Stopping power?

[Ol'Bluesmoke]

There has been a great deal of disagreement over what exactly stopping power is. Will big and slow work better than smaller and faster? How about the work compiled by Marshall and Sanow? Of course shot placement will always be a significant factor as will the dress and constitution of the person on the receiving end of a bullet...and many other factors as well. Whats your take on it?

 

[indykid]

To paraphrase a statement going around the internet, after I shot you twice in the heart and once in the head do you really care if it was a 9mm or a .45 ???

 

[Josh Ward]

IMHO shot placement is the key factor to stopping an attacker. That being said....I do prefer a 45.

 

[indianajoe]

I came across this on the Midway USA site. Step #3 assigns a 'knockdown factor' to cartridges of varying sizes. On the top end of the scale is the .45 ACP 185 grain JHP +P (factor of 400); at the low end is the .22 short 40 grain (knockdown factor of 47).


Rate Your Concealed Carry Handgun

 

[schapm]

That's an interesting activity. Looks like for knockdown power they are using an idea similar to the Taylor KO Factor.

 

[redneckmedic]

Myth

Even direct heart shots don't kill instantly (ask any hunter) nor head shots (in general) however brain stem now we're talking. Now center mass is definently a better target then limbs. But don't think you will shoot someone in the little orange square and they will die or even stop right away, that's only Hollywood, just ask anyone who took my INGO Trauma Class.

 

[DRob]

Old discussion

The heavy/slow vs. light/fast debate has gone on for longer than most of the guys on this forum have been alive and some guy who is now 16 months old will repeat this when he's 45 (I hope).

Cliff Notes version of my opinion: I don't care if you're using a sledge hammer or a staple gun. If you miss, they're identical!

 

[redneckmedic]

I don't care if you're using a sledge hammer or a staple gun. If you miss, they're identical!

 

[CandRFan]

Does the discussion of "knock down" or "stopping" power also go for rifles and rifle ammo, or are do the velocities that rifle drive their bullets add a different variable?

 

[redneckmedic]

Does the discussion of "knock down" or "stopping" power also go for rifles and rifle ammo, or are do the velocities that rifle drive their bullets add a different variable?

Now we are talking! .50 bmg vs .223? sure. The discussion is a generalization between the most popular SD handguns. One could make the argument that the .380 is no comparison to the .460mag. This is true but the .460mag isn't a standard carry either. Rifles with velocity and weight differences is completely different, since it's expotenally greater than handguns.

 

[CandRFan]

Now we are talking! .50 bmg vs .223? sure. The discussion is a generalization between the most popular SD handguns. One could make the argument that the .380 is no comparison to the .460mag. This is true but the .460mag isn't a standard carry either. Rifles with velocity and weight differences is completely different, since it's expotenally greater than handguns.

Yeah, that's what I figured. I don't think anyone would compare the .223 to the .50bmg. But is it a good generalization to make when it comes to popular SD rounds that from 9mm to .45ACP that they are pretty much in the same ballpark in terms of real world stopping power?

 

[stoyan79]

Unless you are expecting to meet a bear, 9mm is your best bet.

 

[kingnereli]

The bigger hole the better. Use the heaviest bullet in the largest caliber you can shoot effectively. There IS a difference in pistol calibers. It is small but important.

 

[alxjmrk]

Correct. As shown to us in the assault trauma class that RedneckMedic taught, the bigger the bullet the more internal damage may occur. The secondary cavity created by the shockwave of the bullet passing through material in the body can make a drastic difference in the amount of internal damage. With that said, the placement of the shot will drastically change what and how much is damaged in the assailant.

 

[triton54]

how about the 44 mag, Thats the best of both worlds, heavy and fast