Hornady Critical Defense 9mm 115 grain 250 Rounds
Because of inventory network issues, Hornady is briefly stacking this ammo with standard metal cases rather than nickel-plated metal cases.
Manufacturer – Hornady
Bullets – 115 grain Flex Tip jacketed hollow point (JHP FTX)
Casings – Boxer-primed brass
Ballistic gel test for 9mm – 115 Grain FTX – Hornady Critical Defense – 250 Rounds

Ballistics Test Summary
In order to find out how different self-defense handgun loads perform, we decided to do some ballistics gelatin testing of our own. The chart below is a compilation of expansion and penetration data for Hornady 115 gr FTX Critical Defense fired from 10 feet, through four layers of fabric (to simulate clothing), using a Smith & Wesson M&P9C pistol.
The photo slider provides a close-up view of the bullets we recovered from the gelatin, and the video shows this load entering the gel in extreme slow motion.
The diagrams at the bottom of the page can give you an idea of how this load compares to other 9mm Luger (9×19) self-defense loads that we tested.
We did a lot more of this ballistic gelatin testing, including over 100 different loads in a variety of calibers, so check out Lucky Gunner Labs for all the details.
9mm – 115 Grain FTX – Hornady Critical Defense – 250 Rounds | |||||||||
Median | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bullet Depth (in.) | 11.6 | 12.9 | 13.3 | 13.7 | 13.8 | ||||
Expanded Diameter (in.) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.52 | ||||
Bullet Weight after shot (gr.) | 114 | 114.1 | 114.2 | 114.3 | 114.3 | ||||
Bullet Velocity (fps) | 1134 | 1138 | 1140 | 1144 | 1157 |
How do the results for this Hornady 9mm Luger (9×19) compare to other Hornady Ammo?
- 0.9″This ammo: 0.51″ Min: 0.33″Median: 0.58″Max: 0.9″Expansion Diameter in 9mm Luger (9×19) Caliber
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