Pistol Knock Down Power
There will always be a debate among gun enthusiasts on what caliber handgun is the best for self defense. Common arguments include “the .45 has more stopping power”, or “the 9mm has more magazine capacity”, and “.40 cal is a good compromise between the two”. Here are a few facts to help you make a decision on what caliber is best for you.
Before we lay out the performance numbers for the different calibers and loads, lets look at what is important to consider when choosing a handgun cartridge.
We've compiled some data from common handgun rounds:
Before we lay out the performance numbers for the different calibers and loads, lets look at what is important to consider when choosing a handgun cartridge.
- No handgun cartridge will have any knock down power. There have been studies conducted where hanging cadavers were shot to measure the effect of the bullets momentum, and very little movement was recorded. A similar test was done on pig carcasses on hooks designed to let the pig fall off; no handgun cartridge knocked the pig carcass off, though a thrown baseball did.
- Incapacitating a human with a handgun results from:
- – hitting the central nervous system, either the spine or the brain- immediate incapacitation
- – Significant blood loss resulting from hitting a major artery or the heart – 5-10 seconds or more after being shot before incapacitation (a human can operate for 5-10 seconds with zero blood flow to the brain)
- – Blood loss from non-brain arteries – A Class IV Hemorrhage is classified as above 40% blood loss. For a 180 pound male, that is over 1/2 a gallon. Needless to say it might be a while before incapacitation.
- – Psychological shock – Humans have one of two actions when they realize they have been shot. Some will drop and beg for mercy, others will go into an adrenaline rage and fight with all they have long past what you would think is physically possible. If you have ever hunted animals before, you no doubt have seen an animal at some point fight for life long past what you thought possible.
- – Permanent damage to non-elastic organs – most likely not incapacitating at all. They may die, but not anytime soon.
We've compiled some data from common handgun rounds:
And some info on average hollow point expansion of the different rounds:
So what is the most important comparison numbers here? Good question!
The numbers indicate a 45 ACP +P round will have the most Energy. the 40 S&W is 10% behind, and the 9mm is 20% behind the 40 S&W. These are comparing the best to the best. On the other hand, the normal 230 gr hp 45 has less energy than the lowest 40 load, and the 9mm +P is pretty much equal to it. However, is energy the most important factor here?
What about the expansion and penetration numbers? Well, the 45 ACP expanded 28% more than the 9mm, and the 40 fell in-between the two. All were within a few inches of each other in penetrating ballistics gel.
What about velocity? Could the expanding wound channel have an affect on the surrounding tissue like rifle bullets do? Most tend to think that affect only takes place at 2000-2500+ fps, so not something a handgun cartridge can accomplish.
The choice of which caliber to choose is a difficult one. If I only had one bullet, I would choose the 45 ACP. It has a larger expanded area, and carries the most weight, and has the best chance of making it straight through bone to vital organs because of the weight. If you give me an option for a 7 shot 45 ACP or a 17 shot 9mm, now I’m not sure which I will choose. If I’m not sure I’m going to hit the heart right off the bat, and I have to depend on general blood loss for the bad guy to pass out, then I’d prefer 17 holes in him vs 7.
At the end of the day, shot placement is the MOST important factor. Even a .22 that penetrates the skull or makes it to the heart will do more damage than a .45 ACP that hits the abdomen and doesn't hit any vital organs or bones. Choose the largest caliber you are accurate with, and practice, practice, practice!
Find a local 3 Gun competition in your area.
The numbers indicate a 45 ACP +P round will have the most Energy. the 40 S&W is 10% behind, and the 9mm is 20% behind the 40 S&W. These are comparing the best to the best. On the other hand, the normal 230 gr hp 45 has less energy than the lowest 40 load, and the 9mm +P is pretty much equal to it. However, is energy the most important factor here?
What about the expansion and penetration numbers? Well, the 45 ACP expanded 28% more than the 9mm, and the 40 fell in-between the two. All were within a few inches of each other in penetrating ballistics gel.
What about velocity? Could the expanding wound channel have an affect on the surrounding tissue like rifle bullets do? Most tend to think that affect only takes place at 2000-2500+ fps, so not something a handgun cartridge can accomplish.
The choice of which caliber to choose is a difficult one. If I only had one bullet, I would choose the 45 ACP. It has a larger expanded area, and carries the most weight, and has the best chance of making it straight through bone to vital organs because of the weight. If you give me an option for a 7 shot 45 ACP or a 17 shot 9mm, now I’m not sure which I will choose. If I’m not sure I’m going to hit the heart right off the bat, and I have to depend on general blood loss for the bad guy to pass out, then I’d prefer 17 holes in him vs 7.
At the end of the day, shot placement is the MOST important factor. Even a .22 that penetrates the skull or makes it to the heart will do more damage than a .45 ACP that hits the abdomen and doesn't hit any vital organs or bones. Choose the largest caliber you are accurate with, and practice, practice, practice!
Find a local 3 Gun competition in your area.
