Hornady critical duty a disapointment for me

My CZ75 eats anything and everything. But if yours doesn't, that's okay. If it is 100% reliable with Amm X, then just use Ammo X. Problem solved.
 
Honestly, with the great quality of Federal HST, Winchester Ranger, and Speer Gold Dot, I don't see why anyone even bothers with Hornady loads for SD.

For hunting, I can definitely see going with XTP loads, though.
 
DHart said:
Honestly, with the great quality of Federal HST, Winchester Ranger, and Speer Gold Dot, I don't see why anyone even bothers with Hornady loads for SD.
Click to expand...
I agree. The Hornady Critical Defense/Duty line is more of a "Me Too!" thing than a truly innovative addition to the market. The Polymer tip is interesting, but I've seen tests where the bullet still fails to expand in heavy clothing where the HST or others don't.
 
If this were weakly loaded ammo, I might suspect an ejector problem. Since this is actually pretty hot ammo, what I think is happening is that the extractor is losing its grip on the rim early and therefore the ejection isn't happening as positively as it should.

It's not terribly rare for the CZ75 pistols to need a stronger extractor spring in some circumstances. I would call CZUSA and ask them about it.
 
I have used Hornady ammo as a self-defense round, both Critical Defense and Critical Duty almost exclusively for the last year or more, simply because of availability. I've shot hundreds of rounds in both 9 mm and 380. I've read and watched countless articles and videos of testing. I have never seen one where the polymer tipped bullet failed to expand. If there is evidence of this, please provide a link. I have never had a failure and use it with confidence.

I have others, including Gold Dot, and HST on the shelf. I don't worry at all about any of it working as advertised. I spend a lot more time working on making sure I can hit what I'm shooting at.
 
I use Hornady Critical Defense, and Critical Duty also. Although it is rated +p, it doesn't seem to have as strong a recoil impulse as my Cor Bon which I also use.
 
Thus, proving yet again that it is axiomatic: you must test out the SD ammo you plan on carrying with the gun and mags you plan on carrying with it.

Not every gun can handle every kind of ammo. Find what it likes and stick with it.
 
I don't worry at all about any of it working as advertised. I spend a lot more time working on making sure I can hit what I'm shooting at.
Click to expand...

Right. But I don't see people claiming it doesn't "work as advertised". But if for some reason it doesn't function in your pistol that is something to be concerned about and asking others if they have the same issue seems reasonable.
 
No argument TunnelRat. My post was in response to the posts indicating that these Hornady rounds are inferior. That has not been my experience, or the experience of many others. That is not to say it will function flawlessly in all pistols. Any ammo used in a defensive weapon must be tested. That a round doesn't work in every pistol doesn't mean much to me. I have proven several choices. Hornady is on my approved list. Having spent the time and money to develop my list, I can focus on shooting. I think everyone should have a list...
 
Hornady is on my approved list. Having spent the time and money to develop my list, I can focus on shooting. I think everyone should have a list...
Click to expand...

Agreed, and as has been pointed out what works well in one pistol might not work well in another pistol. Testing your defensive ammo in each pistol you might carry is very important.
 
stove pipes

The OP describes his failures as "stovepipes", ie a spent case not making it out of the pistol. That is typically resultant of low slide speed, which is effected by either dirt/lack of lube, a recoil spring issue, or weak ammo. There is a chance there is an ejector problem, but that's a weak option till the others are resolved.

I'd clean and lube the gun and see if it runs. If I read the post right, it is a new gun and may need a bit more shooting to slick up...

But if the gun continues to cycle other ammo.....it's that Hornady load.
 
I'm going with what JohnKSa said about the extractor spring. When I first bought my CZ-75B NIB in 2011, it had stovepipes with 115 gr PMC fmj. An extra power extractor spring from wolff made that problem go away permanently.
 
K_Mac said:
I have used Hornady ammo as a self-defense round, both Critical Defense and Critical Duty almost exclusively for the last year or more, simply because of availability. I've shot hundreds of rounds in both 9 mm and 380. I've read and watched countless articles and videos of testing. I have never seen one where the polymer tipped bullet failed to expand. If there is evidence of this, please provide a link. I have never had a failure and use it with confidence.
Click to expand...
I carry the Critical Defense in my LCP and the 135 gr Critical Duty +P in whatever 9mm I might have with me.
In all of the tests I've seen for the Critical Duty and Critical Defense they expand quite reliably but, according to one source, the .40 S&W 175 gr Critical Duty seems to be an exception.

http://www.luckygunner.com/40-s-w-175-gr-jhp-flexlock-hornady-critical-duty-20-rounds#geltest
http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top