Caliber selection: medical examiner's advice

I stumbled upon this string of articles by accident as I was looking for information on a carry-related topic. I find it helpful to have insight from someone who makes a living noting the effects of munitions on the human body. I'll tell you right off that he advocates large and slow (.45) vs. small and fast (9mm/.380), although he typically sees a lot more of the latter.

Without further adieu, NOTES FROM THE MORGUE:

1. Washington State Gun Lawyer
Note: use find feature to scroll down to title "Observations From the Morgue"

2. Mark S. Knapp, Federal Way Firearms Lawyer - A Police Officer's View From The Morgue: Notes on terminal ballistics

3. Mark S. Knapp, Federal Way Firearms Lawyer - More on Terminal Ballistics: Hardball v Hollowpoint
Note: not sure if this is written by the same guy

I think this was referenced in a thread a long time ago and there were some questions about the credibility of the original source.

I have no doubt that as long as I do my part my federal HST will do their part

The original source was a forensic pathologist who had also done a lot of mass casualty work.His credibility was reinforced several times by people who personally knew him and/or spent time at the range with him. After all the internet know it alls got upset and tried to ruin his credibility because he had gored their ox he got fed up with wasting his precious time and went back to work.

I respect the opinions of others, however, I still am confident that if I do my part in placing the bullet into a vital area, the outcome will be favorable and allow me to escape danger. Not everyone can carry a large caliber handgun all of the time, unless of course you are talking about open carry which is another subject altogether.

The work may have been credible, but the sample process may not. When it comes to self defense, it isn't just a matter killing the attacker, but stopping the attacker. Many of those in the morgue very well may have lived for some time before death, hence more time to do harm to good people.

What is not told by the morgue data is how many times a given caliber did not stop an aggressor or how many times a given caliber was used relative to the number of people in the morgue. So what is missing is the aspect of relativity.

In short, the morgue data are interesting, but when taken out of context, loses a tremendous amount of validity.

I carried 9mm for years and did try switching to .45cal
After owning three .45cal handguns I found I was not able to
hit and control it as well as 9mm and .380 so I switched
back to them.
IMO you can't stop what you can't hit. having said that if YOU
can control a .45 gun you should look into carrying one.
I too have seen this thread before and took note of the fact
that data is missing .
For example,how many rounds were fired from the guns
that were compared to each other.
With my experience with the .45, I would bet it was about
the same number, but the guy with the .45 just missed
and the guy with the 9MM or .380 missed less.
As I said ,just my option.

You also have to consider the economics of a caliber. In addition to what ASSA said, though my EDC is a .40, G23, I find that I'm unable to afford to practice as much as I need or want due to the cost of the ammo.

I'm now wishing I had a G19, a 9mm just so I'm able to shoot more and be able to have better shot placement when and if the time comes.

It doesn't take much reading to tell that the author favors .45 and was going to come to that conclusion. This isn't research, it's anecdotal.
The pictures served no purpose other than try to convince you that he had once been in a morgue.
Keep in mind when the police shoot someone it's to kill, when a citizen shoots someone it's to stop the threat.
Having said that, I would favor a .45 also, but not for the reasons given. I like big slow bullets, plenty of knock down power without going through walls and hurting others.
But I would carry a lighter, more easily concealed pistol. So for me it's a 9mm.:22a:

Ok so who is he? What is his name and where does he work?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ASSA9

...I found I was not able to
hit and control it as well as 9mm and .380 so I switched
back to them...IMO you can't stop what you can't hit...YOU
can control a .45 gun you should look into carrying one...

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+1 :hand10:

I carry a .38 +P and a .357 Sig. Shot a .45 ACP a few weeks back, and think I may switch to that some day (still need to shoot a 10mm). But none of the data matters if you can't control the shot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Guns and more

Keep in mind when the police shoot someone it's to kill, when a citizen shoots someone it's to stop the threat.
Having said that, I would favor a .45 also, but not for the reasons given. I like big slow bullets, plenty of knock down power without going through walls and hurting others.
But I would carry a lighter, more easily concealed pistol. So for me it's a 9mm.:22a:

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Why do you think this? Police are trained to shoot the same way we as civilians train to shoot. Shoot COM or head to stop a threat. Police do not shoot to kill anymore than we shoot to kill.

As a side note, no handgun bullet has knockdown power. If it did, the shooter would, by laws of physics, also be knocked down from recoil.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Guns and more

Keep in mind when the police shoot someone it's to kill, when a citizen shoots someone it's to stop the threat.

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I don't buy it. Shoot to stop the threat no matter who you are.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tally XD

Why do you think this? Police are trained to shoot the same way we as civilians train to shoot.

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I read where police were recommending shooting for the throat with a shotgun, and head shots with a pistol because of the difficulty in hitting vital organs with a COM shot. (I believe it was the thread about the cops view of the morgue, but I'm not sure)
I thought, "I couldn't intentionally shoot someone in the throat with a shotgun."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Guns and more

I read where police were recommending shooting for the throat with a shotgun, and head shots with a pistol because of the difficulty in hitting vital organs with a COM shot. (I believe it was the thread about the cops view of the morgue, but I'm not sure)
I thought, "I couldn't intentionally shoot someone in the throat with a shotgun."

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I think police are trained to shoot COM, the largest presented target spot of the human body.

The throat, even with a shotgun, is a small target to shoot for especially if the subject is in motion.

If the target is stationary and I have a pistol for my weapon, I am aiming for the upper lip just under the nose. Bullet should pass through the teeth and into the spinal column for (hopefully) instant cessation of threatening activity.

Shotgun? Head or chest depending on whichever part of the body is most exposed.