Hey guys,
Has Doc or anyone reputable done any testing on the 9mm 135gr Hornady Critical Duty yet? (did a search, all the posts were pretty old)
I found 50 round boxes for a good price and I was thinking of picking some up since I cant find any of my normal load the 124+p GD right now.
Searched for info related to the Hornady “Critical Duty” and found this 2 month old OP with no answers…uh, maybe that’s the answer. However, I am interested in learning about any credible info on Critical Duty" Anybody?
There are a couple of good YouTube videos posted up by one of the guys who writes for Mouseguns, the general conclusion on the Critical Duty is that it seems to work as advertised, no better or worse than any of the other suggested duty loads.
This is not official or scientific testing, though, based on Doc’s basic standards.
Hornady publishes some ballistic testing data on their LE website. They have supplied additional data to LE/gov customers on request. These are obviously not independent testing, but they are useful.
Thank you Skintop911…I appreciate the link.
I remember seeing Dick Metcalf on G@A talking w/a rep showing the difference in this to Critical Defense. If it works like it should I have no idea why anyone would buy Critical Def. or why Hornady would keep making it when they have a clear replacement.
If it works like it should I have no idea why anyone would buy Critical Def. or why Hornady would keep making it when they have a clear replacement.
Lower recoil for the more sensitive shooter.
Keith
Maybe they have a crap load of old components ?
I remember seeing Dick Metcalf on G@A talking w/a rep showing the difference in this to Critical Defense. If it works like it should I have no idea why anyone would buy Critical Def. or why Hornady would keep making it when they have a clear replacement.
Critical Defense is “designed” by Hornady for shooting bad guys “in the open” where no light barrier material (e.g., automotive sheetmetal, windshield glass, sheetrock, etc.) is anticipated. In addition it’s designed to be fired from smaller “concealed carry” type handguns. It typically penetrates less than 12".
Critical Duty is specifically designed to be fired from duty sized handguns and pass all eight FBI ammunition tests. Its lead core is harder than Critical Defense and may not perform well when fired from smaller “concealed carry” type pistols.
One of the selling points to the Defense loads is a low recoil load that still expands in heavy clothing testing. A worthy goal for a defensive load to have.
One would be hard pressed to get a .380 or .38 non +P snub load to pass the FBI testing in other areas.
I just bought some more critical defense last week.
From my limited tests it has the exact same recoil and muzzle flip as the cheap 115 gr. Winchester white box I have stockpiled.
So I can train for cheap, and keep the Glock loaded at home with something much better than an FMJ.
I see no reason to stray from Docs list. Plus there are loads like Speer Gold Dot 124gr non +P that are fairly low recoil and still make the cut.
Its funny how we never traded a little bit of freedom of religion after the Jonestown Massacre.
What about short barrel load tech. for 9/40/45? And for .380 I would be fine with FMJ considering most .380’s are pocket/short barrel.
I know that this is an old thread but the powers that be, against my recommendation, just ordered Hornady Critical Duty 175gr .40S&W as our duty load for the next year or two.
Does anyone have any real world data for this ammo? I know it’s not bonded and I know it’s not the 180gr HSTs that I requested…
DocGKR has tested this round, as have others. YouTube has some videos. I don’t believe it fared well compared to the other .40 rounds on his list, so it didn’t make his list of recommended rounds. Its seems to over penetrate because the expansion is minimal. Maybe you can get them to reconsider.
here’s the link to some testing on this round:
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?7205-New-Service-Caliber-Handgun-Tests
And here:
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?8862-DocGKR-40-S-amp-W-caliber-Favorites/page2
My department uses 180gr GD. We don’t even have a hornady distributor in MA so its not on state contract here, unlike federal/speer and winchester which both are for us to purchase.
Here are some critical duty rounds thru bare gel, from left to right is .45acp 40s&w and 9mm bottom row is federal HST for comparison…
Thanks for the replies fellas.
We currently have 180gr GDHPs but this is what happens when Admin talks to salesmen…
I feel we are going backwards with this one.
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Just picked up two boxes today, glad to see this post!
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