Anyone Use Plus P Ammo?

RunningOnMT · 12-26-2010, 04:24 PM

Just wondering if other owners of 1911's use standard or Plus P loads. While doing a search for ammo I came across 185 gr JHP Golden Sabers +P. They sound good on paper with a muzzle velocity 300 fps faster than standard 230 gr FMJ ammo. My concern is will extended use of +P loads cause excessive wear or damage to the pistol? Does the use of this ammo require a heavier recoil spring for dependable operation?

doug66 · 12-26-2010, 07:44 PM

Nope, but did load 100 185gr. Golden Sabre's using Unique 8.0 gr the other day. 8.2 is what Alliant showed. Went out today to see if they would run ok. Never a hiccup. Very mild mannered too. 45ACP

johnlives4christ · 12-26-2010, 07:45 PM

i never shoot plus p in anything. of course though im just a plinker at heart

JLA · 12-26-2010, 08:46 PM

My .460 is a super mega +P version of the .45ACP. It uses a specially designed case and a 24# recoil spring along with a dual chamber compensator to tame the pressures and recoil. It is a 1300 fps cartridge with 230 gr bullets.

As for my regular 1911s, I see no need to hotrod the .45ACP. They are generally more accurate with std pressure ammo and will still plow thru 90% of soft targets with a 230 gr bullet. The only thing the extra speed gives you is more recoil and blast, as well as beating the crap out of a pistol thats doesnt have the necessary spring tension to withstand +p pressures.

Helix_FR · 12-26-2010, 10:05 PM

I wouldn't recommend it either. I had a customer give me a kimber for inspection once before he bought it. The guy he was buying it from shot lots of +P in it w/o increasing the recoil spring weight. There were 2 cracks on both sides of the frame at the recoil guild rod lug. Now the guy has a 1000 dollar pencil holder. Kimber rightfully told him no on the repairs.

oscarmayer · 12-27-2010, 03:55 AM

in limited amounts yes i've used +p ammo but only after changing out the recoil spring and installing shok-buffers. and by limited amounts i mean just acouple of magazines full to check for feeding reliability only. the abuse isn't worth the extra power in my opinion and have stopped trying to "hot-rod" the 1911 and have settled on federal hydra-shok 230 gr or winchester silver tips 185 gr

RunningOnMT · 12-27-2010, 09:10 AM

Thanks guys...I suspected as much.

Shooter45 · 12-29-2010, 12:24 PM

Big and slow does the job. No use in trying to hot rod .45 acp. JMHO.

dragman · 01-11-2011, 12:54 PM

I have had good luck running 165 grain +P corbons out of a couple of my 1911's

oscarmayer · 01-11-2011, 01:09 PM

and i'm sure your good luck will continue with the corbon 165 gr, until your frame cracks. if you want to hotrod the 45acp at least invest in some shok-buffers and a heavier recoil spring

TheGunClinger · 01-11-2011, 03:42 PM

I use the 185 gr Golden Sabres as a defense load but never use them at the range.

oldgunfan · 01-11-2011, 05:46 PM

I don't use any rounds for self defense that will break the sound bearer. A few years ago me and my dad made a bullet trap in his basement, he is a gunsmith but he can't walk very good anymore so it was a lot of trouble just walking out back and try a gun. so he shot a 9mm 125grn in the basement, just the sound blew out all the florescent lights and some of the defusers. he told me you wouldn't have to hit anyone if he shot at them the sound would have brought you to your nee's. big and slow is the way to go.

TheGunClinger · 01-11-2011, 08:51 PM

Well, I dont really need to deafen my attackers, I just want to alter their intents, at any speed! Just sayin.

dragman · 01-13-2011, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oscarmayer

and i'm sure your good luck will continue with the corbon 165 gr, until your frame cracks. if you want to hotrod the 45acp at least invest in some shok-buffers and a heavier recoil spring

I have shot probably 20 or so through it and now I shoot FMJ 230 grain for practice I am sure my steel frame gun will be ok with the small amount I fired through it.

oscarmayer · 01-13-2011, 11:44 AM

in small doses' there should be no issues at all .

12-26-2010, 04:24 PM	#1
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? Just wondering if other owners of 1911's use standard or Plus P loads. While doing a search for ammo I came across 185 gr JHP Golden Sabers +P. They sound good on paper with a muzzle velocity 300 fps faster than standard 230 gr FMJ ammo. My concern is will extended use of +P loads cause excessive wear or damage to the pistol? Does the use of this ammo require a heavier recoil spring for dependable operation? -->

12-26-2010, 07:44 PM	#2
doug66 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 538	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? Nope, but did load 100 185gr. Golden Sabre's using Unique 8.0 gr the other day. 8.2 is what Alliant showed. Went out today to see if they would run ok. Never a hiccup. Very mild mannered too. 45ACP

12-26-2010, 07:45 PM	#3
johnlives4christ Former Guest Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 3,828	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? i never shoot plus p in anything. of course though im just a plinker at heart

12-26-2010, 08:46 PM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,296	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? My .460 is a super mega +P version of the .45ACP. It uses a specially designed case and a 24# recoil spring along with a dual chamber compensator to tame the pressures and recoil. It is a 1300 fps cartridge with 230 gr bullets. As for my regular 1911s, I see no need to hotrod the .45ACP. They are generally more accurate with std pressure ammo and will still plow thru 90% of soft targets with a 230 gr bullet. The only thing the extra speed gives you is more recoil and blast, as well as beating the crap out of a pistol thats doesnt have the necessary spring tension to withstand +p pressures. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

12-26-2010, 10:05 PM	#5
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,617	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? I wouldn't recommend it either. I had a customer give me a kimber for inspection once before he bought it. The guy he was buying it from shot lots of +P in it w/o increasing the recoil spring weight. There were 2 cracks on both sides of the frame at the recoil guild rod lug. Now the guy has a 1000 dollar pencil holder. Kimber rightfully told him no on the repairs. __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

12-27-2010, 03:55 AM	#6
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? in limited amounts yes i've used +p ammo but only after changing out the recoil spring and installing shok-buffers. and by limited amounts i mean just acouple of magazines full to check for feeding reliability only. the abuse isn't worth the extra power in my opinion and have stopped trying to "hot-rod" the 1911 and have settled on federal hydra-shok 230 gr or winchester silver tips 185 gr

12-27-2010, 09:10 AM	#7
RunningOnMT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Akron, Ohio Contributor Posts: 4,720	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? Thanks guys...I suspected as much.

12-29-2010, 12:24 PM	#8
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,747	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? Big and slow does the job. No use in trying to hot rod .45 acp. JMHO.

01-11-2011, 12:54 PM	#9
dragman V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PA Posts: 201	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? I have had good luck running 165 grain +P corbons out of a couple of my 1911's

01-11-2011, 01:09 PM	#10
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? and i'm sure your good luck will continue with the corbon 165 gr, until your frame cracks. if you want to hotrod the 45acp at least invest in some shok-buffers and a heavier recoil spring

01-11-2011, 03:42 PM	#11
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,378	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? I use the 185 gr Golden Sabres as a defense load but never use them at the range. __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

01-11-2011, 05:46 PM	#12
oldgunfan V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Contributor Posts: 137	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? I don't use any rounds for self defense that will break the sound bearer. A few years ago me and my dad made a bullet trap in his basement, he is a gunsmith but he can't walk very good anymore so it was a lot of trouble just walking out back and try a gun. so he shot a 9mm 125grn in the basement, just the sound blew out all the florescent lights and some of the defusers. he told me you wouldn't have to hit anyone if he shot at them the sound would have brought you to your nee's. big and slow is the way to go.

01-11-2011, 08:51 PM	#13
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,378	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? Well, I dont really need to deafen my attackers, I just want to alter their intents, at any speed! Just sayin. __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

01-13-2011, 11:44 AM	#15
oscarmayer Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Contributor Posts: 2,387	Re: Anyone Use Plus P Ammo? in small doses' there should be no issues at all .