Interesting handgun stopping power study.

[Koshinn]

It is true that a .22 LR in your pocket sure does beat a .45 in the car.

I guess what this study confirms is the adage that the first rule of a gunfight is to have a gun.

I still prefer my .45 though

As long as you prefer it for reasons other than "stopping power." If you like it solely because it makes you feel more like a man, you're just being illogical. (O snap, Vulcan insult.)

 

[CAR-AR-M16]

These stats are the one that amazed me:

.32 (both .32 Long and .32 ACP)
# of people shot - 25
# of hits - 38
% of hits that were fatal - 21%
Average number of rounds until incapacitation - 1.52
% of people who were not incapacitated - 40%
One-shot-stop % - 40%
Accuracy (head and torso hits) - 78%
% actually incapacitated by one shot (torso or head hit) - 72%

.45 ACP
# of people shot - 209
# of hits - 436
% of hits that were fatal - 29%
Average number of rounds until incapacitation - 2.08
% of people who were not incapacitated - 14%
One-shot-stop % - 39%
Accuracy (head and torso hits) - 85%
% actually incapacitated by one shot (torso or head hit) - 51%

 

[NikatKimber]

These stats are the one that amazed me:

.32 (both .32 Long and .32 ACP)
# of people shot - 25
# of hits - 38
% of hits that were fatal - 21%
Average number of rounds until incapacitation - 1.52
% of people who were NOT incapacitated - 40%
One-shot-stop % - 40%
Accuracy (head and torso hits) - 78%
% actually incapacitated by one shot (torso or head hit) - 72%

.45 ACP
# of people shot - 209
# of hits - 436
% of hits that were fatal - 29%
Average number of rounds until incapacitation - 2.08
% of people who were NOT incapacitated - 14%
One-shot-stop % - 39%
Accuracy (head and torso hits) - 85%
% actually incapacitated by one shot (torso or head hit) - 51%

The ones in red are also very illuminating.

 

[CAR-AR-M16]

The ones in red are also very illuminating.

True, but then you would find these interesting as well:

9mm Luger
# of people shot - 456
# of hits - 1121
% of hits that were fatal - 24%
Average number of rounds until incapacitation - 2.45
% of people who were not incapacitated - 13%
One-shot-stop % - 34%
Accuracy (head and torso hits) - 74%
% actually incapacitated by one shot (torso or head hit) - 47%

.45 ACP
# of people shot - 209
# of hits - 436
% of hits that were fatal - 29%
Average number of rounds until incapacitation - 2.08
% of people who were not incapacitated - 14%
One-shot-stop % - 39%
Accuracy (head and torso hits) - 85%
% actually incapacitated by one shot (torso or head hit) - 51%


The whole point of the article agrees with what I have felt for years and others posted up top and that is the most important thing is TO HAVE A GUN. The caliber is not that important.

 

[HiredHand]

Slightly off topic but I thought it was interesting the author mentioned how many different calibers he carried. Do you all carry based on what outfit you are wearing? I guess I'm a minimalist because I'd rather be proficient with one or two different weapons for concealed carry not a dozen.

 

[NikatKimber]

True, but then you would find these interesting as well:

9mm Luger
# of people shot - 456
# of hits - 1121
% of hits that were fatal - 24%
Average number of rounds until incapacitation - 2.45
% of people who were not incapacitated - 13%
One-shot-stop % - 34%
Accuracy (head and torso hits) - 74%
% actually incapacitated by one shot (torso or head hit) - 47%

.45 ACP
# of people shot - 209
# of hits - 436
% of hits that were fatal - 29%
Average number of rounds until incapacitation - 2.08
% of people who were not incapacitated - 14%
One-shot-stop % - 39%
Accuracy (head and torso hits) - 85%
% actually incapacitated by one shot (torso or head hit) - 51%


The whole point of the article agrees with what I have felt for years and others posted up top and that is the most important thing is TO HAVE A GUN. The caliber is not that important.

I agree completely. Just thought it was interesting that although the % of one shot stops were similar, the % of those NOT incapacitated between the .32s and the .45s were so different. And yes, it is comforting seeing that 9mm and .45 are similar in that regard.

It is interesting also to note that everything .380 acp and larger resulted in less than 20% NOT incapacitated, and everything 9mm and larger resulted in less than 15%.

This also reinforces my opinion that I'd rather have 16rds of 9mm, over 8 of .45acp.

Slightly off topic but I thought it was interesting the author mentioned how many different calibers he carried. Do you all carry based on what outfit you are wearing? I guess I'm a minimalist because I'd rather be proficient with one or two different weapons for concealed carry not a dozen.

95% of the time, I carry a G19, 4% PF-9. The odd times are one of my .357 revolvers; usually when walking the property. I hardly ever carry anything other than 9mm out of the house.

 

[_CY_]

wouldn't read too much into the numbers... look at what .22 cal stats had to say

-------------

22 (short, long and long rifle)

# of people shot - 154
# of hits - 213
% of hits that were fatal - 34%
Average number of rounds until incapacitation - 1.38
% of people who were not incapacitated - 31%
One-shot-stop % - 31%
Accuracy (head and torso hits) - 76%
% actually incapacitated by one shot (torso or head hit) - 60%

 

[CAR-AR-M16]

wouldn't read too much into the numbers... look at what .22 cal stats had to say
-------------

22 (short, long and long rifle)

# of people shot - 154
# of hits - 213
% of hits that were fatal - 34%
Average number of rounds until incapacitation - 1.38
% of people who were not incapacitated - 31%
One-shot-stop % - 31%
Accuracy (head and torso hits) - 76%
% actually incapacitated by one shot (torso or head hit) - 60%

And your point is....?

 

[_CY_]

look how remarkably similar all the calibers are numbers wise?

read the article and you'll find out, if someone stopped advancing that was considered a one shot stop.
someone hit with a .22lr could run away after getting shot and still be considered a one shot stop. they probably would not be running away after getting hit with a .357 mag.

And your point is....?

 

[CAR-AR-M16]

look how remarkably similar all the calibers are numbers wise?

read the article and you'll find out, if someone stopped advancing that was considered a one shot stop.
someone hit with a .22lr could run away after getting shot and still be considered a one shot stop. they probably would not be running away after getting hit with a .357 mag.

OK, I see what you are getting at, but from a self-defense standpoint, running away or going down still stops the threat. The other interesting fact is the % of hits that were fatal for both .22 and .357 were - 34%.