Beretta 92 with +P+ ammo?

[VinVega]

I know that Beretta doesn't suggest using +P or +P+ ammo but many articles I've read said that they'd handle them just fine. Does anyone have any experience shooting them from their Berettas? Is it possible that using them simply for defense and NOTHING else is safe, while using only normal power rounds for practice. I would think as solidly built as a Beretta 92 is, that shooting them would be fine. It seems no autoloading company I've found suggests use of +P+ ammo even though I see the ammo itself on shelves everywhere. Thanks.

[bh0961]

I would put a heavier recoil spring in your 92 if you want to shoot +P+ ammo. I remember seeing a website somewhere that listed different 9mm pistols that can handle the +P+ ammo, I'll see if I can find it for you.

[PlasticGuy]

It's designed for use with NATO ammo, which is the equivalent of +P+ ammo. It will theoretically increase wear, but shouldn't damage anything. Mine has 6000 rounds through it with 300-400 of them being +P+ 115 grain Federal. It's doing fine, with no real wear at all, and I'm just using a factory weight recoil spring.

[Glockdude1]

The new beretta's have a new "falling block" that is made of a very hard ordnance steel, which allows the use of +P+ loads to be fired much safer. If you plan on shooting +P+ ammo alot, you might as well get a .357 sig. It is a 9mm moving at +P+ speed with out the worry about damaging the 9mm pistol.

;N

[moeman]

I wouldn't shoot Hirtenberger +P+ or any unknown +P+ because a lot of it is made w/ a blow back submachine gun in mind and they don't have a locking mechanism. These rounds are too hot for ANY pistol in my mind--too much wear!

BTW, I thought NATO spec is +P not +P+.

Beretta qualifies for NATO spec so that's not a problem.

Your mileage will vary with what you do shoot--so I'd say go easy on the hard hitting stuff for your average day at the range.

[Quake Guy]

well +P really isn't an established spec, but typical loads are at or exceeding NATO spec. by a small margin. I would have no problems shooting these in a Beretta M92.

Now Hirtenberger is around +P++... you probably shouldn't shoot these in any handgun, but I have done so in Glocks. I know someone who shot these in a an early Beretta 92 and did so without injury, but I wouldn't recommend it.

[splashdown]

Originally posted by Glockdude1
The new beretta's have a new "falling block" that is made of a very hard ordnance steel, which allows the use of +P+ loads to be fired much safer.

I don't believe any changes have been made to the steel that the locking block is made out of. The design of the block itself has changed slightly to relieve stress areas which makes it last longer 30000+ rounds. But still, you're going to be battering an aluminum frame with these +P+ rounds and it really isn't worth it.

[isuzu]

Can you upgrade your early-model Beretta 92F or Taurus PT-92's locking block to the new series without modifications?

Also, are the locking blocks on stainless Beretta pistols made of stainless steel also?

[PlasticGuy]

Originally posted by isuzu
1) Can you upgrade your early-model Beretta 92F or Taurus PT-92's locking block to the new series without modifications?

2) Also, are the locking blocks on stainless Beretta pistols made of stainless steel also?
1) I've been told yes, by my Beretta armorer. He said that if the pistol had already been shot quite a bit, some smooting of the frame where the locking block hits it might be necessary to accomodate it. I got the newest version in mine from the factory, so I haven't had to test the theory.

2) No, or at least mine isn't.

[isuzu]

Originally posted by PlasticGuy
1) I've been told yes, by my Beretta armorer. He said that if the pistol had already been shot quite a bit, some smooting of the frame where the locking block hits it might be necessary to accomodate it. I got the newest version in mine from the factory, so I haven't had to test the theory.

2) No, or at least mine isn't.

Thanks!:)

[FatBoy]

Originally posted by VinVega
I know that Beretta doesn't suggest using +P or +P+ ammo but many articles I've read said that they'd handle them just fine. Does anyone have any experience shooting them from their Berettas? Is it possible that using them simply for defense and NOTHING else is safe, while using only normal power rounds for practice. I would think as solidly built as a Beretta 92 is, that shooting them would be fine. It seems no autoloading company I've found suggests use of +P+ ammo even though I see the ammo itself on shelves everywhere. Thanks.

ME ST police use to use 92's before they switched to HK USP 45. They used Fed 9bple +P+ 115gr for about 10 years, never heard of any failures.

Many other LEO agencies use +p or +p+ ammo in their weapons.

As others have said M9's are used by our military @ 9mmNATO pressure levels.

It will put more wear and tear on your gun as compares to standard pressure ammo.

FB