9mm +P question, any gun?
Yeah, I know 9mm isn't exactly the best defensive round.
But these Cor-Bons zip out a 115gr hollowpoint bullet 1350fps for 466 ft-pounds of energy. That's more energy than a standard 45 ACP, and comparable to a .357 magnum. Supposedly they have something like a 90% 1 shot stop percentage, which is equivalent to these hotter rounds.
The question is, can one shoot this sort of 9mm +P ammo safely in any old 9mm auto? How about an older gun design like a Browning Hi-Power or (gulp) my Sig P210?
I don't want to shoot too many of these. . .just a few mags worth to get a feel for them and see how reliable they are, just "in case".
Am I going to hurt my gun (or myself) if I try this?
But these Cor-Bons zip out a 115gr hollowpoint bullet 1350fps for 466 ft-pounds of energy. That's more energy than a standard 45 ACP, and comparable to a .357 magnum. Supposedly they have something like a 90% 1 shot stop percentage, which is equivalent to these hotter rounds.
The question is, can one shoot this sort of 9mm +P ammo safely in any old 9mm auto? How about an older gun design like a Browning Hi-Power or (gulp) my Sig P210?
I don't want to shoot too many of these. . .just a few mags worth to get a feel for them and see how reliable they are, just "in case".
Am I going to hurt my gun (or myself) if I try this?
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If your gun does not say it will handle +P rounds then don't shoot it. Most Corbon ammo is rated +P.
Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed"
. and the antithesis to this philosophy was uttered by Bill Clinton "I smoked it, but I didn't inhale."[V]
NRA Life Member0 -
The shooting sport of IPSC normally uses loads in 38 Super for their major factor loads, and they are hot. Since they lowered a little bit the power factor, many people, myself included have started to shoot the 9mm in a major configuration. Average loads are 124gr.(or 115) JHP using powders like Vihtavuori 3n37 or Hodgdon HS7 (can't tell you how much for liability reasons, suffice it to say they are "compressed" loads)They must travel at a minimum speed of 1340fps to make major, and we do exceed those numbers especially with the 115gr. bullets. We also use small rifle primers, but some use the pistol primers. The major power factor "does" compare the power to approximate the theoretical power of a base similar to the 45ACP hardball. Most shooter use a 1911 type pistol and load these rounds longer than 9mm. standards, and typically they would not fit the shorter 9mm. magazines. I have made loads that do fit the shorter magazines of the Glock pistols and have shot these rounds in a model 19 and 17 with no problems, although I recommend using "recoil buffers" in your gun. These loads are meant to be used in "hybrid" compensated barrels where the extra gases help keep the muzzle down effectively. In non-compensated barrels they semble flamethrowers. I have a Browning HI-Power and I would not fire these rounds in it. I'd be concerned for the frame pin or the two piece chambers that some Brownings have. Sigs and H&K along with Glocks should be able to handle these loads including the "Cor-Bon" offerings, without a problem. It's just that they are not as pleasant to shoot if you are offended by recoil. Make sure you maintain the weight of your recoil springs, and change them after every 1500 to 2000 rounds, for better performance. Of course, I do not advocate the use of "handloads" for personal defense as some demised "perpetrator's" lawyer could take offense. Use this loads sparingly in marginal firearms as they will shorten their reliable life expectancy. 0 -
Thanks for the informative posts, guys.
I checked with SIG, and according to them, 9mm +P ammo is acceptable in all of their 9mm pistols. Since the P210 is a current manufacture pistol, it seems that +P ammo should be OK in it.
http://www.sigarms.com/customer/faqs.asp?cat=7
quote:
What types of ammunition can I use in my SIG guns?
Any factory ammunition that is SAAMI approved is suitable for use (Standard and +P). Reloads, +P+, and military surplus ammunition are not recommended.
What is SAAMI-approved ammunition?
SIGARMS recommends SAAMI-approved ammunition. See the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute Web site (http://www.saami.org). Since 1926 SAAMI has been the principle organization in the United States actively engaged in the development and promulgation of product standards for firearms and ammunition. The U.S. military, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and many other state and local agencies frequently require that their suppliers manufacture to SAAMI specifications. SAAMI is the only trade association whose member companies manufacture and set standards for high-performance law enforcement ammunition.
The caveat, like Radcat said, is that this ammo is prone to wear out the gun faster. For my purposes, that's OK. I just want to make sure the gun won't blow up in my hand if I cycle a few rounds though it to make sure its reliable. After that, the +P stuff only gets used in case the SHTF.
Also, just for informational sakes, Corbon claims that their +P ammo is deliberately loaded to maximum SAAMI specifications (but not more). They also say:
http://mysite.elixirlabs.com/index.php?uid=12665&page=1602
quote:
Can I use Cor-Bon ammo in a ...
A: No; not every gun. CorBon Ammunition is a high performance ammunition intended for use in recently manufactured quality firearms from well know quality manufacturers. Ammunition that is rated as +P should only be used in modern firearms in good condition rated for this type of ammunition. Older guns, or guns that you do not know the history of, probably should not be used unless checked carefully by a competent gunsmith.
So, there you go.0
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