Great article on Handgun Stopping Power

**boesman10** · 03-03-2014, 10:13

Seems the 9mm needs 2.5 rounds to stop the threat as opposed to most of the other calibres such as the .38S that need 1.7 rounds to stop the threat - http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/alter...stopping-power. Cycle time on the 9mm does however seem to be one of the shortest.

**petermoffat** · 03-03-2014, 10:44

The interpretation makes sense of that though. If you can get 3 rounds out of a 9mm in the same time as two from a .38, you'd have fired more rounds to stop the target in the same time/distance.

Also, I wonder if the fact that 9mm and .40 are more popular means there was a better chance of untrained shooters using them, skewing results?

**sa-shooter** · 03-03-2014, 12:22

i for one choose higher cap

SAS

**A-R** · 03-03-2014, 12:24

These numbers are very interesting. However, they obviously do not reflect the actual "stopping power" per calibre alone. Sample size, FA type and typical user profiles also influence the data, distorting some data. So, it's not the gospel, but very interesting none the less. With more comprehensive data, the figures will likely change considerably.

Were law enforcement users included in the 9mm and 40 data? Were the same percentage of LE users also included in the other calibres? Just trying to illustrate the big influence a specific user's training level, engagement distances and SOP's could have on the results.

**Anomander** · 03-03-2014, 13:30

How is that possible when a 38 special produces muzzle energy in the 250 range compared to the 400+ of a 9mm?

**petermoffat** · 03-03-2014, 14:52

I love this quote: "everyone should carry a .45 (because they don't make a .46)" ;D

**Desert Rat** · 03-03-2014, 14:54

he Says a lot of the 9mm was ball ammo then it makes sense ...

**Gunservant** · 03-03-2014, 15:08

Handguns don't really have "stopping power". Their wound ballistics are pretty close together, regardless of their caliber...be it 9mmP, .40S&W or .45ACP. To quote from the video below: "if people are shot by handguns...6 out of 7 survive".