Pro Armory Editorial TeamHoneyBadger from Black Hills Ammunition is a defensive 9mm line built around a monolithic, fluted projectile produced in cooperation with Lehigh Defense. Rather than depend on hollow-point expansion, the HoneyBadger design uses machined flutes and cutting edges to displace tissue and maintain consistent behavior through barriers. That design goal — repeatable terminal performance and barrier reliability — is what sets HoneyBadger apart from many traditional jacketed hollow point (JHP) options.
What Is HoneyBadger 9mm?
HoneyBadger is a proprietary offering from Black Hills. The projectile is a solid (monolithic) copper design with flutes and engineered edges. The idea is simple: remove the cavity that can clog, deform, or fail in barrier hits, and instead use a geometry that reliably displaces material and punches a large, clean wound channel in ballistic media and after barrier impacts.
The 9mm HoneyBadger is commonly available in two factory loads:
- 100-grain +P — the higher-velocity defensive option often chosen for barrier resilience and maximum energy.
- 125-grain Subsonic — a heavier, slower option that’s a logical choice for suppressed use or for shooters who prefer a lower-velocity profile.
| Black Hills — HoneyBadger (product summary) | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Black Hills Ammunition (HoneyBadger line) |
| Projectile / design partner | Monolithic (solid copper) fluted projectile — developed in cooperation with Lehigh Defense / Lehigh Xtreme Defense technology |
| Common 9mm loads | 100 gr +P (defensive) and 125 gr Subsonic (suppressed / lower-velocity option) |
| Typical factory velocities (published) | 100 gr +P: ≈1250 fps (~347 ft·lb). 125 gr Subsonic: ≈1000 fps (~278 ft·lb). Factory test-barrel numbers — expect variation by pistol and barrel length. |
| Primary traits | Solid copper, non-expanding fluted design; strong barrier penetration; brass cases and standard small pistol primers; lead-free projectile option. |
| Performance notes | Consistent deep penetration and large wound channel in ballistic gel and barrier tests compared with some JHPs. Velocity and effectiveness decline with short barrels — always chronograph and function-test in your firearm. |
| Recommended use | Intended for defensive use where barrier reliability is a priority. The 125 gr subsonic is a logical suppressed-use option but must be verified for reliable cycling in the host firearm. |
Performance — What the Tests and Users Say
Published test reports and independent chronograph/barrier testing consistently show HoneyBadger delivering strong penetration after barrier hits (windshield glass, clothing, and in many test cases steel) while creating wide, consistent wound channels in ballistic media. Because the projectile is monolithic and lacks a hollow cavity, it does not clog and therefore tends to maintain predictable penetration depth and symmetry through barriers that commonly defeat hollow points.
Velocity & energy: Factory specs list the 100 gr +P at roughly 1250 fps (≈347 ft·lb) and the 125 gr at roughly 1000 fps (≈278 ft·lb). Independent chronographs sometimes read a bit lower in specific pistols — for example, mid-1200s fps measured from compact pistols — which is expected. Always chronograph the load in the firearm you intend to use.
Barrier behavior: In controlled tests, HoneyBadger has repeatedly demonstrated through-barrier performance that preserves a large wound channel in gel even after passing through glass, heavy clothing, or other obstacles. This is the primary selling point and engineering intent behind the projectile shape.
Accuracy & reliability: Reported accuracy in serviceable pistols is good — many testers report tight groups at typical defensive distances — and feeding/ ejection reliability has been favorable in the majority of sample-driven evaluations. Still, results depend on platform, magazine, and condition of the firearm.
If you’re exploring high-performance defensive loads like the Honey Badger, our roundup of the best 9mm self-defense ammo offers a broader look at top-performing options across different bullet weights and designs.
Shooter Feedback — Real-World Reports
User and tester reports commonly emphasize three things:
- Barrier reliability: Users who run barrier tests often report HoneyBadger retaining performance where JHPs sometimes fail after barrier strikes.
- Predictable penetration: The solid-copper construction produces deep, straight wound channels in gel tests, often with more consistent depths across barrier conditions.
- Function & accuracy: Many shooters report reliable feeding and acceptable accuracy in modern semi-autos, though some compact/short-barrel guns will show lower velocities vs factory specs.
Sample user note: “I ran the 125 gr subsonic through my suppressed compact; it cycled reliably and was noticeably quieter. The 100 gr +P in my full-size service pistol produced snappy but controllable follow-ups.”
Caveats & When to Be Careful
- Test in your gun: Factory velocities use test barrels. Chronograph numbers from pistols—especially short barrels—can be lower; performance (penetration, wound profile) will change accordingly.
- +P considerations: The 100 gr +P is higher pressure than standard 9mm; that means more felt recoil and increased wear/stress on older or weakly-maintained firearms. Verify your pistol is rated for +P use before regular use.
- Different damage profile: The HoneyBadger does not expand like a hollow point. That means wound mechanics differ — wider but non-petaled wound channels rather than mushroomed frontal expansion. Consider this when choosing a load for defensive contexts.
- Legal and medical realities: Ballistics testing (gel and barrier tests) is a laboratory tool and does not guarantee specific medical outcomes in real incidents. Use tested, proven protocols and follow local laws.
Is HoneyBadger Right for You?
If you want a defensive 9mm that purposely deviates from traditional hollow-point design to maximize barrier reliability, HoneyBadger is a compelling option. It sidesteps hollow-point failure modes (cavity clogging, jacket/lead separation, fragmenting petals) by using a monolithic, fluted geometry that preserves momentum and symmetry through obstacles.
That said, it’s not a universal solution. The 100 gr +P variant is high-velocity and more energetic — but brings increased recoil and +P-level stress. The 125 gr subsonic is gentler and attractive for suppressed setups but sacrifices velocity. Many shooters choose HoneyBadger as a part of a broader defensive plan — including testing, regular practice, and an understanding of the limits of any single round.
For those curious how the Honey Badger stacks up against other fast-expanding or lightweight loads, check out our in-depth Liberty Civil Defense 9mm +P ammo review — another ultra-fast, low-mass defensive round built around velocity and energy transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Does HoneyBadger expand like a hollow point?
- No. It’s a monolithic fluted projectile that displaces tissue rather than creating expanding petals.
- What loads are available for 9mm?
- Most commonly a 100 gr +P defensive load and a 125 gr subsonic load.
- Will it perform better through barriers than a JHP?
- In many published tests and user reports, yes — the monolithic design preserves penetration and wound channel integrity where some hollow points can clog or deform. However, results vary by test conditions and firearm.
- Is the 125 gr subsonic good for suppressed guns?
- Yes — it’s a logical suppressed option due to lower velocity, but verify reliable cycling and function in your specific firearm.
- Should I trust factory velocities?
- Factory velocities are useful benchmarks, but always chronograph in your own firearm — barrel length and pistol model change measured velocity and terminal performance.
Bottom Line & Practical Advice
HoneyBadger 9mm is a thoughtfully engineered defensive option for shooters who prioritize barrier reliability and a repeatable wound profile without relying on hollow-point expansion. If that matches your needs, buy a box, chronograph it in your pistol, run function tests, and practice with it under realistic conditions. Keep in mind the +P stresses and the differing wound mechanics compared to conventional JHPs.
Always verify local laws regarding defensive ammunition and ensure any defensive choice aligns with training, legal considerations, and personal readiness.
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