re: Finally got a handgun

Already figured that out. I thought it was me. I hope they loosen up.

quote:

---

40 cal

---

Pointless Caliber

quote:

---

More stopping power? That's debatable based on everything I saw

---

Actually, this is a fact. 40 has more stopping power than a 9mm.

Top loads from this study:

40 s&w Rem 165= 94% one stop shot (146 shootings)
45 acp Federal 240= 96% one stop shot (173 shootings)
9 mm Winchester 115= 83% one stop shot (421 shootings)

The top 40 and 45 loads out perform the top 9mm loads in real world situations. This goes back to the old saying. Shoot the biggest caliber you can handle when your life is on the line.


For good measure:

357 mag Federal 125 grain= 96% one stop shot. That is a staggering 615 out 641 shootings. Wow!

After seeing this I changed out my 158 grain to 125 grain Federal for my home defense revolver.

LINK

For Home defense I have a 18 1/2 inch barrel on a 870 pump and high brass #4's.



Pistol "stopping power" means nothing if you can't place a bullet where you want.

Looking at one stop shot is pointless with handguns.


With handguns, putting multiple well placed rounds into a target quickly is the key.

I used to be a big supporter of the 40 until I got a 9 mm and holy cow.

The speed that you can accurately put 5-7 rounds into a target at 15 yards is awesome.

quote:

---

For Home defense I have a 18 1/2 inch barrel on a 870 pump and high brass #4's.

---

Hell yeah except I prefer a slug followed up with buckshot.

A 12 gauge slug is game over for anyone hit by it.

Because self-shuckers suck

quote:

---

Now do recoil of 115 vs 124 vs 147

---

It's still not significant enough to matter compared to 40 S&W. The sharpest recoiling 9mm ammo I've shot is 147gr +p Federal HST and I have not found it to be particularly hard to shoot accurately. It's also my carry ammo.

quote:

---

40 s&w Rem 165= 94% one stop shot (146 shootings) 45 acp Federal 240= 96% one stop shot (173 shootings) 9 mm Winchester 115= 83% one stop shot (421 shootings)

---

Right off the bat I'm skeptical. Besides the fact that they are citing one-shot stops with a handgun (which is a rarity in itself) I have a lot of questions:

1. The most glaringly obvious is that they chose a relatively weak and lightweight 9mm load. That already puts it at a disadvantage compared to some heavier-for-caliber 40 and 45 loads.
2. I see no reference to shot placement at all. And when discussing this mythical "stopping power" with handguns it is quite important. A shot to the central nervous system dramatically increases the chances of instant incapacitation. A shot in the torso without hitting the CNS rarely instantaneously stops a motivated criminal.
3. The sample size is also laughably inconsistent. Why do the 9mm ones reference 421 shootings and the 40 references 146 shootings? That is quite a dramatic difference.
4. The 10%-ish difference that they mention is still extremely small considering I have more ammo in my magazine compared to the others. I have more chances to fire again.

I would love to read that study if you have a link.

quote:

---

The top 40 and 45 loads out perform the top 9mm loads in real world situations. This goes back to the old saying. Shoot the biggest caliber you can handle when your life is on the line.

---

You also get many more chances to fire follow-up shots due to lighter felt recoil (not to mention more rounds to do it) when using 9mm. I could load the hottest, baddest, quickest 40 S&W round in one of my small carry guns but if it beats the hell out of me while I'm shooting it, my first shot better be amazingly accurate because I doubt I'll be able to hit the target again.

Also there have been tests with certain loads in 9mm where it actually had a larger expanded diameter than both 40 S&W and 45 ACP, so that would basically make the unexpanded caliber irrelevant. This again goes back to cartridge selection and getting the best available on the market, which your cited study does not do.

I think if you're happy carrying 40 or 45 keep doing it. It will be plenty effective. But don't discount how effective 9mm is. And that is entirely my point - it makes little difference and is personal preference which one to carry.

quote:

---

357 mag Federal 125 grain= 96% one stop shot. That is a staggering 615 out 641 shootings. Wow!

---

This one is king and is easily a step above the big 3 service cartridges. But it's also a rimmed revolver cartridge. Still, you won't get any debate from me on this one.

quote:

---

You do a lot of shooting with your pulse above 140 and with your hands shaking?

---

I think he was just saying that compared to 40, 9mm is pretty tame and easy to control.

I also think he's in law enforcement so I imagine he's shot more with his pulse above 140 than most here ever have.

A M&P Shield is good for a CC weapon...but my hands are too big for it comfortably...That's why I like my Springfield RO.