[Skeptic 9094]

An interesting cross reference, from years agone:

The +P Phenomenon by SaxonPig

I was a little surprised when I began visiting these Internet forums and saw so many questions regarding +P .38 Special ammo. It seems each ...

shootingwithhobie.blogspot.com

Geoff
Who wonders about power.

 

[brownie]

Geoff
Who wonders about power.

Stopping power? Knock down power? Power factor [ IPSC ]? Recoil power [ also known as free recoil ]?

 

[Denverd0n]

In the article, "power" seems to be referring mostly to the muzzle velocity of different rounds. The actual difference between "standard" rounds, +P rounds, and magnum rounds is measured by the peak chamber pressures when fired. Of course, at least in a general sense, greater chamber pressures translate to higher muzzle velocities.

I do have to agree with the author in that I'm a bit surprised, from time to time, by people who worry about damaging their modern, high-quality firearms if they use +P ammunition. I have owned Colt, Ruger, and S&W revolvers in the past, and never had the slightest worry about using +P ammo in any of them.

With semi-autos, of course, there is the issue of feeding. I once owned a Browning Hi-Power that would fail to feed now and then with +P, but fed standard ammo without fail. So there's that.

 

[Skeptic 9094]

Geoff
Who wonders about power.

Stopping power? Knock down power? Power factor [ IPSC ]? Recoil power [ also known as free recoil ]?

You know my opinion. Anything in the 9mm .38 range more powerful than the .36 Navy Colt with a conical bullet load is adequate for defense against humans, and has been for 170 years. Even an annoying Federal Bureau has admitted this, although they like fancy expensive bullets.
Geoff
Who carries a 9mm, but has a 1911 Series 70 Mk IV Colt around.

 

[Earl 007]

Great post , made a lot of sence to me being a reloader damn lawyers making our ammo suck.

 

[brownie]

When we tested 4 loads of SD ammo in 9 and 45, the +P loads all had less penetration but more expansion.

I want penetration first, although most of the +P's still penetrated deep enough IMO.

 

[bttbbob]

When someone mentions power and handgun in the same sentence, I ignore them from them on.