Caliber doesn't matter...

[230RN]

...when you put one in the snot locker.

I swiped this off the Buckeye (Ohio) firearms site and thought you might be interested:

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

Sample:

I think the most interesting statistic is the percentage of people who stopped with one shot to the torso or head. There wasn't much variation between calibers. Between the most common defensive calibers (.38, 9mm, .40, and .45) there was a spread of only eight percentage points. No matter what gun you are shooting, you can only expect a little more than half of the people you shoot to be immediately incapacitated by your first hit.

Which is why you double-tap in a defensive situation.

More:

I've stopped worrying about trying to find the "ultimate" bullet. There isn't one. And I've stopped feeling the need to strap on my .45 every time I leave the house out of fear that my 9mm doesn't have enough "stopping power." Folks, carry what you want. Caliber really isn't all that important.

Or, as some smart aleck once said, "Caliber doesn't matter if you put one in the snot locker."

With thanks to the Buckeye State SIte and Greg Ellifritz.

Respectfully submitted,

Terry, 230RN

[wirecounter]

Very informative read.  Thanks Terry! 

[hnl.flyboy]

Very well written!

[SpeedTek]

Dont tell that to KK he things bigger is better. We keep arguing its how you use it.

[230RN]

Don't thank me, I didn't write it.  All credit goes to Mr. Ellifritz.  I'm too lazy to do a great job like that.

Two things were especially interesting to me.

Indeed, one was the surprising effectiveness of the small caliber cartridges.  (I always liked the .32, even though I never had one.)

The other was his remarks about  "psychological stops," where the assailant stops, not because he/she was badly wounded, but simply because they didn't want to get shot again.  The reason is that I'm reminded of the old adage about the mere presence of a firearm, without a shot being fired, preventing a crime.  However, this latter type of "stop" is rarely reported.

Terry, 230RN

[numbertwo]

I just learned this at the the handgun training class today. I was told that the caliber doesn't matter too much when it comes to shot placement.

[Inspector]

I just learned this at the the handgun training class today. I was told that the caliber doesn't matter too much when it comes to shot placement.

Hence the people who don't have the confidence in their abilities and will rely on "Spray and Pray" to protect themselves and their families.

I am curious how many people reading this have 12-18 shot semi autos and how many have 5-6 shot semi autos/revolvers for self defense? Does it matter?

[wirecounter]

I am curious how many people reading this have 12-18 shot semi autos and how many have 5-6 shot semi autos/revolvers for self defense? Does it matter?

Of course it matters!!!  You will eventually hit something with enough rounds in the magazine.   

[Lifer]

Thanks for the post 230RN.

I  think this a great article that used great field research, which for me was key. A lot of ballistics research uses static laboratory experimentation which doesn't necessarily correlate into practical or realistic data. Ballistics gel is great, but isnt running at you at odd angles in a parking lot.....

I also liked the physiological stop theory which definitely works, trust me I know!

Bottom line, lead is lead and a .22 round is better than nothing!

[numbertwo]

Of course it matters!!!  You will eventually hit something with enough rounds in the magazine.   

LOL I know I'm new at this and this situation is different since it's an intimate target and not a potential perp but the funny thing is that I took 40soemthing shots at a 8"x8" target with a .45 sig saucer during the range portion of the class and not a single bullet hole was made 
and this was at what, 25yrds or what ever the pistol range is at.


I did however manage to hit the bullseye with a .22 glock clone looking pistol. 

[Jl808]

Yeah, 22s are great. I suppose it would be better to hit an assailant with a .22 than miss with a .45

The pistol range distance is far but with correct instruction and lots of practice, you can get groups in.  One of the range officers told me... The smaller your target is, the better your groups will be. 

[Cougar8045]

Yeah, 22s are great. I suppose it would be better to hit an assailant with a .22 than miss with a .45

The pistol range distance is far but with correct instruction and lots of practice, you can get groups in.  One of the range officers told me... The smaller your target is, the better your groups will be.

As Benjamin Martin said in The Patriot, "Aim small, miss small."

[hnl.flyboy]

Dont tell that to KK he things bigger is better. We keep arguing its how you use it.

In Hawaii, that may be true. Because we have a magazine restriction to 10 rounds, if the shooter can handle the recoil, they might as well get the biggest bullet they got.

[Cougar8045]

In Hawaii, that may be true. Because we have a magazine restriction to 10 rounds, if the shooter can handle the recoil, they might as well get the biggest bullet they got.

No question; pick the biggest caliber you can shoot well.  No matter what you choose, you only get ten rounds.  I prefer them to be 200 grn JHPs in .45 auto persuasion.

[Kingkeoni]

In Hawaii, that may be true. Because we have a magazine restriction to 10 rounds, if the shooter can handle the recoil, they might as well get the biggest bullet they got.

With a 10 round limitation, I definitely want the biggest caliber that I can quickly and accurately put multiple rounds on target with.

[230RN]

Inspector wanted to know,

I am curious how many people reading this have 12-18 shot semi autos and how many have 5-6 shot semi autos/revolvers for self defense? Does it matter?

I carry a 1911 .45 in cooler weather with at least one extra mag (thus at least 14 rd), with a 5-shot J-frame in my outer coat pocket.  I always carry the J-frame with two speedloaders, .38 SPL +P, thus usually 15 rd. in warmer weather.  When I've got the .45 with me, sometimes I skip the speedloaders for the J-frame.

When I first got my CCW, I once carried four guns on me, just because I could.  I quit that because with all that iron on me, I somehow kept swinging toward the north pole.

Belt rig with 5-rd J-frame speedloaders:



Terry, 230RN

 

[Izanagi]

As Benjamin Martin said in The Patriot, "Aim small, miss small."

and to this day i still have no idea what the hell that means.   

[Cougar8045]

and to this day i still have no idea what the hell that means.   

Simple!  If you aim at a smaller target, your groups will get smaller.  If you want to test the theory, shot a group at a blank paper plate, then shoot another group at a plate with a small (1/2" or so) dot in the center.  The group on the second plate will be smaller.  For Patriot purposes, your shot will be more effective if you aim at one of the Redcoat's big shiny buttons instead of his whole chest.  Aim small, miss small!   

[TeamSDSHawaii]

Great article and great post!
 
I've been looking for that one...


Of course I love my bigger calibers but I totally agree... and see...

Small calibers rock! If your not afraid of the recoil, bigger calibers do a better job. period. But small calibers have a BIG place!

As i've said before, shoot what your comfortable with... The wifey is so good with a .22, I don't dare come home late anymore.... 

Seriously a clean, deadly single, double, even triple tap from a so very accurate .22   ..... hah I wouldn't want!!!     That = body bag..... 

[Jkeone808]

.  No matter what you choose, you only get ten rounds.  I prefer them to be 200 grn JHPs in .45 auto persuasion.

Agreed 1000%