Hornady Critical Duty vs Critical Defense

[HawkMan]

I have a 9mm M&P Shield and have kept Hornady Critical Duty ammunition in it as a self defense round; however, I recently found out that the Duty round is not optimized for short barreled handguns.

Besides more recoil, is there really any issue I could run into by using Critical Duty rather than Critical Defense?


Hornady states on their website (Link):

Although designed to work flawlessly in ALL handguns, these loads are NOT optimized for short barreled, concealed carry style handguns; they will deliver standard recoil during firing.

[God Bless America]

Duty has more penetration, I think.

[HawkMan]

Duty has more penetration, I think.

That's what I've heard and been able to tell from ballistics tests, that's why I'd prefer to use it. But is the only difference going to be recoil and penetration?

[SixPointEight]

Not optimized, so lose a little velocity, a touch more muzzle flash. But you get a much better performing projectile. I'd stick with the Critical Duty.

Personally I prefer bonded projectiles, like the Gold Dots, but between the two, I'd run Critical Duty

[at_liberty]

The issue for me is that the one with the FTX bullet has nonstandard case length and must be segregated in your reloading supplies. Critical Duty is built around the Flexlock bullet, while Critical Defense uses the FTX bullet and shorter case. "Duty" is LEO, and "Defense" is civilian and lower recoil for smaller concealable guns.

[Metal God]

What I read was Duty does have better barrier penetration and to get that it has a tougher jacket . This results in it needing all the velocity it can get to reliably expand . It is expected to be fired from 4 and 5" barrels . This is not to say it wont expand out of shorter barrels , just it's designed for LEO that almost all use at least 4" barrels .

https://www.policeone.com/police-products/firearms/accessories/articles/206795006-Critical-Defense-vs-Critical-Duty-Clearing-up-confusion-over-Hornady-ammunition/

[Heydeck52]

I just finished a CCW class and was told Critical defense for urban environment and Duty for rural. As well as anything +P for rural. Even though you want penetration you don't want to over penetrate with bystanders around.

[artb]

All my defense firearms are loaded with critical duty.
Over penetration can get you sued.
Under penetration can get you killed.