Riomouse911
Member
I am impressed with the Hornady Critical Defense .38 Sp loads. I recently participated in a FBI protocol barrier/gel test with the Critical Duty semi-auto loads, and we also ran both the +P and the standard pressure defense .38's and 9mm as well.
After 23 years (and still counting) in big city LE, I have been to a LOT of shootings, I've seen the end results of good and bad ammo choices and have seen folks shot with just about everything from a .22 short to grandpas deer rifle. IMHO, these rounds appeared to me to be just about the perfect blend of performance and recoil from the small guns we often pack..so much so that despite being issued duty Winchester 124 gr +P+ SXT ammo for the 9mm Glock (And being a die-hard Winchesterand Federal ammo guy) I picked up the Critical Defense standard and +P .38's for 2" revolver carry and the Critical Defense 9mm load for the LC9. (Both were stoked for years with Federal Hydra-shoks, they're now so old I rotated them out)
With whatever you choose; make sure it functions in your gun, and you and your spouse are comfortable with firing it.
After 23 years (and still counting) in big city LE, I have been to a LOT of shootings, I've seen the end results of good and bad ammo choices and have seen folks shot with just about everything from a .22 short to grandpas deer rifle. IMHO, these rounds appeared to me to be just about the perfect blend of performance and recoil from the small guns we often pack..so much so that despite being issued duty Winchester 124 gr +P+ SXT ammo for the 9mm Glock (And being a die-hard Winchesterand Federal ammo guy) I picked up the Critical Defense standard and +P .38's for 2" revolver carry and the Critical Defense 9mm load for the LC9. (Both were stoked for years with Federal Hydra-shoks, they're now so old I rotated them out)
With whatever you choose; make sure it functions in your gun, and you and your spouse are comfortable with firing it.