You're most likely going to be using a hollow point, regardless of whether it is loaded to +P pressures or not. You have to get that important distinction into your head. Hollow point is a bullet type, abbreviated as "JHP" for "Jacketed Hollow Point." The term +P refers to the pressure generated by the cartridge when it fires a larger than normal load of powder. A +P, or +P+ load has more gunpowder in it, and will generate higher pressures, and therefore higher bullet velocities, than the same bullet loaded over a standard load of powder.Teamless wrote:Shorty, thanks,
I am asking about the +P and Hollow point for defensive only, not range time.
It's like your asking "should I put high octane gas or bananas in my car's gas tank?" ...when you should either be asking if high octane gas is preferable to low octane gas, or asking whether bananas are better than apples. The two categories are really unrelated.
Now, if you want to know whether to carry +P 9mm ammo or not, begin by assuming that you'll be carrying hollow points, regardless of whether they are +P or not, and then ask yourself whether or not you really think you need the higher velocity of a +P round. That's a call only you can make. Just be aware that shooting them is harder on your gun, and they tend to be less pleasant to shoot for practice purposes.
I only use +P ammo in one of my guns, and that is a S&W 642, because the .38 Special cartridge is a little bit anemic compared to some other cartridges — particularly in a 1-7/8" barrel — and therefore a +P load is likely to perform better. OTH, all my other carry guns are in .45 ACP, and while +P ammo would probably make them more lethal, standard pressure cartridges with proper bullet design and plenty lethal already in that caliber, and they don't beat the gun up.