9MM +P UNDERWOOD (LEHIGH) DEFENDER AMMO REVIEW 

Amazing how a handgun round developed and in use for over 100 years is still being improved upon.

Your vids have reached such a high quality and professionalism that I wouldn't be supersized if the FBI fired all there R and D teams and just sub to your channel.

I have looked at a lot of different tests with these now and I am very interested. You are getting the best of all bullet designs. The feeding of a FMJ, the lack of pass though of a JHP, the lack of plugging of an FMJ, and the cavitation damage of a JHP.

excellent reviews...i appreciate just straight forward video production without the fluff and music and over production like others go over the top with. informative data and information in here, great job!

Their 380 penetrators are game changers. Removes the major problem for that caliber. Have them in my 42. I like the idea of a non mechanical bullet with no moving parts. Less that can go wrong. Lehigh is a very creative company and are leading the new wave of bullet construction. Will check these rounds out.

What more people should know is that there's a 51 page multi-bullet/caliber analysis for law enforcement (entitled: 2016/17 JOINT AGENCY BALLISTICS TEST FOR DEFENSIVE HANDGUN AMMUNITION) that reached the following unqualified conclusion about the Underwood Xtreme Defender (when compared to 71 different mainstream handgun rounds in 8 calibers): "Overall: This was by far the most impressive round tested. After over a year of testing this round became the most requested round to test after some of the agencies reviewed draft shot data." and "The radial flutes increase tissue pressure and direct the tissue outward to increase wound diameter. ... tests confirmed that in over 100 shots the measured wound channel was not only larger than that of an FMJ but in most cases was the largest wound channel produced in that caliber compared to all other rounds to include fully functioning hollow points." and "All rounds in all calibers tested penetrated 15.2 - 20 inches with and without barriers. " and "Every single shot did roughly the same thing. There is a 0% chance of failure to function because there can be no failure to tumble or expand (because they don’t) and no chance to fragment. This was the most Reliable and Consistent round tested." It's discussed on p. 32-33. That's why I've moved all my 9mm pistols and PCC's with less than a 5" barrel to the Underwood XD 9mm 90 gr. +P, and my .380 ACP to the Xtreme Penetrator 90 gr. (because the very short barrel of the .380 requires a bit more oomph).

So glad you're back. Your ammo reviews are unparalleled in data, and presentation is great too

Wow I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised by the results. I was not expecting that level of consistency between shots, and no over-penetration like I was anticipating. Thanks for doing these tests!

I've seen enough tests and now yours, to make this my new EDC round. I'm convinced, this stuff is for real.

Having a nice and clear ballistic gel show the bullet travel much much better. Also, makes it kinda 3D looking. The quality of the video is superb. Nice to see how a 43 compares with a 19 running a SD ammo tru it. Thanks again!

where these are far superior to any hollow point is their interaction with bone and hard dense material. HP's are abhorrent in their reaction to bone and even worse when dealing with windshield (or any other for that matter) glass. This is my carry ammo now. great review.

Good to have you back. Really neat vid especially, with two different barrel lengths and the same round.

So glad you are back. Your reviews have been extremely helpful over the years.Thank you for your time and thoughtful work. It is appreciated!

Thank you,so happy your able to do videos again,I appreciate the time and effort you put into these.

I picked these up after I saw how consistent they were when going through different materials on MAC's video. He shot them through a thin piece of metal and they still performed the way as if they were just going through denim or nothing. I thought that to be interesting enough to purchase a few of these rounds.

After all this time your vids remain the best. Mainly because you shoot more than one bullet, thus replicating your results. This goes a long ways in validating those results. Nobody else does that, making their results "questionable". I miss your tests and really appreciate you doing them, thanks.

The quality of your reviews is much improved since you came back - awesome work on that, keep it up.

I wanted to post a big “Thank you” for this test. It’s partly what convinced me that the standard pressure (SP) Xtreme Defender is the ideal personal defense round for my purposes. I understand your reasons for wanting the extra penetration of the +P round, but I’m concerned about over-penetration, and the XD SP load solves that. Thanks again!

I've left like 3 comments on RU-vid in my life, and this is one of them. You get straight to the point and thoroughly answered all the questions I had. Well done sir.

Tn, you should start a patreon to buy a high speed camera. I would donate and I bet a lot of others would as well. You are hands down the best information on ammo on the internet! Another great vid.

Great test, with spot on camera angle, lighting, and clear gel used. Probably one of the best ballistic tests I have seen using gel to see every single detail.

I'm glad you started doing videos again all the other gel test videos seem to be lacking yours are the best and my go-to for ammo testing for my concealed carry

just wanted to say I'm stoked that you are back making ammo evaluation vids! yours are the standard by which other ammo vids are judged.

Picked up a box of these and got similar results, also in clear gel. I hit bare gel and would say penetration was an inch deeper on average. Bordering on over-penetration, but the advantage is it should be truly as "barrier blind" as a bullet can be. Not my new carry load, but I'm keeping my remaining 16 of them in my safe as backup ammo.

I love you videos so much, awesome production quality and very professional high quality testing procedures. I imagine this kind of testing isnt so cheap to do, I am really appreciative your work!

Yup, having written the specifications for the handgun service ammunition for a federal agency, I can truly say that the Underwood Extreme Penetrators are a quantum leap forward in terminal ballistics.

Thanks! Great video. I've been waiting for you to review this one. The one thing the FBI protocols don't consider is barrier penetration, particularly bone. Most hollow points, even the best ones, fail to expand reliably when a bone simulant is placed in front of the gel. These rounds have no problem with bone and most other barriers. They work every time.

glad you are making videos again. Does that mean that your health improved?

Best ammo reviews on RU-vid,thank you sir!!

Extreme Defender is the only defensive round I'll ever carry, unless someone somehow improves on Lehigh's efforts.

Consistent is a good word for this ammo.

Troutdoors9, I am glad that you are back to making videos. I have always enjoyed them. Thank you very much.

Great video TN. I'me glad you're back.

Very interesting design for that bullet. I’ll go ahead and get some while I still can. Unfortunately, I live in the Soviet Union. California as you guys might call it? I never go light for caliber with the exception of the all copper bullets from Barnes, but this bullet penetrates to a perfect depth and no clothing is going to affect it because of its design. Like always, your videos are spot on and tells us what we need to know. Thanks again and best wishes!

I just discovered your channel good to see someone from my home state help me out on my ammo choices! I turned 21 rather recently in the Memphis area and am getting my conceal so THANK YOU!

I am a big fan of Underwoods Extreme Defender. I truly believe that you would enjoy testing the Extreme Defender 9mm 65 grain version that chronographs at ~1800 fps!

TN...YOU REMAIN THE BEST OF THE BEST for ammo testing on the net...let us know if you need anything...appreciate your concise...very detailed accurate info...ie velocities...penetration and recovered etc

Hearing you talking about Underwood and penetration got me thinking about Sara Underwood

Very happy you are back at it making vids! I also just got a Glock 43 and I am running Gorilla's new Silverback line of ammo, its 115 grain and looks very close to a Federal HST. Shot it 2 days ago through my G43 and there was almost no recoil. There aren't really any videos reviewing this ammo and would be thrilled if you did a review on Gorillas Silverback ammo in 9mm soon. Thanks!

I have purchased the Lehigh rounds in both .380 and 9mm and here are my thoughts. The expense of the round is roughly twice the standard jacketed hollow point from Underwood. Penetration is better (+ 10%). Wound channels are very similar. I didn't feel the extra cost was worth any extra penetration in the 9mm; however, in the .380, where both penetration and cavitation are much improved (as much as 25% with the Lehigh round) it's a clear winner. In fact, jacketed hollow points in the .380 are counter-productive. So, I've decided to use the Lehigh in my .380 and the 124 grain gold dot or XTP in my 9mm.

Still can't get over the fact that i'm seeing your videos in the subscription page again. :) Man, you've no idea how much i missed these.

I say this with all sincerity, you sir will be missed. My hope is that not too far in the future, that you will be in a position to return to making expert videos.I have a question. If you were to choose the top four ammo choices for self defence, in order what would they be? I have seen your videos being used on forums, to discuss ammo..Your work will live on forever...

It's great to have you back. I hope someday you will test the Hornady American Gunner 38 Special out of your 438. No one else on RU-vid seems to have tested it and I believe it is a standard pressure load. Thanks again for your efforts.

If you would have used the FBI 10% gel blocks you would have measured the same exact depth but your cavitation diameter would measure 2.6” which extends about 12 inches. Massive wound cavitation.

From a combat tactical perspective, these are outstanding. being barrier blind is a highly valuable aspect.

Missed you, brother. Missed you, indeed.

Great test. The picture quality is amazing. I carry these in .45 auto as a back up when I'm hunting. 🤔 I wonder how some barrier testing would turn out.

I have these rounds stuffed into my Glock 26 and XD Sub-Compact but in standard pressure. I like that I’ll get the penetration I need and the rounds being solid copper will help with that. I have no issue with them being light for caliber seeing as how they’ll penetrate as much as any other bullet weight in that caliber. If I were using standard hollowpoints, I’d go with 135’s to 147’s. As for Underwood, I’ve shot plenty of their stuff and it’s really great ammunition. And no, I am NOT being paid by them. They don’t even know who I am or that I’m making this statement. Anyway, as always this was a great video tnoutdoors9 and thank you kindly for sharing! God speed

Man, this stuff looks pretty good! Super high velocity, good energy, and deep, but not over penetrating. I haven't found anything more impressive than critical duty up to now, but this looks like something I might want to carry.

glad to have you back

Love the testing format - including short barrel and standard length, multiple shots with each.

Best video I've seen on this ammo. It actually looks like a contender for defense. Good to see you back at work doing the vids we love. Thank you!

Awesome test!!! Really surprised at the irony around the G43 making a deeper penetrating shot over the Glock 19!!! Goes to show that polygonal rifling DOES help Glock Pistols as well!!

So glad to see your back at testing

Very nice video. Love how clear that gel is. That clearly allowed us to see the travel of the bullet. Nice job.

"Bulletproof" new format. Love all of it. Excellent review!

So glad to have you back! also that was performance was quite a surprise!

IMHO, when it comes to pistol ammo penetration testing on RU-vid, "TNOutdoors9" has always been the best. This is now the load I will be carrying in my 9mm Luger 3.6" and 4" EDC pistols. Thank you, and good things! 👍

For winter EDC I want ammo that can penetrate cold weather clothing. I added the +P Xtreme Defender to Hornady Critical Duty +P 135 gr FlexLock. Nice review.

So happy you're back!! Thanks! You're the best!

Glad to have you back!

I'm really glad you are back to doing videos! Thanks for all the work you put into these.

I think it's some of the best stuff out there. Some people "CLAIM" the impressive wound channels in gel won't be the same as wound channels in people yet they love certain types of JHP ammo because of impressive sound channels in gel. This stuff doesn't have to worry about expanding to do what it's supposed to do.

Lehigh penetrators are a great choice for backup guns for hunting or just backpackers or hikers, for urban areas not so much due to the over penetration, but these Lehigh defense loads are great, in the clear ballistics it's a little hard to tell because clear ballistics doesn't show the full permanent wound cavity very well but it's a great way to test multiple rounds on civilian budget, military arms channel did a test on these with real ballistics gel and the cavitation is insane and actually outperformed federal hst repeatedly

I am so happy you are back!

it is so nice to hear your reviews again you have been missed very glad you are back

I'm surprised that the 19 got such similar results to the 43... glad to have you back, man, love these videos.

Glad to see you back in the saddle. I really like the way you go about your testing.

Tn, you and Hickok45 stand alone from all other youtube gun channels......A BIG THUMBS-UP' TO YOU BOTH!!

This is what I load my G45 with. There is virtually no recoil and it is without question, the most accurate handgun round I have ever shot. Plus it's lead free so you don't have to worry about lead exposure when handling the ammo. Great stuff.

TN! Back at it again with the best ammo reviews on RU-vid!!

We did a Melon Test with this Underwood 9mm ammo vs. Full Metal Jacket reloads . . . The Difference was Dramatic ! Just a hole with the reloads, the Underwood actually Exploded the Honeydew ! ! ! Hopefully get a Video soon . . .

That performance really surprised me. I had a similar performance with the Federal HST 124gr between the S&W Shield and S&W 5906. Thanks for the test!

Beautiful review!! Thanks so much, TN! Would you please review the G2 Civic Duty? It's like Lehigh Max Expansion, but with twice the petals, twice the penetration (it's supposed to actually meet FBI-spec penetration!), and three-times the awesomeness. Thanks so much for your great reviews. You contribution to the gun community is unparalleled!

Outstanding. Happy to have you back. Keep up the great work.

These need a redo. Lehigh has changed the bullet since this video with more permanent wound cavities as a result. Hopefully tn will do the +p+ also.

Very professional, that gel block is very clear and clean, you can thru very clearly,

Best reviews out there, good platform with consistency as a primary goal! 10/10

Is it me or did you get a new camera? The video was crystal clear. The way the bullets landed in the second block reminds me of the movie The Matrix. As always, thank for you reviews and glad to see you back on you feet.

What sets the Defender apart is it is barrier proof...most notably with plywood and sheet metal tests that deform most hollow points and render their expansion cancelled. The HST and Gold Dots seem to do well with these two barriers and most all other leading hollow points fail these two tests...so HST and G.D. are the top choices for L.E.O's . I prefer the Defender due to it's fluted design that also works on ALL barrel lengths , including SBR's and AR's , where greater velocities ruin the other hollow point's expansion capabilities ( since they are designed to operate at handgun barrel lengths / corresponding velocities ). I also find the Defender softer shooting so for me it just edges out the HST and Gold Dots which are still my #2 and #3 EDC choices.

Great test on this Ammo I've tested some 380 ACP from Lehigh Defense and like it , Thank you

This testing, the videoing, and the gel blocks were all very well done.

This is the ammo that I use. It was the only ammo to pass every test with every agency, in every caliber, barrel length and test medium of ballistics gel and animal cadavers both with and without barrier penetration. Look up the 2016/2017 Joint Agency Ballistics Test For Handgun Self Defense Ammo. It’s a 52 or 53 page report and on pages 32 and 33, break down the Underwood Xtreme Defender ammo. The ammo is unbelievable and leaves a larger primary wound channel than any fully expanded hollow point in the same caliber. Especially in animal cadavers to simulate real life shooting scenarios where a threat needs to be stopped. You also get less recoil but continued accuracy even after barrier penetration and distances greater than 25 yards. I’ve tested out to 50 yards and found them to be still just as accurate. And the velocity of this ammo is much greater than traditional ammo.

thanks again, I really miss your channel....

Excellent video. Sir, you are the only reference when looking for ammo testing. Congrats.

So good to have you back!

Camera showing bullets in gel block is amazing 👍

Love your video format, glad to see you back. Could you do the .380 extreme defense? Maybe you did and I missed it, I didn't look back through your videos before posting this.

just to say hi and I love all of your videos, all are very informative and educational. thanks and keep up the awesome job.

I am not planning to switch to these for my carry ammo, but I do watch testing on this type of round with great interest.

2 yrs old now. There is now in 2018 a 9mm +P+ Xtreme Defender. 90 grain, rated at much higher velocity. I wud like to see a chrono & penetration vid of this, also vs 3A & III armor

Glad you're back, hope you're doing a lot better.

gawd dam those are some crystal clear blocks HHHNNNNNnnnnnnn so comprehensive and informative, love it

Finally, the best ballistics testing is back!

Outstanding round and an excellent video as always, thanks much. I would have loved to have seen the same test performed with the standard pressure loading of this round.

Thanks for the review. I have some 115gr JHP tests coming online soon, and would agree the cavitation looks very similar :D

Underwood is absolutely fantastic Ammunition. Everything they make is quality

This is all I carry these days. Performs like a JHP but no threat of clogging and the design creates a nasty wound channel. Best shit imo on the market today.

Simply the best ammo channel