Which Ammo?

[cmbthgun]

I have a Springfield V10 Ultra Compact, it has a 3 1/2 in barrel and the barrel is also ported. Since the short barrel and the ports both reduce velocity I was thinking of carrying +P Powerball, to compensate for velocity and feeding problems with HP's. Now my manual says that the gun was designed for standard pressure ammo and that +P should not be used in barrels shorter than the standard 5 in. But I know people who have done it. Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing. Will it hurt my gun to just fire a few +P through it and then just carry it in the event I have to use it?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[jdsumner]

Shouldnt hurt it. Kinda like shooting mostly .38's in a Python, and then keeping .357's in it for social occassions. But, out of a 3.5" barrell, the +p may not give you anything more than increased blast and flame, especially flame thru the ports. I am not a ballistics expert, but in that particular set up, you may want to consider the Federal line of Personal Defense rounds. They claim to produce less recoil, blast, and flame while still providing acceptable ballistics.
Best I can do,

Dan

[Prospector]

If the gun manufacturer "recommends against it" then I wouldn't try it, regardless of what others have experienced.....right bullet for right gun....you wanna shoot +P, then I suggest buy a gun designed for it.

[Bud White]

Again go with what the manuf recommends they built it they know whats best for it

[The Tourist]

There is one proviso, that is, are you going to run a lot of high pressure ammo through the firearm, or just for the one case of self-defense?

If the deadly stuff cycles, then short term (actually ONCE, because the police will take your firearm, for awhile) would be okay. Most guns are tested with 'blue pill' loads to make sure they are safe.

But notice I said the word 'cycle.' I cannot think of a round for an example, but let's say RP makes a +P+ round that is so powerful it interferes with an automatic's slide timing unless the pistol has a heavier spring in its recoil assembly.

Simply, the round is so powerful and fast that an empty case cannot escape before a fresh round double-feeds.

This argument came up when light frame revolvers came out. High pressure loads were discouraged as the frame would be damaged--over time.

I'm happy with Golden Sabers, and I know some aluminum frame Colt Commanders crack frames. I'd check with a gunsmith (and Terry Tussey is a good gunsmith) and if he says that that the ammo is okay, just abusive, I would cycle some and use it only for combat.

But with all of the great defensive rounds available, is this going to come up that often? Will you shoot that many loads?

[Bumper]

I wouldn't do it....

[The Tourist]

+P should not be used in barrels shorter than the standard 5 in.

Find out what exactly this jibberish means.

I can put a full load of fast burning A/A2230 in a .223 cartridge and fire the same load in both a varmint rifle with a 26" barrel and a Thompson Contender with a 10" barrel.

I still think this relates to slide timing.

[clubsoda22]

Find out what exactly this jibberish means.

I can put a full load of fast burning A/A2230 in a .223 cartridge and fire the same load in both a varmint rifle with a 26" barrel and a Thompson Contender with a 10" barrel.

I still think this relates to slide timing.

Looks like they're concered that the lower mass of the short slide will cause frame battering. (not an issue with an AR because the bolt carrier assembly is the same no matter how long your barrel is)

[RSSZ]

Gentlemen, The issue for me was that the recoil was so severe that my time back on target was deminished and my double taps were almost uncontrolable. But for the record, this was with 165gr. CorBon outta my 3" bbl weapon. My opinion is that I will sacrafice a little bit of power(speed) for the ability to hit the BG where I want,as fast as I want, as many times as I want. My choice for my CCW is a big ol' slow movin' 230 grainer with a good hollow point.

[Prospector]

Gentlemen, The issue for me was that the recoil was so severe that my time back on target was deminished and my double taps were almost uncontrolable. But for the record, this was with 165gr. CorBon outta my 3" bbl weapon. My opinion is that I will sacrafice a little bit of power(speed) for the ability to hit the BG where I want,as fast as I want, as many times as I want. My choice for my CCW is a big ol' slow movin' 230 grainer with a good hollow point.

Amen.....good choice !

[acparmed]

I also agree with RSSZ. A good reliably feeding 230 gr HP is the best choice for any 45ACP. Follow-up shots can be very critical and I'd rather be able to put 3 good rounds on target in a hurry than only one hit and have massive recoil and a blinding muzzle flash to get past to make that follow-up shot.

[RSSZ]

acparmed, 10-4 your last. you brought up a great point ref. "blinding muzzle flash". The people that I teach the CCW(kinda) course to are somewhat new to the CCW type of carry. These people for the most part already have the CCW license. They are the wives of soldiers and sailors that are deployed overseas fighting the dirty little"wars" that our politicians have chosen to get us involved in.(Don't get me started !!!) I want them to be prepared as possible for what they might face out in the hard,cruel,world. That,in my opinion,includes more than just the BG's and how they act,move,and their motivation to decide who will be their "prey". A big part of my training is knowing your weapon of choice and what it will do(get accomplished) with proper training and knowing WHAT TO EXPECT. Part of the what to expect is several sessions of night firing. We shoot at an outdoor range so we usually start about sunset with the usual safety briefs. I break the class up into two parts so I can "Watch" all the students as it gets dark. IMHO everybody should go through these types of drills with the weapon of their choice. I have had students change ammo,change stance,change their grip of the weapon,even change weapons. Especially if they have chosen to carry a revo or a ported weapon. I do not teach that they should not make the choice to carry one of these,just that they should be aware of what to expect when they pull the trigger in a "no/low light environment. I have read reports that have stated what percentage of all shootings take place in a no/low light environment(I can't remember the exact figures)and it is a heck of allot more than most people believe it would be. Given this,I feel that you are doing your students an injustice,if you don't teach this along with the obvious stuff. Even the "pros" should include some night firing in their training. You might see some of them descretely changing ammo or weapons. This,of course,is just one humble opinion. Remember----YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEFEND YOURSELF---