20 Rounds of 185gr JHP .45 ACP +P Ammo by Hornady

It’s called “Critical Defense,” but it’s hard to find anything to critique about this *primo* Nebraska-made 45 ACP +P ammo. Its power. Its bullet. Its powder. They’re all selected to deliver peak performance when your back’s against the wall.

The power. This is an overpressure cartridge – hence the “+P.” Its above-standard chamber pressure pushes its 185 grain bullet to an abnormally rapid muzzle velocity for the 45 ACP: 1,150 fps, which is supersonic, and which means the bullet can hit harder than some (admittedly weaker) 357 Magnum loads!

The bullet. This round is loaded with the FTX. It is a jacketed hollow point with one additional key feature: the piece of red polymer blocking off its nose cavity. That insert prevents the FTX from jamming up with fabric, drywall particles, or other junk, which in turn helps it deliver terminal expansion more reliably.

The powder. This ammo’s propellant emits dull or zero flash on ignition. That won’t matter during the daytime, but at night it can spare you from becoming blinded upon firing your first shot. You don’t want to be blinded during a self-defense scenario – trust us.