What is your opinion or experience with Critical Defense 38 special 110 FTX ammo? What about the 125 grain load?

I use it based on some light research and recommendation from someone I trust. It's supposed to have better expansion than some others but I wonder if it really does.

Suggestion: It is not very expensive to line up four or five gallon plastic jugs full of water and fire a round or two from your personal carry gun.

For me, the rounds I carry expanded just fine, suggesting that the velocity from my short, pocket friendly, revolver barrel is sufficient as is the round I carry OWB in a semi-automatic pistol when bicycling.

If the rounds I carry had not reliably expanded in this admittedly unscientific water jug test, I would carry something else.

But, they did. So, I am happy.





YMMV, but nothing makes me feel quite as good as doing it myself.

It's high quality defensive ammunition. Whether it will win a gun fight at any better rate than other high quality defensive ammunition I have no idea.

The primary criteria for stopping a fight is shot placement. Second criteria is adequate penetration.

I'm no expert on this round but I do carry it when I venture into the Soviet Republic of N.J. as it is approved as a non hollow point by the NJSP. I reckon it's better than a LSWC any day.

As for experience, I haven't shot anyone with them, but I carry them. A few years ago I bought 50 rounds (two boxes) based on recommendations and a bit of research, set 20 rounds aside (two J-frames plus two speed loaders full) and fired the remainder into an assortment of water jugs, newspaper stacks etc, behind layers of old pants and blankets. All went deep enough, and pretty much all recovered bullets looked presentable enough in terms of controlled expansion and structural integrity that Hornady could have used them in their ads. For a revolver round, that's good enough for me. As someone else said, the rest is shot placement.

I was carrying them for awhile in my 640 Pro and it seemed like a good load. I originally bought them when I was carrying a 642 that I retired to the safe when I bought the 640 Pro. They were very accurate during my range trips. But after watching some YouTube videos I switched over to Speer Gold Dot 135 Grain Plus P 38's since I'm now carrying a heavier stainless gun. When I get a little older and the weight of the 640 Pro starts to bother me I'll most likely go back to the 642 and the Critical Defense 110 FTX ammo.

I've researched it quite a bit and although not my first choice, I'd feel comfortable depending on it for defense. In a snubby, I'd choose the +P version if available, but that wouldn't be a dealbreaker.

There isn't a 125 grain .38 Critical Defense round. There is a 125 grain Hornady XTP load in .38. Don't know much about its performance -- they market it for hunting and law enforcement. I imagine it's designed for more penetration and perhaps barrier blind use, like their Critical Duty line. Wouldn't be my first choice, but I'd prefer it over a spoon.

I carry them but they are too scarce and expensive to practice with.

I carry the Critical Defense 38 special +P 110 FTX, It's a

little harder hitting than the Critical Defense 38 special 110 FTX.

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Vietnam 1969-1971

I just wish that Hornady would sell us the bullets so that I could reload my own............ they will sell us their 2nd class bullets that are one step down from these.... but not their best.......... even though we hand loaders were/are the only reason they stayed in business lo these many years.

Hornady has produced one of their best series of self defense bullets in these though.

A good friend & retired US Border Patrolman pistolero allows as how the Speer Gold Dots are just as good & very dependable in real life situations. When Art recommends a good bullet/ or loads for self defense, I listen. So until Hornady changes their mind & decides to let us hand loaders have access to them....... I'll use the Speers, which are just as good.

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be safe,enjoylife,journey well

The std pressure 110gr FTX is loaded a bit soft, IMO, chrono'd a hair over 800fps from my Colt Cobra 2". The +P version did just under 900fps in the 442-2 snubby and just over 1100fps in the 4" mod 15-2.
I'd rather see more velocity from such a light bullet in the snubbies and std pressure since I want more .38sp and less .380acp-like performance.
The +p does fair for light recoiling ammo in a lightweight snubby, should one desire that.
I like heavier bullets in .38sp.