Lightfield's 12-gauge Home Defense rubber slugs offer an less-lethal alternative to buckshot.
Selecting the proper ammunition for a specific task can seem overwhelming at times, with so many choices, within choices, within choices. That’s why savvy tactical retailers boost sales by displaying a vast selection of the most popular and trending brands in the self-defense ammunition category — those products designed for duty officers, concealed carry and home and personal defense. And for factory-loaded ammunition, it begins and ends on the business end of the cartridge — with the bullet. A bullet’s effectiveness for protecting life and liberty is determined by four factors: velocity, penetration, expansion and accuracy. Ammo manufacturers address this by using high-quality components and effective bullet designs and construction. The desired result, of course, is ammunition that is tailor-made for a wide variety of specific duties. Make no mistake, ammo sales are vibrant during these socioeconomic hard times, as concerned citizens stockpile ammunition and take to the range in increasing numbers. And this means now is an opportune time to take advantage of this trend by stocking your store shelves with high-quality ammunition in a wide assortment of flavors. And with the emergence of new makes and models of self-defense firearms of every imaginable configuration hitting the market, ammunition sales continue to climb at an unprecedented rate. The following are some defensive ammunition options your customers might want to feed their favorite self-preservation guns. Be sure to have these and others on hand when they come knocking on your storefront door or click their way onto your website.
Armscor 124-grain 9mm JHP
Armscor offers an extensive lineup of competitively priced handgun ammunition, including its popular 124-grain 9mm Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP) made in the USA/Philippines that comply with SAAMI, CIP and other military or customer desired standards or requirements. Armscor cartridges and components are widely used by the police, military, gun hobbyists, combat shooters and other handgun enthusiasts due to their high quality and precise and dependable performance. The 124-grain 9mm JHP has a muzzle velocity of 1,092 fps. MSRP: $29.86/100-round value pack.
Barnes TAC-XPD Defense 9mm Luger+P 115-Grain
Optimized for personal and home defense, Barnes TAC-XPD Defense 9mm Luger+P 115-grain Ammunition features nickel-plated cases and coated all-copper TAC-XP bullets that produce smooth, reliable feeding and virtually no muzzle flash. With a large, deep hollowpoint cavity designed for consistent expansion, these bullets produce a muzzle velocity of 1,125 fps and 323 ft./lbs. of energy and perform more consistently than similar defense products on the market. Devastating terminal performance offers consistent results in critical life-threatening situations. MSRP: $29.49/Box of 20.
CCI Uppercut .22 WMR Ammo
Uppercut .22 WMR Ammo from CCI Ammunition offers self defenders a new rimfire option. The difference in CCI Uppercut lies in its exclusive projectile. Unlike the simple lead round nose or copper-plated hollowpoints typical of most rimfire ammunition, it features a 40-grain jacketed hollowpoint bullet (JHP) with nose skiving, which initiates full and reliable expansion across all firearms platforms while retaining the weight needed to hit critical penetration depths. Plus, CCI’s legendary primers ensure it will always be ready when needed. Uppercut ammo is available at dealers nationwide and online. MSRP: $25.99/Box of 50.
Dickinson Arms Komando 9mm
Komando 9mm Steel-Case Ammo is a great match for the Dickinson Arms RA9, 1911, or any other 9mm handgun. There is no replacement for trigger time, and ammunition needs to be consistent from shot to shot. Dickinson Arms knows this all too well, and with the addition of its RA9 striker-fired pistol and several 1911 models chambered in 9mm, they made the move to bring a consistent 9mm FMJ round to market. Available in 115- and 124-grain bullet weights, Komando 9x19mm ammo comes loaded in a brass-plated steel case for smooth feeding. The bullets are made from copper with a lead core and have an average velocity of 1,149 fps. The Komando 9x19mm ammo comes in 50 rounds per box. MSRP: NA.
Doubletap 9mm SnakeShot Defense
Doubletap 145-grain Payload (95-grain JHP + 100-count No. 9 shot) Hybrid 9mm SnakeShot Defense Ammo was designed to quickly and effectively neutralize threats. Designed as the ultimate home defense tool, it is crafted to do it all. This shotshell/hollowpoint hybrid is perfect for defense against two-legged threats as well as blasting snakes and varmints. Its high-quality JHPs expand quickly and penetrate 10 to 12 inches in gel, making SnakeShot Defense very effective for situations where low penetration is desired. SnakeShot is also available in 10mm and .45 ACP+P chamberings. MSRP: $30/Box of 20.
Federal Ammunition HST
Effective self defense requires ammunition that provides consistent expansion, optimum penetration and superior terminal performance, and the HST Jacketed Hollowpoint from Federal Ammunition delivers. That’s why it’s already the duty load of choice for law enforcement officers throughout the world. Its specially designed hollowpoint won’t plug while passing through a variety of barriers, and the bullet jacket and core hold together to provide nearly 100 percent weight retention through even the toughest materials. The bullet’s expanded diameter and weight retention produce the desired penetration for personal defense situations without over penetrating, and its nose profile, nickel-plated case and high-performance primer provide the ultimate in function and reliability in semi-automatic handguns. HST is available in nine self-defense calibers. MSRP: $39.99-$55.99.
Fiocchi CovertX
Fiocchi engineered CovertX Ammunition to meet the unique demands of modern CCW users. Designed from the ground up, CovertX offers effective terminal performance by optimizing bullet design and powder selection for compact and micro-compact handguns, without sacrificing the power of full-size platforms. At the heart of CovertX is an advanced proprietary bullet — a precision-engineered jacketed hollowpoint (JHP) featuring a lead-alloy core with pre-cut serrations and unique powder formulations for each caliber. Fiocchi equipped CovertX with nickel-plated brass cases to resist corrosion and ensure seamless feeding and extraction, even in environments filled with dust, lint or moisture. The new Fiocchi CovertX ammunition is available in .380 Auto, 9mm Luger, .45 ACP, .38 Spl. +P. and .357 Magnum. MSRP: $16.99-$22.99/Box of 20.
Fort Scott Munitions 9mm 115-Grain TUI
Fort Scott Munitions Tumble Upon Impact 9mm 115-grain ammunition is an all-in-one designed cartridge. From hunting to match shooting to EDC self defense, this ammunition offers superior results for every occasion. TUI bullets are machined from solid copper or brass rods on a CNC lathe, made under strict quality control measures and with tight tolerances to produce consistent results with every pull of the trigger. With the bullets being solid copper or brass, there are no moving parts to worry about. Unlike most ammo, TUI rounds do the most damage internally, tumbling end over end when coming in contact with water-based tissue, creating a more devastating wound channel. MSRP: $29.07/Box of 20.
Hornady 5.7x28mm Critical Defense
Since their inception, conventional hollowpoint bullets have performed well, but have never delivered 100% reliability, especially in self-defense situations. Hornady’s Flex Tip technology used in its Critical Defense Ammunition eliminates the clogging and inconsistency that often plagues hollowpoint bullets. This was achieved by using the same tip material used in its LEVERevolution ammunition. Now available in a 40-grain 5.7x28mm offering, Critical Defense premium low-flash propellants deliver proven performance, even in very short-barrel handguns, and won’t disrupt the shooter’s vision. Reliable expansion and dependable terminal performance can be counted on for concealed carry and personal protection. It’s also available in .22 WMR, .45 Colt, .223 Rem, .30 Carbine and .308 Win. and 12-gauge varieties. MSRP: $24.41-$58.68/Box of 25.
HSM Bear Load
HSM Bear Load Ammunition has been a trusted choice for backcountry defense since its introduction in 2011. Engineered for maximum stopping power, each load is meticulously crafted using only the finest components to ensure reliability when it matters most. Featuring hard-cast, gas-checked (except 10mm Auto) heavy-for-caliber lead bullets, Bear Load delivers deep penetration and bone-crushing impact. Paired with temperature-stable powders, premium primers and high-quality brass casings, this ammunition is built to perform in the harshest conditions. Whether on the trail or in camp, HSM Bear Load provides the confidence needed to stay ready for whatever nature might bring. MSRP: $42.99/10mm 200-grain FMJ/Box of 50.
Lehigh Defense Controlled Fracturing Bullets
The 115-grain Controlled Fracturing Bullet used in Lehigh Defense’s CF +P 9mm 115-grain offering is pre-stressed at specific points so that after a predetermined penetration depth, the razor-edge petals deploy, releasing an energy spike, and then separate and radiate outward from the primary path of the bullet. The bullet shank, now back to bore diameter, continues penetrating straight and deep along the initial impact path. Unlike traditional expanding bullets that mushroom and dramatically limit the bullet’s penetration and provide only one wound path, Lehigh Defense’s Controlled Fracturing ammunition creates an initial energy transfer, multiple wound paths and a deep penetrating base with a sharp front cutting edge for extreme terminal performance. MSRP: $40.76/Box of 20.
Liberty Ammunition Spike Self Defense
Liberty Ammunition has released its most innovative design in years: the Liberty Spike. Working in collaboration with 18-Bravo and machined for accuracy, Liberty Spike is available in two popular self-defense calibers: 9mm and .380 Auto. This new load is based on the premise that “speed kills.” With the right balance of weight, velocity and projectile design, Liberty created a military-grade bullet for the commercial/civilian market. When the user’s life depends on his or her ammunition choice, Liberty delivers unmatched performance with a focus on speed, safety and stopping power. The bottom line: Spike will stop the threat. Its all-copper bullet hits hard and causes hydrostatic shock, making it ideal for everyday carry needs. It will not over-penetrate and cause collateral damage. MSRP: NA.
Lightfield Less Lethal
Lightfield’s Less Lethal Rubber Rounds for home defense and animal control — originally designated for law enforcement — include everything from 12-gauge Rubber Slugs, both Mid-Range and Extended Range Buckshot, .410-bore Rubber Buck for use in pistols and shotguns, 20-gauge Double Ball and a Non-Projectile Distraction Round in all gauges. Its Star Rounds are designed for close-range defensive use. Lightfield ammunition is designed using less weight and higher velocity for breath-taking impact and less chance of major penetration. There is something for all users, who know they are protected by the best designed and American-made products. Lightfield Less Lethal — designed for the user’s protection. MSRP: Price varies by product.
Rio Home Defense Buckshot
When compromise isn’t an option and lives are on the line, shotgun enthusiasts can rely on Rio Home Defense Buckshot for personal defense, competition and even game hunting. The sheer kinetic energy transfer of Rio’s Buckshot means one thing — incredible knockdown power. Rio’s 2.75-inch 12-gauge Home Defense load has a muzzle velocity of 1,250 fps, featuring nine pellets of No. 1 buckshot, making it a great option for home defense with its lethal combination of velocity, energy and recoil characteristics. Crafted from Rio’s own factory components, Rio Home Defense Buckshot delivers reliability and performance when it matters most. MSRP $13.95/25 round box.
Sig Sauer Elite V-Crown
Sig Sauer Elite V-Crown Defensive Rounds — 9mm, 124 grains — combine perfected material specifications and fine-tuned design innovations, including a stacked hollowpoint cavity, to deliver exceptional on-target energy with maximum weight retention and optimal expansion for ultimate stopping power. Sig V-Crown ammunition creates a consistent V-shaped main cavity on top of a deep narrow trail with optimal penetration depth time after time. It utilizes a perfect storm of features, from low-flash propellant to a cannelured shank, resulting in reliable ballistic performance. MSRP: $22.99/Box of 20.
