paul45

I was at the range yesterday playing with a few guns. I set up 4 steelpoppers just for fun after I finished sighting in and practicing. I set them hard (all the way forward) so I would not have to reset them. .38 and 9mm of all weights did not knock them over - just rocked them a little. .40's in 165 gr knocked one over and rocked them harder. .40's in 180gr knocked them over about 40% to 50% of them time. .45's in 230 knocked them over about 70+% of the time.
I always liked stuff that started with .4 but the .45 acp really amazed me even after 40+ years of shooting. It still ROCKS! I am sure bullet design helps in PD but it appears that bullet design and a .45 cal should win.
I still carry a 9mm when needed and a .40 for the size of the weapon but nothing is going to replace my .45's for real social occurances.

__________________
"Being PARANOID is just plain smart thinking when they are really out to get you!"

Ram Rod

One good reason why I don't need my 45acp pistol to be hi-cap. 8+1 with extra mag for the outside possibilities.

__________________
RamRod-----sans remords
live, eat, breathe, sleep Glock

Tally XD

I just read a 45 page long article written by a police officer who also works in a morgue. His findings lead him to believe that .45acp is the most damaging round in almost all cases. Because of its sheer weight the bullet tends to plow its way through hard tissue and bone with less deflection, which allows the bullet to reach the vital organs we aimed at. Smaller bullets tend to delfect off of bone and hard mass and may travel into areas that contain less or no vitals.

People who like to tell us .45acp guys that we have some kind of "size envy" are simply being naieve. Bigger is better in ALL calibers.

If you shoot smaller caliber weapons, use the biggest heaviest bullet you can buy for that caliber.

__________________
“I am consistently on record and will continue to be on record as opposing concealed carry.”
- Barack Obama Chicago Tribune, April 27, 2004

Kerbouchard

Hmphh! I would have to question a 'study' that places .45 as the most damaging round in all cases. Seems like .50 would be up there somewhere...or how about 30.06.

It's a handgun. It's not magic. Shoot 'em fast, and shoot 'em as often as needed.

FWIW, you're right about the steel plates. I got to embarass myself with some steal plates and a timer. Turns out, 9mm just did not cut it. But to paraphrase an old saying...I've never been attacked by steal plates.

__________________
There are two sides to every issue: one side is right and the other is wrong, but the middle is always evil.

http://miscmusings.townhall.com/

Who is John Galt?

Blue

Evidently size does matter. (Sorry couldn't resist)

Was there any difference in JHP and Ball?

mcp1810

Wow! .45 knocked them over 70% of the time! My seven year old with one finger could push over every one 100% of the time. I bet you could do it with a thrown baseball too. Would that make my son or a baseball more combat effective than the .45?

__________________
Waiting on the research and verification.......

nn

paul45:
I have seen the same type of performance.
I've been out pl inking and shooting some metal trash and seen .32 cal bullets bounce off, then go back and shoot .45 acp and first rnd gets a hole and the next rnd it is broke off and gone.

SatCong

Along with the 45acp, you should try full house 10mm-200 grain.

__________________
NRA PATRON LIFE

HotGuns

Shooting steel plates is pretty apparent that the .45 hits hard.
A 9MM barely moves the ones we've got.

The 10 MM absolutey leaves no doubt that it was hit.

Even so, having seen people shot dead with a 9mm I cant argue that it works.

__________________
AR. CHL Instr.

To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

SatCong

But so can a 22LR.

__________________
NRA PATRON LIFE