The Hornady Critical Defense .40 S&W 165gr FTX (brand part no. 91340) was developed specifically for personal protection out of short-barreled, concealed-carry pistols. Hornady builds the round around its patented FTX bullet, a Flex Tip design that expands reliably instead of clogging with clothing fibers the way a traditional hollow point sometimes can. Nickel-plated cases resist corrosion and stand out for easy chamber checks in low light, while optimized propellants burn quickly to reduce recoil and muzzle flash. In handgun ammunition carried for self-defense, this is the load engineered around close-quarters reliability.

Key Specifications

• The chambering is .40 S&W, a proven defensive caliber for compact and full-size pistols.
• The bullet is a 165-grain FTX, Hornady’s patented Flex Tip hollow point that resists clogging through heavy clothing.
• The cases are nickel-plated, resisting corrosion and making chamber checks easier to see in low light.
• Propellants are optimized to burn quickly, reducing recoil and limiting muzzle flash that could affect night vision.
• The case material is brass, standard for consistent extraction.
• Each box holds 20 rounds, a practical amount for a carry reload plus practice.
• Cost works out to about $1.23 per round, reasonable pricing for a dedicated defensive load.
• The box ships at approximately 0.76 lbs, useful for planning a shipping order.
• Critical Defense is built specifically for short-barreled, concealed-carry pistols, where velocity and expansion are harder to achieve than from a full-size duty gun.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this load specifically built for short-barreled pistols? The FTX bullet and optimized propellant are tuned to expand reliably and burn efficiently even at the lower velocities produced by short concealed-carry barrels.

Does the FTX bullet clog when fired through clothing? No, the Flex Tip design is specifically built to resist the clogging and inconsistent expansion that can affect traditional hollow points fired through heavy clothing.

How many rounds come in a box? Each box holds 20 rounds of .40 S&W.

Buy the Hornady Critical Defense .40 S&W 165gr FTX, 20-Round Box

A carry gun deserves a round built for the exact situation it is likely to face, and Critical Defense is engineered around close-range reliability. Load your carry pistol with a round that expands the way it is supposed to. Order from our Lubbock, Texas gun shop and it ships fast to your door.