Speer Ammo — Gold Dot, Lawman & Proven Defensive Rounds

About Speer Ammunition

Founded in the 1940s by Vernon Speer, Speer Ammunition is a well-established producer of high-quality ammunition for gun enthusiasts and law enforcement professionals.

In 1944, during World War II, Vernon Speer founded Speer Bullets once he recognized the need for reliable and consistent ammunition. Soon after, the company's reputation quickly grew, as its bullets were known for accuracy and performance.

In 1968, Speer expanded its operations and started producing complete loaded ammunition.

This marked a significant milestone for the company, as they now offered a complete solution for shooters who preferred factory-loaded rounds over hand loads.

Over the years, Speer Ammunition continued to innovate and introduce new products.

In 1970, they launched the revolutionary Speer Lawman line of ammunition specifically designed for law enforcement training and practice.

In the early 1990s, Speer introduced the Gold Dot series, which quickly gained popularity for its exceptional performance in law enforcement and self-defense applications.

Today, Speer Ammunition remains a prominent player in the industry, offering a quality and innovative range of ammunition for different applications, including law enforcement, self-defense, training, and competition.

Proven Protocol

Speer’s selection of self-defense bullets was all originally developed for law enforcement and tested to perform using the FBI Protocol.

This rigorous series of tests evaluate a bullet’s expansion, penetration and weight retention when fired through a series of barriers. FBI Test Protocol requires the use of calibrated 10 percent ballistic gelatin. Bullets are scored based on the following criteria.

• Penetration: Minimum of 12 inches and maximum of 18
• Expansion: Expanded diameter should be 1.5 times the original bullet diameter
• Weight Retention: Should be as close to 100 percent as possible through bare gel

The ammunition test protocol is composed of six test events shot at 10 feet.

• Bare Gelatin
• Steel
• Plywood
• Heavy Clothing
• Wallboard
• Auto Glass
  
  

Speer’s Proven Protocol: FBI Test Standards

Speer ammunition is trusted nationwide for its exceptional consistency, reliable performance, and duty-grade engineering, and a major reason for that trust is Speer’s commitment to meeting and exceeding FBI test standards.

These rigorous protocols evaluate how ammunition performs in real-world defensive scenarios, ensuring every round delivers the penetration, expansion, and accuracy required for dependable protection.

Below are the key elements that define Speer’s proven protocol and its alignment with FBI testing:

Barrier Penetration Testing

• Speer ammunition undergoes extensive testing through common obstacles, such as heavy clothing, wallboard, sheet metal, plywood, and auto glass, to ensure consistent terminal performance regardless of real-world barriers.

Controlled Penetration & Expansion

• Each bullet design is engineered to achieve optimal penetration depths within the FBI’s required range while maintaining reliable expansion, maximizing effectiveness without over-penetration.

Precision Ballistic Gelatin Assessment

• Speer rounds are evaluated in calibrated ballistic gel to replicate human tissue response, giving shooters confidence in the ammo’s predictable and repeatable performance.

Uniform Velocity & Accuracy

• Strict quality controls ensure consistent muzzle velocity and enhanced accuracy, key factors in meeting FBI standards for duty and defensive ammunition.

Pressure & Reliability Validation

• Every load undergoes pressure testing and cycling evaluations to guarantee flawless feeding, ignition, and function across a wide range of firearms.

Designed for Duty, Trusted by Professionals

• With decades of law-enforcement adoption, Speer’s compliance with FBI protocols reinforces its reputation as one of the most reliable defensive ammunition options available.

Speer Ammo Product Families

Gold Dot Personal Protection

Trusted by Law Enforcement: One of the most widely used duty rounds in the U.S. Uni-Core® Bonding Technology: Eliminates jacket separation for superior penetration and expansion. Real-World Proven: Engineered to meet FBI protocol standards for defensive use.

Gold Dot

• G2 Next-Generation Duty Round: Features a shallow cavity and elastomer-filled tip for controlled, consistent expansion.
• Barrier-Blind Performance: Designed to perform reliably through various real-world obstacles.
• Optimized for Modern Handguns: Provides superb feeding and terminal ballistics.

Lawman Training Ammunition

• Ideal for Range Use: Affordable, clean-burning loads that mirror defensive round performance.
• TMJ (Total Metal Jacket): Reduces lead exposure and barrel fouling.
• Consistent Training-to-Carry Transition: Matches recoil and feel of Gold Dot duty ammo.

Speer Clean-Fire

• Low-Emission Training: Features primers free of lead, barium, and antimony.
• Indoor Range Friendly: Designed to meet strict environmental and air-quality standards.
• Reliable TMJ Bullet Design: Minimizes airborne lead and promotes cleaner shooting.

Speer LE (Law Enforcement)

• Professional-Grade Loads: Tailored for agencies requiring uncompromising duty performance.
• Optimized Ballistics: Includes specialized Gold Dot and G2 variants built to strict LE standards.
• Proven in the Field: Trusted by thousands of officers nationwide.

Speer Rifle Ammunition

• Hunting & Tactical Options: Features high-performance soft points and bonded rifle bullets.
• Accurate & Dependable: Ideal for medium game, patrol rifles, and defensive carbines.
• Controlled Expansion: Designed for consistency at a variety of hunting and engagement distances.

Speer Components

• Premium Reloading Supplies: Includes high-quality bullets like Gold Dot and TNT varmint projectiles.
• Uniform Manufacturing: Ensures consistent seating, weight, and performance for handloaders.
• Wide Variety of Calibers: Supports hunting, training, and precision reloading needs.

Why Choose Speer Ammo?

Speer Ammunition has earned its place as one of the most trusted names in the shooting world, offering consistent, high-performance cartridges designed for law enforcement, personal defense, and training.

With decades of innovation and a track record backed by real-world success, Speer provides shooters with the confidence and reliability they need in every scenario. Here’s why Speer stands out:

Field-Proven Duty Performance

• Speer’s renowned Gold Dot and Lawman lines are used by law enforcement agencies nationwide, delivering dependable results under the toughest conditions.

Unmatched Bullet Engineering

• Speer’s Uni-Cor and Gold Dot bonding technologies prevent core-jacket separation, ensuring superior weight retention, controlled expansion, and consistent penetration.

Exceptional Reliability Across Firearms

• Each cartridge is crafted to cycle smoothly and perform flawlessly in a wide range of handgun and rifle platforms, making Speer a trusted option for both professionals and civilian shooters.

Precision Manufacturing Standards

• Speer uses strict quality control, premium components, and advanced manufacturing techniques to deliver uniform velocities, tight groupings, and repeatable accuracy.

Optimized for Training and Defense

• From affordable Lawman training rounds to high-performance defensive loads, Speer offers a complete lineup that allows shooters to train with confidence and carry with assurance.

Decades of Real-World Validation

• Speer ammunition has been tested, adopted, and relied on by countless agencies and responsible gun owners, proving its performance in actual defensive encounters, not just laboratory tests.

Speer Ammo Resources & Ballistics

Find, view, and download your favorite Speer Ammunition ballistics, charts, spec sheets, and more, including Speer Gold Dot Ammo variations and Speer Lawman Ammo variations!

Visit the Speer Ammo Ballistics and Resources Page