Is the SR9c +P+ capable?

[markrb]

Thinking of picking up some 9mm Federal LE 115gr. +P+ Hollow Point Ammo and wanted to make sure the firearm will not be adversely affected by it.
I have been reading some really good things about this lower cost defense ammo.
Anyone here have experience with this ammo? Will it cause any harm to my pistol?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[Big Stu]

According to the manual, the SR9c is capable of ANY factory ammo. That would include +p+ ammo. I don't personally reccommend it though. With a short barrell gun like the SR9c, the pressure is going right out the barrell before it gets a chance to fully accelerate the bullet. Others might (and probably will) argue this point.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

From the Ruger owner's manual . . .

"The SR-SERIES pistols are compatible with all factory ammunition of the correct caliber loaded to U.S. Industry Standards, including high-velocity and hollow-point loads, loaded in brass, aluminum, or steel cartridge cases. No 9mm Parabellum or .40 S&W ammunition manufactured in accordance with NATO, U.S., SAAMI, or CIP standards is known to be beyond the design limits or known not to function in these pistols."

Note that there is no SAAMI spec (or any other I'm aware of) for +P+ 9mm ammo. Use the +P+ stuff at your own discretion but don't expect Ruger to fix your gun if you have problems because of it.

JMHO and I won't argue with anybody about this.

 

[planetcat]

I sometimes carry +p and +p+ ammo in my SR9C and Kimber .45. What parts specifically are affected by the hotter loads and how. If they're relatively inexpensive (i.e. like springs), I would buy a spare to have on hand. Just curious.

 

[Boge]

The gun won't "kaboom" with +p+ 9mm but it will wear quicker. I shoot a LOT of +p+ in my Glock 19's & SIG 228's and have seen no wear. However, they are tank tough and I change the recoil spring on the 228 more often as a precaution. Glock are rated for ALL 9mm including hot NATO stuff and they eat +p+ like candy.

There was an article several years ago in "Shooting Times" I believe that mentioned a torture test of a Ruger all metal 9mm with several thousand (25,000?) rounds of +p+ 9mm and no measureable wear.

 

[Verndog]

From the Ruger owner's manual . . .

Note that there is no SAAMI spec (or any other I'm aware of) for +P+ 9mm ammo. Use the +P+ stuff at your own discretion but don't expect Ruger to fix your gun if you have problems because of it.

JMHO and I won't argue with anybody about this.

As pointed out before, this is true...they left a small wiggle area if there is an issue. Also it says it will shoot "all high velocity ammo" somewhere else. I still only carry the +P and if I did want to carry the +P+ I'd shoot enough to see it fed reliably then only carry it and don't shoot it very often. Chances are you'll never have issues that way IMO.

 

[RedFalconBill]

I sometimes carry +p and +p+ ammo in my SR9C and Kimber .45. What parts specifically are affected by the hotter loads and how. If they're relatively inexpensive (i.e. like springs), I would buy a spare to have on hand. Just curious.

I am curious what .45 +P+ ammo you are using?

There is NO standard for +P+, .38 Special, 9x19, or .45 ACP.

As a measure of company policy Federal keeps their 9x19 +P+ to 42,000 PSIA, Winchester tries to do the same. Have no idea what Remington does.

What do you think you are getting with the +P+ loads that standard, or +P, do not give you?

 

[planetcat]

I sometimes carry +p and +p+ ammo in my SR9C and Kimber .45. What parts specifically are affected by the hotter loads and how. If they're relatively inexpensive (i.e. like springs), I would buy a spare to have on hand. Just curious.

I am curious what .45 +P+ ammo you are using?

There is NO standard for +P+, .38 Special, 9x19, or .45 ACP.

As a measure of company policy Federal keeps their 9x19 +P+ to 42,000 PSIA, Winchester tries to do the same. Have no idea what Remington does.

What do you think you are getting with the +P+ loads that standard, or +P, do not give you?

Sorry, my post might have been misleading: I meant +p+ on the 9mm for an extra 155 ft. lbs of energy at the muzzle over standard 9mm ammo and +p on the Kimber .45. I sometimes carry the .45 as my sidearm on hog hunts instead of my .44 mag. The buffalo bore .45 +p 255 gr. hard cast bullets are very effective. It's not something I enjoy shooting on a regular basis, especially because of the cost.

 

[distortion]

I'm fairly certain that my manual for my fullsize SR9 says I can fire +p+. Is that stuff hotter than NATO rounds, or the other way around? I understand where the regular 9mm is in relation to +p and +p+, but was never certain where the NATO fit in all of that. Also, what are the benefits to the higher pressures? More penetration?

 

[Anonymous]

A tad off-topic maybe- I don't use +Ps on mine, but only because the .38 +Ps hurt my old arthritic hands, and figure the 9mm+Ps would too. But main reason for posting, at lunch just now I just ran about 200 more rounds thru my 9c- that makes about 900-1,000 without a single hiccup. I love this thing. Good tight groups, fits my hand like a glove- what's not to love.

 

[markrb]

I emailed Ruger on this subject and this is their response. I will be keeping the email just in case something happens and they refuse to work on my SR9c.


Dear Mark Bates ,


Thank you for using the Ruger On-Line Customer Support Request Form.

This e-mail is in response to your question or comment of 06/09/2011
Request No: 98174

Comment / question:

Is my SR9c capable of using Federal 9BPLE +P+ ammo? I am thinking of using it for my home defense as it's relatively inexpensive and well thought of. Will the use of this ammo damage the pistol in any way and will Ruger still back the pistol if I use this ammo?

Response:
The Ruger 9MM pistols, are chambered for the 9x19mm NATO Parabellum (9mm Luger) cartridge, compatible with the U.S. and foreign military or commercial 9x19mm loads manufactured in accordance with NATO, U.S., SAAMI, or CIP standards; including high velocity, subsonic, tracer, hollow point, ammunition loaded in aluminum, steel, or brass cartridge cases, +P and +P+ ammunition. If you should need further assistance please call our Service Department at 928/778-6555 between 8:00 - 4:00, MST Monday thru Friday, at a time convenient for you. A Ruger Representative will be happy to help you.

If you need further information, please visit our website at www.ruger.com or contact us at:

Revolvers, shotguns, rifles, 10/22 Charger Pistol: (603) 865-2442
Pistols: (928) 778-6555
Serial Number History Information: (603) 865-2424

Please note: This e-mail is sent from a notification-only address that cannot accept incoming e-mail. Please do not reply to this message.

Sincerely,
Ruger Firearms

 

[MidLife]

WOW!
Is +P+ an official "standard"?
I thought +P was the highest "standard" recognized.

 

[Boge]

WOW!
Is +P+ an official "standard"?
I thought +P was the highest "standard" recognized.

It's not. No SAAMI specs on 9mm +p+ although some are at or a little over 40,000 psi.

FWIW, I shoot a LOT of 9mm +p+ in a Glock G19 & SIG 228. The Federal BPLE is the "lightest" as Fed. won't load it at more than 38,000 psi which is really a high end +p. The Win. & Speer 115 gr. +p+ are VERY hot. In my G19 the Win. averages 1365 fps. It seems as if the Speer is louder and recoils a TAD more IMO.

 

[RedFalconBill]

Sorry, my post might have been misleading: I meant +p+ on the 9mm for an extra 155 ft. lbs of energy at the muzzle over standard 9mm ammo

What do you think that additional KE will get you?

While I have shot +P+ 9x19 ammo, and still have ~250 round of 127gr Winchester in the basement, fact is I have migrated away from it and towards DPX, or HST.

 

[Yawn]

Am I missing something or is the answer to your question in the portion of the quote that you quoted him saying?

 

[RedFalconBill]

Am I missing something or is the answer to your question in the portion of the quote that you quoted him saying?

No, the answer is not there.

He is saying that, "it goes to 11".

I am asking why he thinks that 11 is better than 10, or 9?

 

[Yawn]

sorry dude, like your talking in code.... not sure what your saying.

 

[sixgun]

The OP can answer for himself but I think he's asking, why do you need that extra KE kinetic energy that's not good for your pistol.
I personally would not shoot hot rounds in my SR9c other than being proficient with the round that I carry for defense. I presently carry Federal 9BPLE.
Most of my target and plinking 9mm ammo is regular inexpensive FMJ.
Ruger may say it's OK but I want to save wear and tear on my gun, plus hot loads are expensive.

 

[Anonymous]

I just purchased some Buffalo Bore 115 grain +P+. It's my carry ammo only, and would imagine most people that consider it, do not go out and shoot it regularly either, other than enough to make sure the gun will feed it so I don't see a problem with it at all.