Is there any concern with using 9mm+P or 9mm+P+ ammo in my SIG's?
Also in conjunction with heavier bullets (eg 125 or 147 grain)?
For use in P239, M11A1, and P250C.

quote:

Originally posted by DukeMinski:
Is there any concern with using 9mm+P or 9mm+P+ ammo in my SIG's?
Also in conjunction with heavier bullets (eg 125 or 147 grain)?
For use in P239, M11A1, and P250C.

+P is fine. But +P+ is never recommended by SIG.

https://www.sigsauer.com/support/faqs/

Can I use +P or +P+?
+P Ammo manufactured to SAAMI/CIP/NATO specs is fine to use as a defensive round or for occasional range use. Continual use of this round will make it necessary for more frequent service on the pistol. We do NOT recommend the use of any +P+ round. This may void your warranty.

Are there any modern pistols that aren't designed for +p?

Nearly all modern pistols will handle +P loads. I say "nearly" only because there are probably some out there I am not familiar with, especially on very small light handguns. Manufacturers will not recommend +P+ for the simple reason that there are no official SAAMI standards for that designation. In other words, no measurement standards for the pressure generated.

Having said that, I am not averse to using name brand quality +P+ in loads I feel may benefit from the extra velocity. My Gen4 G19, G34 and P239 use Federal 9mm 115gr +P+ (9BPLE). This is an old LEA round that has helped plant a number of perps over about 25 years. Mas Ayoob highly recommends it, although it is not of the modern bonded core family. Given the longevity and widespread use of the load, I doubt any LEO pistols were blowing up or disintegrating during the time it was in widespread use.

Obviously, higher pressure loads of any type will create more wear on any pistol. Prudence dictates that you don't use +P or +P+ for weekly 200 round practice sessions. The gun ain't gonna blow up, but why beat it up for no good reason. There's not a big difference in recoil between standard and +P pressure loads anyway. Use the standard loads for most of your practice.

The 9mm +P+ loads referenced above have more recoil than standard 9mm. About the same as a standard pressure .40 S&W. Doesn't bother me though, since I have shot/carried .40's for over 20 years.

The only gun maker I'm aware of that welcome the use of +P+ ammo in their guns is Ruger. We don't call them Ruger pistols tanks for no reasons.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
The only gun maker I'm aware of that welcome the use of +P+ ammo in their guns is Ruger. We don't call them Ruger pistols tanks for no reasons.

HK also did in the USP series in the owners manual. HK45 also but I don't know if there is any +P+ .45 ammo.

quote:

Originally posted by DukeMinski:
Is there any concern with using 9mm+P or 9mm+P+ ammo in my SIG's?
Also in conjunction with heavier bullets (eg 125 or 147 grain)?
For use in P239, M11A1, and P250C.

No problem. However using a lot of +P can cause parts to wear out faster and you might want to change recoil spring more often than recommended interval which normally is 5000 rounds for classic P series SIG pistols. I believe it is advised not to use +P in earlier P220s before around 1995 update but that is not on your list.

quote:

Originally posted by grumpy1:

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
The only gun maker I'm aware of that welcome the use of +P+ ammo in their guns is Ruger. We don't call them Ruger pistols tanks for no reasons.

HK also did in the USP series in the owners manual. HK45 also but I don't know if there is any +P+ .45 ammo.

I thought about the USP, also, but haven't owned one for several years, now. Yeah, loved those blocky USPs, except for their triggers.

If +P+ wears out my Rugers sooner then so be it. I will never be confused with any marksman/sharp shooter so combat accuracy is fine with me.

I have multiple built like a tank Ruger hand guns that will outlast me. What my son does with them will not be of my concern after I am gone.

How do people feel about +P+ in a non-converted P229-9mm? This platform was designed with the harder-hitting .40 and .357SIG. Should shrug off the additional stress.

How about +P+ in an MPX?
The 8" pistol barrel is just calling for Federal BPLE. Should get to 1400 - 1450 fps.

There´s a lot of talk about such issues. Infact there is no negative feedback except worries. Worries does not mean anything so I would assume it works safely. It sells, so there is more worries then demage.

However what I´m assuming is irrelevant. If I´m using off spec ammunition I would try to get a hold on its pressure curve and have it compared with the standard. Then I know what I´m dealing with. If it´s not available, I pass.

If I want to have a 9mm on stereoides, I´ll go .357 Mag.

In +P, which has a SAAMI standard (+P+ does not) and for which the gun is rated and warranted, I believe you'd have to shoot an amount equal to several times the cost of the gun to wear it out.

Duke, I've owned my share of SIGs, been to multiple SIG armorers classes,etc. I would have no concern in using +P in SIG pistols....ymmv

Is there a general rule of thumb as to how much more powerful a +P round is over a standard round?

Thinking of 9mm..

Wasn’t the Mark 23 designed for +P+ 45 ammo? I thought I read somewhere that the military had some super hot ammo for that thing.

quote:

Originally posted by LVJD:
Wasn’t the Mark 23 designed for +P+ 45 ammo...

Well, it's a fancied up USP. So, yes.

+P+ has no standard pressure that all abide by, so take your chances. Perhaps I'm totally wrong, but I'll stick to the SAAMI stuff.

Just wrung out a Ruger American Compact 9mm with over 400 rounds of some hot +P ammo. Handled it with ease. Felt weird shooting the G19 with standard rounds afterwards.. Can’t say Enough about the RACP. The kalashnikov of pistols- tough gun!

I am fairly sure The Mark23 was designed with Tomahawk missiles in mind. .

I wouldn’t mind running 9BPLE+P+ as it was pretty much designed for law enforcement by a major ammo manufacturer. I wouldn’t run it all day every day but as a defensive ammo I would be ok with it.

SIGs are made for +P /NATO. It will accelerate wear and tear.

Don’t run any unknown/unproven ammo of any kind.