The Hornady Critical Defense FTX Slug 410 bore offers a trusted defensive option in a compact 2.5-inch length and the Triple Defense projectile stack that places two .35-caliber balls beneath a non-jacketed FTX slug for tightly grouped performance at close range; this Critical Defense series round was engineered to deliver a dense pattern on man-sized targets out to roughly 7 yards with a muzzle velocity of about 750 fps, making it well-suited for home defense and short-range protection in compact shotguns and pistol-caliber platforms chambered for 410. If cosmetics matter, note Hornady has temporarily suspended nickel plating on Critical Defense casings due to supply constraints, which does not affect terminal performance. As a lead bullet configuration rated for defensive use and produced in the United States, this Hornady FTX slug gives defensive-minded shooters a combination of straight-line penetration and controlled energy transfer, and it performs reliably in defensive drills, close-quarters scenarios, and for users who want a purpose-built 410 defense load with recognizable FTX technology and consistent function.