Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense Loads

by
posted on March 18, 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. **
Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense packaging boxes stack three ammo rounds 9 mm guns firearms shooting hunting

In his poem entitled “The Road Not Taken,” author Robert Frost wrote, “… Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Liberty Ammunition has followed suit with its Civil Defense personal-protection ammunition, as the company utilizes light-for-caliber projectiles propelled to remarkably high velocities. Take the 9 mm Luger +P load for example; it’s touted attaining in excess of 2000 f.p.s. with a frangible, nickel-plated-copper 50-gr. bullet, resulting in 450 ft.-lbs. of energy. To verify these claims, I tested the load in a Leupold DeltaPoint-equipped, 5”-barreled Smith & Wesson M&P9 C.O.R.E. An Oeheler Model 36 chronograph revealed that, at 15 ft., the Civil Defense round exceeded the factory published numbers, as it averaged 2087 f.p.s., resulting in 484 ft.-lbs. of energy. The ammunition proved accurate as well, delivering five-shot groups measuring 2½” at 25 yds. As for penetration depths of the fragmenting projectile, since I was lacking calibrated ballistic gelatin at test time, I must refer to factory-provided data-supported by video footage on the company’s website-that illustrates upward of 12”. Whereas the use of a lightweight projectile results in high velocities for additional on-target energy, as well as less felt recoil and muzzle flip, the volume of propellant necessary to attain the 2000-f.p.s.-plus velocities results in an intense muzzle flash, especially in low-light conditions. Lastly, Civil Defense ammunition features nickel-plated cases for corrosion resistance, smoother feeding, and improved visibility in reduced lighting. In addition to 9 mm Luger +P, the company offers the following loads: .380 ACP (50-gr. @ 1500 f.p.s.); .40 S&W (60-gr. @ 2000 f.p.s.) and .45 Auto +P (78-gr. @ 1900 f.p.s.). Civil Defense ammunition sells for approximately $20-$24 (depending on chambering) per 20 at MidwayUSA. What’s your opinion regarding the lightweight, high-velocity loads for self-defense?

Latest

Robbins And Lawrence Armory Vermont
Robbins And Lawrence Armory Vermont

The Robbins & Lawrence Story: Pioneers Of Mass Production

The Robbins & Lawrence company of Windsor, Vt., was an early pioneer in the field of mass production, using machine tools and interchangeable parts to produce firearms for both the U.S. and British governments.

CMP Auctions Move To GunBroker.com

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has moved its popular auctions to GunBroker.com, an online firearm marketplace that launched in 1999, to further support the future of the shooting sports and firearm ownership.

I Have This Old Gun: The French Charleville Musket

One of the most important military arms ever made, the French Charleville musket saw use in the American Revolution and armed French troops throughout the Napoleonic Wars.

CVA Endura Series: The Modernized Muzzleloader Of 2025

CVA built on the success of its Paramount muzzleloader to create the Endura, a design that the company calls "the most advanced muzzleloader series CVA has ever built."

Review: FN 15 Guardian

FN America has sought to bring its legendary quality and reliability to an AR-15 that lists for just $999, and we believe that it has done this well with its 15 Guardian carbine.

Springfield Armory Hellcat Now Available In .380 ACP

Despite the extensive number of Hellcat models in its lineup, Springfield Armory has only offered the pistol in one chambering, 9 mm Luger, until now. The .380 ACP model offers similar capabilities with softer recoil.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.