CD 40 SW Edited

CIVIL DEFENSE

40 S&W

$40.99

SKU: LA-CD-40-012

26 in stock

26 in stock

DETAILS

The Civil Defense 40 S&W travels at 2000 feet per second and is the most effective .40 cal available. It has more kinetic energy than most 45 ACP defense rounds but weighs less than almost any 9mm. It is also lead-free and California-compliant.
Weight: 60gr
Velocity: 2000 FPS
Kinetic Energy: 533 FPE
Accuracy: < 1” @ 25 Meters
Rounds: 20 per box
Terminal Effect: 3 ½ “W x 12” D

Compared To Other Top Self-Defense Rounds

Our projectiles function differently than any other self-defense round on the market. We designed the Civil Defense line to eliminate threats with one round. We did this by creating the maximum amount of damage and tissue disruption possible. They do well against barriers, but when the large cavity fills with fluid, the hydraulic pressure builds until the side walls of the projectile explode. With that explosion comes rifle-sized temporary cavities and hydrostatic shock, therefore increasing stopping power by tenfold. Following the explosion, the bullet fragments into a starburst-shaped pattern creating multiple wound channels. This process also benefits in many other areas across the spectrum of things considered when talking about self-defense. Such as reduced over-penetration and lessening the risk of unintended casualties. Having a lighter projectile also leads to less muzzle flips for faster follow-up shots. All of our rounds are also lead-free and California-compliant.

REVIEWS

Very Nice Fire Power...

January 7, 2025

This is the first time I’ve tested it with my 40s with a 4.5-inch BBL. It shoots pretty nicely like a rifle. I wish for 90grs. It would be better.

David

Response from Liberty Ammunition

Thanks David,

If we went with a heavier bullet, pressures would rise and/or we would need to slow it down.

At 2000 fps we are hitting with 533 ft/lbs of energy…..which is more than the Hornady 45 ACP Flexlock.

Our .40 is the best in the market and we appreciate you carrying it.

Most impressive ammo I've ever fired.

December 10, 2024

Everything they say about this ammo is spot on. I recommend it to all my friends and family. There’s nothing else like it. I keep it in my edc always.

Jon Zellmer

Discovered this brand on accident

December 10, 2024

I carry a Glock 22 and a Glock 27 depending on the day, the first time I fired one of these into gel I was absolutely astonished by the absolute carnage inside the gel, so I them over the chronograph the Glock 22 speed avg. Was 2190fps, the Glock 27 speed avg. Was 2003fps, very light and extreme stopping power, I will never use any other self defense round again.

Josh

Got Scamed !!

June 4, 2024

I bought a box at the tgs about 6months. Opened it up last night. And found Hornaday rounds. I’ll try again, as I got some nice Liberty 9+ to try out also.

Kim H

Response from Liberty Ammunition

Kim….those were Hornady casings….but the bullets, powder and design are pure Liberty Ammunition.

Incredible Ammunition

May 17, 2024

I use this as my personal defense ammo in my full size .40 pistol. I’ve bought maybe 500 rounds over the years. The speed of the round is incredible and the incredible sound it creates is jarring to any would-be threats. Expect lots of attention at the range. This round is extremely lethal. It is essentially an exploding bullet that is less likely to penetrate a human target.

Sean Waggoner

Best self-defense 10mm/9mm on the market

July 7, 2025

About 6 years ago I bought my first 10mm, Rock Island Armory 10mm A2 FS HC , for self defense and bear country EDC. I bought 43 different types of ammo from every big and small company i could find to begin testing what I would carry for self defense against 2 and 4 legged threats. 3 different types of target scenario was setup, it took me 3 days to test each one maticuosly and with a broad assortment of ammo types amd weights I ended up picking the Liberty Civil Defense as my EDC ammo even though i thought it was a gimmicky round when I purchased it for the very first time, I even switched my back up 9mm to this brand…I will never trust any other round on the market with my or my family’s life on the line like I do with this ammo. The ONLY negative I can possibly point out, is you will always need to double tap if there is glass between you and the target, almost all other normal scenario barriers are no match. This round will penetrate through dense objects (such as a 6 inch polymer pillar that is hollow in the center) further than most FMJ or Hard Cast. If your in doubt…TRY IT OUT, you’ll ditch the gold dot/hydrashok/R.I.P forever

Chad C

Response from Liberty Ammunition

Thanks Chad,

We appreciate it!

Pure Ingenuity

July 7, 2025

I’ve purchased a few different calibers quite awhile back to choose one for self defense and my concern was truly bullet weight and at the range that problem was resolved quickly by a mere few shot. I found these rounds devastating and all three calibers I would feel very safe using anyone of them for self defense. In closing I would hate getting hit with one of these rounds, however I’m a law biding citizen.

Jeff Storm

Light, fast and devastating

July 7, 2025

I happened to come across a couple boxes of this wonderful ammo at my local indoor range, and decided to get a couple boxes to test in my Sig P220 Legion.

During the test I fired the Overwatch along with some Hornady Critical Duty w/ the 175Gr FlexLock and some Hornady Custom 155Gr XTPs.

First impression with the Overwatch is that it’s so light; it’s barely noticeable once the loaded mag is in the pistol because it’s so light.

The Overwatch is louder than the range rounds or the Hornady rounds I fired, but felt recoil is noticeably reduced.

Accuracy compared to the Hornady was perhaps a tad better due to reduced felt recoil at 10-25 Yards.

I had zero FTFs or any issues at all with the Overwatch; it cycled through my Sig flawlessly.

I cannot speak to the stopping power of this round since I’ve only punched holes in paper with it, but tests I’ve seen online are very interesting indeed.

I now plan to carry my Sig with Overwatch due to the great performance and low weight!

Captain Midnight

Response from Liberty Ammunition

CM,

Thanks for the review.

We are lighter to carry and hit harder than the other brands.

We also create a permanent wound channel compared to softer hitting Hornady rounds.

LibertyAmmunitions 54

LEAVE A REVIEW

Ammo: 40 S&W

  • Our Projectiles Function Differently

    Our Projectiles Function Differently Than Any Other Self-Defense Round On The Market. We Designed The Civil Defense Line To Eliminate Threats With One Round. We Did This By Creating The Maximum Amount Of Damage And Tissue Disruption Possible. They Do Well Against Barriers, But When The Large Cavity Fills With Fluid, The Hydraulic Pressure Builds Until The Side Walls Of The Projectile Explode. With That Explosion Comes Rifle Sized Temporary Cavities And Hydrostatic Shock, Therefore Increasing Stopping Power By Tenfold. Following The Explosion, The Bullet Fragments Into A Starburst Shaped Pattern Creating Multiple Wound Channels.

    Our Projectiles Function Differently

OUR

Projecticles

Function

Differently

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MORE INFORMATION

Our 380 Civil Defense Rounds Changed The Pocket Pistol Game. For A Long Time, Everyone Criticized The 380 ACP For Not Having Enough Kinetic Energy. That’s Not The Case Anymore. Our 380 Is One Of Our Most Sought After Rounds Because It Packs Enough Punch, It Gets The Job Done.