The Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special 110gr FTX (brand part no. 90310) was developed specifically for personal protection out of short-barreled, concealed-carry revolvers, exactly the kind of gun most .38 Special shooters carry. Hornady builds the round around its patented FTX bullet, a Flex Tip design that resists the clogging a traditional hollow point can suffer when fired through heavy clothing. Optimized propellants burn quickly to reduce recoil and limit muzzle flash, keeping night vision intact if a shot has to be fired in low light. In handgun ammunition for revolver carry, this is the standard-pressure Critical Defense loading.

Key Specifications

• The chambering is .38 Special, standard pressure rather than +P.
• The bullet is a 110-grain FTX, Hornady’s patented Flex Tip hollow point that resists clogging through heavy clothing.
• Propellants are optimized to burn quickly, reducing recoil and limiting muzzle flash.
• The case is brass, standard for reliable extraction.
• Each box holds 25 rounds, a practical amount for practice plus a carry reload.
• Cases ship 10 boxes to a case, a useful bulk option for shooters training with their carry load.
• Cost works out to about $1.18 per round, reasonable pricing for a dedicated defensive load.
• Critical Defense is built specifically for short-barreled, concealed-carry revolvers, where expansion is harder to achieve than from a full-size gun.
• The FTX bullet is patented, a Hornady-exclusive design not licensed to other ammunition makers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this round rated +P? No, this is the standard-pressure Critical Defense loading, well suited to lightweight snub-nose revolvers not rated for +P.

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 25 rounds of .38 Special, with 10 boxes to a case.

Buy the Hornady Critical Defense .38 Special 110gr FTX, 25-Round Box

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