Yeah, I’ve found the Critical Defense to function reliably. One thing I appreciate is how it handles recoil compared to some other brands in the same caliber.
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What about the trajectory? I know some rounds tend to drop more than others. How does Hornady Critical Defense perform in that area?
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The trajectory is pretty flat. You can expect it to stay on target at distances up to 25 yards without much deviation. I still see it as a great balance of power and manageability, especially for self-defense situations.
I’ve heard mixed things about penetration depth. Some say it penetrates too much for home defense. Thoughts?
I think it really depends on where you live. In densely populated areas, you might want something that expands more and penetrates less. Hornady is designed to expand and stay within the target more effectively though.
I’ve switched to Critical Defense after trying multiple brands. Walked away from others mostly because of reliability and ballistics tests that supported its effectiveness.
Exactly! I’ve also noticed that the Hornady Critical Defense is cleaner shooting than some other brands, which makes it a plus for practice at the range.
For me, it comes down to comfort and confidence. When I feel comfortable shooting a round, it’s more likely I’ll make an accurate shot when it matters.
I get that! It’s also interesting how each shooter handles rounds differently. Some friends of mine prefer the punch of the Critical Defense over others, while others can’t stand it.
Sometimes it can feel like you need a magnifying glass for those ballistics charts! Does anyone have a straightforward comparison of Hornady vs. other popular brands?
Haha! I agree. I’ve seen some detailed tables online, but honestly, what matters is how it performs under real conditions. That’s where my decision is made.
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It’s good to see so much discussion! I find that testing out various loads personally helps bypass all the marketing fluff. It’s all about what works best for you!
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I recently shot Hornady Critical Defense .40 S&W, and I must say, the recoil was very manageable. It feels good in the hand and allows for quick follow-up shots. Definitely a solid choice for self-defense.
That’s great to hear! I’ve been considering these for my Glock. Do you think a novice shooter would feel comfortable with them?
Absolutely! I took a novice friend to the range, and they handled it quite well. The muzzle rise is minimal, making it user-friendly for beginners.
That sounds promising! How did it perform in terms of accuracy?
In terms of accuracy, I found it to be spot on! I was able to group shots tightly at 15 yards. I think the critical defense design really helps with this.
It’s interesting how many factors play into accuracy. Is there a significant difference between this and standard .40 S&W rounds?
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That’s good to know! How’s the reliability? Any failures to feed or eject?
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I put about 200 rounds through and had zero issues. They cycle flawlessly in my Springfield XD. I think reliability is where Hornady really excels.