$33.99
526 in stock
Online inventory may differ from in-store availability.
Quick turnaround so you get your gear sooner.
Trusted checkout with industry-standard protection.
Keeping Traditions Alive Since 1953
Secure Transactions provided with 
The .38 Special +P has earned its place in countless everyday carry revolvers, and this Hornady load is purpose-built to deliver when it matters. Hornady engineered Critical Defense around one core problem with traditional hollow points: inconsistent performance when bullets punch through clothing. The polymer Flex Tip design solves this by eliminating the clogging that plagued older hollow point designs. When the bullet enters soft tissue, the tip compresses and applies equal pressure across the cavity, triggering controlled expansion regardless of what the round passes through first.
What makes this round tick is the patented polymer tip. Unlike a standard hollow point cavity that can get plugged with fabric, denim, or leather, the Flex Tip design keeps the expansion mechanism clean and reliable. This matters most with snub-nosed revolvers where you're already dealing with lower velocities. The 110-grain bullet leaves the barrel at 1090 fps with 290 ft-lbs of energy, generating the kind of performance you'd expect from a modern defensive round even from a 2-inch barrel.
The nickel-plated brass cases aren't just for show. They're more visible when you do a press check in dim light, and they resist corrosion better than standard brass. Hornady also included low-flash propellants that burn quickly and consistently, so muzzle flash won't destroy your night vision if you ever need to fire in the dark. The rounds feed reliably in revolvers and semi-autos alike, and the cannelured and crimped bullets resist setback during handling.
Short-barreled guns demand ammunition specifically engineered for them, and Hornady made that clear with this line. The Critical Defense ammo shoots accurately from compact guns designed for concealed carry, and follow-up shots are manageable even in lightweight frames. You're getting a professional-grade defensive round that was designed by people who understand the reality of everyday carry, not a one-size-fits-all load pulled from a generic catalog.
The +P designation means this load operates at higher pressure levels than standard .38 Special. Before shooting it, confirm with your revolver's manufacturer that it's rated for +P ammunition. Newer revolvers like the Smith & Wesson 642, 442, and Colt Cobra are designed for it, but older guns like the Model 10 may not be. If your gun isn't marked for +P, stick with standard pressure Critical Defense loads instead.
Traditional hollow point cavities can get plugged with fabric and clothing fibers, which stops the bullet from expanding properly. The Flex Tip uses a soft polymer insert that compresses on impact and forces the hollow point open from the inside out. This design ensures consistent expansion regardless of whether the bullet passes through light clothing, heavy denim, leather, or nothing at all.
Critical Defense ammunition shoots accurately from compact guns, and testing shows it groups well at typical defensive distances. The round was engineered specifically for short-barreled revolvers and pistols, so accuracy from a snubbie is excellent. While this isn't match-grade ammunition, it delivers the accuracy you need for personal protection where most defensive encounters happen at close range.
Nickel plating resists corrosion better than standard brass, which matters if your ammo gets exposed to moisture or sweat during carry. The bright finish also makes it easier to see during a press check in low-light conditions. This is a small detail, but it's the kind of thing Hornady includes because they understand what matters for everyday carry.
| Bullet Weight (Grains) | 110 |
|---|---|
| Caliber/Gauge | .38 Special |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Cost per Round | 1.36 |
| Grains | 110Gr |
| Length | 2.5500 |
| Manufacturer | |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 90311 |
| Model | |
| Product Type | FlexTip |
| Shipping Weight | 0.75 |
| Units per Box | 25 |
| UPC | 090255903119 |
You must be logged in to post a review.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.