Critical Duty 9mm Barrier Penetration Test

Published on July 22, 2013
Duration: 9:38

This review tests Hornady Critical Duty 9mm 135gr ammunition's barrier penetration. While it performed well through wood, its performance through 16-gauge steel was less impressive than expected, with significant deformation and reduced penetration. Comparative tests with ball and Speer Gold Dot ammunition suggest Gold Dot may be superior for certain barrier types.

Quick Summary

Hornady Critical Duty 9mm 135gr ammunition penetrated 21 inches through wood but only 9 inches through 16-gauge steel, deforming significantly. This performance was less than expected and inferior to 147gr Speer Gold Dot through the steel barrier.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Critical Duty 9mm Test
  2. 01:52Wood Barrier Penetration Test
  3. 02:58Steel Barrier Penetration Test
  4. 04:01Comparison: Ball & Gold Dot vs. Critical Duty
  5. 07:25Conclusion: Critical Duty vs. Gold Dot for Barriers

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Hornady Critical Duty 9mm perform through a wood barrier?

The Hornady Critical Duty 9mm 135gr ammunition easily penetrated a 3/4-inch wood barrier, achieving nearly 21 inches of penetration in ballistic gel and showing minimal deformation.

What was the penetration of Hornady Critical Duty 9mm through steel?

Through 16-gauge sheet metal, the Critical Duty 9mm 135gr only penetrated about 9 inches into ballistic gel, with the bullet heavily deforming and weighing significantly less after impact.

How does Hornady Critical Duty compare to Speer Gold Dot for barrier penetration?

In this test, the 147-grain Speer Gold Dot 9mm demonstrated superior barrier penetration through steel compared to the Hornady Critical Duty 135gr, which struggled with the steel barrier.

Is Hornady Critical Duty 9mm suitable for self-defense against barriers?

While effective through wood, its limited penetration through 16-gauge steel suggests it may not be the optimal choice for self-defense scenarios involving vehicle doors or similar barriers, where heavier loads like Gold Dot might perform better.

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