Why +p ammo

gotammo · August 11th, 2006, 01:21 AM

What is the advantage of +p ammo over standard loads at typical encounter distances? Any concerns about over penatration?

P95Carry · August 11th, 2006, 01:47 AM

The extra fps is possibly useful - and if a gun will safely handle it then fine - I keep +P GD's in my 226. It even adds a smidgeon of potential increased functional reliability too IMO - hardly essential tho. Maybe only 50 fps extra.

It is tho many feel hardly vital to go +P - as benefits are probably quite limited. Penetration is an issue I am less and less concerned about over time - if time allows us to even think about rule #4 then good - but if the BG has a ''thru and thru'' - that's fine by me!

I honestly think we have become ''penetration sensitive'' to excess - we need a round that gets the job done - that is where choice matters IMO - which means a round of modern manufacture, proven reliability (in your carry piece) and a bullet design that works OK.

This is effectively most SD ammo out there!

hsuCowboy98 · August 11th, 2006, 02:41 AM

I honestly think we have become ''penetration sensitive'' to excess - we need a round that gets the job done

+1 to that.

Also, the extra few FPS can help ensure uniform expansion as well as penetration of a hollowpoint.

ccw9mm · August 11th, 2006, 04:33 AM

Improved ballistics, expansion. Greater speed can help with this, given a quality bullet design. +P pressures is one way to improve the force delivered by a given bullet. Needs to be used in a gun that can survive repeated +P usage, as not all firearms can handle (ie, .38SPL revolver vs much beefier/stronger .357 magnum revolver; or, a KelTec P11 9mm vs Glock 19 or Sig P239).

enigmaone · August 11th, 2006, 10:19 AM

Better threat stop capability.

craze · August 11th, 2006, 01:42 PM

I would not worry about overpenetration of +p over standard pressure loads. Often the +ps will penetrate less than the same bullet in a standard pressure load. This is because the greater velocity and energy create more bullet upset.

HotGuns · August 11th, 2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

What is the advantage of +p ammo over standard loads at typical encounter distances?

Because its human nature to want things to be bigger,better and faster. IF standard pressure is OK, then the + P must be great.

Gertting shot with a standard loads will make you dead. +P loads will make you deader.

Redneck Repairs · August 11th, 2006, 02:20 PM

+p makes more hp designs viable since you pick up some feet per second with a heaver powder charge . over the years barrel length has shrunk a bit ( from say 5 or 6" down to say 3 to 4 inch or shorter revlolver or auto ) any hollow point will take " X fps " to open up , and by loading the round to +P many times they can make " x " . Is it better/worse , i dont know , IMHO the jury is still out on that. I will say it does give a person a wider selection of ammo that is likely to work than if the same design bullets were just loaded to standard pressure .

ccw9mm · August 11th, 2006, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotGuns

IF standard pressure is OK ...

That's the key. I have yet to see anybody dropped by a handgun bullet, I'm relying on reviews, results of tests. For me, it's (a) the most energy actually placed on-target (b) that I can reliably control. That's a function of (1) ballistics and (2) my ability to handle it. From what I've seen in numbers and actual penetration/expansion tests, +P generally yields greater penetration, expansion and energy dump (though not always). All things being equal, that's an advantage. IF, of course.

August 11th, 2006, 01:21 AM	#1
gotammo Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 397	Why +p ammo What is the advantage of +p ammo over standard loads at typical encounter distances? Any concerns about over penatration?

August 11th, 2006, 01:47 AM	#2
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	The extra fps is possibly useful - and if a gun will safely handle it then fine - I keep +P GD's in my 226. It even adds a smidgeon of potential increased functional reliability too IMO - hardly essential tho. Maybe only 50 fps extra. It is tho many feel hardly vital to go +P - as benefits are probably quite limited. Penetration is an issue I am less and less concerned about over time - if time allows us to even think about rule #4 then good - but if the BG has a ''thru and thru'' - that's fine by me! I honestly think we have become ''penetration sensitive'' to excess - we need a round that gets the job done - that is where choice matters IMO - which means a round of modern manufacture, proven reliability (in your carry piece) and a bullet design that works OK. This is effectively most SD ammo out there! __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

August 11th, 2006, 02:41 AM	#3
hsuCowboy98 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,023	I honestly think we have become ''penetration sensitive'' to excess - we need a round that gets the job done +1 to that. Also, the extra few FPS can help ensure uniform expansion as well as penetration of a hollowpoint. __________________ Fear No Evil.

August 11th, 2006, 10:19 AM	#5
enigmaone Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: englewood fl Posts: 955	Better threat stop capability. __________________ quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

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August 11th, 2006, 04:33 AM	#4
ccw9mm VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Oregon USA Posts: 6,025	Improved ballistics, expansion. Greater speed can help with this, given a quality bullet design. +P pressures is one way to improve the force delivered by a given bullet. Needs to be used in a gun that can survive repeated +P usage, as not all firearms can handle (ie, .38SPL revolver vs much beefier/stronger .357 magnum revolver; or, a KelTec P11 9mm vs Glock 19 or Sig P239). __________________ Your best weapon is your brain. Don't leave home without it. Reports: CZ P01 pt1, pt2. Thoughts: Justifiable self defense. Explain: How does disarming victims reduce the number of victims? Tip: Use the <search> feature.

August 11th, 2006, 01:42 PM	#6
craze Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Missouri Posts: 341	I would not worry about overpenetration of +p over standard pressure loads. Often the +ps will penetrate less than the same bullet in a standard pressure load. This is because the greater velocity and energy create more bullet upset.

August 11th, 2006, 02:20 PM	#8
Redneck Repairs VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,141	+p makes more hp designs viable since you pick up some feet per second with a heaver powder charge . over the years barrel length has shrunk a bit ( from say 5 or 6" down to say 3 to 4 inch or shorter revlolver or auto ) any hollow point will take " X fps " to open up , and by loading the round to +P many times they can make " x " . Is it better/worse , i dont know , IMHO the jury is still out on that. I will say it does give a person a wider selection of ammo that is likely to work than if the same design bullets were just loaded to standard pressure .