OFF Duty!...Hornady Critical Duty vs Defense .45 ACP Self-Defense Ballistic Gel AMMO Test!

Published on November 1, 2024
Duration: 13:39

This expert-level analysis compares Hornady Critical Duty and Critical Defense .45 ACP ammunition through ballistic gel testing, utilizing a Glock 30 Gen 4 with a short barrel. The test provides real-world velocity and penetration data, offering insights into the performance of these self-defense rounds under specific conditions. The speaker, an experienced firearms instructor, highlights the trade-offs between expansion and penetration for each load.

Quick Summary

In a ballistic gel test with a Glock 30 Gen 4, Hornady Critical Defense .45 ACP (185gr FTX) averaged 974 ft/s and penetrated 14.25 inches with significant expansion. Hornady Critical Duty +P (220gr Flex Lock) averaged 946 ft/s and achieved deeper penetration of around 21 inches, with less expansion.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Range Setup and Introduction
  2. 00:35Test Setup and Barrier
  3. 00:45Hornady Critical Duty Details
  4. 01:58Hornady Critical Defense Details
  5. 02:37Test Firearm
  6. 02:48Critical Defense Velocity Test
  7. 04:33Critical Duty Velocity Test
  8. 06:00Ballistic Gel Test
  9. 07:10Gel Test Results - Critical Defense
  10. 07:50Gel Test Results - Critical Duty
  11. 08:41Projectile Comparison
  12. 10:16Projectile Weight and Expansion
  13. 11:04Overall Performance Summary
  14. 12:23Speaker's Preference and Audience Interaction

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences between Hornady Critical Duty and Critical Defense .45 ACP ammunition?

Critical Duty is a +P load with a heavier 220-grain Flex Lock projectile designed for deep penetration. Critical Defense uses a lighter 185-grain FTX projectile, prioritizing maximum expansion for effective tissue disruption.

How did Hornady Critical Duty and Critical Defense .45 ACP perform in a short-barrel pistol?

From a 3.8-inch Glock 30 Gen 4, Critical Defense averaged 974 ft/s and penetrated about 14.25 inches. Critical Duty averaged 946 ft/s and penetrated around 21 inches, showing less expansion but deeper penetration.

Which .45 ACP ammunition is better for self-defense: Critical Duty or Critical Defense?

The choice depends on priorities. Critical Defense offers superior expansion for immediate tissue damage, while Critical Duty provides deeper penetration, which can be beneficial for overcoming barriers or reaching vital organs through clothing.

What were the measured expansion sizes for Hornady Critical Duty and Critical Defense .45 ACP projectiles?

In the ballistic gel test, the Critical Defense projectile expanded to approximately 0.621-0.627 inches, while the Critical Duty projectile expanded to 0.508-0.517 inches. Both retained their inserts and full weight.

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