[TGS]

Hirtenberger L7A1?

That's SMG ammo. Its chamber pressure is about that of a 9mm proof load.

 

[TGS]

Yeah that's the stuff. It worked fine out of the pistol but was worried to shoot it. Can it be had?

Sure, you could probably find some on gunbroker or possibly at a gunshow.

It may have worked fine, but dude, you were playing with fire. Commercial "+p+" meant for pistols such as 9BPLE or RA9TA have chamber pressures under 42,000psi. L7A1 is like 55,000.

Frankly, you're lucky not to have a disfigured face or missing fingers.

 

[TGS]

TGS, thanks for the input. I wasn't sure how Ho it was nor was aware that it was made for sub guns. I won't be shooting it out of my P7 any longer. I only shot one mag. I'll use it out of the department MP5. Thanks again TGS

I would be wary of doing that, too. HK beefed up the MP5, calling it the MP5F (F=French) in preparation for a contract of 35,000 units for the French, who used extremely hot 9mm ammo around that of a proof load. This can be found on HKPRO's "The World of HK" MP5 article.

According to other uncited sources around the net, the L7A1 was NOT designed for use with the Sterling in Arctic conditions. It was used by the British MoD in MP5's, and after 1992 they switched to using lower pressure L12A1. Given the development of the MP5F for similarly loaded cartridges of around 50,000+psi, we can reason it was because of breakages.

So, unless you want to be held responsible by your department for the abuse of a service weapon, I'd refrain from firing it out of an issue MP5.

Maybe G3Kurz can chime in and offer some first hand knowledge.

 

[TGS]

Thanks for all the insight TGS and Veto 11, I always liked the Geco stuff it worked great and was always reliable. I had some in 9mm and 32acp. wish I could find it again. I will make sure I don't use that stuff in my pistols anymore. I am wondering if the H&K P30 can handle it. I only have one box left of the stuff. I was amazed at the accuracy of it too bad its hot. Veto have any of the pistols using this Hirtenberger ammo at that time have had any other damage except for the pins breaking or have there been barrels blown up or pistols severally damaged?

Not a P30, but...

When the US Navy issued Beretta 92's in the early 80's to NSW before it was modified into the 92FS pattern and adopted as the M9 JSP, they were using 9mm ammo with a chamber pressure of around 50,000psi. They had slides fly off the frames into the face of a few shooters. Subsequently, Beretta made changes to the design, but the military also corrected their ammunition choices.

Also, if you like high velocity stuff check out these offerings. They will all be safe and not cause excessive wear in your P30:
Buffalo Bore, 124gr JHP at 1300fps or 115gr JHP at 1400fps
DoubleTap with an 80gr SCHP at 1500fps(?)
Winchester's Ranger-T 127gr +p+, this is the only one proven to meet the FBI/IWBA standards
Federal's 9BPLE, 115gr +p+ JHP

If you want GECO again, keep your eyes out at Ammotogo.com. I've ordered a few thousand rounds of GECO from them. They haven't had it in stock for the last month or so, but they usually seem to restock it in time.

 

[TGS]

Says right in the ad that FL is good for semi-automatic pistols. 280Mpa is about 40,600psi, so it's similar pressure to other commercial loads like Ranger-T 127gr +p+ (42,000psi, IIRC). Thanks for that ad, xm177!

Do you know if this is what you shot, or was it L7A1?