Hornady Critical Duty .45 ACP +P 220gr FlexLock Ammo Ballistics
Nickel-Plated Brass Case • FlexLock • MPN: 90926
Hornady Critical Duty .45 ACP +P 220gr FlexLock Ammo Ballistics
Nickel-Plated Brass Case • FlexLock • MPN: 90926
Trajectory @ 25yd Zero
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | 975 fps | 464 ft-lb | — |
| 5 yds | 969 fps | 459 ft-lb | -0.2" |
| 10 yds | 964 fps | 454 ft-lb | -0.0" |
| 15 yds | 959 fps | 450 ft-lb | +0.1" |
| 20 yds | 954 fps | 445 ft-lb | +0.1" |
| 25 yds ⊕ | 950 fps | 441 ft-lb | +0.0" |
| 30 yds | 945 fps | 436 ft-lb | -0.2" |
| 35 yds | 940 fps | 432 ft-lb | -0.5" |
| 40 yds | 936 fps | 428 ft-lb | -0.8" |
| 45 yds | 931 fps | 424 ft-lb | -1.3" |
| 50 yds | 927 fps | 420 ft-lb | -1.9" |
| 55 yds | 923 fps | 416 ft-lb | -2.6" |
| 60 yds | 918 fps | 412 ft-lb | -3.4" |
| 65 yds | 914 fps | 408 ft-lb | -4.3" |
| 70 yds | 910 fps | 405 ft-lb | -5.2" |
| 75 yds | 906 fps | 401 ft-lb | -6.3" |
| 80 yds | 902 fps | 397 ft-lb | -7.5" |
| 85 yds | 898 fps | 394 ft-lb | -8.8" |
| 90 yds | 894 fps | 391 ft-lb | -10.3" |
| 95 yds | 890 fps | 387 ft-lb | -11.8" |
| 100 yds | 886 fps | 384 ft-lb | -13.4" |
Product Overview
Hornady's Critical Duty pushes a 220-grain FlexLock bullet at 975 fps from a .45 ACP +P case, producing 464 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. That puts it well above standard-pressure defensive loads in raw energy output. The +P designation means higher chamber pressure, which demands a pistol rated for it, but most modern full-size .45s handle +P without issue. Nickel-plated brass cases complete the package with reliable feeding and corrosion resistance.
The FlexLock bullet combines two separate retention features. An InterLock band mechanically locks the jacket to the lead core, preventing the separation that can happen when bullets hit hard barriers at high velocity. Up front, a Flex Tip polymer insert initiates expansion and keeps the hollow point clear of debris. Hornady tested this load through the FBI's full barrier protocol: heavy clothing, wallboard, plywood, sheet steel, and auto glass. The bullet expanded and held together through all of them. That barrier-blind performance is what separates Critical Duty from most civilian defensive loads.
This load is built for full-size duty pistols with 4.5-inch or longer barrels. Law enforcement officers, armed professionals, and anyone who carries a Glock 21 or full-size 1911 will get the most from it. The +P recoil is noticeable, and compact .45s will amplify that further, so this is not the best pick for a subcompact carry gun. Where it earns its place is in situations where a bullet might need to pass through a car door, windshield, or interior wall and still perform on the other side.
- Passed the FBI's full barrier protocol, meaning the bullet expands reliably after passing through heavy clothing, wallboard, plywood, sheet steel, and auto glass
- The InterLock band mechanically locks the copper jacket to the lead core, which prevents the jacket separation that lighter bullets like the 185gr FTX can experience on hard barrier impacts
- At 464 ft-lbs of muzzle energy, this load carries 53 ft-lbs more than the Critical Defense and 104 ft-lbs more than the Custom XTP, giving the heavier 220-grain bullet an edge in penetration depth
- The Flex Tip polymer insert initiates expansion on contact while keeping the hollow point cavity clear, so the bullet works whether it hits bare tissue or passes through a jacket first
- The +P pressure rating produces noticeably more recoil than standard .45 ACP loads, and follow-up shots are slower compared to the 185-grain Critical Defense
- Requires a pistol rated for +P ammunition, which excludes some older 1911 models and budget .45s that are only rated for standard pressure
- The same barrier penetration that passes FBI tests also means this bullet will punch through more interior walls than a standard-pressure load designed to expand and stop quickly
- Hornady optimized this load for barrels 4.5 inches and longer, so compact carry guns with 3- to 4-inch barrels will see reduced velocity and less consistent expansion
All Hornady Critical Duty .45 ACP +P 220gr FlexLock Ammo Prices
| DEALER | QTY | PRICE | SHIPPING | TOTAL | PRICE/RD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Basin Outdoors | 500 | $682.26 | $0.00 | $682.26 | $1.36 |
| Black Basin Outdoors | 200 | $293.73 | $0.00 | $293.73 | $1.47 |
| Lucky Gunner | 200 | $295.00 | $19.67 | $314.67 | $1.57 |
| Black Basin Outdoors | 20 | $33.97 | $10.99 | $44.96 | $2.25 |
| Lucky Gunner | 20 | $31.00 | $18.43 | $49.43 | $2.47 |
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