Headgear,
Note this description by Starline for their 9 mm +P brass at their on-line store. The capital letters are theirs, for emphasis:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Starline Brass
9MM+P has no difference from the standard 9mm Luger other than headstamp designation for load segregation. Due to standard case design, it will handle +P pressures with no problems. **NOT RECOMMENDED FOR USE IN S&W SHIELD PISTOLS WITH NEAR-MAX OR +P LOADS, DUE TO POORLY SUPPORTED CHAMBER CONDITIONS**
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So what you've got is a gun design prone to bulging cases. You can buy Lee's Bulge Buster and Carbide Factory Crimp Die to remove the bulge. It's probably best not to expect to be able to reload brass to maximum if you are doing that. Maximum loads seem like a good reason to pick up range foundlings that aren't bulged and count on using them only once.
If you use a slower powder to reduce peak pressure without losing velocity, it will burn dirty. The slower a powder is, the more it needs to operate at near maximum pressure to complete combustion and burn cleanly, so there's no solution for you there. I find Universal hard to beat for its better metering (as compared to Bullseye and especially to Unique) and cleaner burning in short auto pistol cartridges.