Skip to main content

Federal Syntech Defense and Training Match Pistol Ammo

Federal's Syntech Defense and Training Match offerings allow you to shoot with confidence.

Federal Syntech Defense and Training Match Pistol Ammo

If you find a winning formula, you stick with it, which is exactly what Federal Premium has done with the Syntech line of polymer-­jacketed bullets and loads. After striking gold with the original red-bullet Syntech ammunition, Federal has expanded the line to include Syntech Defense, which features a blue bullet, and Training Match, with a purple bullet, each of which fits a specific need for shooters.

Federal’s Training Match was designed to deliver the same velocity, trajectory and point of impact as Federal’s HST defense load, providing law enforcement officers and other shooters with a cheaper training round to maximize time at the range. The high-­visibility purple was chosen to distinguish it from duty loads and to make it easier to visually ensure magazines were fully loaded.

Federal-Syntech-Pistol-Ammo-Training
Federal Syntech Training Match 9mm Ammo

“The Training Match round first came about because we saw a need for it within the law enforcement community,” said Jared Hinton, communications coordinator at Federal. “Not only does it achieve the same velocity and point of impact, it also provides a cost-­effective training round that extends the time between cleaning the firearm by reducing fouling and ensuring the air quality at indoor ranges is cleaner.”

Accuracy testing was conducted with the 147-­grain Training Match load in 9mm, fired from the CZ P-­10C with open sights at 25 yards from a bench and sandbag rest. Five five-­shot groups were measured with a digital caliper, while velocity was measured with a Competition Electronics chronograph. Average velocity was 992 feet per second (fps), with a standard deviation of just 7 fps. Average group sizes measured 2.45 inches, while the best group came in at 1.72 inches.

Federal-Syntech-Pistol-Ammo-Defense
Federal Syntech Defense 9mm Ammo

In the personal-defense category, Federal’s Syntech Defense features a 138-­grain polymer-­jacketed bullet with a solid core that penetrates between 12 and 18 inches, while three segments break off almost immediately to create wound trauma roughly 6 inches deep. The projectile is designed to perform in clothing and gel but not barriers. As a result, it’s ideal for cost-­effective personal defense.

Like all Syntech loads, Defense rounds are designed to reduce barrel fouling and utilize a Catalyst, lead-­free primer. At the range, Syntech Defense produced a best group of 1.75 inches at 25 yards, with an average group of 2.17 inches. Velocities were extremely consistent, with a standard deviation of 7 fps. There were no feeding or function issues through the P-­10C.

Hinton said the push for a polymer-­jacketed defense load came from the industry advancements in the bullet realm. Part of that demand is for cleaner technology, while the other part is for newer, cutting-­edge bullet designs.

Federal-Syntech-Pistol-Ammo-Range

“We had a lot of demand to come up with our own next-­gen bullet technology,” Hinton said. “Our engineers looked at the CCI .22LR ammunition and began developing a concept for the segmenting polymer defense bullet. The Syntech Defense is the result of that.”

The Syntech Defense load has demonstrated reliability in gel, and as we found, was consistently accurate at the range. The same can be said about the accuracy of Syntech Training Match. Whether you’re looking for a cost-­effective, cleaner way to train or defend yourself, Federal’s newest Syntech offerings allow you to shoot with confidence.




Current Magazine Cover

Enjoy articles like this?

Subscribe to the magazine.

Get access to everything Guns & Ammo has to offer.
Subscribe to the Magazine

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Handguns

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Hamilton Bowen - Revolver Master

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Suppressors

2024 Guns & Ammo Suppressor of the Year Award: Silencer Central Banish Speed K

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Suppressors

Silencer Central Banish 9K

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Shotguns

Dickinson Plantation SxS Shotguns

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Videos - News - 2nd Amendment

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Handguns for those Under 21?

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Other

Guns & Ammo Buzz: Introducing Keith Wood

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Industry

Guns & Ammo Buzz: BEST OF THE 2025 SHOT SHOW

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Handguns

Kimber's New 2K11: A High-Capacity Double-Stack 1911 Pistol

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Handguns

Kimber CDS9: Best New Concealed Carry 1911 Handgun?

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Handguns

Double Take of Armscor's New RIA-USA TAC Ultra & STK Series

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Handguns

New Pistol for 2025: FN Reflex XL

Join Jack Oller of Guns & Ammo for an in-depth look at the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter. In this detailed re...
Rifles

Smith & Wesson Model 1854 Stealth Hunter Rifle

Guns and Ammo Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Guns & Ammo App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use