to the range, I was using reloads I bought online, then through a clip of CorBon +P HP in and they where much more accurate, loved the accuracy, didn't love the cost so much.