Hornady Critical Defense 9mm 115gr FTX

[Joseph B.]

I am wondering what the thoughts are on this round, I've been using it in my G19 carry and my wife is using the same in her G26 carry. I've been using it for a little over a year, I've shot some ample game around my property with it and taken a few deer at around 20-25 yards. It seems to be pretty consistent on expansion (I.e. the bullet mushrooms every time). I have noticed some fragment and jacket-core separation, but penetration and wound cavity seem to be more than adequate on the few large animals I've shot with it.

Does anyone have any data on the round, testing, etc.?

Doc Roberts, I'd like to read your opinion on it as well.

I was using Gold Dot for several years, but this Critical Defense is more available and less expensive. I originally bought some to try out on some water jugs and phone books, ended up having trouble finding my normal carry ammo, and ran into a hell of a deal on 250 rds of the stuff, so I bought it. Now I am getting down to a 100 rds and deciding on to buy more or try something else.

Any input is appreciated...

Thanks.

[Clay]

I would stick to Gold Dots, or anything from DocGKR's list posted above. If I was going to use Hornady then I would go with Critical Duty. Just my opinion.

Try www.sgammo.com for carry ammo at a great price, and great service.

Here's some pretty good ammo tests - http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL727CAFF8A6C0D3BF

[DanH]

I've seen some videos from shootingthebull410 posted on another site that shows the Critical Defense doing better out of a short barrel than Critical Duty, i.e. the Critical Duty did not expand properly from the shorter barrel and therefore overpenetrated (in bare gel), while the Critical Defense fully expanded in both bare and 4 layer denim gel tests, although penetration was on the low end of the acceptable range at just over 12.5 inches I think it was.

How well calibrated the gel tests were I can't say, but it was interesting for short barrels.

[jkurtz7]

I just recently discovered the Shooting The Bull Youtube channel, and I think it's one of the better ammo testing Channels. I watched both the Critical Duty, and Critical Defense tests. Finally some good testing with a 3" barrel.

I don't think Critical Defense is the best thing out there, but I'm not adverse to using it. I did carry the Hornady Z-Max 9mm for a short time in the G26 I used to have. The short barrel results of C-Defense on STB were actually encouraging, and will certainly be an option for me in my M&P Shield once vetted with it. The Hornady is very easy to get right now, at least for me locally. HST, and RangerT are very hard to get around here.

Dan, on STB, he did one video on the two gels, and goes over his calibration.

[jwperry]

If I was living in New Jersey and was restricted against JHP, than sure. Otherwise, with the power of the internet, I'd search for what my guns prefer using. I've had good luck on gunbroker lately, buying case quantity, for HSTs the past 5 weeks.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I497 using Tapatalk

[TheTrevor]

The Hornady is very easy to get right now, at least for me locally. HST, and RangerT are very hard to get around here.

Respectfully, if you're restricting yourself to what you can procure locally for defense loads, you may want to rethink your ammo-acquisition strategies. I can completely understand buying FMJ ammo locally for convenience. Defense ammo, on the other hand, is generally expended in substantially smaller quantities and should be bought for effectiveness, not local availability.

In addition to Gunbroker, I find GunBot (http://gunbot.net) to be an excellent resource for sourcing ammo of all types.

[jkurtz7]

Respectfully, if you're restricting yourself to what you can procure locally for defense loads, you may want to rethink your ammo-acquisition strategies. I can completely understand buying FMJ ammo locally for convenience. Defense ammo, on the other hand, is generally expended in substantially smaller quantities and should be bought for effectiveness, not local availability.

In addition to Gunbroker, I find GunBot (http://gunbot.net) to be an excellent resource for sourcing ammo of all types.

I prefer to support my local shops these days, so I'll purchase my ammo the way I see fit, and keeping local people employed is important to me. I'm currently using Ranger RA9T that I pulled out of my SHTF stash, so I have "proper" ammo for carry.

Gold Dot, and Golden Saber can still be had locally, but Hornady C-Duty and C-Defense are always available here in good quantity. Now, I did say I didn't think it was the best available, but that I'm not totally adverse to using it, if I have to.

[Chuck Haggard]

It appears to be a good choice for people using short barreled 9mms, for personal defense or BUG use, who are recoil sensitive, and have no mission of perhaps shooting at suspects in cars.

I know a person with exactly such parameters, who has a big stash of 115gr WWB for practice, and has found the Critical Defense to give the same recoil and POA=POI characteristics as his practice ammo. Can't fault that reasoning.

I wouldn't want to carry it at work, but then I'd still be better off than when I was carrying Hydrashock or BPLE back in the day.

[Joseph B.]

I appreciate the input, I am going to grab a couple boxes of Critical Duty and HST, and do some backyard comparison to the Critical Defense. I've think I will stick with Critical Defense for my wifes G26 until I can get it away from her and do some testing on it as well.

Thanks again.

[buckskinjoe]

I am wondering what the thoughts are on this round, I've been using it in my G19 carry and my wife is using the same in her G26 carry. I've been using it for a little over a year, I've shot some ample game around my property with it and taken a few deer at around 20-25 yards. It seems to be pretty consistent on expansion (I.e. the bullet mushrooms every time). I have noticed some fragment and jacket-core separation, but penetration and wound cavity seem to be more than adequate on the few large animals I've shot with it.

Does anyone have any data on the round, testing, etc.?

Doc Roberts, I'd like to read your opinion on it as well.

I was using Gold Dot for several years, but this Critical Defense is more available and less expensive. I originally bought some to try out on some water jugs and phone books, ended up having trouble finding my normal carry ammo, and ran into a hell of a deal on 250 rds of the stuff, so I bought it. Now I am getting down to a 100 rds and deciding on to buy more or try something else.

Any input is appreciated...

Thanks.

Dr. Roberts has written his input re: Hornady ammunition. You must spend a little time finding it.

[Psychlone]

Shootingthebull410 has already said that in his testing he has found a better round than any of the Hornady's he just hasn't posted the results yet. He seems to be a fan of Gold Dots so I wouldn't be surprised if those make the cut.

[Chuck Haggard]

We already know that there are "better" loads in 9mm than the Critical Defense, proven through FBI spec testing, but almost all of those exhibit more recoil that the CD load does. Or a guy just can't find them available.

[campbed]

We already know that there are "better" loads in 9mm than the Critical Defense, proven through FBI spec testing, but almost all of those exhibit more recoil that the CD load does. Or a guy just can't find them available.

Not sure how something can be better than meeting the criteria (more than 12", less than 18" penetration).

YMWV based on barrel size.

Where do I go to see the "better" loads you mention. I'm also anxiously waiting STB's further videos.

I don't hesitate one second to carry Critical Defense in my 3" Beretta.

Given size matters, I'd be surprised there is one round that is "best" for any size barrel. Critical Defense meets criteria for 3", Critical Duty fails 3", but I'm sure meets criteria for other barrel lengths. I'm also sure Critical Defense fails with other non-3" barrel lengths.

tnoutdoors9 and his yeoman-level testing on our behalf are simply gems. BUT. He uses a Glock 19 4" barrel. If you use/carry something shorter like a 3" you might under penetrate, and something longer like a 5" you might over penetrate. You can't just take these type of videos at face value.

[jlw]

The Critical Defense is designed to quickly dump its energy on impact. According to Hornady, this works well on soft tissue and keeps it from punching through barriers (think walls, etc).

My personal preferences are the Federal HST and the Hornady Critical Duty as it turns out I'm a punching through barriers type of guy.

[Chuck Haggard]

Not sure how something can be better than meeting the criteria (more than 12", less than 18" penetration).

YMWV based on barrel size.

Where do I go to see the "better" loads you mention. I'm also anxiously waiting STB's further videos.

I don't hesitate one second to carry Critical Defense in my 3" Beretta.

Given size matters, I'd be surprised there is one round that is "best" for any size barrel. Critical Defense meets criteria for 3", Critical Duty fails 3", but I'm sure meets criteria for other barrel lengths. I'm also sure Critical Defense fails with other non-3" barrel lengths.

tnoutdoors9 and his yeoman-level testing on our behalf are simply gems. BUT. He uses a Glock 19 4" barrel. If you use/carry something shorter like a 3" you might under penetrate, and something longer like a 5" you might over penetrate.


Every load on Doc's list....;
http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?4337-Service-Caliber-Handgun-Duty-and-Self-Defense-Ammo

is "better" than the Critical Defense loading in purely terminal ballistics due to being able to pass the full battery of FBI testing. The CRitical Defense, in all of the other tests that I have seen, tends to penetrate into the shallow end of what we would like to see, 11-11.5" in my observation most of the time.

However, comma, one may not need the capability to pass the FBI auto glass testing as much as one needs a reliable low recoil load for a very small pistol. If that ammo happens to be the Critical Defense then it's not a bad choice IMHO. Certainly better than many other loads I have used in the past. I earlier noted that the CD tests better than Hydrashock or Federal's BPLE.

The casual test results seen on You Tube to not equate to validated gelatin testing. I don't dismiss those guys. I AM one of the go test it yourself guys in fact. I have talked to tnoutdoors, nice guy, does a good job, one of the few bright spots on YouTube.

[jlw]

However, comma, one may not need the capability to pass the FBI auto glass testing as much as one needs a reliable low recoil load for a very small pistol.


Exactly. There's a difference between somebody whose most likely scenarios involve shooting a burglar or a robber at the ATM versus someone making traffic stops, etc.

[Chuck Haggard]

Exactly. There's a difference between somebody whose most likely scenarios involve shooting a burglar or a robber at the ATM versus someone making traffic stops, etc.


Nothing Claude has carried in the past few years would pass an FBI testing, however I wouldn't want to be the guy trying to mug him either.

[jlw]

Nothing Claude has carried in the past few years would pass an FBI testing, however I wouldn't want to be the guy trying to mug him either.

Claude has a good watch dog nearby. He doesn't need to worry about burglars...

[campbed]

What a wealth of knowledge and info. Thanks.

His focus is service use. The OP seemed to lean toward carry self defense for he and his wife. As all have said, what you are using it for is key (and I maintain [[as does the data]] so is barrel length you are using). For me, it is carry/self-defense with 3".

Everyone here is ahead of the curve simply because thought is being put into it.

Thanks.