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added recoil of 40 S&W +P

fastcarsgofastfastcarsgofast Member Posts: 7,179
edited July 2013 in Ask the Experts
Is there any noticeable difference in recoil or other issues I should be aware of before using +P ammo in my pistol? The manual says that it will handle it, but I was not sure if there was anything I should be aware of.

Comments

  • Riomouse911Riomouse911 Member Posts: 3,492 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Buffalo bore +p 40 ammo is good stuff, and with any increase in velocity or bullet weight you will pay a price in more blast and recoil.

    The recoil of +p 40 will be less than the recoil of 10 mm ammo, and a bit more than standard pressure 40 loads. It is not uncontrollable or obnoxious, but it does make second or subsequent shots a bit more difficult to keep on target without additional practice.

    I have 6-7 boxes of Cor-Bon 40 left in the larder. This also seems to have a bit more whack than regular 40 loads i have fired through my S&W 4013 and Beretta M 96.p

    As with any defensive ammo, shoot enough of it to ensure 100 percent reliability, good accuracy in your gun, and to make sure it is something you are comfortable with recoil / blast wise.
  • 62fuelie62fuelie Member Posts: 1,069 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Because of the case capacity the .40 S&W is almost +p in stock form so I wouldn't expect a great deal more recoil or blast as the manufacturer still has to stay within SAAMI limits.
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by fastcarsgofast
    Is there any noticeable difference in recoil or other issues I should be aware of before using +P ammo in my pistol? The manual says that it will handle it, but I was not sure if there was anything I should be aware of.

    SAAMI doesn't recognize a ".40SW +P" ammo type, though typically "+P"
    versions of standard service loads are about 10% more powerful than the ordinary ones.

    In this case, as already mentioned, even "standard" .40SW ammo is typically loaded to pressures that would be considered +P for other calibers. The Buffalo Bore +P .40SW seems to follow the same "rule" and appears to be loaded about 10% hotter than equivalent weight premium "defense" .40SW:

    BBore 155 grain 40+P = 1300 fps
    Hornady "TAP" defense 155 gr 40SW = 1180 fps

    That makes this particular Buffalo bore load comparable in performance to old school 158 grain .357 magnum loads (which get about 1350 fps).

    BBore 180 grain 40+P = 1100 fps
    Rem Golden Saber 180 gr 40SW = 1015 fps.

    In general, overpressure ammo will wear out your gun a little bit faster than standard pressure ammo, though I think the increased wear and tear to your wallet is probably more significant.

    IMO, .40SW is good enough by itself that personally, I wouldn't bother with +P ammo, but that's your call.

    Obviously, since recoil is directly proportionate to muzzle velocity, an 8-10% increase in velocity will mean a corresponding increase in recoil.

    Personally speaking, I can't tell the difference in felt recoil between "ordinary" and +P .38s or 9mms of the same bullet weight when shooting them. Doubt the difference in 40SW is going to be much either. The +P ammo does make a (very) slightly higher pitched crack, but again, not something that is probably going to matter.

    quote:Edit, responding to above
    Once again, Beantown, has put it on the line, in a very professional manner. The only difference you will see from almost any +P, is the added aggrivation from the ammo scalpers digging into your wallet. If you need 10mm performance, then get yourself a 10mm.
    Well, although I agree 100% with you that +P ammo is largely overhyped, in some calibers (eg 9mm, .38 special) most of the high quality defensive ammo *only* comes in +P type.

    If you want the best "personal protection" type BULLETS (not just exterior ballistics), you may not have a choice but to use expensive +P ammo, especially in today's climate of ammo shortages.

    No, it probably "shouldn't" be that way. . .but that's the reality.

    For example, I'm sure they exist somewhere, but I don't think I've ever actually seen any .38 specials that are loaded with premium bullets that are NOT "+P". So that's what I use (and yes. . .even in my non "+P" rated guns).

    Specifically on .40SW+P, again, that round, all by itself, yields something like 85% of the kinetic energy of a standard 158 grain .357 magnum load. In my opinion, that "should" be enough for any non-armored two-legged target, so long as the shooter does their part. And so far as I know, apart from the specialty niche "hot ammo" makers (Eg Buffalo Bore, Double-Tap, Corbon), none of the "major" manufacturers (eg Remington, Federal, Winchester) even offer a .40+P.
  • tsr1965tsr1965 Member Posts: 8,682 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Once again, Beantown, has put it on the line, in a very professional manner. The only difference you will see from almost any +P, is the added aggrivation from the ammo scalpers digging into your wallet. If you need 10mm performance, then get yourself a 10mm.

    Best
  • sandwarriorsandwarrior Member Posts: 5,453 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The one thing I always think about when considering +P ammo in a handgun is (considering already deemed safe for that handgun) is how does your hand take it?

    I can tell you that most handgun ammo is tailored, and vice versa (handguns), to be balanced and controllable with standard loads. Start loading it up and you get muzzle flip all over the place. One of the worst things I see when helping people learn to shoot is that very muzzle flip causing firearm malfunctions. Or just plain misses with a revolver.

    So, the +P ammo and the firearm get blamed for a poor choice by the user. I always suggest sticking with standard ammo in handguns as the controllability factor is just too important for the purpose of a handgun. IMO, it's better to get all (or more) hits with standard ammo than two hits with slightly more power. And, four, "I don't know where that went," shots. Because you may need those four 'less powerful' hits to stop the threat.

    -my $.02

    Added:

    quote:Originally posted by fastcarsgofast
    Thanks for the input. The only carry ammo I could find was +p gold dots. After reading your responses and doing a little extra reading I found that it is not that much hotter than some of the standard loads out their.

    I feel fairly confident with my choice (not that I really had one) and will see how it works on the range.


    I have to say, not that you absolutely "Should Not" go out and get +P. The more I think about it, it's because most of the people I worked with teaching them how to shoot were beginners. It wouldn't have been a good choice for them. So really, if you're just beginning I wouldn't recommend it. I know you've been around long enough to handle it. Or, at least adjust to it.
  • fastcarsgofastfastcarsgofast Member Posts: 7,179
    edited November -1
    Thanks for the input. The only carry ammo I could find was +p gold dots. After reading your responses and doing a little extra reading I found that it is not that much hotter than some of the standard loads out their.

    I feel fairly confident with my choice (not that I really had one) and will see how it works on the range.
  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,056 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    According to what I've read/seen, 40 S&W is +P from the get-go.
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