9mm +P Hornady CRITICAL DUTY Ammo Gel Test 

February 3, 2019: I chronographed a fresh batch of this ammo (2018 production) and from the Glock 19 the average was 1080 fps, and from the Gock 17 it was 1101. Discouraging, and I've removed it from my carry rotation. BTW, review of the 124 gr +P Critical Duty is pending. Velocities of the 124 +P in both the G19 and G17 met or exceeded the advertised of 1175 fps.

This stuff looks pretty good. I like that it has a bit of extra weight to it.

You filled a niche that RU-vid doesn’t seem to have anymore.. I wish you made more videos! Been watching for years, thank you for your time spent here on RU-vid

I'm taking a critical duty as I'm watching this

I just picked up some Critical Duty 135's for my G19 and Shield. I'm going to check function, but I think this might become my new carry ammo.

One important note about these rounds to keep in mind- they were designed as a DUTY round to be used out of a 4" or longer barrel. I have experienced that out of a shorter barrel, they do NOT acheive the velocity intended for reliable expansion. What happens is the round tends to zip through media like an FMJ, causing overpenetration and minimal damage to target. I noticed this first with my Sig P938. The main culprit is powder not having ample time in barrel to ignite. I was noticing a HUGE muzzle flash, and unburned powder stuck to my paper target at 3 yds. This round was clearly designed to perform optimally in duty length barrels, and in those it performs very well as shown in the video. For those little pocket guns, one would be better served using the Critical Defense round with its low flash (faster burning) powder. If a heavier weight and +P is your cup of tea (as mine is) try getting Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P Short Barrel, which is designed specifically for these 3" and shorter barrel lengths. Conversely, do not feed a 4" barreled gun with the Short Barrel stuff, because they will go over velocity thresholds for optimal expansion, and the petals will overexpand, fold back on the roubd, and youre back to square one with what's basically an FMJ again. Just my 2 cents!

This is the only ammo I carry although there are many good options, this is what I can get at my local stores and I am confident in its performance. Good stuff even though it does not expand as much as some other brands, I personally like the penetration. Adequate penetration is important for me because you can't guarantee the body size or clothing of the person kicking in your front door or catching you off guard late at night while walking to your car. No telling if the bad guy is going to be a 145 pound runt or a 300 pound monster wearing a leather jacket. I want to make sure I am good to go for either situation and think this round fits the bill. Just my thoughts.

I appreciate how thorough you are with your ammo tests. I always learn something on this channel.

What great expansion/ penetration for a 9mm huh? I had some of these out with us out in the desert this weekend for a function test and could not trap/ stop one with 7 milk jugs sat back to back (filled with water). We were all a bit shocked at how much punch this little cartridge packs! Great stuff from Hornady.

Your videos are always very detailed with no BS and only continue to improve with time. Thank you!

The whole reason they made the Critical DUTY, is the fact that they discovered the Critical DEFENSE didn't do all that well against certain types of barriers in the FBI protocol tests. They solved the problem by using hard cast lead (6% antimony) and locking the lead core in place with an interlock ring and a cannelure (low tech but it works). This achieves pretty much the same result as bonding the core to the jacket, keeping the 2 together to reduce lost mass. The reason they didn't use bonding is because hard cast lead won't bond to gilding metal, you need the softer, more pure lead for bonding. And they kept the soft rubber tip that keeps the hollow point from filling up with debris (clothing fibers, wallboard, etc) and making the bullet act like a FMJ. The biggest difference between the Critical Duty and Defense is the different lead they use for the core, which makes a big difference in downrange consistency. BTW, this is all I'll carry in my 9mm from here on out.

It's very important to note that the DUTY rounds are designed for 4" or longer barrels. If you carry this in a sub compact, it won't perform well. Switch to the critical defense for less than 4" barrels.

That bullet looks beautiful when it's expanded.

Went to a gun show today in here in NC bought a glock 17 I bought this ammo because you made this video thank you for the time you took to make this video. Me personally I carry a glock 21 with winchester pdx1 230 grains Semper fi

Hornady just makes some good ammo!

Again, these are always informative, entertaining, and exciting. Not to mention they are also so well thought out and put together! Keep it up, TN!

Just wanted to say I really appreciate the systematic videos you have put out on all the ammo out there. Just bought my first gun, a 9mm, and specifically loaded it with this round for PD thanks to your input. Keep up the great work!

Your reviews are outstanding! I watch every one of your ballistic reviews! Good job keep them coming! And what do you carry in your edc glock 19?

Wow, I've always been a Federal Hydra Shok and HST guy but this is very impressive! I believe I've found my next round to test. If my firearms like this ammo, I'm going to start carrying this...great video once again...thanks

Your testing of Hornady Critical Duty has me convinced this is the best round for my 9mm and .38. However, I recommend everybody first prove your rounds in your gun before trusting them. I purchased a box of .38+p Critical Defense and they would not fire in my S&W Airweight. I returned them and Hornady confirmed they were defective due to the primers not to specs. They were too short and did not seat fully in the primer pocket. Lesson learned; prove your firearm AND ammo.

Great testing, as always. I really like that you address the recoil and even film it. Most other testers ignore it entirely. I think slow motion capture would be better tho Thanks for sharing, you're very thorough and scientific, and I like that your tests are consistent from round to round. Each ammo tester on YT kinda has their own style, by going through all y'all one can see a lot more about the round in question than with only 1 test, or 1 person's testing

Looks like a great defense round. Thanks for the vud.

What about critical duty +p vs regular?

You consistently put out some of the best videos on RU-vid. Thank You.

Very thorough review, testing, and product representation! I have carried these rounds for two years now, and no issues.

Test the new SIG line of ammo. I'm curious about it.

This man's reviews 🎯🥇

Thank you for all your ammo reviews. I always base my decision on which ammo to buy from your reviews. Please keep them up.

Thanks for doing these videos i watched your vids and they have made chosing my carry ammo easyer keep it up!

love hornaday....both duty and defense. IMHO best carry ammo

You know your watching The Godfather of ammo testing when Hornady sounds off on his channel lol. Tommy set a bar that I’m not real sure you can eclipse. Super cool to see him uploading a new video now and then, class act.

Thanks mate for a such exclusive video

Your channel rules, great info, HD material, organized. Congrats!

Thanks for the video. Today, I've purchased some Critical Duty rounds and I'm very happy with the outcome.

This is my round of choice for my Glock 19

Thank you for your OUTSTANDING tests. THE VERY BEST ON RU-vid!!!

Good informative test as usual. Thanks for taking the time to do it.

This video just made this round my EDC carry ammo. TY tnoutdoors9!

Glad to see you haven't abandoned the 9mm testing and the model 19 in favor of the 32

this is one of the best hornady tests i have ever seen... for not being bonded it held together perfectly. ill definetly be picking up a box.

Wow, great stuff. God Bless America and Long live the Republic!

I couldn't decide, so I bought a box of each. problem solved

Excellent Video. I appreciate your good work. Keep the tests coming!

This is my HD ammo of choice, I keep my PT 92 loaded with 19+1. Great video and I'm certain this is the best ammo for me from this awesome review, thanks and good job.

Great review! Two questions if I may. 1) If I were to use this ammunition as my primary carry round, what would you recommend as a cheap alternative to practice with? I'm looking to match POA / POI, recoil, etc...as close as possible. 2) Would you recommend this round across the board with respects to full sized 9mm handguns (Canik TP9-SA) and summer-specific pocket carry 9mm handguns (LC9s Pro)? I ask because I want to keep my ammunition choice the exact same between the two platforms for consistency and ease of stocking up. THANK YOU!

I would NOT want to get hit with that bullets. Nasty sharp edges and it expands to a half inch, fuuuuck that!

nice ! i liked the recoil demonstration

Thank you for doing all of these tests

If you don't like him using demin in his tests, then simply don't watch it. Using 4 layers of demin is an iwba protocol and a standard in testing. So if you would like to tell all of the ammo experts they are wrong then be my guests.

dam hornady, you scary

After every one of your ballistics videos I watch I feel the need to buy you a box of ammo just to show my appreciation for the great info you give us.

Being an LEO, I watch your videos when picking what I carry. Keep it up. You have my support!

Hornady Critical duty 135 gr +p all day long over the Critical defense and Gold Dot

4:57 Oh man. The surgeon is going to see that "H" stamp and associate the brand with devastation. Seems fair enough.

this and the 124gr federal hst are BY FAR my favorite rounds.

Good job....keep the vids coming bud.

Now that we can relax a bit from election fears, I might try and get a case of this stuff.

I'm shopping for my first handgun, for home defense, no ccw in nj. I'm torn between 9mm and 45acp. any suggestions

Great video! I love how thorough and precise you are doing these tests. For all the naysayers out there doubting a 9mm has a sufficent amount of stopping power this should be good enough to prove how far ammunition has come over the years. I use this round in my pt11 g2 and i trust my life to both this round and my gun choice for my ec. I also have a g19 i use the same ammo in but in the zombie load and a glock 23 i use hornandy defense rounds in.

Always enjoy these videos! Thanks!

Hw can i support ur channel? Dave

Anyone else here cause they dont wanna send 1 dollar down range per trigger pull so you just watch someone else shoot it lol

Good test,I know i have said before that you do the best ammo test on you tube or any where .Alot of good info Thanks.

again another great video

Yeah,you're going to have a bad day if one of this hit you for sure.

the side comparison is nice, great video, i liked it, the line up is good quailty, from looking at this i like the horady critical duty, it is more pointy so less likely to have a malfunction.

I got 2 boxes of these a couple days ago with my G19. after watching this test, I'm glad I did.

I took a IIIA soft panel and hit it with Critical Duty 9mm +P 135gr, then 124gr Gold Dot, and an FMJ. The Critical Duty really trucked on into that panel...It was begging to pass through where as the Gold Dot penetrated pretty impressive but had more expansion and the FMJ did alright. I really like Critical Duty...I originally bought it because everyone here in Upstate NY grabs HST's and Gold Dots as soon as they are stocked, glad it turned out to be a good round. I keep my Glock loaded with HST's and carry a spare mag with Critical Duty or Gold Dots. Gotta love having options!

Outstanding video. Full of information, yet not long winded like some other channels. Good video quality and I like the comparisons. I will be looking through your channel hoping to find a video on a loading of the Barnes 115 XPB.

Great video as always. Keep up the good work.

Keep up the good work dude! You bring a level of testing sophistication that no one on youtube even come close to...Looking forward to 22 handgun hollow point tests... Maybe try out some Bulk pack 22lr H.P. as well.. Thumbs up!!

These are the rounds that I carry. I have done a lot of testing with them and had them test against other very well known and proven types of ammo. When it came to barrier penetration, and then into a simulated threat, these rounds consistently out performed everything else.

I just got a box of this today. I've seen a ton of stuff about the Critical Defense, but never really heard of the Critical Duty. I'm glad I went with it instead.

Great job as always!

I just have to say excellent videos thanks for doing the tests it helps alot seeing how all of the ammo performs.

What a beautiful expansion. Very nice! :D

Great video!!! im getting this stuff asap, thx for the info.

Great review. Very thorough and I like that you included the 4 layers of denim in front of the ballistic gel.

Absolutely AWESOME videos. Keep up the good work Sir!

Great Review as always, Currently have these loaded in my Walther pps m2. Seems like a Solid performer

And what a beautiful expanded bullet to save for the collection too, picture perfect.

I would love to see how this stuff performs out of the new Ruger 9mm carbine

I keep my Glock 30sf .45 loaded with this in +p. I don't have gel blocks but I recently shot a round through plastic milk jugs filled with water. The resulting mushroom looked identical to the 9mm shown in this gel test, only much bigger. Great video!

Great study! Thanks

Nice demonstration. I'll definitely pick up a box.

Been looking for a review of this rnd with the use of a 4" inch barrel. Thank you for NOT testing this with a 3"inch barrel like so many other reviewers have! I have my CZ 75B loaded with these so I would thing I might get slightly less penetration and slightly more expansion with the longer barrel.

Seeing these tests has really been illuminating for me. Most importantly, it has shown a STRICTLY consistent (negative) correlation between expansion and penetration. Sure, that's just obvious physics--but it never really sunk into my head thoroughly before. Here we see the petals are "bent back," and we get more penetration vs bullets that really "flower." It demonstrates how REALLY VALUABLE the flowering bullets are for civilians: excellent effect, and reduced risk of bystander injury.

Excellent video. Thank you.

Nicely done, sir.

Could you see yourself doing a comparison between the +p Critical Duty and the regular pressure variant? I would not mind seeing which one is better out of a 3.5" barrel...

Thanks for your efforts on this testing and research. Great Review.

are you ever going to do the extreme shock ammo test again? I think the results would be interesting

Thank you for testing. I purchased the Critical Duty based on your review.

16", 9mm load. Unreal. Absolutely phenomenal cartridge

man you're a good shot. i need to practice more when ammo isn't a dollar a round

Looks like this and the 115 gr. Gold Dot are very similar as far as performance goes. Any preference for one of the two?

Great video. The guy at my local gun shop recommended these to me for my edc so I picked up a box

I'm going with the Critical Duty for sure...I've never been very impressed with the Critical Defense in 9mm. You sure do a fantastic job man!

Speer Gold Dot 124g +p in my EDC and Critical duty 124g +p in my PCC with a 16" barrel.

Sweet! Great video and that's a great round! Is this a new round from hornady? Because I've never heard of it. Also do they have this in a .40s&w? If so I would like to see that test if you can! Thanks again, you make the best ballistic videos on here!