Pillow Fight!...Hornady XTP VS FTX .25 ACP Self-Defense AMMO Ballistic Gel Test & Review!

Published on November 22, 2025
Duration: 12:13

This comprehensive ballistic gel test evaluates Hornady's Critical Defense (FTX) and Custom (XTP) .25 ACP ammunition. The host, demonstrating high expertise, uses a Beretta 21A Bobcat and a LabRadar to record velocities averaging over 900 fps. Results show neither round expanded through a heavy clothing barrier, with FTX penetrating 10.5 inches and XTP reaching 17.5 inches. The expert concludes .25 ACP is underpowered for self-defense, recommending hard-cast bullets over hollow points for this caliber.

Quick Summary

Expert ballistic gel tests show Hornady FTX and XTP .25 ACP rounds failed to expand through heavy clothing. The FTX penetrated 10.5 inches with tumbling, while the XTP reached 17.5 inches without tumbling. Average velocities exceeded 900 fps, but the caliber is deemed underpowered for self-defense.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Setup
  2. 02:00Critical Defense (FTX) Velocity Test
  3. 03:39Custom (XTP) Velocity Test
  4. 04:56Ballistic Gel Test Setup
  5. 06:04Gel Result Analysis: FTX vs XTP
  6. 08:35Projectile Recovery & Measurement
  7. 11:02Conclusion & Recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Hornady FTX and XTP .25 ACP ammunition perform in ballistic gel tests?

In tests with a heavy clothing barrier, neither Hornady FTX nor XTP .25 ACP rounds expanded. The FTX penetrated 10.5 inches and tumbled, while the XTP penetrated 17.5 inches without tumbling. Both retained nearly 100% of their weight.

What were the average velocities for Hornady .25 ACP ammunition tested?

The Hornady Critical Defense 35-grain FTX averaged 944 fps, and the Hornady Custom 35-grain XTP averaged 936 fps. These velocities were recorded using a LabRadar chronograph with a Beretta 21A Bobcat pistol.

Is .25 ACP considered effective for self-defense based on this test?

Based on the ballistic gel test results, the expert concludes that .25 ACP is an underpowered caliber for self-defense. Neither tested hollow-point round expanded, suggesting limited effectiveness.

What type of .25 ACP ammunition does the expert recommend if carrying this caliber?

If one must carry a .25 ACP firearm for self-defense, the expert recommends using the highest-velocity hard-cast solid projectiles available, rather than hollow-point ammunition which failed to expand in testing.

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