Can I use .45 ACP +P ammo in a normal .45 ACP?

Question

Im looking at buying a S&W1911 .45 ACP and was wondering if +P and normal .45 ACP ammo were interchangeble.

Answer 1

There is absolutely nothing wrong with using 45ACP+P in a conventional 45AUTO. They are made to handle 45+P along with the standard pressure ammuntion. As a matter of fact, your gun will operate more reliably with +P than reduced velocity target loads. Remanufactured and/or reloaded reduced velocity loads sometimes require a lighter non-factory recoil spring. Factory automatics come with recoil springs that handle both standard and +p rated ammuntion. If you want to, you can upgrade the recoil spring weight or use a shock buffer when shooting +p muntions. The only .45ACP ammo that you should NOT use in your gun is .45Super. This ammunition looks like your average 45ACP or 45ACP+P but it is HOT and only guns that are specifically rated for 45Super should be used. However, this .45Super ammo is not as common and you don't readily find it at most shops (and definitely not at the big box stores).

Answer 2

For most modern .45 ACP guns, they can take .45 ACP +P with ease. For example, there exist drop-in kits for the better M1911-pattern guns (including that S&W you're looking at) that will allow one to fire .460 Rowland, which punches a 230 grain bullet at 1350 ft/sec.

Now note that I said "most," not "all." Some cheap foreign-made clones don't have hard enough steel to withstand the extra battering that a steady diet of +P ammo would bring, and old GI-style M1911s were spot-hardened, and shouldn't be fed anything but plain-Jane 230 grain ball. And some carbines chambered for .45 ACP, like the excellent and sadly-discontinued Marlin Camp Carbine, were designed to cycle with standard-pressure .45 ACP ammo and +P ammo will tend to overwhelm the plastic recoil buffer and weak recoil springs of these guns.

Answer 3

45 Acp P

Answer 4

The Smith is a modern handgun. Blast away! The gun is built to take it. Try some Cor-Bon. Powerful ammo and accurate, too.
These other answers are talking about older guns and most all of them will shoot +p ammo, too. The .45ACP cartridge isn't very powerful or fast as it was. It shoots a big heavy bullet at (usually) near 900 fps. A big slow moving bullet hits hard and stops an attacker now. Boom and he's down and not wanting any more.

Answer 5

You will have no problem shooting +P ammo in your S&W1911.

All high quality 1911 type weapons are built well enough to handle the extra 100 or so feet per second.

My concealed carry Kimber Pro CDP is always loaded with Hornady .45 ACP+P 230 gr. HP/XTP's and they are always in Wilson 47D magazines.

Answer 6

Yes. The S&W 1911 will handle the load with no problem other than a bit more recoil and muzzle blast.

Answer 7

1. where did you hear of +P for .45 never heard of it and I have been shooting for thirty and hand loading for 10 yrs .38+p yes

2. todays steel, and gun construction is very good. the chance of over pressure is slim with store bought ammo. Insurance Companys frown on ammo that blows up your gun.

3. for hi performance ammo buy Cor-Bon

4 Screw S&W Buy Para Ordanance P13-P14
14 rounds of .45 I have been shooting .45 for thirty years and they are the best shooting "out of the box" .45 I have ever shot
I have had Smiths, Rugers Colts, Colt costums none compair

5. To make my point, my loading manual 1997 add. has for max .45 load of 5 grans bullseye My 1983 add. lists max load at 6.2 same powder Less lawsuits

6. You can shoot some very hot loads without blowing your gun up it just beats the crap out of them, reducing the life

Answer 8

Careful there my friend - in addition to the dangers of using a +P load in a non +P firearm - in many states it is illegal for civilians to use law enforcement rated ammo. Make sure this is legal in your State.

And if so....get the +P rated .45, or you could lose half your face and maybe your life.

Good hunting.....

Answer 9

No, your 45 pistol has to be rated for +P.

The pressure of +P ammo is higher, you can blow the barrel and injure yourself. I have seen a blown barrel my friend was just lucky that he didn't get injured.

But you can use regular ammo on a +P rated pistol.

Answer 10

Sure, if you're not particularly attached to the fingers of your shooting hand. Plus P ammo is only for arms rated Plus P. You can use standard or +P in a firearm marked for +P, but a firearm not so marked can only use standard ammo.