Problems with +P ammo in the 9mm Shield?

I was surprised to see that firing a round that were +P Saami spec were not recommended and were said to accelerate wear and tear. Sounded to me that maybe the plaskit guns that many are swooning over were really light duty firearms. YMMV.

I have some Hirtenburger sub gun ammo I wanted to try in a plaskit gun I have. A Sig P- 226 handled it (although the sub gun ammo really slapped the Sig slide around though) ok. Oh well, just another fine idea laid to rest.
 
Here's a link to the manual for the Shield. The bulk of the discussion on the ammo to be used is on page 9 and 10.

https://snwcdnprod.azureedge.net/si...anuals/M&P_Shield_All_051517_441310000_WC.pdf

WARNING: NEVER USE AMMUNITION NOT SPECIFICALLY
DESIGNATED FOR USE IN YOUR FIREARM.
FAILURE TO USE THE CORRECT TYPE OR CALIBER
OF AMMUNITION MAY CAUSE THE FIREARM TO JAM, OR
FAIL TO FIRE, OR MAY GENERATE EXCESSIVE PRESSURE
WHICH CAN DAMAGE OR EVEN RUPTURE YOUR FIREARM,
CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH TO THE SHOOTER
OR BYSTANDERS.
• Locate the cartridge designation
marked on the firearm.
This information indicates the
correct ammunition that must
be used in this firearm
(FIGURE 1).
• You are responsible for
selecting ammunition that
meets industry standards
and is appropriate in type
and caliber for this firearm.
Click to expand...

There's a bit more. Folks should look at it.

Nowhere does it say not to use +P ammo.

Basically it says that if the ammo is right for the gun and within SAMMI pressure specs then it's allright to use but that use also have to use your judgement on what is good for you and the gun.

Sounded to me that maybe the plaskit guns that many are swooning over were really light duty firearms.
Click to expand...

The Shield is a small light weight back up or hide out piece. I don't think anyone considers it a heavy duty weapon. If that's what you're getting at.

On the other hand polymer framed firearms have well proven themselves in over 30 years of use.

tipoc
 
If the shield won't handle +P, it's trash.
I've never shot any commercial +P 9mm that gave any pressure indications at all.
The only commercial 9mm I've shot that did was Federal +P+ TCFMJ 124gn, which exhibited catered primers.
I shot Ranger +P+ 127gn in several 9mm's over the years...Glock 17 and 26, Beretta 92FS, Browning hipower,
...none showed any issues shooting that load.
 
Why would you think it won't "handle" +P?

It's useful to read this thread...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/362204-well-my-shield-9-bulging-cases.html

The threads linked to above and the warning from Starline say that there doesn't seem to be as much case support for the 9mm ammo in the barrel of the Shield as there may be in some other guns. This means that the case bulges after being fired. So an improperly sized reload or some poorly made 9mm ammo cases may not properly fit. It also means that case life will be limited if you reload.

The only one's to say it won't, far as I know, is Starline brass. That warning has more to do with Starline brass and the case support that the Shield provides, than it does with the Shield. Or at least it reads that way.

I have not read of any "Ka-Booms" as a result of this. Glock had it's issues with the 40 S&W and lack of chamber support some years back. I have not heard of this with the Shield in 9mm.

Might be useful to ask Starline about that.

tipoc
 
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I poked around a bit and found this...

I have an answer, direct from Starline Brass. Spoke to a company tech person, who said they personally have not tested any Shields with their brass. Their information was derived from reading problems about Shields on Forums, and as such put the notice on their website. He said the issue is only with high powered ammunition, and not with normal practice ammo. He said with higher power and +P loadings, that there might be an issue with case bulging. He said it is not a consistent issue and my be a minor occurrence, but they felt notice should be posted. Only the Shield and no other M&P models.
Click to expand...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...s-w-9mm-shields-have-unsupported-chamber.html

The S&W forums have a good deal of discussion of this over the years.

tipoc
 
tipoc said:
Nowhere does [the Shield manual] say not to use +P ammo. ... Basically it says that if the ammo is right for the gun and within [SAAMI] pressure specs then it's allright to use but that use also have to use your judgement on what is good for you and the gun.
Click to expand...
Yup!

As noted in my post, 9mm+P IS within SAAMI pressure specs, and can be assumed to be safe by default unless the manual specifically says NOT to use it—which it doesn't.
tipoc said:
I have not read of any "Ka-Booms" as a result of this. Glock had it's issues with the 40 S&W and lack of chamber support some years back.
Click to expand...
IIRC the Glock kB! issue mostly manifested itself in two situations: when using a certain brand of early .40 S&W ammo that had unusually thin case walls (Federal IIRC), or when using previously-fired "Glocked" cases that had been fired in the gun previously, had bulged, and were resized and fired again.

Reloading manuals still have warnings stating that "Glocked" .40 S&W brass shouldn't be reused. I wonder if we're going to see similar warnings concerning "Shielded" brass.
 
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9mm Shield

I have used Ranger +p+ 124 grain in all my 9mm with no problems. Wont do a steady diet of it but the shield took a 50 rd set of it and pretty accurate do!
 
No 9mm Parabellum, 40S&W or 45 auto ammunition manufactured in accordance with NATO, U.S., SAAMI or CIP standards is known to be beyond the design limits or known not to function in these pistols. SR9, SR9c and 9e, SR40 and SR40c and SR45.

No beating around the bush. No interpretations. You know what you are getting.
 
Been shooting +P ammo from a variety of manufacturers since I got my Shield. Haven't noticed any signs of over pressure or case bulging yet. My usual carry load these days is the Federal 147gr +P.
 
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