The Speer LE Gold Dot Duty .40 S&W 180 gr GDHP is a duty-oriented defensive handgun load built around Speer’s bonded Gold Dot hollow point bullet design. It’s engineered to deliver consistent feeding and controlled terminal performance in service-size and compact pistols chambered in .40 S&W.
Key Features
Bonded Gold Dot hollow point: Uses a pressure-formed lead core bonded to the jacket to help resist core/jacket separation and support weight retention through common intermediate barriers.
Controlled-expansion cavity design: Hollow point geometry and jacket notching are designed to promote uniform, symmetrical expansion across a practical range of impact velocities.
Low-flash propellant: Powder selection is intended to reduce visible muzzle flash in low-light conditions compared with many general-purpose loads.
Nickel-plated brass case: Nickel-plated case finish is intended to improve corrosion resistance and support smoother feeding/extraction in semi-automatic pistols.
Duty-grade component set: Built around established Gold Dot construction and primer/propellant consistency intended for reliable ignition and repeatable performance.
Specifications
Model: 53962
Cartridge: .40 S&W.
Bullet weight: 180 gr (11.66 g).
Bullet type: GDHP (Gold Dot Hollow Point), bonded JHP design.
Test barrel length: 4 in.
Ballistic coefficient: 0.143.
Muzzle velocity: 1,025 fps.
Velocity at distance: 988 fps (25 yd), 956 fps (50 yd), 928 fps (75 yd), 902 fps (100 yd).
Muzzle energy: 420 ft-lb.
Energy at distance: 390 ft-lb (25 yd), 365 ft-lb (50 yd), 344 ft-lb (75 yd), 325 ft-lb (100 yd).
Trajectory reference: 25 yd zero with 0.9 in sight height; -1.3 in (50 yd), -5.0 in (75 yd), -11.2 in (100 yd).
Case material/finish: Nickel-plated brass.
Competing Items
Federal Premium HST .40 S&W 180 gr JHP: Duty-grade JHP option with strong adoption and consistent expansion characteristics.
Winchester Ranger T-Series .40 S&W 180 gr JHP: Established duty-focused JHP load with proven service history.
Hornady Critical Duty .40 S&W 175 gr FlexLock: Barrier-conscious duty load built around a mechanically locked core and flexible tip.
Remington Golden Saber Bonded .40 S&W 180 gr BJHP: Bonded defensive JHP option intended for weight retention through barriers.
SIG SAUER V-Crown .40 S&W 180 gr JHP: Mainstream defensive JHP alternative in the same caliber/weight class.
The Speer LE Gold Dot Duty .40 S&W 180 gr GDHP combines a bonded hollow point bullet with duty-oriented loading details like low-flash propellant and nickel-plated brass cases. It’s best suited to users who want a consistent, service-grade .40 S&W defensive load with established Gold Dot construction characteristics.
