Hornady Critical Duty 357 Sig 135 gr FlexLock Ammunition: Engineered for Uncompromising Performance

For individuals who prioritize personal safety and demand the highest level of performance from their defensive ammunition, the Hornady Critical Duty 357 Sig 135 grain FlexLock stands as a premier choice. This isn't just another box of bullets; it's a meticulously engineered solution designed to address the critical challenges of real-world self-defense and law enforcement scenarios. Whether you're a responsible civilian carrying for concealed personal protection, a homeowner safeguarding your family, or a law enforcement professional in need of reliable duty ammunition, understanding the unique advantages of this Hornady offering is paramount.

When faced with a life-threatening situation, the stakes are immeasurably high. Every component of your defensive setup, especially your ammunition, must perform flawlessly. The core problem this ammunition solves is the need for consistent, reliable terminal performance across varied barriers – a common obstacle for traditional hollow points. The Hornady Critical Duty line, with its innovative FlexLock bullet technology, ensures dependable expansion and deep penetration, even after passing through common intermediate barriers like clothing, drywall, or auto glass, which can often clog conventional hollow points and prevent proper expansion.

Why Hornady Critical Duty is a Top Choice for Self-Defense Ammunition

Choosing the right ammunition for personal protection is a decision that requires careful consideration. The Hornady Critical Duty 357 Sig 135 gr FlexLock distinguishes itself through a combination of cutting-edge design and proven reliability, making it a highly recommended option for those who rely on the potent .357 Sig cartridge. Here are several reasons why this ammunition is consistently chosen by discerning users:

• Unrivaled Barrier Performance: Traditional hollow points can become clogged with barrier material, leading to reduced expansion and inconsistent performance. The patented Flex Tip design of the FlexLock bullet prevents this clogging, ensuring consistent expansion even after penetrating common obstacles. This is crucial for law enforcement and self-defense scenarios where an assailant might be behind cover.
• Exceptional Weight Retention: The heavy-duty jacket-to-core InterLock band ensures that the bullet's core and jacket remain together, maximizing weight retention upon impact. This translates to deeper, more effective penetration and a larger, more consistent wound channel, significantly enhancing the ammunition's stopping power.
• Reliable Feeding and Function: Hornady engineers understand that reliable feeding is non-negotiable in a defensive firearm. The cannelured bullet combined with a crimped case design ensures that there is no bullet setback during feeding, minimizing the risk of malfunctions in semi-automatic pistols.
• Enhanced Visibility and Corrosion Resistance: The nickel-plated brass casing not only provides superior corrosion resistance, ensuring long-term reliability even in adverse conditions, but also greatly enhances low-light chamber checks. This allows for quick and easy visual confirmation of a loaded chamber, a subtle but significant safety feature.
• Optimized for the .357 Sig Cartridge: The 135-grain FlexLock bullet is specifically tailored to harness the full potential of the high-velocity .357 Sig round. With a muzzle velocity of 1225 feet per second (fps) and a muzzle energy of 450 foot-pounds (ft lbs), this load delivers formidable power and flat trajectories, which are hallmarks of the .357 Sig.

Understanding FlexLock Technology: The Heart of Critical Duty Performance

At the core of the Hornady Critical Duty's exceptional performance lies its revolutionary FlexLock bullet. This innovative design integrates two key features that set it apart:

• The Patented Flex Tip Design: Unlike traditional hollow point bullets that can fill with material (like fabric or drywall) and fail to expand, the Flex Tip is an elastomer material inserted into the hollow cavity. This flexible tip not only initiates consistent expansion upon impact with soft tissue but also resists clogging when encountering intermediate barriers. This ensures reliable, controlled expansion regardless of the obstacle. The result is predictable terminal performance, which is vital for effective threat neutralization.
• The Heavy-Duty Jacket-to-Core InterLock Band: This mechanical band is a critical component for maintaining bullet integrity. It physically locks the jacket to the high-antimony lead core, preventing separation even during severe impacts. This design choice maximizes weight retention, meaning more of the bullet's mass continues forward through the target, contributing to deeper penetration and a more effective transfer of energy. For self-defense, this translates to greater certainty in incapacitating a threat.

The synergy between the Flex Tip and the InterLock band creates a bullet that offers the best of both worlds: reliable expansion combined with deep, consistent penetration. This makes Hornady Critical Duty a trusted choice for situations where unpredictable barriers might be encountered.

Key Features for Demanding Applications

Hornady Critical Duty ammunition is engineered with a series of features that make it ideal for the rigorous demands of law enforcement and serious self-defense practitioners.

• High-Antimony Lead Core: The use of a high-antimony lead core makes the bullet extremely tough. This toughness contributes to the controlled expansion characteristic of the FlexLock bullet, ensuring it doesn't over-expand prematurely or fragment excessively, which could compromise penetration. This also offers a more economical choice compared to some bonded bullets while still delivering superior performance.
• Consistent Terminal Performance Through Barriers: The design is specifically optimized to perform reliably through common duty barriers such as heavy clothing, drywall, plywood, and even auto glass. This is crucial for real-world scenarios where threats may not be in the open. Law enforcement agencies often choose ammunition with this capability for its consistent performance in varied environments.
• Reduced Bullet Setback: Bullet setback, where the bullet is pushed deeper into the case, can occur during feeding in semi-automatic firearms and lead to dangerous pressure spikes or malfunctions. The combination of the cannelured bullet (a crimping groove on the bullet) and a crimped case specifically prevents this, enhancing the reliability and safety of the ammunition.
• Corrosion Resistance and Easy Identification: The bright, nickel-plated brass casing is not just aesthetically pleasing; it serves practical purposes. It provides excellent corrosion resistance, essential for ammunition that might be stored for extended periods or exposed to various environmental conditions. Additionally, the bright finish aids in quick and easy visual chamber checks, especially in low-light conditions, providing an extra layer of operational safety and awareness.

The Potent .357 Sig Cartridge: A Force Multiplier

The .357 Sig cartridge itself is renowned for its high velocity and flat trajectory, essentially delivering .357 Magnum-like performance from a semi-automatic platform. When combined with Hornady Critical Duty ammunition, its capabilities are significantly enhanced.

• High Velocity for Superior Performance: The cartridge's inherent velocity provides a flatter trajectory over typical defensive ranges, making it easier to achieve accurate hits under stress. This high velocity also contributes to the effective energy transfer upon impact.
• Effective Threat Neutralization: The .357 Sig, particularly with a 135-grain FlexLock bullet, delivers significant kinetic energy, which is critical for rapidly incapacitating a threat. This energy, combined with controlled expansion and deep penetration, ensures that the ammunition performs effectively against vital targets.
• A Favorite for Duty Use: Many law enforcement agencies globally have adopted the .357 Sig due to its impressive ballistic characteristics and proven track record in the field. When loaded with Hornady Critical Duty, it becomes an even more formidable tool for maintaining public safety.

Real-World Applications and Scenarios

The Hornady Critical Duty 357 Sig 135 gr FlexLock is meticulously designed for scenarios where every shot counts.

• Home Defense: In a home invasion, you need ammunition that offers reliable performance without excessive over-penetration that could endanger family members or neighbors. While no ammunition completely eliminates over-penetration risk, the controlled expansion of the FlexLock helps ensure that most of the bullet's energy is expended within the target, reducing the chance of dangerous pass-throughs.
• Concealed Carry (CCW): For individuals who carry a firearm for personal protection daily, dependability is paramount. The Critical Duty's resistance to bullet setback and consistent feeding ensures that your firearm will function reliably when it's needed most. Its barrier-blind performance provides peace of mind that the bullet will perform even if a threat is behind light cover.
• Law Enforcement & Tactical Operations: Law enforcement professionals require ammunition that performs consistently across a range of challenging scenarios, including engagements where intermediate barriers are present. The Hornady Critical Duty's robust construction and reliable expansion make it a trusted choice for duty use, offering officers confidence in their equipment's ability to perform.

The Unwavering Importance of Ammunition Choice

Selecting the appropriate ammunition for self-defense or duty use is arguably one of the most critical decisions a firearm owner or agency can make. The firearm itself is merely a delivery system; it's the ammunition that determines terminal effectiveness. Poorly performing ammunition can lead to inconsistent expansion, insufficient penetration, or even catastrophic malfunctions, all of which are unacceptable in a life-or-death situation.

Hornady, with its long-standing reputation for innovation and quality, understands this implicitly. The Critical Duty line is a testament to their commitment to producing ammunition that meets the most stringent performance criteria. It's not about achieving maximum velocity or energy in isolation, but rather optimizing the balance of these factors with controlled expansion and penetration to maximize effectiveness against a threat while minimizing unintended consequences. This scientific approach to bullet design ensures that when you load Hornady Critical Duty, you are loading confidence.

Maintaining Ammunition Integrity: Tips for Optimal Performance

To ensure your Hornady Critical Duty ammunition performs as designed, proper storage and handling are essential.

• Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Humidity and extreme temperatures can degrade ammunition components over time. Store your ammunition in a stable environment to preserve its integrity.
• Original Packaging: Keeping ammunition in its original Hornady boxes helps protect it from environmental factors and physical damage.
• Regular Inspection: Periodically inspect your ammunition for any signs of corrosion, dents, or other damage before loading it into your firearm.

By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure that your Hornady Critical Duty ammunition remains in optimal condition, ready to perform reliably when you need it most. This level of attention to detail mirrors the meticulous engineering that Hornady puts into every round.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hornady Critical Duty Ammunition

• Q: What makes Hornady Critical Duty different from other self-defense ammunition?
  A: Hornady Critical Duty stands out primarily due to its patented FlexLock bullet technology. The Flex Tip prevents the hollow point from clogging with barrier material, ensuring consistent expansion through common obstacles like clothing, drywall, and even auto glass. The InterLock band also ensures exceptional weight retention for deeper penetration.
• Q: Is the Hornady Critical Duty 357 Sig suitable for concealed carry?
  A: Absolutely. The 357 Sig cartridge is a powerful and popular choice for concealed carry due to its high velocity and effective stopping power. When paired with Hornady Critical Duty's reliable feeding and barrier performance, it becomes an excellent choice for personal protection.
• Q: What is the benefit of nickel-plated brass casing?
  A: Nickel-plated brass offers two main advantages: superior corrosion resistance, which is important for ammunition that might be carried or stored for extended periods, and enhanced visibility for quick and easy low-light chamber checks.
• Q: How does the Flex Tip work to prevent clogging?
  A: The Flex Tip is a polymer insert that fills the hollow point cavity. When the bullet impacts a soft target, the tip compresses and initiates expansion. When it encounters a barrier like fabric, the tip prevents the hollow point from becoming packed with material, ensuring that the bullet can still expand effectively once it reaches the intended target.
• Q: What does "controlled expansion" mean for self-defense?
  A: Controlled expansion means the bullet expands reliably to a consistent diameter without fragmenting excessively or over-expanding. This creates an optimal wound channel while ensuring sufficient penetration to reach vital organs, maximizing the bullet's effectiveness in incapacitating a threat.
• Q: Where can I purchase Hornady Critical Duty ammunition?
  A: Hornady Critical Duty ammunition, including the 357 Sig 135 gr FlexLock, is available through reputable firearms retailers like DEGuns.com.

In summary, the Hornady Critical Duty 357 Sig 135 gr FlexLock is more than just ammunition; it's a testament to Hornady's dedication to innovation and safety. Its blend of advanced bullet technology, robust construction, and proven ballistic performance makes it an indispensable tool for anyone who demands uncompromising reliability and effectiveness in a personal defense or duty scenario. For those moments when preparedness is paramount, Hornady Critical Duty provides the confidence you need.

Product Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	Critical Duty
Caliber	357 Sig
Bullet Type	Hornady FlexLock
Bullet Weight	135 gr
Muzzle Velocity	1225 fps
Muzzle Energy	450 ft lbs
Casing Material	Nickel-Plated Brass
Rounds Per Box	20
Boxes Per Case	10
Application	Home Defense, Personal Protection, Duty Use
SKU	91296
UPC	090255912968