Advantage/Disadvantage - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

BMFOTP · 08-01-2007, 08:41 PM

I have been researching ammo for my XD-45 Compact 4" and was wondering if anyone could help me with a question. What are the advantages to using +p / +p+ ammo vs standard ammo? What are the disadvantages of using +p / +p+ ammo vs standard ammo? Is there really that much of a ballistic advantage to using higher pressure ammo?

jeepinbanditrider · 08-01-2007, 09:40 PM

you get higher velocities out of +p and +p+ ammo which usually equates to more energy.

On the down side it can also lead to overpenatration. Also the higher pressures lead to more wear and tear on the fire arm but as long as you don't shoot thousands of them you'll be alright.

philbo · 08-01-2007, 09:50 PM

Over pressure ammo is useful in defensive/hollow point rounds where the higher velocity increases penetration and usually enhances the expansion of the hollow point bullet... both good things when used for self defense.

Down side is the hotter ammo is going to increase wear of the firearm and is usually accompanied by extra muzzle flash, recoil and noise.

The perfect SD round combines good expansion, adequate penetration, low flash, low recoil and high accuracy. Research, experiment, and find the bullet that gives you the best combination of the above. Meanwhile, the ammo makers are still trying to create the perfect bullet!

My advice, find a load that you can shoot well, practice with often, and functions reliably in your pistol. Shot placement is the most important aspect of self defense and the bullet has less impact (pun intended

) than your training. Any decent bonded hollow point should do the job if you can put it where you want, when you want.

PTCgunsmith · 08-02-2007, 12:23 AM

+p ammos were adopted by police forces because it was decided the higher pressure rounds are less likely to misfire or fail and more likely to promote positive cycling in a duty weapon. contrary to the popular idea that it was done to increase knock down or penetration (it wasn't).As far as police as concerned more penetration = more collateral damage

the cons of using them is that they pound your frame if you shot them a lot. not to mention pounding the shooter

CopeyXD · 08-02-2007, 12:32 AM

not that it matters for the xd, but some guns are not rated for +p ammo. keep that in mind if you have other guns. the xd is, so no worries with it.

Myk9noseknows · 08-02-2007, 01:51 AM

This topic is being beaten to death today.

IMO there is no added benefit to using a +P+ over a +P. With a pistol that has a relatively short barrel, the added velocity out of the hotter round is not going to translate itself into much more.

The +P+ is going to speed up your wear and tear on your pistol, plus it will give greater recoil and harder follow up shots.

If +P won't do the job, a +P+ is not a miracle round and will not do the job either.

BMFOTP · 08-02-2007, 06:00 AM

Thanks to everyone for their input.

ufbbc · 08-04-2007, 12:01 AM

IMO for self defense hotter rounds offer no advantage. A standard round is going to penetrate an attacker. Hotter rounds just risk going thru stuff IMO.

hotpig · 08-04-2007, 12:06 PM

It comes down to personal preference.

08-01-2007, 08:41 PM	#1
BMFOTP XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 309	Advantage/Disadvantage I have been researching ammo for my XD-45 Compact 4" and was wondering if anyone could help me with a question. What are the advantages to using +p / +p+ ammo vs standard ammo? What are the disadvantages of using +p / +p+ ammo vs standard ammo? Is there really that much of a ballistic advantage to using higher pressure ammo? __________________ To extraordinary circumstances we must apply extraordinary remedies.

08-01-2007, 09:40 PM	#2
jeepinbanditrider XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineral Wells, Tx Posts: 4,979	you get higher velocities out of +p and +p+ ammo which usually equates to more energy. On the down side it can also lead to overpenatration. Also the higher pressures lead to more wear and tear on the fire arm but as long as you don't shoot thousands of them you'll be alright. __________________ Stuff USPSA-A59201

08-02-2007, 12:23 AM	#4
PTCgunsmith XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: forest lake, MN Posts: 135	+p ammos were adopted by police forces because it was decided the higher pressure rounds are less likely to misfire or fail and more likely to promote positive cycling in a duty weapon. contrary to the popular idea that it was done to increase knock down or penetration (it wasn't).As far as police as concerned more penetration = more collateral damage the cons of using them is that they pound your frame if you shot them a lot. not to mention pounding the shooter Last edited by PTCgunsmith; 08-02-2007 at 12:26 AM.

08-02-2007, 12:32 AM	#5
CopeyXD XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Rural Pennsylvania Posts: 1,098	not that it matters for the xd, but some guns are not rated for +p ammo. keep that in mind if you have other guns. the xd is, so no worries with it. __________________ one short gun and lots of long ones! When you carry, leave your middle finger at home!

08-02-2007, 01:51 AM	#6
Myk9noseknows XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,098	This topic is being beaten to death today. IMO there is no added benefit to using a +P+ over a +P. With a pistol that has a relatively short barrel, the added velocity out of the hotter round is not going to translate itself into much more. The +P+ is going to speed up your wear and tear on your pistol, plus it will give greater recoil and harder follow up shots. If +P won't do the job, a +P+ is not a miracle round and will not do the job either. __________________ "When people need help, they call the Police. When Police need help, they call K-9"

08-01-2007, 09:50 PM	#3
philbo XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 309	Over pressure ammo is useful in defensive/hollow point rounds where the higher velocity increases penetration and usually enhances the expansion of the hollow point bullet... both good things when used for self defense. Down side is the hotter ammo is going to increase wear of the firearm and is usually accompanied by extra muzzle flash, recoil and noise. The perfect SD round combines good expansion, adequate penetration, low flash, low recoil and high accuracy. Research, experiment, and find the bullet that gives you the best combination of the above. Meanwhile, the ammo makers are still trying to create the perfect bullet! My advice, find a load that you can shoot well, practice with often, and functions reliably in your pistol. Shot placement is the most important aspect of self defense and the bullet has less impact (pun intended ) than your training. Any decent bonded hollow point should do the job if you can put it where you want, when you want.

08-02-2007, 06:00 AM	#7
BMFOTP XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 309	Hot Rounds Thanks to everyone for their input. __________________ To extraordinary circumstances we must apply extraordinary remedies.

08-04-2007, 12:01 AM	#8
ufbbc XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 37	no advantage for self defense IMO IMO for self defense hotter rounds offer no advantage. A standard round is going to penetrate an attacker. Hotter rounds just risk going thru stuff IMO. __________________ XD9 SC Ruger P85 Mk II 9mm Remington 870 Express 12 Ga. "A citizen who shirks his duty to contribute to the security of his community is little better than the criminal who threatens it, and is better off living in a society that places lesser demands on his capacity to accept responsibility." - Robert H. Boatman

08-04-2007, 12:06 PM	#9
hotpig XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SW Illinois Posts: 287	It comes down to personal preference.

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