Hornady Announces New Handgun Ammo for 2015

by
posted on October 20, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
hornadycrdeflt.jpg

Hornady's lineup for 2015 includes a new line of handgun ammunition—American Gunner, available in seven loads: .380 Auto; 9 mm Luger; 9 mm +P; .357 Mag.; .38 Spl.; .40 S&W; and .45 Auto. Preliminary offerings feature legendary XTP (eXtreme Terminal Performance) bullets.

As an expansion to its popular Critical Duty line, a .357 Mag. load has been added, which meets established FBI protocol standards for penetration and terminal performance through all common urban barriers.

A 135-gr. FlexLock bullet features patented Hornady Flex Tip technology enhances barrier protection and prevents clogging, while an InterLock band locks the jacket and core together for high weight retention. As with all the Critical Duty loads, the .357 Mag. features low-flash propellants and nickel-plated cartridge cases. Watch more in the video below:

And rounding out the personal-defense loads, the Critical Defense Lite in 9 mm Luger was offered as a reduced-recoil option for shooters looking to minimize the felt recoil of their lightweight, compact personal protection handgun. In fact, shooters will feel a 27-percent reduction in recoil compared to standard loads.

This new load features a 100-gr. FTX bullet with a unique pink Flex Tip, signifying that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Critical Defense Lite will go to help fund breast cancer research. For more, watch below:

Latest

More Suppressors 2
More Suppressors 2

NFA Wait Times Continue to Drop

In early 2021, it took the ATF about 280 days to process a Form 4 NFA transfer. In August 2026, using the recently implemented eForms system, that wait time had dropped to only nine days.

Pelican Air Carry-on Case Review

An industry staple just made air travel more convenient.

The ROSE Program by SIG Sauer: Empowering Women in Shooting Sports Across the Nation

The ROSE Program is a shooting program created specifically for women. It aims to create a community of women in shooting that can learn about shooting and self-defense.

I Have This Old Gun: French MAS-49

Despite being early adopters of several semi-automatic rifles for military use, the French army took several decades to work out a standardized semi-automatic rifle for general service use. The rifle that finally came to being was the MAS-49.

Polite Society Industries Launches with Complete Suppressor Line

"An armed society is a polite society," goes the famous quote, which is also the inspiration behind Polite Society Industries, a new suppressor manufacturer that now has a complete line available to consumers.

NRA-ILA Names Smith & Wesson Official Partner of the 2026 NRA Gun Bus Battleground Tour

Iconic American firearms maker Smith & Wesson will join NRA-ILA on the road as nation's leading firearm group turns out voters ahead of the 2026 midterm.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.