Quote Originally Posted by DocGKR View Post
There is a logical and rational purpose for agencies to use +P .45 ACP ammo, as previously discussed back in 2003:



Note: Since the above was written in 2003, I have switched to using the Federal HST +P JHP (P45HST1) for duty/carry and standard pressure 230 gr FMJ for practice.

It is very important to be aware that .45 ACP +P loadings can cause increased wear on pistols. Keep the +P pressures at the lower end of the spectrum (875-925 fps for a 230 gr bullet fired from a 5” barrel) and increased pistol wear is not a significant issue. Unfortunately, with the erroneous idea that faster is better, many of the .45 ACP +P 230 gr loadings seem to be running hotter these days than they originally did--loads at the hotter end of the pressure range (925-975 fps for a 230 gr bullet fired from a 5” barrel) are not uncommon. High pressures like this will accelerate wear and cause damage to pistols, particularly 1911's.

I would STRONGLY suggest that agencies purchasing large quantities of ammo should specify in the contract the velocity range (along with terminal performance standards) they will accept--if the average velocity (as well as performance parameters) is outside that allowed by the contract, then they should reject the entire lot of ammo and make the vendor replace it with ammo that meets the required specification.

Personally I am quite satisfied running .45 ACP +P JHP's at velocities up to 925 fps out of a 5" barrel; I would NOT choose to use loads running hotter than this...
Thanks for the info. I am running an M&P45 as well. Out of curiosity, what parts see the most wear from high-pressure rounds? How would one identify any excesive wear and/or issues with said parts.

I would like to be able to identify any potential wear/breakage issues that may occur. Thanks.