.45 ACP +P ammo use question ?

WIN1886 · November 21, 2012, 09:57 PM

I now have two .45 semi auto pistols ( S&W 4506 and SIG P220 Match Elite ) that I would like to use +P ammo when desired in at least one of them and not sure which one would handle it the best ! The SIG manual says that occasional use of +P ammo is okay but the pistol could require service more often ! I do not know what is recommended for the S&W 4506 as far as it needing a beefier recoil spring and or buffer to shoot +P ammo ! I do not plan on shooting +P ammo as a steady diet in any pistol but just when it might come in handy like for hunting loads ! Anyway, does anyone have experience using +P ammo in either of these models ? Thanks !

chris in va · November 21, 2012, 10:39 PM

Occasional use of +p isn't going to be a problem. +p+, well...

481 · November 21, 2012, 11:35 PM

I own copies of both and either of those pistols (4506, P220) is up to a fairly steady diet of +P ammunition.

jackpine · November 21, 2012, 11:56 PM

the 4506 is the more stout of the two but either way you should be fine

WIN1886 · November 22, 2012, 09:22 PM

Interesting , would you say the 4506 is more robust than your typical 1911 ? Anyway , it is a used pistol and I will replace the recoil spring for sure ! After some research , I see the stock recoil spring is 14 lb but you can get Wolff extra power recoil springs......should I opt for maybe a 16 lb recoil spring or is the stock 14 lb version enough for occasional + P ammo use ? I thought of replacing the aluminum guide rod with a stainless steel version but can't find a source that has them available....in fact , I don't think S&W even offers the stock aluminum guide rod anymore ! I'm not saying the one in my pistol looks damaged but I sure hope they still have parts available for the 4506 !

Warrior1256 · November 23, 2012, 01:23 PM

Never tried +P in .45. Can a Glock 21 handle these loads? I also have a S & W 4506. Will try +P in it.

insaneranger · November 23, 2012, 06:44 PM

I've shot plenty of 45 +p out of my Beretta & it handles it easily & I have no doubts that your 4506 & P220 are both beefy enough to handle it too. If you have concerns you might want to get a heavier recoil spring, but unless you're putting a couple thousand rounds of +p through them, you shouldn't have any issues. My USP 45 is the only pistol I'm comfortable with using a steady diet of +p+ & I've never had an issue. Even as good quality as the SIG & S&W are, I wouldn't recommend much +p+ unless you upgrade some springs.

November 21, 2012, 09:57 PM	#1
WIN1886 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 604	.45 ACP +P ammo use question ? I now have two .45 semi auto pistols ( S&W 4506 and SIG P220 Match Elite ) that I would like to use +P ammo when desired in at least one of them and not sure which one would handle it the best ! The SIG manual says that occasional use of +P ammo is okay but the pistol could require service more often ! I do not know what is recommended for the S&W 4506 as far as it needing a beefier recoil spring and or buffer to shoot +P ammo ! I do not plan on shooting +P ammo as a steady diet in any pistol but just when it might come in handy like for hunting loads ! Anyway, does anyone have experience using +P ammo in either of these models ? Thanks !

November 21, 2012, 11:35 PM	#3
481 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2011 Posts: 540	I own copies of both and either of those pistols (4506, P220) is up to a fairly steady diet of +P ammunition. __________________ QUANTITATIVE AMMUNITION SELECTION

November 21, 2012, 10:39 PM	#2
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Occasional use of +p isn't going to be a problem. +p+, well...

November 21, 2012, 11:56 PM	#4
jackpine Senior Member Join Date: November 24, 2010 Posts: 351	the 4506 is the more stout of the two but either way you should be fine

November 22, 2012, 09:22 PM	#5
WIN1886 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 604	Interesting , would you say the 4506 is more robust than your typical 1911 ? Anyway , it is a used pistol and I will replace the recoil spring for sure ! After some research , I see the stock recoil spring is 14 lb but you can get Wolff extra power recoil springs......should I opt for maybe a 16 lb recoil spring or is the stock 14 lb version enough for occasional + P ammo use ? I thought of replacing the aluminum guide rod with a stainless steel version but can't find a source that has them available....in fact , I don't think S&W even offers the stock aluminum guide rod anymore ! I'm not saying the one in my pistol looks damaged but I sure hope they still have parts available for the 4506 !

November 23, 2012, 01:23 PM	#6
Warrior1256 Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2012 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 156	Never tried +P in .45. Can a Glock 21 handle these loads? I also have a S & W 4506. Will try +P in it.

November 23, 2012, 06:44 PM	#7
insaneranger Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2011 Posts: 208	I've shot plenty of 45 +p out of my Beretta & it handles it easily & I have no doubts that your 4506 & P220 are both beefy enough to handle it too. If you have concerns you might want to get a heavier recoil spring, but unless you're putting a couple thousand rounds of +p through them, you shouldn't have any issues. My USP 45 is the only pistol I'm comfortable with using a steady diet of +p+ & I've never had an issue. Even as good quality as the SIG & S&W are, I wouldn't recommend much +p+ unless you upgrade some springs.