At the 2026 SHOT Show, the main trend in new handgun ammo releases seemed to favor engineered solid-copper alloy premium self-defense bullets. A secondary trend leaned toward hunting and predator defense. This year also marked the return of CorBon’s famous Glazer Safety Slug lines. They were out of production for six years while the company was reorganized under new ownership.
Handgun Ammo from SHOT Show 2026
Black Hills Ammunition HoneyBadger .32 ACP 50 gr.
The .32 ACP can use all the help it can get in the terminal performance department. Enter the HoneyBadger. Despite being around for several years now, the unique, fluid-displacing, tissue-disrupting physics behind the solid copper alloy, light-for-caliber, high velocity, HoneyBadger bullet remain a mystery to many. It’s not designed to expand.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
What the bullet’s scalloped-out nose does in flesh is similar to what a snowplow does driving down the highway. The speed at which the snow and ice are launched sideways after the plow blade hits it is actually significantly greater than the forward speed of the plow itself. While the bullet nose is violently pushing apart the temporary wound cavity, it’s also acting as a brake to slow the projectile down and reduce the danger of overpenetration.
As a rule, these bullets are barrier blind and retain all their weight, even through auto-glass. Conventional hollow-points can clog or collapse on impact with barrier materials, becoming essentially hardball rounds with the associated increase in penetration. However, the HoneyBadger bullets maintain their tissue-disrupting capabilities as long as they retain sufficient velocity. In addition, they never clog, so they always maintain their resistance to over-penetration.
This Black Hills load starts at the muzzle with 1,000 FPS. Relatively low-powered cartridges like .32 ACP can perform more reliably in tissue with the HoneyBadger bullet than most conventional hollow-point loads.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
CCI Blazer Brass Clean Fire Suppressor TMJ: 9mm 147 gr., 40 S&W 180 gr. & .45 ACP 230 gr.
The new Brass Clean Fire Suppressor TMJ subsonic pistol ammunition line was designed specifically for use with suppressors. It uses flat-nosed Total Metal Jacket (TMJ) bullets that completely encapsulate the projectile’s lead core. Unlike a normal bullet with an exposed lead base, the hot powder gases can’t get at the lead inside a TMJ bullet to vaporize it and deposit it in your suppressor as fouling.
CCI uses clean-burning powders and lead-free primers in these loads, too, for the same reason. In addition to keeping the fouling out of your suppressor, this ammunition also helps to keep fouling out of your lungs. Reloadable brass cases are used. The new loads available are: 9mm 147 grain (900 FPS), .40 S&W 180 grain (970 FPS), and .45 ACP 230 grain (800 FPS).
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
CCI Blazer Brass HP: 380 ACP 98 gr. & 9mm 124 gr.
This moderately priced, quality, multipurpose cartridge jacketed hollow-point line is intended to be economical and accurate for use in target practice and training, and to reliably expand when used for self-defense. It utilizes reloadable brass cases, quality primers, and clean-burning propellants. .380 ACP 98 grain JHP (920 FPS), and 9mm 124 grain JHP (1,100 FPS) loads were added this year.
CCI Blazer Brass FMJ: .357 Magnum 158 gr. & .44 Magnum 240 gr.
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
This year, CCI added the two most popular magnums to the economical FMJ line. Both are in their traditional heavy bullet weights. These loads are intended for target practice and general shooting rather than self-defense. However, by virtue of raw power and penetration, both will do the job if you connect with a flesh-and-blood target.
They feature reloadable brass cases, quality primers, and clean-burning propellants. The new loads are: .357 Magnum 158-grain flat-nose FMJ (1,200 FPS) and .44 Magnum 240-grain FMJ (1,200 FPS).
COR-BON Ammunition Glaser Safety Slug: 9mm, 9mm+P, .38 Special+P, .357 Magnum, .38 Super Auto+P, .40 S&W & 10mm
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
Out of production for six years, Cor-Bon’s new owners brought back the company’s most famous loads. The Glaser Safety Slug was developed in the early 1970s for use by Federal Air Marshals. Likewise, they proved ideal for any defensive scenario where ricochets and overpenetration through soft tissue and hard barriers were key concerns…like indoors or on airplanes.
The light-for-caliber bullets driven at high velocity featured a pre-fragmented copper jacket filled with compressed #12 or #6 shot, capped with a polymer ball to ensure perfect feeding. They are available in 9mm, 9mm+P, 9mm Makarov, .38 Special+P, .357 Magnum, .38 Super Auto+P, .40 S&W, and 10mm. A strong argument can be made that the Glaser Safety Slug is an urban apartment dweller’s safest effective defense load.
DoubleTap Ammunition DT Magnum SnakeShot Defense: .327 Federal Magnum, .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .450 Casull & .500 S&W
Advertisement — Continue Reading Below
DoubleTap’s patented #9 lead shot stacked over a hard cast wadcutter, trail-to-town, self-defense loads are effective defense against snakes inside of 5 yards and two-legged predators at any range you could justify in court. With the addition of six new magnum revolver calibers (.327 Federal Magnum, .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum, 450 Casull, and 500 S&W), DT SnakeShot Defense can now also mount a credible defense against large predators like bear, alligator, and mountain lion.
Average penetration in ballistic gelatin was 2-3 inches for the shot and 14 to 16 inches for the wadcutter up through .44 Magnum. The two calibers penetrated 22 to 25 inches. The versatility of these heavier revolver loads becomes apparent when you look at their specifications:
.327 Magnum fires a 105-grain payload (55 gr. #9 shot + 50 gr. wadcutter) at 1,000 FPS from a 4-inch barrel. .357 Magnum fires a 140-grain payload (half shot and half wadcutter) at 1,200 FPS from a 4-inch barrel. .41 Magnum fires a 175-grain payload (120 gr. #9 shot + 55 gr. wadcutter) at 1,000 FPS from a 4-inch barrel. 44 Magnum fires a 225-grain payload (100 gr. #9 shot + 125-gr wadcutter) at 1,300 FPS from a 4-inch barrel.
But wait! There’s more. Say you want to hunt the biggest of Florida’s invasive Burmese Pythons or protect yourself from a 30 foot Anaconda while traveling the Amazon. The 454 Casull fires a 270-grain payload (130 gr. #9 shot + 140 gr. wadcutter) at 1,300 FPS from a 6-inch barrel, and the 500 S&W fires a 380-grain payload (200 gr. #9 shot + 180 gr. wadcutter) at 1,300 FPS from a 7.5-inch barrel.
DoubleTap, you have my attention.
DoubleTap Ammunition DT Lead-Free SC-HP (Solid Copper Hollow Point): .357 SIG 125 gr. & .40 S&W 155 gr.
The DoubleTap solid-copper self-defense hollow-point bullet line stays together in the target, with 100 percent weight retention after impact. Likewise, its deep, unusually broad nose cavity resists clogging and expands reliably in tissue.
This year, they added two new loads. The somewhat light-for-caliber .40 S&W, 155-grain SC HP has a velocity of 1,150 FPS from a 4.5-inch barrel and penetrates 14 inches into ballistic gel with full expansion. The .357 SIG 125 grain SC HP (a very long bullet) has a velocity of 1,350 FPS from a 4.5-inch barrel and penetrates 18 inches of gel expanding to 0.65 inches!
Federal Premium Terminal Ascent Handgun: .357 Magnum 157 gr., 10mm Auto 203 gr., & .44 Magnum 235 gr.
This new Terminal Ascent Handgun line offers jacketed hollow-point ammunition for accuracy at longer ranges, improved expansion, and deeper penetration for handgun hunters and those using a handgun for protection against dangerous predators. The bullets are a bonded-jacketed design to increase weight retention. They also feature a unique, elastomer-filled nose cavity that promotes reliable expansion on a variety of game.
Both cartridge cases and bullets are nickel-plated, and the primers are sealed to resist corrosion and weather for increased reliability in the field. Calibers include: .357 Magnum 157 grain JHP (1.410 FPS), 10mm Auto 203 grain JHP (1,130 FPS), & .44 Magnum 235 grain JHP (1,380 FPS).
Federal Power-Shok Handgun: .45 Long Colt 235 gr.
Federal Power-Shok jacketed hollow-point ammunition offers handgun hunters affordable, reliable, and accurate loads suited to a variety of big game. The newest addition is a .45 Colt 235 grain JHP (850 FPS).
Federal Personal Defense Punch: 9mm 115 grain JHP
The Punch line of jacketed hollow-points covers the common calibers used for self-defense. It has loads tailored for reliable expansion through heavy clothing and balanced performance across a wide range of handguns. The bullet design features a skived jacket and soft lead core for controlled expansion in tissue. It is altered as needed to optimize it for the specific caliber.
Punch uses quality brass for consistent, reliable feeding and sealed primers. This offers greater resistance to desensitization from gun oil infiltration when loaded in firearms. The newest addition to the line is a 9mm Luger, 115-grain JHP (1,180 FPS).
Fort Scott Munitions: .38 Super Auto TUI (Tumble Upon Impact)
Fort Scott Munitions offers a range of high-performance handgun ammo featuring its patented monolithic, solid-copper, spun projectiles. They are designed to tumble upon impact with water-based tissue for exceptional terminal performance. These bullets are said to be barrier blind, retain all their weight after impact, and deliver energy and damage to the target by tumbling end-over-end inside it. The newest addition to their line is a .38 Super Auto TUI load.
Hornady LEVERevolution: 10mm Auto 150 gr FTX
This line of cartridges represents an evolution in performance previously not possible due to the safety limitations of tubular magazines commonly used on lever-action repeaters using centerfire ammunition. Basically, before LEVERevolution, the bullets used in tubular magazine lever actions had to be flat-nosed (and thus fairly un-aerodynamic). This was avoid chain detonations in the magazine under recoil.
Hornady created safe, aerodynamic bullets for lever actions by installing a flexible elastomer point on the bullet nose. It was too soft to detonate a primer, but hard enough to maintain its air-slicing shape in flight. The result was that the lever action could now shoot bullets faster and farther than ever. Likewise, it delivered improved terminal performance because the elastomer tip would be driven into the bullet nose on impact with the target, initiating rapid expansion.
This year, Hornady added the powerful 10mm Auto to the LEVERevolution line. The 150-grain FTX bullet has a stated muzzle velocity of 1,220 FPS.
Liberty Ammunition Bear Country: 9mm+P, 72 gr. Solid Copper
Bear Country was designed for emergency use against large predators. Though 9mm isn’t anyone’s first choice for defense against a bear attack, the majority of bears involved in these encounters that are killed die from being shot with a 9mm pistol. That’s because a 9mm is the most commonly carried handgun in America, rather than any inherent virtue of the cartridge.
That being said, if you must be in bear country and carry a 9mm pistol, there’s an argument to be made for tailoring your ammunition to bear defense. This light-for-caliber 72-grain bullet is made of hardened solid copper and designed for straight-line penetration without deformation. Testing showed it capable of penetrating 26 inches of ballistic gel.
At a velocity of 1,800 FPS, it generates 518 foot/pounds of energy. This is in the neighborhood of some .357 Magnum loads.
Liberty Ammunition SPIKE: 380 ACP 55 gr. Monolithic Copper Hollow-Point
Liberty claims Spike is the “most powerful .380 in the world.” They combined a very light-for-caliber, all-copper, hollow-point bullet with a charge heavy enough to drive it about 50 percent faster than a conventional .380 ACP. Then, they packed it all inside a strong bi-metallic NAS³ cartridge casing. The result is an average velocity around 1,500 FPS and 275 foot/pound of muzzle energy.
This may be the highest muzzle energy of any .380 ACP cartridge. However, strong arguments have been made that high muzzle energy in handguns doesn’t always translate directly into stopping power. With small calibers and large (but even more with small ones like .32 and .380 ACP), shot placement remains key to incapacitating your adversary.
Norma Ammunition: A-Strike Competition, Subsonic, 9mm 147 gr. & 158 gr.
After its purchase by Beretta Holdings, Norma USA had some growing pains. A comprehensive internal quality control review was instituted to restore their manufacturing operations to their former high level of precision. The A-Strike line of Match Tuned Ammunition (MTA) begins this year with two new subsonic 9mm competition loads. The development process for these loads began with a single goal: to create a match-grade pistol round that outperforms current market standards while using standardized components for economy.
Advanced computer simulations were used to optimize every aspect of trajectory, velocity, and energy transfer. Ultimately, that translated into reduced recoil and muzzle rise, quicker follow-up shots, and tighter groups. The 147-grain FMJ round-nose (935 FPS) load meets minimum power standards. The 158-grain FMJ flat-point (836 FPS) load is better suited for longer-range accuracy.
Remington Ammunition: Hard Cast: 10mm 200 gr., .44 Magnum 260 gr., .357 Magnum 180 gr., & 9mm +P 145 gr.
This new line of handgun ammunition features non-deforming, heavy-for-caliber, cast, hard lead alloy bullets engineered for deep, straight-line penetration and reliable performance when protection from dangerous game is the priority. The bullets are wax-lubricated to minimize barrel leading. Nickel-plated cases are used for corrosion resistance and smooth loading and ejection. The new loads are: 10mm 200-grain, .44 Magnum 260-grain, .357 Magnum 180-grain, and 9mm +P 145-grain.
Remington Ammunition: Core-Lokt Handgun .45 Colt 237 gr. JHP
Remington’s Core-Lokt bullets have been around for more than 80 years. They provide hunters with economical controlled expansion, high weight retention, and great terminal performance. Marketed as “the deadliest mushrooms in the woods,” the ones I’ve recovered have lived up to that slogan.
Remington added a .45 Colt load to the handgun line this year with its own unique 237-grain jacketed hollow-point and slick nickel-plated cases. It joins their .357 Magnum, 10mm Auto, .41 Magnum, and .44 Magnum, delivering powerful, consistent performance on whitetail, hogs, and black bear.
Remington Ammunition: Performance WheelGun 22
Remington revamped its rimfire manufacturing processes to enhance the quality of its Performance WheelGun rimfire ammunition. This subsonic 22LR, 39-grain, truncated cone bullet was designed for low noise output and optimal performance in rimfire revolvers. It’s intended for recreational target shooting.
With its flat nose and published muzzle velocity of 770 FPS, I expect its maximum range and the risk of ricochet during backyard plinking to be reduced, providing a higher margin of shooting safety.
Sellier & Bellot XRG Defense Monolithic Copper Hollow-Points
This line of self-defense loads for compact concealed-carry handguns uses light-for-caliber, high-velocity, solid-copper hollow-point bullets. They are engineered for less perceived recoil than traditional lead bullet loads, near 100 percent weight retention, and reliable expansion even when shooting through barriers.
Available in:
- .380 ACP 77 grain (1,116 FPS)
- 9mm 100 grain (1,312 FPS)
- .38 Special 110 grain
- .357 Magnum 110 grain (1,591 FPS)
- .40 S&W 130 grain (1,247 FPS)
- 10mm Auto 130 grain (1,362 FPS)
- .45 ACP 165 grain (1,148 FPS)
- For those that really need all they can get for a Master Blaster-sized opponent in a Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome style showdown, there’s a .460 S&W Magnum 260 grain (1,923 FPS) load
Speer LAWMAN TMJ 9mm 135 gr.
Built for consistent, accurate training, these loads feature a non-expanding lead-core bullet. It is fully enclosed in a Total Metal Jacket (TMJ) to minimize shooter health risks related to lead exposure, especially on indoor ranges. This training load was designed to have a recoil impulse and point of impact comparable to its matching Speer Gold Dot JHP duty load.
Super Vel Ultra Match 9mm 124 gr. JHP
Designed for competitive shooters, Super Vel Ultra Match is manufactured to exacting dimensional and weight tolerances. The 124-grain JHP bullet, made in-house, is driven at 1,050 FPS to meet the power-factor requirements of the NRA Action Shooting, Bianchi Cup, and USPSA disciplines.
Built for accuracy rather than expansion, the copper jacket is reversed on the bullet to fully enclose its flat base. That allows the expanding powder gases to push the projectile evenly down the bore without deformation. So, it can exit the muzzle straight without gas deflection.
The front of the jacket is profiled with an ogive to ensure reliable feeding. Likewise, the finished match bullet ends up looking like a self-defense hollowpoint. This surprisingly moderately priced load was used to win three national championships last year.
Winchester American Lever Range Ammunition
Three of the quintet of loads in this new line of moderately priced training and recreational target shooting ammo are pistol cartridges tailored to lever-action long guns but still suitable for handguns in classic Old West style. Specifically, the company’s American Lever Range ammo.
Winchester chose flat-nosed bullet profiles safe for tubular magazines and optimized for fast and reliable feeding. Propellants that burn cleaner were used to reduce barrel and action fouling for smoother cycling and improved accuracy. Published velocity for the .357 Magnum, 130 grain FMJ load is 1,510 FPS. The .44 Magnum 240 grain JSP is 1,750 FPS, and the .45 Colt 250 grain lead bullet load is 900 FPS.
WHY OUR ARTICLES/REVIEWS DO NOT HAVE AFFILIATE LINKS
Affiliate links create a financial incentive for writers to promote certain products, which can lead to biased recommendations. This blurs the line between genuine advice and marketing, reducing trust in the content.
