When attempting to study and record the effectiveness of handguns to indicate the 'best' firearm and ammunition choice - there needs to be accurate records of the primary factors of caliber and shot placement .. But there are many other factors that are not usually detailed for consideration:
A big Thank You is owed to Greg Ellifritz for his following list of variables that are not generally considered or factored.
1/- Range at which the shots were fired (terminal velocity)
2/- The exact body structure hit (as opposed to head, torso, or extremity in the original paper)
3/- Body size of the person shot. (People have become much larger & heavier in the last 60 years **)
4/- Any drugs the person shot was taking
5/- Psychological attitude of the person shot
6/- Clothing worn by the person shot
7/- Rate of fire (how quickly or slowly the rounds struck)
8/- Whether or not the bullets traveled through an intermediate obstacle
9/- Barrel length of the shooter's gun (impact velocity)
10/- Whether or not the person shot had been shot before and survived
11/- Speed at which emergency medical care arrived on the scene ***
12/- Whether the defender was an armed citizen or a police officer
All of those factors have an effect on how quickly a person stops after being shot. They may be even more important than the caliber or bullet type used (we don't know) in the shooting.
** I might add further factors such as physical fitness /strength - activity level, and overall health of the attacker.
*** I read that provided the patients heart is still beating on arrival at A&E - there is a 95% chance of survival.
*** I read that provided the patients heart is still beating on arrival at A&E - there is a 95% chance of survival.
My input (my "pennys-worth") centers on the possibility that while it might become likely that one X Caliber is statistically a superior performer - if they are however difficult guns needing considerable strength and training to control & to keep on target under recoil and blast - their terminal ballistic advantages may be cancelled-out.
Beretta M 9
- The optimum sidearm for use by physically fit Military or Law Enforcement personnel may not be suitable as a carry gun for widely varying citizens in multiple environments.
Modern Chiappa Rhino Revolver.
One classic suggestion that is regularly made by 'experts' is that while a .357" Magnum snubby revolver is powerfully effective .. gun owners are advised to only load "weaker" .38" Special defensive ammunition that is less "shocking" and easier to control.
It is a fascinating issue that will likely never be fully resolved. - So many variables mean that there is room for every-ones informed opinion.
I know that lately I've been advocating for the smaller caliber handgun rounds - but I truly also like big heavy and slow - especially when it's sub-sonic and silenced. The old 45-70 must hit with one Hell of a smack, and there's no doubt that the full power .308" battle rifle of yesterday was decisive in every way ... but there are reasons that it has been replaced by the 5.56mm - and that the .45" has been displaced by the 9 mm NATO.
- Both large and small enjoy their peculiar SINGULAR benefits that may prove beneficial under the circumstance.
.. Terms & Conditions may apply (Ts & Cs) 😃
If I was forced to have to select one only - I would have trouble making-up my mind .. I used to be indecisive - but now I'm not sure.
Marty K.
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?
https://www.patreon.com/posts/24075745
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