
Availability: In Stock
Hornady Critical Defense .40 S&W ammunition delivers reliable personal defense performance when it matters most. This 165-grain load is engineered for consistent expansion and penetration in defensive encounters, with a design that minimizes the risk of bullet setback—a critical concern in self-defense rounds that may be chambered and re-holstered repeatedly. Whether you carry a full-size pistol, compact, or subcompact in .40 S&W, Critical Defense ammunition is built to feed reliably and perform predictably under pressure.
The round's bright exterior finish ensures fast target identification in low-light conditions—a practical advantage in home defense or concealed carry situations. Hornady's commitment to precision manufacturing means each round meets exacting standards for consistency, so you can train with confidence and trust your ammunition when it counts.
Critical Defense comes packaged in convenient 20-round boxes, with 200 rounds per case for those who want to stock up. It's an ideal choice for shooters seeking a quality personal defense round that combines proven reliability with thoughtful engineering.
| Caliber | .40 S&W |
| Bullet Weight | 165 grains |
| Rounds per Box | 20 |
| Rounds per Case | 200 |
| Application | Personal Defense |
Yes. Critical Defense ammunition is engineered to feed reliably in all standard .40 S&W pistols, from full-size duty guns to compact and subcompact carry models.
The round is specifically designed for self-defense use, with engineering that resists bullet setback—an issue that can occur when a round is chambered, ejected, and re-holstered multiple times. The consistent performance and reliable expansion characteristics make it a trusted choice for defensive applications.
While Critical Defense is optimized for personal defense, shooters often use it for defensive training and qualification. For high-volume practice, many prefer less expensive full-metal-jacket or training-specific rounds.
A case contains 200 rounds, divided into 10 boxes of 20 rounds each—making it convenient for stocking up or sharing with range partners.





SKU: 119717340 • Width: 2.4in • Height: 1.5in • Depth: 3.2in • Weight: 0.75oz
Availability: In Stock
Hornady Critical Defense .40 S&W ammunition delivers reliable personal defense performance when it matters most. This 165-grain load is engineered for consistent expansion and penetration in defensive encounters, with a design that minimizes the risk of bullet setback—a critical concern in self-defense rounds that may be chambered and re-holstered repeatedly. Whether you carry a full-size pistol, compact, or subcompact in .40 S&W, Critical Defense ammunition is built to feed reliably and perform predictably under pressure.
The round's bright exterior finish ensures fast target identification in low-light conditions—a practical advantage in home defense or concealed carry situations. Hornady's commitment to precision manufacturing means each round meets exacting standards for consistency, so you can train with confidence and trust your ammunition when it counts.
Critical Defense comes packaged in convenient 20-round boxes, with 200 rounds per case for those who want to stock up. It's an ideal choice for shooters seeking a quality personal defense round that combines proven reliability with thoughtful engineering.
| Caliber | .40 S&W |
| Bullet Weight | 165 grains |
| Rounds per Box | 20 |
| Rounds per Case | 200 |
| Application | Personal Defense |
Yes. Critical Defense ammunition is engineered to feed reliably in all standard .40 S&W pistols, from full-size duty guns to compact and subcompact carry models.
The round is specifically designed for self-defense use, with engineering that resists bullet setback—an issue that can occur when a round is chambered, ejected, and re-holstered multiple times. The consistent performance and reliable expansion characteristics make it a trusted choice for defensive applications.
While Critical Defense is optimized for personal defense, shooters often use it for defensive training and qualification. For high-volume practice, many prefer less expensive full-metal-jacket or training-specific rounds.
A case contains 200 rounds, divided into 10 boxes of 20 rounds each—making it convenient for stocking up or sharing with range partners.
SKU: 119717340 • Width: 2.4in • Height: 1.5in • Depth: 3.2in • Weight: 0.75oz




