Glocks safe to use with +P?

machrism · October 23, 2010, 12:50 PM

I have heard that you have to get a hand gun built for +P but seem to hear alot of poeple who use them in the Glocks but have never seen a +P model made by them. Are these people that do it pushing the limits are what? My friend says Glocks are not made to handle it. What do you guys think?

dogtown tom · October 23, 2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

machrism I have heard that you have to get a hand gun built for +P but seem to hear alot of poeple who use them in the Glocks but have never seen a +P model made by them. Are these people that do it pushing the limits are what? My friend says Glocks are not made to handle it. What do you guys think?

Your friend is an idiot.

Glock has several models chambered in .357 Sig, .40S&W and 10mm.....all three are high pressure calibers. Shooting 9mm+P, 9mm+P+, .45acp +P or .45+P+ will not be a problem in Glock pistol.

Glock does however, warn against the use of reloaded ammunition in any of its handguns. Using reloaded ammo voids the warranty.

Very few handguns are marked "+P", I can only recall seeing that on some newer S&W small framed revolvers that have ".38 S&W Special +P" on the barrel.

I've yet to see an HK, SIG, FN, Beretta or other semiautomatic pistol with "+P" on the slide or frame.

IMightBeWrong · October 23, 2010, 01:21 PM

From what I understand, Glock pistols have always been built to handle +P loads but stopped advertising them as such to help cover themselves in case of litigation. Not sure if its true or not, but I've heard it from a couple of sources. Either way, Glock pistols should handle hot ammo no problem.

g.willikers · October 23, 2010, 03:21 PM

There was a regular at our local club, who bought a bunch of military surplus 9mm for his Glock 17.
And boy, did that stuff ever bark and recoil.
It turned out to be machine gun rounds, lots hotter than pistol rounds.
He used that stuff all the time without complaint, except for the extra hard primers that didn't always go off the first time.
You probably needn't worry about +P ammo in your Glock.

Mosin44az · October 24, 2010, 11:29 PM

I've never had a problem with Plus-P ammo in any of my four Glocks. There is no +P in .40, but as noted that is a high-pressure caliber.

I have shot Cor-bon in three of my Glocks with no problems.

Eagle0711 · October 26, 2010, 01:52 AM

I was told by Glock Customer Service that the guns would handle hot NATO and European ammo. I would'nt worry in the least.

Daryl · October 26, 2010, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Glock does however, warn against the use of reloaded ammunition in any of its handguns. Using reloaded ammo voids the warranty.

Most makers put "use only factory loaded ammunition" in their firearm owner's manuals, and while it may void the warranty, there's really no issue with properly loaded ammo. The only way they'd know if you shoot handloads is if one of said handloads blows up the gun.

It's a CYA move on the part of the makers.

Daryl

voyager4520 · October 26, 2010, 04:00 AM

In a 9mm Glock you can shoot 9mm Luger, +P, +P+, and 9mm NATO. 9mm Glocks were actually designed to be used with 9mm NATO which by SAAMI standards is +P. In a .45ACP Glock you can shoot +P but I don't think you can shoot .45 Super.

For the other chamberings there are no SAAMI standards for +P because the way they look at it .357SIG, .40SW, 10mm, and .45GAP have a maximum pressure that SAAMI doesn't recommend exceeding. I wouldn't shoot any of these cartridges marked +P in a Glock.

I don't know about the .380ACP Glocks.

chikinhammr · October 26, 2010, 04:35 PM

+P? No problem.

BIG P · October 26, 2010, 10:42 PM

no problem shoot what ever +p you like

LanceOregon · October 27, 2010, 04:09 AM

Even the new XDm handguns can go KABOOM !!

Glocks do tend to have the most spectacular Kabooms, though. Here is a 10mm Glock that had its barrel burst:

NickW · October 27, 2010, 04:23 AM

Lance: Was that Glock 20 failure with factory or reloaded ammo?

machrism · October 27, 2010, 04:44 AM

Damn. Those are some bad busts. Think I'll stay away from +P then.

dnr1128 · October 27, 2010, 09:26 AM

deleted

Nakanokalronin · October 27, 2010, 02:16 PM

You see kabooms with plastic guns more often since the plastic frames will give before steel does. On steel guns the kabooms usually mean bulged or split barrels with occasional slide damage. Its all about taking the path of least resistance and plastic has less resistance than steel.

Lead is ok in Glocks to an extent but you need to clean it well afterwards. Those who don't, kaboom. The 10mm is a a caliber many will reload for and if not done right, kaboom. Any over pressured reloads and guess what,kaboom. Make a .40 caliber gun on 9mm components, eventual kaboom.

Most of your LE agencies around the world use Glocks and factory ammo. If it was a plastic pistol problem they would not be used so widely as they are today.

Adam5 · October 27, 2010, 03:54 PM

"Damn. Those are some bad busts. Think I'll stay away from +P then."

Those were not likely caused by +p or even +p+ ammo. They are normally caused by squibs or double charged reloads.

AK103K · October 27, 2010, 06:13 PM

I shoot +P and +P+ out of all my Glock 9mm's on a fairly regular basis, and have never had an issue. I dont practice with them, but I do shoot probably 100 rounds or so of it a month.

FreakGasolineFight · October 28, 2010, 08:30 PM

If you like explosions, you can.

It'd probably be all right to do with the 9mm models.

ProjectCamaro · October 28, 2010, 09:28 PM

+P ammo is fine out of a Glock. I'm a Glock armorer and Glock specifically told us that it's fine in our classes.
If you were to have any problems just call Glock up and they'll fix your gun for you on their dime.

Ozzieman · October 29, 2010, 07:02 AM

Your friend is an idiot. +1
I hope this thread doesn’t start another photo war of who can come up with the most blown up plastic guns.

I have a G26 that I have owned for 8 years. I carry only +p in the gun and every month I shoot the 10 rounds in the magazine I carry it in. That’s over 700 in that time and I know I shot numerous boxes of +p until I found what works best in the 26.
Your friend is an idiot.

Dave85 · October 29, 2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Damn. Those are some bad busts. Think I'll stay away from +P then.

That would have been a good decision if these were pictures of guns that were blown up from +P or +P+ ammo. We have no way of knowing that, because they were posted without any information about how they came about. Pictures of blown-up guns without that information are 100% useless to anyone. Presenting them out of context is misleading, and it has done you a disservice by falsely scaring you away from perfectly safe behavior.

I have yet to see a kaboomed gun that was not made so by overcharged ammo. These are almost always handloads. Glocks are safe with any factory +P and +P+ ammo you will find on your dealers shelves. Don't let pictures that have nothing to do with your question, and were posted only for shock value, convince you otherwise.

machrism · October 29, 2010, 10:56 AM

True. THere was no proof that those pic's were from +P loads. I also have no reason to use the +P or variant in my Glock 30. I was just curous as to if I could get a straight answer and what you all thought. Looks like it sturred up things alittle bit.

Ozzieman · October 29, 2010, 11:48 AM

Machrism I don’t think you stirred up things at all. You asked an intelligent question and for the most part you got what I feel were intelligent answers. There is nothing wrong or unsafe using +P in your 30 as long as the gun is in good condition and maintained that way.
My point is that every time a question like this is asked photos of blown up guns appear out of thin air with no information.
Dave 85 said it better than I could. Thank you Dave85.l

booker_t · October 29, 2010, 01:01 PM

Your friend is wrong. He may or may not be an idiot to boot.

The fact that people have been shooting hot loads from Buffalo Bore and Double Tap and other "boutique" factory loaders through their Glocks in nearly every caliber available is evidence enough that they can handle the higher pressures.

My personally owned Glock 20 has successfully discharged 3,000+ samples of DoubleTap products; from 135gr Nosler JHP up to 200gr FMJ-FP. They pack some serious heat compared to your standard 100mm fun pills, like the PNC 175gr JHP.

I have shot the 230gr cast lead rounds through my Glock, and unless you enjoy cleaning your barrel extensively, I would stay away from them. I haven't noticed any issues from shooting that round, but it takes a bit more time and attention to detail to get a mirror-clean finish back to your bore. Not worth it to me, YMMV.

Silent Bob · October 29, 2010, 04:18 PM

All these posts when all that has to be said is "Yes, the Glock can handle +P ammunition". But the KB fanboys can never resist.

Trying to cook up anti-Tyrannosaur handloads that would make Elmer Keith exclaim "What the hell was that?!" at your reloading press for your Glock, especially with the factory barrel, not such a good idea.

October 23, 2010, 12:50 PM	#1
machrism Member Join Date: October 12, 2010 Posts: 39	Glocks safe to use with +P? I have heard that you have to get a hand gun built for +P but seem to hear alot of poeple who use them in the Glocks but have never seen a +P model made by them. Are these people that do it pushing the limits are what? My friend says Glocks are not made to handle it. What do you guys think?

October 26, 2010, 01:52 AM	#6
Eagle0711 Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2010 Posts: 782	All Seem To Agree I was told by Glock Customer Service that the guns would handle hot NATO and European ammo. I would'nt worry in the least.

October 26, 2010, 04:00 AM	#8
voyager4520 Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2009 Location: SE Colorado Posts: 840	In a 9mm Glock you can shoot 9mm Luger, +P, +P+, and 9mm NATO. 9mm Glocks were actually designed to be used with 9mm NATO which by SAAMI standards is +P. In a .45ACP Glock you can shoot +P but I don't think you can shoot .45 Super. For the other chamberings there are no SAAMI standards for +P because the way they look at it .357SIG, .40SW, 10mm, and .45GAP have a maximum pressure that SAAMI doesn't recommend exceeding. I wouldn't shoot any of these cartridges marked +P in a Glock. I don't know about the .380ACP Glocks. __________________ Glock 23,27

October 26, 2010, 04:35 PM	#9
chikinhammr Member Join Date: December 21, 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 23	+P? No problem. __________________ Chaz Murray NRA, SAF, USCCA, ARCCA Akansas CHCL, Utah CFP Mag-40 Live Oak, FL, Oct. 2010

October 27, 2010, 04:09 AM	#11
LanceOregon Junior member Join Date: May 10, 2008 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,774	Even the new XDm handguns can go KABOOM !! Glocks do tend to have the most spectacular Kabooms, though. Here is a 10mm Glock that had its barrel burst: Last edited by LanceOregon; October 27, 2010 at 04:17 AM.

October 23, 2010, 01:21 PM	#3
IMightBeWrong Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2009 Posts: 814	From what I understand, Glock pistols have always been built to handle +P loads but stopped advertising them as such to help cover themselves in case of litigation. Not sure if its true or not, but I've heard it from a couple of sources. Either way, Glock pistols should handle hot ammo no problem.

October 23, 2010, 03:21 PM	#4
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	There was a regular at our local club, who bought a bunch of military surplus 9mm for his Glock 17. And boy, did that stuff ever bark and recoil. It turned out to be machine gun rounds, lots hotter than pistol rounds. He used that stuff all the time without complaint, except for the extra hard primers that didn't always go off the first time. You probably needn't worry about +P ammo in your Glock.

October 24, 2010, 11:29 PM	#5
Mosin44az Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2006 Posts: 2,585	I've never had a problem with Plus-P ammo in any of my four Glocks. There is no +P in .40, but as noted that is a high-pressure caliber. I have shot Cor-bon in three of my Glocks with no problems.

October 26, 2010, 10:42 PM	#10
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	no problem shoot what ever +p you like

October 27, 2010, 04:23 AM	#12
NickW Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2008 Location: East Coast Posts: 242	Lance: Was that Glock 20 failure with factory or reloaded ammo? __________________ Any man who packs a big bore Sharps carbine could come in mighty handy, if we're attacked by buffalo... or elephants. - Rooster Cogburn

October 27, 2010, 04:44 AM	#13
machrism Member Join Date: October 12, 2010 Posts: 39	Damn. Those are some bad busts. Think I'll stay away from +P then.

October 27, 2010, 09:26 AM	#14
dnr1128 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Posts: 166	deleted Last edited by dnr1128; October 27, 2010 at 02:38 PM.

October 27, 2010, 02:16 PM	#15
Nakanokalronin Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2006 Posts: 1,066	You see kabooms with plastic guns more often since the plastic frames will give before steel does. On steel guns the kabooms usually mean bulged or split barrels with occasional slide damage. Its all about taking the path of least resistance and plastic has less resistance than steel. Lead is ok in Glocks to an extent but you need to clean it well afterwards. Those who don't, kaboom. The 10mm is a a caliber many will reload for and if not done right, kaboom. Any over pressured reloads and guess what,kaboom. Make a .40 caliber gun on 9mm components, eventual kaboom. Most of your LE agencies around the world use Glocks and factory ammo. If it was a plastic pistol problem they would not be used so widely as they are today. Last edited by Nakanokalronin; October 27, 2010 at 05:07 PM.

October 27, 2010, 03:54 PM	#16
Adam5 Member Join Date: September 13, 2006 Location: Metro Atlanta Posts: 39	"Damn. Those are some bad busts. Think I'll stay away from +P then." Those were not likely caused by +p or even +p+ ammo. They are normally caused by squibs or double charged reloads. __________________ "When I hold you in my arm, and feel my finger on your trigger, I know that no one can do me no harm. Because happiness is a warm gun. Yes, it is." The Beatles

October 27, 2010, 06:13 PM	#17
AK103K Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2001 Posts: 10,223	I shoot +P and +P+ out of all my Glock 9mm's on a fairly regular basis, and have never had an issue. I dont practice with them, but I do shoot probably 100 rounds or so of it a month.

October 28, 2010, 08:30 PM	#18
FreakGasolineFight Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2009 Location: Ohio. Posts: 634	If you like explosions, you can. It'd probably be all right to do with the 9mm models. __________________ "The CZ75 is made of win and longcats."--anonymous youtube comment

October 28, 2010, 09:28 PM	#19
ProjectCamaro Senior Member Join Date: July 27, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 230	+P ammo is fine out of a Glock. I'm a Glock armorer and Glock specifically told us that it's fine in our classes. If you were to have any problems just call Glock up and they'll fix your gun for you on their dime.

October 29, 2010, 07:02 AM	#20
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	Your friend is an idiot. +1 I hope this thread doesn’t start another photo war of who can come up with the most blown up plastic guns. I have a G26 that I have owned for 8 years. I carry only +p in the gun and every month I shoot the 10 rounds in the magazine I carry it in. That’s over 700 in that time and I know I shot numerous boxes of +p until I found what works best in the 26. Your friend is an idiot.

October 29, 2010, 10:56 AM	#22
machrism Member Join Date: October 12, 2010 Posts: 39	True. THere was no proof that those pic's were from +P loads. I also have no reason to use the +P or variant in my Glock 30. I was just curous as to if I could get a straight answer and what you all thought. Looks like it sturred up things alittle bit.

October 29, 2010, 11:48 AM	#23
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 6,117	Machrism I don’t think you stirred up things at all. You asked an intelligent question and for the most part you got what I feel were intelligent answers. There is nothing wrong or unsafe using +P in your 30 as long as the gun is in good condition and maintained that way. My point is that every time a question like this is asked photos of blown up guns appear out of thin air with no information. Dave 85 said it better than I could. Thank you Dave85.l

October 29, 2010, 01:01 PM	#24
booker_t Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2009 Posts: 797	Your friend is wrong. He may or may not be an idiot to boot. The fact that people have been shooting hot loads from Buffalo Bore and Double Tap and other "boutique" factory loaders through their Glocks in nearly every caliber available is evidence enough that they can handle the higher pressures. My personally owned Glock 20 has successfully discharged 3,000+ samples of DoubleTap products; from 135gr Nosler JHP up to 200gr FMJ-FP. They pack some serious heat compared to your standard 100mm fun pills, like the PNC 175gr JHP. I have shot the 230gr cast lead rounds through my Glock, and unless you enjoy cleaning your barrel extensively, I would stay away from them. I haven't noticed any issues from shooting that round, but it takes a bit more time and attention to detail to get a mirror-clean finish back to your bore. Not worth it to me, YMMV.

October 29, 2010, 04:18 PM	#25
Silent Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2005 Posts: 288	All these posts when all that has to be said is "Yes, the Glock can handle +P ammunition". But the KB fanboys can never resist. Trying to cook up anti-Tyrannosaur handloads that would make Elmer Keith exclaim "What the hell was that?!" at your reloading press for your Glock, especially with the factory barrel, not such a good idea.