A look at handgun stopping power
Flamewar and trolling inbound
Number crunching. A few things leap out at me, such as a 32 actually has a higher one shot incapacitation rate than a 45. So does a .380. Do I really think that’s a case for one over the other? No. Also, average number of rounds to incapacitation is interesting. My theory is people carrying 25s, 32s and 380s can actually, you know, shoot accurately. Until you look at the failure to incapacitate chart.
The charts are really fascinating. If you’re gonna have to shoot someone, do it with a rifle. And if you’re gonna have to shoot someone, plan on doing it 2.1 times with your 45, 2.3 times with your 40, and 2.4 times with your 9mm. No substantive difference, so carrying 18 rounds compared to 10 looks preferable. Michael notes: I carry a 9mm precisely because I subscribe to the multiple hits theory, and the faster I can deliver those shots the better. As someone who mostly carries 45s, I can’t disagree with that sentimment. Once you get above, say, 380 most arguments over stopping power are academic. I used to carry nines. Then a combination of magazine availability during the AWB and reading people who don’t know what they’re talking about discuss stopping power meant most of my new gun purchases were 45s. Because, hey, I was limited to 10 rounds for new guns so, why not? In case they were right. Now, I find I’m perfectly content with 9mms due to capacity, faster follow up shots, and they’re more comfortable to shoot. I’ll just have a few of each, to be sure.
July 21st, 2011 at 10:01 am
It is the bullet that will do the stopping.
I imagine a heavier handgun has more stopping power than a light one. Or perhaps light ones are easier to throw.
July 21st, 2011 at 10:37 am
This hit rate has ZERO!! to do with stopping power. It has to do with recoil induced flinching. Most people who shoot a larger caliber pistol flinch and throw the shot off because thy know there is going to be recoil… This makes the shots with the large weapons a tad less accurate then what practiced gunnies expect… The smaller weapons produce less recoil therefore less flinch factor thereby making for more accurate shooting.
July 21st, 2011 at 10:47 am
Personally, being brought up on the Ye Olde Skool of Guns (Revolvers/1911’s), I’ve come to the conclusion that one should carry what fits one’s hand, that one can shoot well, in whatever caliber you like, as long as it is a Hi-Cap. Why? Because the Wolf Packs have more members in them. Seems the Ammo Fairy tends to disappear when the shooting starts, so one better make sure they have enough cartridges on them.
July 21st, 2011 at 11:08 am
Combining hits with misses, FMJ with JHP, and head shots with torso hits? Guaranteed to make the study meaningless. Marshall and Sanow did it first and did it right.
July 21st, 2011 at 12:05 pm
It’s not the size of the rock you throw, no, wait. I must be over-compensating.
July 21st, 2011 at 12:15 pm
The whole reason I carry a 9mm is to have as many rounds as possible in as light and small a package as possible.
When I’m walking about in public and don’t have a rifle to retreat to, I just want as many rounds as I can possibly carry on hand.
July 21st, 2011 at 12:17 pm
“I’ll just have a few of each, to be sure.” Never mind all the rest of the blather, THAT’s the money quote, right there.
July 21st, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Noo Yawk reloads, baby. Carry more than one gun.
July 21st, 2011 at 2:00 pm
If I’m going somewhere I can’t have a gun I take my LCP. Good to know it can be effective. Otherwise I carry .45s. I have to admit thought that nothing I shoot is as much fun as my P-35. Fast and accurate multiple shots. I carry all of them with confidence.
July 21st, 2011 at 2:26 pm
“If you’re gonna have to shoot someone, do it with a rifle.”
IMHO, a shotgun’s better, multiple hits with one shot.
My preferred handgun is a Smith and Wesson model 10, .38 special. It fits my hand great, is accurate, aint a anchor as far as weight goes, the recoil aint a booger, and the round has decient penetrating and stopping power. Now I may only have six rounds capacity but that’s motivation to make my shots count.
July 21st, 2011 at 4:06 pm
“Heavy is good, heavy is reliable. If it doesn’t work … you can always hit them with it.” – Boris “the Blade” Yurinov, Snatch
July 21st, 2011 at 4:17 pm
“…a shotgun’s better, multiple hits with one shot.” Along with multiple misses?
I recommend deer hunting. It gives one some first-hand perspective on “stopping power” and such nonsensical terms. You’ll find what what that means once you’ve done it several times. You’ll be amazed at what an animal can do with both lungs and the heart destroyed. Only the CNS hit makes for “instant incapacitation”.
July 21st, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Check out the Lexus IS F… Reasonable price lots shits and giggles.
July 21st, 2011 at 4:43 pm
Oh fuck wrong page…