Handgun stopping power:

[Grand58742]

Found this article on another forum and has some pretty good info. Sometimes the lack of data hurts, but even the author says it's somewhat incomplete.

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/7866

He makes some assumptions, but overall the article was fairly well written.

Although I still cannot wrap my head around the data suggesting a .25 ACP incapacitates more than a .32 ACP.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

When the original article was written on stopping power there was no hiding anything. They stated exactly what was done, how and when and where the data came from. Any comparisons will never be equal for instance was the guy shot with the 25acp a 140lb'er with a bad heart and the guy who was shot with the 32acp a 6ft 6' musclebound 225lb'er on PCP, that we will never know.
It's great data but it is just data and Marshall did a great job of it and 30 yrs later it is still relevant

[Deep Operator]

The 45 ACP was in part created after the U.S military encountered charging Fillipino guerillas after the experiences of 1898, the 38 caliber was apparently not enough to knock down guerillas possibly high on alchohol and drugs. I can remember hearing the Korean war vets complaining that the round from the .30 m1 carbine would offen not penertrate the heavy quilted uniforms of the Chinese at some distance. Solved by the M1 Garand or B.A.R

On the other if you hit a drunken and ragining 500lbs Sumo Wrestler with a .22 between the eyes at 10 feet he will probably need alot of help getting back to his feet.

[overbore]

My opinion, repeat opinion, is first adequate caliber, say .357 and up, then a combat proven bullet. I highly suggest that when your life may be at stake, Hornady polymer insert HP's are the most reliable way to go. Pre-fragmented is my second choice followed by hand loaded Gold Dots at max velocity.

Laus Deo
overbore

[jimmertoons]

Bullet manufacturers have made great strides in the perofrmance of expanding bullets in the last few years. The 9mm Luger is a good example. I do appreciate his last statement in the article, though.
"No matter which gun you choose, pick one that is reliable and train with it until you can get fast accurate hits. Nothing beyond that really matters!"
That being said, I would rather smack someone with a sledge hammer going slow, than a tack hammer moving fast.

[rice paddy daddy]

Handguns are better than a sharp stick, but are no where near as effective a a rifle or shotgun (no birdshot, please).
"Stopping power" and "handguns" don't really belong in the same sentence. This is not just my opinion, either, but that of people who actually know something about it.

[protus]

Handguns are better than a sharp stick, but are no where near as effective a a rifle or shotgun (no birdshot, please).
"Stopping power" and "handguns" don't really belong in the same sentence. This is not just my opinion, either, but that of people who actually know something about it.

makes yorubrain hurt dont it sometimes..LOL

kinda like the
"all you need is a 12g in your house...penatration and all....."

though at hallway distances(0-15ft)..most shotguns will pattern tight ( under 3 inch spread ) and will penetrate most McMansion interior walls and pass through.......

everyone has the hollywood mentality when it comes to "weapon" performance it seems at times..

[Patriot Prepper]

Handgun stopping power is based on:

1. Shot placement - body part penetrated
2. The number of hits - how many rounds found the target
3. The performance and size of the cartridge, with a 9 mm IMHO being one of the minimum that should be used.
I prefer a .45 or .357 but a 9mm will do the job.
4. How crazy, drugged, strong, or determined your adversary is

My advice is to TRIPLE TAP - two to the body and one to the head, make sure the SOB is dead. Keep shooting, not until you think the threat is over, but until the bad guy thinks its over.

[rice paddy daddy]

Just remember the famous Hollywood bank robbery shoot out where one of the perps (Platt or Matix, I forget which) was killed by a handgun bullet that went thru his arm and into his chest, hitting his heart. Trouble is, he didn't actually die before continuing the fight and shooting other cops.
Read citations for military medals to see how men can continue to fight on after being grieviously wounded, even after being hit by an RPG (Marine Lt Bobo, Medal Of Honor, Vietnam).
I keep handguns in my vehicle (two 357 magnum revolvers) only because a long gun would be too hard to quickly access, and when I go to bed at night, there's a 45 Colt revolver on the nightstand, in case I need to buy a moment's time to reach the Mini 14 thats leaning against the wall right next to my head.
My first rule in a gunfight is - use a rifle.

[jmc7104]

Just remember the famous Hollywood bank robbery shoot out where one of the perps (Platt or Matix, I forget which) was killed by a handgun bullet that went thru his arm and into his chest, hitting his heart. Trouble is, he didn't actually die before continuing the fight and shooting other cops.
Read citations for military medals to see how men can continue to fight on after being grieviously wounded, even after being hit by an RPG (Marine Lt Bobo, Medal Of Honor, Vietnam).
I keep handguns in my vehicle (two 357 magnum revolvers) only because a long gun would be too hard to quickly access, and when I go to bed at night, there's a 45 Colt revolver on the nightstand, in case I need to buy a moment's time to reach the Mini 14 thats leaning against the wall right next to my head.
My first rule in a gunfight is - use a rifle[/U].

And the second rule is use your hand gun to fight your way to your rifle!!!!
Actually I kinda like the 12 guage shotgun idea myself

[WiseOwl]

I keep a 12 gauge Mossberg Pump with the shortest legal barrel for the home defending....I also keep 2 #7 Wing Flapper Shots in there too....because of all of the entry points in my home, if I was to come down the hall blasting (hopefully the chuk chuk of the pump would give them a get out of here pucker factor), I have 2 kids rooms that are in my shooting alley. And I think how ever many pellets are in a #7 shell (dont know), that will definitely put someone down, if they aren't giving up, the next 2 rounds are OO Buck (incase I narrow my shooting lane to said perp), the last is a slug and thats the put em down shot and the alarm get the wife to bring out the carpet cleaner and the Clorox Spray!

[rice paddy daddy]

I also keep a 20 ga SXS double barrel in the bedroom corner, because the most likely intruder where we live would be four legged, furry, and after our chickens. #6 birdshot in one pipe, #3 buck in the other.

[Grand58742]

I also keep a 20 ga SXS double barrel in the bedroom corner, because the most likely intruder where we live would be four legged, furry, and after our chickens. #6 birdshot in one pipe, #3 buck in the other.

You know, this isn't a bad idea. Got me to thinking of loading up the tube one short in a pump action and having a side saddle of smaller bird shot. Buck and slugs in the tube ready to be chambered for two legged furry creatures, but the other readily available and easy to load as you can take the extra two seconds or less with a four legged furry creature.

Thanks for the idea!

[coyotewhisperer]

If your attacker is highly motivated he can be dead and not know it and continue the fight long enough to take some with him. Thats why shot placement is so important. I recently went to a close range pistol course that taught the mozambique drill. pcp or not two bullets between the eyes fixes everything lol. shot almost a 1000 rounds in two days with my glock 32 and it helped me immensley. What ever you have you need to train with it.