View Full Version : +P
Roguish Lawyer
12-18-2015, 16:49
I just got a S&W 642. Trying to find ammo, and the only JHP I can find is +P. Gun is rated for it, but I'm not sure I like the idea of overpressure.
What do you guys think of +P ammo, especially for use in a 642? :munchin
Peregrino
12-18-2015, 17:44
I just got a S&W 642. Trying to find ammo, and the only JHP I can find is +P. Gun is rated for it, but I'm not sure I like the idea of overpressure.
What do you guys think of +P ammo, especially for use in a 642? :munchin
It's a 642. Most are carried a lot, shot (almost) never. For that you only need 5 rounds of JHP. 5 rounds of +P isn't going to hurt the revolver and if you ever have to use it, you'll never remember it was +P anyway. By the same token, use cheap stuff to practice with. If you don't have much experience with the 642, you'll want a decent amount of practice, at least initially.
I tell you these things because the wife has one - and I know whereof I speak. :p
I just got a S&W 642. Trying to find ammo, and the only JHP I can find is +P. Gun is rated for it, but I'm not sure I like the idea of overpressure.
What do you guys think of +P ammo, especially for use in a 642? :munchin
When I carried a 442 around, I used the heaviest Buffalo Bore plus P. It's a .38-you need the extra oomph. It's harder to shoot follow-ups and it' a bear to clean if you use the flatnosed lead, but if you ever have to put a hole in a BG, you'll be glad you did.
IMO, that round will deliver a lighting-bolt effect.
I'm weird, though-I like .45 over 9 mm and 45-70 over .270. ;)
Roguish Lawyer
12-18-2015, 18:26
It's a 642. Most are carried a lot, shot (almost) never. For that you only need 5 rounds of JHP. 5 rounds of +P isn't going to hurt the revolver and if you ever have to use it, you'll never remember it was +P anyway. By the same token, use cheap stuff to practice with. If you don't have much experience with the 642, you'll want a decent amount of practice, at least initially.
I tell you these things because the wife has one - and I know whereof I speak. :p
So practice with something other than what I will shoot if I have to use the weapon? :confused: :munchin
So practice with something other than what I will shoot if I have to use the weapon? :confused: :munchin
Not to but in, but I shot 115 gr for practice.
It don't take long to practice with Buffalo Bore:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/171388/buffalo-bore-ammunition-38-special-p-158-grain-lead-semi-wadcutter-hollow-point-gas-check-box-of-20
Peregrino
12-18-2015, 19:19
So practice with something other than what I will shoot if I have to use the weapon? :confused: :munchin
Yes. Absolutely. Without a doubt. Emphatically in fact.
It's more fun.
It's cheaper.
It's less fatiguing.
All of which means you will practice a lot more.
You will get better results. Remember - (perfect) practice makes perfect and you will get much better results with modest practice ammo.
When it comes time to "do the deed" you won't know the difference (and that first box of JHPs will last you years - so get good ones!). NOTE: I am NOT saying you shouldn't occasionally shoot your carry ammo; on the contrary, you must shoot it occasionally for familiarity and to keep the ammo rotated. It's just that you don't need to shoot a steady diet of it.
Here's a link to a pretty good article about 642s: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/09/ralph/gun-review-smith-wesson-model-642/ There is a decent mix of humor and wisdom here with very little "reading between the lines" required.
Oldrotorhead
12-18-2015, 21:08
Speer, Remington and others make a +P for short barrel revolvers. If you can't pick up the front sight paint it orange or red with enamel paint the paint is cheap and if it doesn't work for you it is easily removed. A little black magic marker on the back cut of the rear V "sight" may help too.
While I can put bullets through bullet holes (not necessarily the preceding one ;)) with my USPc .45 at 7 yards, I have yet to hit the target with my wife's LCR 9mm at the same distance. And when you've only got 5 chances... :eek:
Pat
I don't know of any current S&W J frames that can't eat +P all day long.. I thought they had stretched the frame .1 inch and the current models use the .357 Mag cylinder??
As an owner if a 342, Lite the older 10oz version of the current 642/442 J frames,, the limit is the pain your hands can handle..
I use anything for the range. It's a 25ft last choice defense. So I don't dwell on ballistics..
Having said that.. When I do carry the 342, I carry Speer Gold Dot "SHORT BARREL". It's +P, but also tuned to 2-3 inch barrels, without pressure problems.
AND I carry two speed sticks, the 8rd version.
My $00.00002 :D
Roguish Lawyer
12-20-2015, 18:49
Thanks to all of you.
And Peregrino, that article was terrific.
Team Sergeant
12-20-2015, 20:11
I just got a S&W 642. Trying to find ammo, and the only JHP I can find is +P. Gun is rated for it, but I'm not sure I like the idea of overpressure.
What do you guys think of +P ammo, especially for use in a 642? :munchin
Unless you shoot 3x a week and are an animal stay away from +P ammo.
Guymullins
12-21-2015, 00:30
Unless you shoot 3x a week and are an animal stay away from +P ammo.
My P08 Luger loves +P ammo and we are celebrating its 100th Birthday next year. Anything less than +P and it tends to smokestack. This is probably due to it being made by Erfurt and not Smith & Wesson. It does take two more rounds though and is hellishly accurate.
This is probably due to it being made by Erfurt and not Smith & Wesson.
lol
9mm plus p is nothing more than a pathetic attempt to inch the power of a weak-sister caliber closer to that of the magnificent and venerable .45 ACP.
It's like putting a four-barrel carb in a Pinto.
Guymullins
12-21-2015, 05:59
lol
9mm plus p is nothing more than a pathetic attempt to inch the power of a weak-sister caliber closer to that of the magnificent and venerable .45 ACP.
It's like putting a four-barrel carb in a Pinto.
Ha ha. Yip, it has quite a good reputation here though as it penetrates well and a lot of our shooting involves shooting through car doors and windows. That said, one of my carry guns is the Star PD .45 so I am a great believer in the .45 for one-shot put-downs. With a 9mm. the crazy ones keep coming unless you shoot them in the right spot, and that came be very small.
With a 9mm. the crazy ones keep coming unless you shoot them in the right spot, and that came be very small.
CONCUR
Especially after runnin' up a few hundred ML's of liquid adrenalin...
Rob_Frey
12-21-2015, 17:21
I used this ammo for carry:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/735426/cor-bon-dpx-ammunition-38-special-p-110-grain-dpx-hollow-point-lead-free-box-of-20
The recoil was not bad due to the bullet weight. 158 grain LRN was more painful to shoot.
Team Sergeant
12-24-2015, 09:55
When you think +P remember tha the .45 only travels at 830 FPS. Most arrows travel at 300FPS and many of those over penetrate their targets. Same goes for 9mm, fast and will over penetrate its target.
The ideal situation is to have all kinetic energy dissipate on/in target and not penetrate.
And....... if you cannot make a fast/accurate second shot because you cannot take the recoil of +P ammo then its time for a upper body workout, or join the FBI as they have all switched to the sissy 9mm........
:munchin
I have two Springfield XDs w 3.3" barrels, one in .45 and the other in 9mm.
With a 3.3" barrel, I need all the FPS I can get.
I'm using Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel hollow Points in these.
.45 230gr tested w 4" barrel is 820 FPS at the muzzle.
9mm124gr tested w 3.5" barrel is 1150 FPS at the muzzle.
With this, the .45 still has the most punch while the 9mm has twice the accurate range.
As for recoil, there is some more, but the wife is good with either pistol and I'm only slightly better.
They both have a good flash, but not much more that the training ammo I use (Winchester white box, Blazer, Remington yellow box).
JamesIkanov
08-01-2017, 16:47
9mm Ammo Quest: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgNSGOEQko_M90AMdRCDMgd-w4Yozc27i
Might be relevant to thread. Series of YouTube videos of various tests of 9mm ammo out of "pocket pistol" sized guns.
9mm Ammo Reviews: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL727CAFF8A6C0D3BF
This series is the same stuff but with a focus on "duty" sized handguns, or in other words, compact or G19 sized guns.
have_gun
08-01-2017, 19:29
You'll want to cover the back of the grip frame if you're going to shoot it often.
https://www.amazon.com/Hogue-Rubber-Frame-Round-Monogrip/dp/B000KOVCFI
tom kelly
09-19-2017, 15:41
AS ALWAYS, SHOT PLACEMENT is the key factor that will yield a lethal blow to an assailant. +P ammunition is small arms ammunition that has been loaded to a higher internal pressure than standard ammunition of its caliber. Modern high quality ammunition such as Hornady critical duty, Speer Gold Dot, Cor-Bon, Buffalo Bore, Federal Premium HST, Sig Sauer Elite Performance ammunition. This ammunition is tested to conform with the SAAMI specifications, and will get the job done; If the shot is placed on a vital organ, the brain, heart ect.
REGARDS, Tom Kelly
The Reaper
09-19-2017, 18:45
Holy necropost. :D
Federal has a full product line of HST hollowpoints, both regular and +P. Good rounds.
The difference between the +P and the standard loads (in the same bullet weights) contradicts the assumption that faster hollowpoint bullets penetrate deeper. In fact, the faster bullets expanded sooner and therefore, ran out of energy quicker, leaving a shallower, but wider wound.
As always, shot placement is the key. Not too many people will walk off a head shot.
TR