The Speer LE Gold Dot G2 Duty .40 S&W 180 gr is a duty-focused defensive handgun load built around the Gold Dot G2 bonded hollow point design. It uses a shallow, elastomer-filled nose profile to help initiate expansion more consistently across common barriers, while maintaining the feeding reliability expected of service-grade .40 S&W ammunition.
Key Features
Gold Dot G2 bonded bullet design: Uses a shallow dish with a high-performance elastomer that is driven into internal fissures on impact to initiate controlled expansion.
Barrier-consistent performance intent: Designed to improve expansion uniformity and penetration consistency across a range of barrier types, gun platforms, and barrel lengths.
180-grain duty weight: Common service bullet weight in .40 S&W that balances momentum, recoil, and terminal performance expectations.
Nickel-plated brass cases: Intended to support smooth feeding/extraction and improved corrosion resistance compared with plain brass.
Duty-grade component approach: Built for reliable ignition and consistent cycling in common service pistols.
Generational Improvements
Elastomer-driven expansion initiation: Replaces the traditional large open hollow-point cavity approach with an elastomer-filled dish to help start expansion more reliably.
More uniform petal formation: Designed to improve the consistency of expansion shape and penetration across varying impact conditions compared with conventional hollow point designs.
Specifications
Model: 53999
Cartridge: .40 S&W.
Bullet weight: 180 gr (11.66 g).
Bullet style: GDG2 (Gold Dot G2 bonded hollow point with elastomer-filled nose dish).
Test barrel length: 5 in (for published ballistic chart data).
Ballistic coefficient: 0.15.
Muzzle velocity: 910 fps (published; varies by barrel length and firearm).
Velocity at distance: 886 fps (25 yd), 865 fps (50 yd), 844 fps (75 yd), 824 fps (100 yd).
Muzzle energy: 331 ft-lb (published; varies by barrel length and firearm).
Energy at distance: 314 ft-lb (25 yd), 299 ft-lb (50 yd), 285 ft-lb (75 yd), 272 ft-lb (100 yd).
Trajectory reference: 25 yd zero with 0.9 in sight height; -1.9 in (50 yd), -6.7 in (75 yd), -14.5 in (100 yd).
Case material/finish: Nickel-plated brass.
Primer type: Centerfire, Boxer-primed.
Corrosive: Noncorrosive.
Competing Items
Federal Premium HST .40 S&W 180 gr JHP: Duty-grade JHP load widely used for defensive carry and service use.
Winchester Ranger T-Series .40 S&W 180 gr JHP: Service-oriented JHP option with a long-standing duty presence.
Hornady Critical Duty .40 S&W 175 gr FlexLock: Barrier-conscious duty load using a mechanically locked bullet design.
Remington Golden Saber Bonded .40 S&W 180 gr BJHP: Bonded defensive JHP option aimed at weight retention through barriers.
SIG SAUER Elite V-Crown .40 S&W 180 gr JHP: Mainstream defensive JHP alternative in the same caliber/weight class.
The Speer LE Gold Dot G2 Duty .40 S&W 180 gr is engineered around an elastomer-assisted, bonded hollow point design intended to improve expansion consistency across real-world conditions. With nickel-plated brass cases and duty-oriented ballistics, it fits common requirements for service and defensive use in .40 S&W pistols.
