Wow I've been meaning to order some Critical Defense .38 SPL to try out in my S&W 442 but just haven't got around to it yet. Maybe I'll hold off for a while, it's a shame because the front end of this ammo looks promising for a defensive round. I'm sure Hornady will get it sorted out.
Problem with Hornady Critical Defense
I bought 4 boxes of the new Hornady Critical Defense ammo in 9mm. Yesterday I got a chance to try it out and what a disappointment!! One out of every 3 rounds was a misfire. The hammer left pronounced indentations on the primers but the rounds were duds. Some I even put back in and tried again with the same result. Now I had two hammer indentations on the primer but no fire! :barf:
Today I went to the range and with the same gun (Kahr CW9) I fired my normal carry round, Speer Gold Dot 124 gr. with not a single misfire. Then I ran 50 rounds of Federal American Eagle hard ball with again, not a single misfire.
I'm going to contact Hornady for a refund but needless to say, I would never carry their Critical Defense round.
Today I went to the range and with the same gun (Kahr CW9) I fired my normal carry round, Speer Gold Dot 124 gr. with not a single misfire. Then I ran 50 rounds of Federal American Eagle hard ball with again, not a single misfire.
I'm going to contact Hornady for a refund but needless to say, I would never carry their Critical Defense round.
41 - 60 of 83 Posts
I bought five boxes of 9mm from my FFL and got two boxes of the standard pressure .38 Special from another source. I have fired two boxes from a SIG P2022 and no issues. I haven't tried the .38 because of scheduling and lack of range time.
I hope to get more range time and try more of the ammo out. I got good accuracy out of the gun and ammo. It would suck if there were issues.
Well, I have some Federal 9BP JHP to try as well.
I hope to get more range time and try more of the ammo out. I got good accuracy out of the gun and ammo. It would suck if there were issues.
Well, I have some Federal 9BP JHP to try as well.
I love the Hornady critical defense 38 special non +P. I have shot about ten boxes so far without any issues out of different guns. Very accurate ammunition and shoots to point of aim in my snub specials.
Just a thought. Since you changed the firing pin spring and had the same results could the firing pin itself be a tiny bit short? If your firing pin is the correct length then just accept the fact that that ammo is not reliable in your gun. Long story short just don't use it, period. There are too many other good brands of ammo out there. But I do want to commend you for bringing it to our attention. I would think that if Hornady knows it has a problem with light primer strikes, then they should get a new primer supplier. The fact that other brands of ammo works in your gun means Hornady is using very tempermental primers that do not allow for any variance from "standard". That is simply not acceptable in a product marketed as Critical Defense ammo. Critical Defense should imply that it would work in a zip gun with a firing pin powered by a rubber band.
My thoughts exactly! I'm not denying the ammo works fine in some other guns and I am going to obtain the exact length of the firing pin from Kahr to make sure mine is okay. HOWEVER, as you so well expressed, they are advertising this new ammo as the ultimate self defense ammo yet the Hornady rep clearly stated that they are having an unusual amount of it returned due to FTF's. Others can trust their lives to it....me? Never! It will not go back in my gun. Anyone interested in 3 boxes of it???Just a thought. Since you changed the firing pin spring and had the same results could the firing pin itself be a tiny bit short? If your firing pin is the correct length then just accept the fact that that ammo is not reliable in your gun. Long story short just don't use it, period. There are too many other good brands of ammo out there. But I do want to commend you for bringing it to our attention. I would think that if Hornady knows it has a problem with light primer strikes, then they should get a new primer supplier. The fact that other brands of ammo works in your gun means Hornady is using very tempermental primers that do not allow for any variance from "standard". That is simply not acceptable in a product marketed as Critical Defense ammo. Critical Defense should imply that it would work in a zip gun with a firing pin powered by a rubber band.
Better check your info again. Sitting here looking at a box of right now.Are you sure?
Hornady Critical Defense is not available in .45.
I realize this thread is two years old, but I want to comment anyway.
..................................
is there an industry standard, for the minimum kinetic energy
of a firing pin, in a gun that uses ammo with LPPs?
is there an industry standard, for the minimum kinetic energy
that must set off a LPP?
...........................
does Kahr test their guns with primers that
are known to be worst case ( will not fire with less than
minimum kinetic energy),
or do they buy primers from Shmoe's Gun Shop, just down the road?
just because Hornady tests their ammo with a Glock, means nothing,
a Glock could be 50% over spec, while a Kahr could be just at spec, or worse. just don't know.
..................................
is there an industry standard, for the minimum kinetic energy
of a firing pin, in a gun that uses ammo with LPPs?
is there an industry standard, for the minimum kinetic energy
that must set off a LPP?
...........................
does Kahr test their guns with primers that
are known to be worst case ( will not fire with less than
minimum kinetic energy),
or do they buy primers from Shmoe's Gun Shop, just down the road?
just because Hornady tests their ammo with a Glock, means nothing,
a Glock could be 50% over spec, while a Kahr could be just at spec, or worse. just don't know.
Trouble with Hordnady CD rounds
I purchased the Hordnady Critical Defense 357 Mag to use in my trust S&W 19-3 K frame pistol. I have used evey 357 and 38 soecial round immaginable without difficulty. Enter the CD. I loaded 6 rounds which fired off flaulessly. No misfires, good target pattern. However, when I went to extract the spent casings, they were wedged in the cylinder. I had to go home and drive the casings out of the gun. Hornady was good about paying return postage for the unused bullets and expended casings (I held back one of each). I have not heard back from them yet.
I know it only takes one shot in a critical situation but I really need the baility to reload and shoot again. Hey, that's what it's all about.
I purchased the Hordnady Critical Defense 357 Mag to use in my trust S&W 19-3 K frame pistol. I have used evey 357 and 38 soecial round immaginable without difficulty. Enter the CD. I loaded 6 rounds which fired off flaulessly. No misfires, good target pattern. However, when I went to extract the spent casings, they were wedged in the cylinder. I had to go home and drive the casings out of the gun. Hornady was good about paying return postage for the unused bullets and expended casings (I held back one of each). I have not heard back from them yet.
I know it only takes one shot in a critical situation but I really need the baility to reload and shoot again. Hey, that's what it's all about.
when your life is on the line. you can depend on hornady's "CRITICAL" personal tactical seal swat defense ammo. :biglaugh:
I heard Hornady had trouble with their primers on this ammo because they were having them made overseas. Great bullet design and then they try to save a buck on cheap primers.
We don't guarantee any of our guns to run with this ammo. The rubber tip is a disaster.I have fired several boxes through my Wilson Professional 9mm-no problems with ignition. I did have some feeding problems however. The little rubber tip sticks out past the end of the bullet of would act like a brake pad, stopping the round on the feed ramp. I was able to get around that by just trimming the rubber off flush with the end of the bullet with a razor blade. It now feeds perfectly. I like this ammo because it is very accurate in my pistol and the way the bullet performs.
Holy zombie thread, batman!
Holy zombie threads.......clothes for the clerical undead?Holy zombie thread, batman!
maybe they should change the name from CRITICAL DEFENSE to CRITICAL DISASTER? i had a spare mag for my M&P .40 cal. loaded w/these (copper colored primers). that spare mag is now loaded w/ gold dots, as is the mag in the gun.
Well, unfortunately, Hornady tried to make a load that ignored the standards for what makes a good defense load, and they ultimately failed in making something that would work well.
If Hornady could revamp the XTP line to resolve a lot of its issues, then it would likely work well.
If Hornady could revamp the XTP line to resolve a lot of its issues, then it would likely work well.
Does the bad primers apply only to the Critical Defense Ammo or is this a problem with all their Ammo (Hornady Custom + P, TAP, ect.) ?
Denny
Denny
I have only heard of the issue with the Critical DefenseDoes the bad primers apply only to the Critical Defense Ammo or is this a problem with all their Ammo (Hornady Custom + P, TAP, ect.) ?
Denny
Thanks DeltaKilo, Ive used Hornady XTP bullets for some time now for my reloads and was thinking of buying some Hornady Custom +P for concealed carry. Maybe I'll stop by Cabellas and pick up a couple of boxes for my Springfield Range Officer and see if my gun likes them. I think I,ll look and see if they have any Golden Sabers, everyone seems to like them.I have only heard of the issue with the Critical Defense
Thanks
Denny
Generally, I don't recommend the XTPs for defensive purposes because they tend to plug up and otherwise have issues with penetrating hard barriers. They're an excellent hunting round, but for defensive purposes, there are other, much better designs.Thanks DeltaKilo, Ive used Hornady XTP bullets for some time now for my reloads and was thinking of buying some Hornady Custom +P for concealed carry. Maybe I'll stop by Cabellas and pick up a couple of boxes for my Springfield Range Officer and see if my gun likes them. I think I,ll look and see if they have any Golden Sabers, everyone seems to like them.
Thanks
Denny
Such as?Generally, I don't recommend the XTPs for defensive purposes because they tend to plug up and otherwise have issues with penetrating hard barriers. They're an excellent hunting round, but for defensive purposes, there are other, much better designs.
I keep hearing about XTP,s plugging up with clothing, but with the exception Power Ball, Hydro shocks and other similar made bullets they are all made about the same, a big open cavity to plug with clothing. I would think the Gold Dots and the Barns copper bullets would be about the same.
Denny
41 - 60 of 83 Posts
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