That isn't what that says at all...
According to Hornady's gelatin data (
https://www.hornadyle.com/handgun-ammunition/#!/ ), the following common Critical Defense self-defense cartridges penetrate as follows:
- 380 ACP 90gr, 10.25" (Ruger LCP 2.75" bbl)
- 9mm 100gr Lite, 9.25" (Kahr Mk9 3" bbl)
- 9mm 115gr, 11.25" (Kahr Mk9 3" bbl)
- .38 Spl 90gr Lite, 8.25" (S&W 637 1.875" bbl)
- .38 Spl 110gr, 13.00" (S&W 637 1.875" bbl)
- .38 Spl 110gr +P, 11.25" (S&W 637 1.875" bbl)
- .357 Mag 125gr, 13.00" (S&W 686 3" bbl)
- .40 S&W 165gr, 11.50" (Springfield XD 3" bbl)
- .45 ACP 185gr, 13.75" (Springfield EMP 3" bbl)
According to informed medical opinion a bullet should penetrate a minimum of 12 inches to ensure it has the potential to reliably reach and damage vital structures deep within the torso. The bullet may first have to perforate an arm before reaching the torso, the attacker may be muscular or fat, or the shooting angle through the body requires an unusually long path to reach vitals (such as being knocked to the ground and shooting upward). Most well designed cartridges penetrate 14-16 inches in bare gelatin, heavily clothed gelatin, and automotive windshield glass.
Notice that Critical Defense is tested ONLY in gelatin that's covered by heavy clothing. If it's tested in bare gelatin it may expand to a greater diameter and penetrate less.
Many CCW self-defense shootings happen around cars in parking lots. If you have to shoot through automotive glass or sheetmetal then you have no idea how Critical Defense is going to perform because it's only tested in gelatin covered by heavy clothing.
Notice the short barrels used in the test. Longer barrels increase velocity and, as shown for the .38 Spl 110gr +P load, a modest increase in velocity (+80 fps) increases bullet expanded diameter (0.54" vs. 0.50" for the non +P load) which DECREASES penetration (11.25" vs. 13" for the non +P load).
Automotive windshield glass provides a reasonable indication of how a bullet will perform if it hits bone. The most likely bones to be hit are arm bones and rib bones. Arm bones are most likely to affect a bullet's terminal performance. Rib bones have a negligible affect.
IMO, Hornady has done a superb job in promoting it's Critical Defense line of ammunition to the uninformed.