Gold Dot VS TAC-XP VS Xtreme Defender - 9mm Auto Glass Ballistic Gel Test - Bonded VS SCHP VS Fluted 

The more I see xtreme defender tests the more I love these due to acting like a fmj but still causing close to or the same damage as hollowpoints in most cases.

Nice test in 9mm, when I was on the job I used my GP100 with Gold Dot 357 in 3 deadly force encounters one thru a windshield and it performed flawlessly eliminating the threat immediately. Gold Dot has been protecting me for nearly 30 years now and God willing will for the next 30 or more now in 327 Fed Mag but I’m supremely confident in that round.

I honestly think that from all of the RU-vid reviewers on ammo you’re content is the best in my opinion. Keep up the amazing videos!

3 good options. Tough to complain with any.

Xtreme Defender out performed hollow points in every test yet again. Amazing round.

No diss to the Kentucky Ballistics and Black Rambos of the tube verse..but your old school guntuber presentation is appreciated. Reminds me of the good old days of RU-vid.

TAC-XP: the tactical extreme penetrator! 💥

Extreme defender does the same in any media, +p+ will defeat ba rated above 9mm. Underwood offers in in a plated carry too which doesn’t tarnish from sweat. It’s been my go to for a couple years now

I like the copper solids.

Dave Spaulding spoke highly of the tac-xp and corbon dpx, now i see why. I tried these same ammunitions but in .40 and was surprised to note that the copper hollow points had some degree of expansion through barriers. That's to say not much, but more than regular cup/core JHP or bonded JHP.

This was a very comprehensive test. Obviously a lot of thought went into load selection. The Gold Dot has been a standard for LE for many years, and for good reason. However, it looks like it’s time as a benchmark has passed. As much as I like the Extreme Defender, I use it in multiple calibers, the TAC-XP shows every bit as much performance potential. But this is only true if it’s propelled to high enough velocity. If you prefer milder loads, the Extreme Defender might be the better choice. Great video 👍👍

Another great test. The TAC-XP was surprising. Loaded at the higher velocity really made that bullet perform compared to Barnes loads.

Excellent testing!! I really like that 9mm TAC-XP at around the 1300fps. Buffalo Bore has a similar loading (albeit more expensive and not nickel plated brass). These all copper HP’s seem to need lots of cow bell to expand and perform like a JHP. It’s the same with all copper rifle bullets but they always deliver with the terminal performance. I wonder when someone will design an all copper HP for handguns that’s tipped like the Hornady Critical Duty. This may allow it to defeat auto glass and expand. We will see. It’s an exciting time to be a firearms enthusiast.

as a +p Speer gold dot JHP carrier this video made me a bit weary. I've been looking into Underwood for a while now and i'll just have to go with the facts here and adapt. Thank you for the real world oriented video and transparency, love the content.

Fantastic test and yet again I am impressed with that Barnes bullet. I have tested it in several calibers and it consistently delivers.

Probably the best testing setup I've seen, have always thought that there needs to be a rib/sternum layer for ballistic simulations in addition to the fabric. A round's performance is really only as good as it's worst case scenario. From hospital experience, I've seen 9mm JHP lodged in sternums or severely deflected with petals torn off from ribs. Thanks for getting this info out!

★ 100% on assessment. Thank you. Good video.

Excellent choice, excellent channel

Awesome video Sam! You should try the CBC bonded ammo.

this was an awesome test! I would love to see this in .380! I believe the extreme defender could possibly be one of the best .380 self defense rounds out there.

Thanks for getting the high end good stuff to test, three great choices for glass.

I don't often see the glass testing. Interesting results. A good video Mr Sam and as usual I won't see a response.

Excellent highly informative video, and very well done. Thank you! You've got me taking a long hard look at the UA TAC-XP round. I've been carrying UA 9mm Luger 124 Gr SGD Bonded JHP +P+ in my 9mm Luger self-defense pistols for over a decade... but now I'm rethinking that. Good things! 👍

Great picks for comparing. Auto glass is also where the extra oomph of 40 S&W and 357 Sig shows up well.

Interesting that the Gold Dot dumped enough energy, hard enough, fast enough, to knock the 3" gel block off the front (@ 5:15 and again @ 7:08) but the other two rounds could not defeat your rigging. I think that tells me what I need to know about which round I might want to carry for self-defense.

I prefer copper over lead (unless there is some compelling performance-based reason to go with lead with some particular defensive ammo). From everything I've seen, heard, and read, copper bullets--both copper fluted solids (Underwood Xtreme Defender) and copper hollow points (Barnes TAC-XP)--behave more consistently in gel tests (for example, very consistent penetration and, for copper hollow points, extremely reliable expansion) and do vastly better with barriers than lead hollow points. So I really like Barnes TAC-XPs and Underwood Xtreme Defenders and stock both in virtually every caliber I own. Nonetheless, I do additionally stock Federal HSTs in 9mm and 45 auto.

Great vid! Three top defensive rounds, can’t go wrong with Gold Dots but these Extreme Defenders may have an edge ( tissue damage AND penetration). Thinking may be a damn good woods carry round also ( especially in 9mm). 🤔

Great test,keep ‘em coming!

I would love to see someone test the Underwood 9mm+p 68 grain defender(1800 fps) on Body Armor.

I carry federal HST + p. But I have a extra clip of extreme defender + p + for barriers. Great test!

Thanks good vid. I'm still a defender fan though. I just like the consistency and good penetration.

Extreme Defender Platinum Edition has been my new go to carry round. It’s performance is impressive.

Anyone surprised by the Extreme Defender’s performance shown here hasn’t been paying attention! All I’ve carried in several calibers since they hit the market!

Is it weird that seconds into your video, I realized that I have a bit of an intelectual man crush? This is HIGH grade prep/thinking/pre-stage work. Not only did you compare every bullet I love, cause they rule supreme in performance, but you have good tastes in who loads it, how they load it, and take into consideration the anatomy of people. This is really rare to see broski.

thanks for the video - very informative - pause for consideration on the XP

I didn't like the extreme defender at first , probably just because I'm an old dog and like the look of a good hollowpoint better than a screwdriver tip , but after seeing many ballistic gel tests and their superior performance , I'm a believer and have bought some in 9mm 40 s&w and 45acp . Excellent demonstration and I think that the extreme defender proved it's superiority over the hollowpoint once again!

If it’s a overcast day take the diffusers off the chronograph! Your wecome👍🇨🇦🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

In....Garry Robert's did write that the Tac/all copper bullets had a tendency to veer off 90 degrees or so after going through windshield....my guess is sometimes one of 4 get ripped off or peeled back all the way when going through and the drag acts as a pivot point redirecting....perhaps just something those that drive for a living should consider

I like the mini gun myself. And the 500 S&W 600 grain. Good for hunting also.

GS. Always good and interesting videos. Thanks for sharing and take care.

Thanks for that test and review.

Great demonstration. A comparison between extreme defender and FMJ or FMJ flat point through auto glass would be interesting considering price and availability.

Before seeing the results my money is on Speer Gold Dot. Its been a round that I trusted for years in Law Enforcement.

It seems the extreme defender won each segment of the test. What do you mean when you say they didn’t “wow you ?”

Thanks 🎯👍

really should try the 147 variants of Gold Dot and HST, and 10mm GD, HST, and Underwood Barnes. Cool video.

Very Nice Testing as usual Gun Sam! 😊The Hornady "Critical Duty" won them the Federal Ammo contract because of its ability to shoot thru auto safety glass and still achieve 12-18" penetration in gel (Their 135+P 9mm load ) It still boggles my mind it did this with ALL 5 barriers! 😉 ( Drywall is much softer than 2- 20 gauge steel sheets and auto glass ) It kinda defies physics, in my mind. 😊😆😂 The Extreme defenders have been about the only others that I think defeat hard barriers like auto glass. I am curious how these TAC XPs perform in the other 3-4 barriers the FBI tests use, like the 2 sheets of 3.5" spaced drywall, 3/4" CDX plywood, 2 sheets of 18 gauge steel spaced apart a few inches, the heavy clothing barrier, etc. Many of these all copper rounds that are not solid, have major trouble when hitting barriers as it destroys their expansion or clogs them up, also destroying their expansion. I will keep an eye out for Barnes TAC XP's tests in barriers from now on. though for sure.

I carry in my bag, so the extreme defenders 68 grain I think, make a huge difference in weight.

Fan of 90gr Xtreme Defender in +P Very high confidence / Carry round. Ruger LCR handles them just fine…

One thing to consider is that the Gold Dot 124 grain +p has been around for quite a while. I don’t know if it’s been updated since it’s inception. It seems to have worked well for NYPD and I thought Homeland Security Investigations also selected it. The Gold Dot G2 147 grain and the Critical Duty +p 135 were the top performers for the FBI thru all tested barriers, including auto glass. Whether agencies use either one is based more on contract price since both performed to the required criteria. The Gold Dot 124s and HSTs are both good for most self defense requirement even if not performing as well thru auto glass or car doors. Shooting into a car is a crap shoot anyway and really must be considered a last resort.

Thank you, that was great!!! -Gunny T sends

Wish you would havd added HST 124g +p

I use underwood extreme defender for all my carry guns.

Extreme Defender 👍

Love the idea behind the ED. Started with HSTs, then Hornady CD, and switched to Underwood ED a few years ago. 😂

After this video, tac-xp moved up a notch for me.

Good test. I am VERY surprised by the TAC-XP doing as well...basically...as the Extreme Defender. The Defender is my load of choice for carry in sub 4.5" barrel's. I use the Critical Duty in anything 4.5" barrel's and above in 9mm. I do not have plan's the change away from the Defender.

I love what these xtreme defenders do to a target, but find them to be less accurate with a different point of impact as others. The tacxpd is the most accurate round in my pistols.

I wonder if the tac xp bullets perform at more or less the same level when going 1050-1125 fps

"Well, the Xtreme Defender actually out performed everything today, but we're going to say the TAC was best, because, reasons." - the Internet

9mm +p and +p+ does good. i wonder What 357 and 44 magnums do. 😮

Nice

It sounds like you’re slightly biased against the extreme defender but the proof is in the pudding in all phase of the testing it did more damage and had more consistent penetration thanks for the good work!

a bit off-topic, on slo-mo it seemed the Tac-XP had 'flashes' wondering if it was a trick of the light coming off the expanding leaves or if it actually releases photons as the metal is energetically deformed, thoughts?

Is there any real street shootings with these types of this fluted ammo. I can't find anything

Did you notice any difference in recoil with the extreme defender? I would assume so since the grain weight is smaller.

👍

I’m only watching because I’m confident there won’t be a balogna penetration test.

Would a coated hardcast do the same as an Extreme Defender?

External hollow points are silly. The only true damage a pistol bullet causes is what it physically touches and cuts in the body. If the bullet does not expand its not going to cause as much damage. Unless you start going over 2,000 feet per second when you get room cavitation such as with a rifle round expansion and penetration are what does the damage.

to recap, the XD won thru bare gel. the XD won thru clothing gel. and the XD tied thru glass. hands down, Long Live the *XD*

Tax-xp has legendary street performance on the Corbon DPX platform in real world shootings not surprisingly it performs well here.

I'm staying with my 9 mm UNDERWOOD 90 gr. Extreme Defender. Testson The Military Channel shows me it is VERY reliable/ If I have to use deadly force to defend myself or loved ones I want RELIABILITY..

👍😊

I got hit in the face with one of those shell casings from the Xtreme defender! I'm rather impressed by how well the Barnes bullets work. I wish they were cheaper. As reloading components, they are expensive enough that you are generally better off getting a factory load unless you are looking for something really unusual. As for the Xtreme Defender bullets, I remain rather skeptical of the fluted design's efficacy in spite of their performance in gel testing.

PizzA

Bump

Why would you do this test with a 5" barrel? Thats an OWB duty gun. Cops have the resources to do these tests themselves. A 4" or less barrel would be a better representation of what the average CCW uses. Sam you have a great setup, but please use the shorter barrels.

What is up with all the pro Xtreme Defender comments in here? They sound like Underwood employees. Even after you proved it's not the best in all situations and can even over penetrate.

The extreme defender was mad for compact, sub-compact guns and for tissue, not hard objects

Hope ur good. We got hit hard south of lansing. And in lansing actuallly. Great testing as usual.

I’ve been carrying the extreme defender +p+ in all my semi automatics for years, They are a cut above “Normal” ammo.

Which gr of underwood did you use (sorry if I missed it)? Underwood claims different barrier performance between their 68gr 9mm and 90gr 9mm offerings in this line