dimmak

I've heard it said that the 357 mag is the ultimate in handgun stopping rounds....
After watching Bud Dwyer (sp?), I do not wish to be on the receiving end of one.....

I have handguns in all the above calibers except 10mm and carry them all on occasion but most of the time it's 45 for me....

Having experienced a .22lr personally, I dont hesitate to say that I do not wish to gain first hand knowledge regarding any of them...

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xsquidgator

I believe also that this type of ranking depends on the firearm (i.e. barrel length) shooting the ammo too, doesn't it? All else being equal, shorter barrel with the same round means less force and acceleration of the bullet = slower muzzle velocity and less bullet energy.

I've gone through a progression from 9mm to 380acp then to 357mag thinking I was getting a lot more power. However the 357 I bought only had a 2" barrel, so short that I'm told that "short barrel" or fast burning rounds are needed to shoot 357 in it and have all of the powder finish burning by the time the bullet is out of the barrel. Makes a really big boom and violent cool flash when I shoot it, but it may not be all that much more than my 380 with a 3" barrel.

Since this fool (moi) wasn't yet completey parted from my $, I went and bought a 3.5" barrel 9mm and usually carry that now - should be comfortably more ft-lbs at the muzzle than my 380, and still easier to carry than my 4.5" barreled 9mm service pistols. When I can dress casually enough to carry one of these two beasts I do though, figuring those are my two most powerful carry pieces. (The 357's being repaired at the factory anyway, I'll worry about ranking it in there when it comes back) Had I been more prudent, I would have sought out a 357 with at least a 3" barrel I think. For home defense I still rely on Mr 12-gauge.

gotammo

bb gun or howitzer can kill you the same if hit right, caliber means nothing if you can't control it (shot placement).
Shot placement rules supreme no matter what caliber you shoot.
I believe that the will to live of the person shot has as much to do with stopping them as shot placement.
Handgun are not designed to be the be all end all solution for one shot stops, they are designed to be a light weight, portable, handheld device capable of delivering small, relatively slow projectiles to a desired target, which is why the millitary and LE have rifles, shotguns.

Tubby45

The one shot stop is a myth. Nothing is a guarentee one shot stop. Not a handgun, not a rifle, not a shotgun, certainly not a caliber. Nothing is guarenteed in a gunfight.

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enigmaone

Nukem from Orbit, Its the only way to be sure, ta get em!!
LOL, thats the only ONE shot I know of that will work.

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purple88yj

Simply put: one hit with a .22 is better than 6 misses with a .45.

No matter what you are shooting, it comes down to two things: Shot placement and volume of fire.

sgtD

You're right. That's why I'm working on a way to start Concealed acrrying a Daisy Cutter. Any advise or tips appreciated.

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Devone6

I don't really believe in the "one shot" stopping power per caliber issue that many debate about. That said, I believe one shot can stop someone with proper shot placemeent, which as already been stated by many, somewhat regardless of caliber. By "somewhat" I mean if shot placement is right on then a small caliber is enough; but bigger is better in that the extra energy from larger calibers will contribute to the chance that one shot will stop an attack even if the shot is a little off "right on".

To answer your question though, IMO a .357 Magnum is at the top for a one shot stop from the list of guns that can carried easily.
10mm (challenges the easy carry ideal) and .357Sig are also very close to the energy one can get with a 357Mag.

This is not a smart#@! answer, but seriously if you want a handgun and one shot stops is what your going after, a 500 S&W Magnum is the king! 500 Magnum Corbon hunter ammo with better than 4 1/2times the energy from a .357Mag. You can get a 2 1/2 inch barrel on the S&W 500, The Bear Gun.

Regardless, do not train, practice, or expect to get a one shot stop, as there are too many variables to consider. Unless your CCDW is a 500 Mag, then yeah, pretty much one shot will do it no matter where ya hit'em, as long as you hit them. If your packing a 500, get a good lawyer because this might raise some questions in a shooting
about "over kill".

This always a enteresting question/debate and all my response is IMO.

Cliche ahead warning-"anything is better than nothing" and "hit what you are aiming at" gets it done.

bh153dc

repeat after me," The only perfect bullet is the one that you practice with" By practicing rapid fire it will improve your follow up shots. But placement UNDER STRESS is what will save your life, people have been know to be put down by a 22LR. Placement, placement, placement

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Auta

I want to thank everyone for the advice offered.