High pressure ammo

Question
Dear Kyle,
I want to know how can u make difference between the handguns which can fire the high pressure ammo (+P) and the others? The polymer pistols can shoot the +P ammo? I look at many handguns on the internet but i dont see how can u make the difference. If a handgun has a steel frame that means automatically that this gun can fire the +P ammo?
Thank you.
Your fan, Andy.

Answer
Andy,

Most modern handguns from big-name companies like Glock, Smith & Wesson, Beretta, Sig, etc. can safely fire +P cartridges, although you'd do best to contact individual manufacturers to make sure they OK +P ammo for specific models.

Autos with all-steel frames are becoming more and more rare, though some are still out there and, as much as I hate to assume anything, one can safely assume a gun like the S&W 5906 can fire +P ammo (again, I'd call to make sure).

Revolvers with steel frames can certainly fire +P ammo. When S&W first introduced their AirWeight .38 Specials, they didn't recommend them for +P ammo. Then they spent over a year torture-testing their guns with the stuff and later revised their position, indicating the AirWeights were safe to use with +P. Now, they've got really high-tech scandium/titanium/aluminum alloys that can safely handle the blast of a .357 Magnum in a J-frame revolver.

Unfortunately, manufacturers don't come right out and say whether or not their guns are recommended for +P, probably for legal reasons. To be on the safe side, I'd call or email a manufacturer before firing a +P out of an automatic, as you'd want to make sure the return spring and slide stop are strong enough to handle the extra pressure.

With revolvers there is less to worry about as they're inherently stronger than autos and excess gas bleeds out of the gap between the cylinder and forcing cone.

With autos, unless the barrel has an unsupported chamber, there's no place for excess gas to escape. Even with the unsupported chamber, that excess gas is diverted downward, meaning it's going to blow the magazine out of the gun with force. I've heard of this being especially problematic among Ruger automatics.

So, the short answer would be: With steel framed revolvers from names you trust, you can likely fire +Ps with little worry (though again, I'd call first). With autos, I'd definitely call first just to be safe. I've even heard of an instance where the mighty Desert Eagle came apart when too hot a load was used, so, I figure, better safe than sorry.

You know the drill by now, feel free to ask if you've any other questions. Sorry I couldn't help you more with your crossbow question.

Kyle