Hornady Critical Defense ammunition

I saw over at Guns Holsters and Gear that Hornady will be selling a new line of ammunition next year (2009) that is specifically designed for civilian self defense and for use in common carry handguns.

The line is called “Critical Defense” and will be available in .380 ACP, .38 Special, .38 Special + P and 9mm Parabellum.

Picture 59
A Critical Defense round

A common argument against hollow points is that when they are fired through heavy clothing the hollow point can clog up with fabrics and then act as a FMJ round. The Critical Defense bullets feature a hollow point with a rubber insert (same material as the Flex Tip used on the Hornady LEVERevolution ammunition) which prevents the bullet clogging up with fabric and allow controlled reliable expansion.

The idea of putting something in a hollow point to prevent it being clogged up with fabric or, in the case of hunting ammunition, fur, is not a new idea. It will be interesting to see if the Flex Tip material improves on this idea.

Another useful feature of this line is decrease muzzle flash.

For each type of cartridge and load the bullet has been individually designed for maximum performance.

Product video:

More info at Guns Holsters and Gear and Hornady.

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Steve Nov 16th 2008 ammunition, handguns Tags: , , , , , , , , 6 Comments

6 Responses to “Hornady Critical Defense ammunition”

  1. Dannyon 17 Nov 2008 at 1:53 am link comment

    Sounds good enough for me. I’ll try to buy a couple of boxes when they become available.

  2. Blake Sobiloffon 17 Nov 2008 at 6:37 am link comment

    Pretty interesting, but I wonder how it compares with the Glaser Pow’RBall? Similar idea but a different execution.

  3. HowardCohodason 20 Nov 2008 at 12:37 am link comment

    The first listing for distribution in the retail channel that I’ve found is MidwayUSA. You can’t order it, but you can sign up for email notification.

    Price: $18.49 for 25
    Date Expected In-Stock: 11/27/2008

    http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=352263&t=11082005

    Product Spec Sheet: http://www.hornady.com/images/sell_sheets/09-critical_defense.pdf

    Guns & Ammo article: http://gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/Critical+Defense?packedargs=pagenum%3D2

  4. Steveon 20 Nov 2008 at 8:46 am link comment

    HowardCohodas, thanks for the links.

  5. TURNzon 16 Dec 2008 at 2:29 am link comment

    I wonder if it will ever be available in 45ACP?

  6. Don Matherneon 22 Apr 2009 at 1:14 pm link comment

    I purchased your Critical Defense ammo in cal. .380,38 Special +P and 9mm. Will you offer this ammo in .40 cal.?

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