S&W M&P Shield 9mm and +P Ammo

[Criticalt]

Do any of you use +P ammunition in your Shield for either practice or carry?
Ive researched a bit online but there are about 50/50 opinions for and against the use of +P in a 9mm Shield.
The manual from S&W does not come right out and say yes you can, it says if you do use +P, you should clean your gun more often.
Manuals for other small 9mms say that you can definitely use +P ammo.
Why is S&W not clear on this?
What possible issue's can +P ammo cause?

 

[Podmonkey]

The manual states that any ammo that is SAAMI spec is acceptable to use, that includes +P which is recognized and spec'd by SAAMI. I ran 100 rounds of 124gr +P through my Shield yesterday with no issues other than a dramatic amount of flash.

 

[gqllc007]

I carry Federal HST 147+P in my Shield

 

[Podmonkey]

These are the passages you are referring to?
I translate that as "Don't blame us if you blow up your gun with your goofball reloads. Don't use use dodgy ammo in bilster packs you bought at a gunshow."
The "more frequent maintenance" regarding +p ammo is a CYA thing from S&W, many manufacturers say the same thing. Fact is any modern, quality gun, which the Shield is, should handle +p rounds. SAAMI does have a standard listed for +p in most calibers so it is an officially recognized loading in most cases. +p+ however usually isn't.

 

[RandallOfLegend]

+P+ 9mm is a caliber trying to be sometime more than it should be. (357 mag/sig). 9mm +P+ is harder for me to control than 40 S&W.

 

[Criticalt]

View attachment 1254 View attachment 1255
These are the passages you are referring to?
I translate that as "Don't blame us if you blow up your gun with your goofball reloads. Don't use use dodgy ammo in bilster packs you bought at a gunshow."
The "more frequent maintenance" regarding +p ammo is a CYA thing from S&W, many manufacturers say the same thing. Fact is any modern, quality gun, which the Shield is, should handle +p rounds. SAAMI does have a standard listed for +p in most calibers so it is an officially recognized loading in most cases. +p+ however usually isn't.

This is what I was saying, ive seen other small pistols manuals that say plain and simple, +P is fine.
The Shield says +P could "exceed the margin of safety".
I dont really see the need for using it myself but you never know.
Its just odd to me that so many people online cannot agree with what the manual says.
Some say the manual is saying you CANNOT use it, and some say the manual says you CAN use it.
To me its say you can use it, just dint sue them when you "exceed the margin of saftey" and put your eye out. Clear as mud.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I'm sure it can handle +P with no problems but if it concerns you, go standard pressure.

There are standard pressure rounds that perform better than+ P rounds of the same weight from a short barrel.

Federal HST is one of them. If you go that route, than you should have no worries.

 

[Saltwater60]

Email the manufacturer. I'm sure they will respond especially if you say the manual is not clear. Then you will have the best answer.

 

[MikeyCNY]

The manual states that any ammo that is SAAMI spec is acceptable to use, that includes +P which is recognized and spec'd by SAAMI. I ran 100 rounds of 124gr +P through my Shield yesterday with no issues other than a dramatic amount of flash.

^^ This. I don't run +P regularly in my Shield, but I have before to test it. I use Critical Defense 115 gr as carry ammo, which I don't think is +P. (the Critical Duty is though)

 

[Criticalt]

I'm sure it can handle +P with no problems but if it concerns you, go standard pressure.

There are standard pressure rounds that perform better than+ P rounds of the same weight from a short barrel.

Federal HST is one of them. If you go that route, than you should have no worries.

Oh yes, I have no plan on ever using +P, im more than happy with the 115gr or 124 gr HST.
I just see this question asked alot on the internet so I thought Id add it to NYGF content.

 

[Podmonkey]

With the HSTs, as with most other premium defense loads, +P gets you a little extra expansion at a small cost of penetration. Given the fireballs I was shooting with the +Ps I think I'll run standard pressure out of the Shield and save the +Ps for the PPQ.

 

[Truebeliever]

According to posters in an another forum and confirmed by some people I know. The M&P shield was approved for off duty carry by the NYPD after it successfully completed its "torture test" of at least 5000 124 grain gold dot +P rounds without significant failure.

The Glock 43 failed the test although some have posted that it is going to get a chance to "fix" the problems and a second "torture test" will or was performed. I don't know.

But in other word, plus Ps in that gun are just fine

 

[gqllc007]

Interesting as I carry the HST 147+P in my Shield and I carry the standard pressure 124 HST in my G43!

 

[ECU Pirates]

According to posters in an another forum and confirmed by some people I know. The M&P shield was approved for off duty carry by the NYPD after it successfully completed its "torture test" of at least 5000 124 grain gold dot +P rounds without significant failure.

The Glock 43 failed the test although some have posted that it is going to get a chance to "fix" the problems and a second "torture test" will or was performed. I don't know.

But in other word, plus Ps in that gun are just fine

Do you know what constitutes a significant failure?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Truebeliever]

I don't know for sure but I read that a lot of good guns failed. Something like one or two rounds.

Again, the Glock 43 failed and they seem to have the "relationship " with the NYPD considering that that two of the three current service weapons are Glocks and another Glock is authorized for off duty as well.

 

[MikeyCNY]

I don't recall having many issues with my Shield.. sometimes it doesn't lock open on the last round but I think I'm hitting the slide stop with my hand. Next range session I'll attempt to work on that.

 

[lonewolf5347]

I pick up a used shield in July from a one owner who stated it had about 2 boxes of Winchester down the bore sine new.
I tested all different type of ammo threw is seem the ammo it hates are the speer 124 gr. H.P Gold Dots
I will say it is a reliable gun I now must have more then 500 rounds down the bore and not even one he-cup.I carry law enforcement street ammo 115 H.P. made by Winchester i have no idea the FPS.
I also shot a load of the Israel stuff import by Federal 115 h.p. and 135 gr.Extreme reload with 3.5 grains of B.E> powder