Thor45AZ

I currently carry the Speer GD JHP 124gr. +P's in my Ruger P95. I was looking at another post, and saw many people saying that all they carry is Hornady Critical Defense. I was wondering what the difference is and if anyone has an opinion as to which is better for personal defense and why? I went with the Gold Dots originally because I heard great things and that's what my local LEOs carry. Your thoughts?

Samuel

In my opinion the differences are microscopic and you can flip a coin.I like the golden sabers myself YMMV.

Nutty Ned

Not sure that critical defence is a good comparison, I think I would go for critical duty instead. Critical duty is now becoming avail on line. I ordered some, but, won't get it until the 27th.

JimB120

I carry Gold Dots in just about anything I load up for Home Defense. They've been thoroughly tested and field proven.

I'm using the 147gr sp in my Sig 239, but have been looking for some of the Short Barrel 124 +P, which will produce about the same terminal energy as the 124 sp in a longer barrel.

The claim to fame of the Critical Defense seems to be it doesn't collect debris that prevents it from spreading when it hits the body.

The same is true of the Gold Dots. Unless something truly amazing comes along I'll stick with what I trust.

P89Guy

I'm using Hornady Critical Defense 165gr XTP's in my SR40c

blew off a couple of boxes of them to function test

they worked.

mavracer

I wouldn't switch golddots are proven.

WhiteBreadLife

Criticial Defense out Preform Gold Dots in every test. Take it from someone who researches a Pair of Fingernail Clippers for 3 days before he buys them.

MinnesnowtaWild

You can test all you want, but Speer Gold Dot 124g +P has been doing the trick for many, many years. It's still the best product on the market. I think the Federal HST line may give it a run for the money, but Hornady doesn't really have the street cred that Speer has.

78CJ5

I feel they are pretty much equal to each other. I would shoot both into a new target to see if your handgun was more accurate with one or the other, just my .02

Nick0410

Any forum research I did usually had the same 3 or 4 brands but Gold Dot was always meantioned. I had Golden Sabers but after chambering them a few times (only had 2 or 3 mags at the time) I had bullet setback issues and others have had that problem, but since then I keep one mag strickly full of Gold Dot that I never load and unload.

The ammo I saw people liking the best were Gold Dots, Golden Sabers, and Win Rangers but Gold Dots were ALWAYS meantioned and included in top 3

I also like that they make short barrel rounds. I'm not trying to blind myself with that 2 in .357 Mag in low light conditions

Thor45AZ

LOL I went with both! I carry the Gold Dots in my P95, but I just picked up a GP100 4" .357mag and I got a box of Hornady Critical Defense 140gr to go in it. The loaded cylinder looks like it has little red tipped missiles in it!

Lee D

both are excellent choices, but the GoldDots do have more history proving their performance capabilities.

patotn

I tried Federal Personal Defense Hydra Shok, Personal defense Hydara Shok low recoil, Golden Saber, Speer Gold Dot and Hornady TAP FPD in my SR9c. The best grouping was with Speer, followed by Low recoil. Golden Saber didn't group well for me. I believe therein may lie your answer. You should try a variety of ammo to see what works best for you and your gun.

countrygun

I'm with samuel on this. Modern Hps are pretty good across the board. I pick the one the particular gun shoots best. There can, but not always, be a significant difference, and If avor accuracy I can see and measure over diffrences which may well only be theoretical.

JSR3313

Just use the Hornady's for the range. They are (supposedly) not worth the price. You can get 50rd boxes of Federal HST, Winchester Ranger T, and Speer Gold Dots for the same price (or so) as the 25rd boxes of the Hornady's.

The Critical Defense have been found to NOT expand nor penetrate as far as the Winchester Ranger T's, Federal HST and Speer Gold Dot. Stay with the Gold Dots

As a function test, that's fine. As a carry round....I wouldn't do it from what I've read.

Um...really? Then you really have not done your research. I too was sucked in by the magazine hype and got the Hornady. Of course I got the TAP line which I have heard is a LITTLE better than the CD. But not by much.

Absolutely correct...finally. Someone who doesn't drink the Hornady kool-aid. It seems the three top performers per the FBI testing protocols are the Federal HST, Winchester Ranger T, and Speer Gold Dot

Seems another person that at least can speak with some experience in shooting various ones. Good job in sticking with the Speers.

For those of you that are curious as to why I posted what I did, here's a link that has been circulating another forum I frequent. The author has done a lot of testing on his own, as well as reading what the FBI and other LE departments use. There is a reason they do...reliability and consistency.

Best Choices for Self Defense Ammo

This covers handgun and rifle rounds. And has a lot of good information as to why some rounds are better than others.