+p ammo question

[Shield06]

Hello new to forum from NY. I was wondering i just bought a m&p shield today and was wondering if it is +p. and another question is what dose +p mean and whats the diffrence between +p and +p+. i use hornadys zombie max and critical defense ammo. I cant find any +p rating on the box so idk what it is. Appreciate the help i can get im new to handguns and just got my CCW. Thanks

[Sir Diealotz]

Don't let Bloomberg know that you have an "evil" firearm lol :

Welcome to USA carry

[B2Tall]

Read your owners manual to determine if your pistol is rated for +p. You should do that in any case. Don't rely on second-hand knowledge for a safety issue like that.

For your other question click on the link below. I used a couple of internet resources called "Google" and "Wikipedia".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overpressure_ammunition

[Kingolis]

Always check with the manufacture's manual. The wrong ammo can do serious damage to your pistol and/or you.

Here is what I found in the manual on their website.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore...04-02-2012.pdf
On page 11 it states...

“Plus-P” (+P) ammunition generates pressures in excess of the
pressures associated with standard ammunition. Such pressures
may affect the wear characteristics or exceed the margin of safety. Use of “Plus-P” ammunition may result in the need for more
frequent service.

“Plus-P-Plus” (+P+) ammunition must not be used in Smith &
Wesson firearms. This marking on the ammunition designates that
it exceeds established industry standards, but the designation
does not represent defined pressure limits and therefore such
ammunition may vary significantly as to the pressures generated
and could be DANGEROUS.

The difference between +P and +P+ (overpressure ammo) <WikiPedia is not always the best place to find information like this, but they have a good write up on this particular subject.>
Overpressure ammunition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[goodnews]

Best thing is to find out the pressures your gun is rated for, and the pressure the ammo you want to use has. Don't rely on labels.

[Shield06]

I looked the owners manual and i couldnt find it. And the ammo i use says nothing about +p or +p+. im new to pistols like i said so today is the first time iv hurd of plus p. dose every ammo have a rating? I shoot hornady and i shoot it because i read a review in a magazine said the gun shot great with it so thats what i shoot it with. Was just at the range and the ammo shot fine

[goodnews]

Every ammo sold does have a rating. A little research will find it if it is not printed on the box. Usually just contact the ammo company. Also contact the gun manufacturer and ask them for the guns safe pressure rating, plus ammo recommendations. Sadly this info is not obvious and has to be looked for, but is not hard to find.

[goodnews]

My preference is toward revolvers, which are not so ammunition sensitive, but the pressures still have to be within tolerance.

[Dustin Schaub]

Hornady is pretty good about labeling their ammo. That said, i don't believe any of their z-max or critical defense is +p, you should be good to go.

[Rhino]

I looked the owners manual and i couldnt find it.

According to this site, the manual says +p is okay, but +p+ is not.

9mm M&P Shield Owners - is it rated for +p and/or +p+ - Glock Talk

And the Smith & Wesson forums have threads on using +p loads in Shields.

+P 9mm in a M&P Shield?

Gunblast tested it with +p

Smith & Wesson* M&P Shield Sub-Compact 9x19mm Semi-Auto Pistol