Which 9mm's are unsafe with +P or +P+ Ammo ?

[Mike H]

Guys,

I know that the instruction manual with any new handgun will usually tell you if the gun can be used with over strength ammo. Glock 9mm's seem to work better with +P. I'm also aware that using higher strength ammo wears the gun out faster and can lead to cracked frames etc. But I want to know if any modern 9mm's (or .38's) are actually unsafe with +P or +P+ loadings, so I guess I'm referring to a potential chamber KB. I seem to remember hearing that all "quality" firearms are proofed with a double charge of powder, so is every 9mm able to handle +P+ ? Just about every cop who still carries a 9mm seems to have hot loaded ammo, and there is a large variety in the guns they carry, S&W, Glock, Sig, not many H&K and a few Taurus. So just what is the story here.

Regards

------------------
A Person Is Smart
But People Are Stupid

Mike H

 

[FUD]

Mike,

I don't have an answer but I want to expand on your question a little bit if you don't mind ... The user manual for my Taurus model 85 (all stainless steel) says not to use +P loads but a company representstive says (in writing) that it was rated for +P's. Like Mike says, am I damaging the gun if I shoot +P's in it at the range once in a while for the purpose of seeing how accurate I can be with those loads in a self defense situation?

Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD.

[This message has been edited by FUD (edited March 09, 2000).]

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I suspect that none of the quality nines are unsafe with +P loads although I'm sure that they accelerate wear, as you mention. However, I'd be a bit timid in firing them in the cheaper nines like Bryco, Jennings, etc. I'd also not fire such ammunition in the old Astra 400 (or possibly 600) 9mms as they are straight blow-back albeit with heavy springs. If you own a Taurus, Browning, Colt, S&W, HK, SIG, etc, don't worry about it. Best.