Quote:
Originally Posted by rp001
Actually my understanding is he hit both of these guys...Probably should have used the good old 45 vs 380...I wouldn't want to be hit by either...Figmo can correct me but it is my understanding that the 45 auto was developed for the Marines in ww2 for use as a close in weapon..Seems you don't have to be a good shot, just hit em and they go down..I can easily see where a couple of crackheads running away could stop and return fire if they were not in fear of the geezer peppering them..I'd keep shootin..Not that I like her, but I did like what Sara P said..."Don't retreat, reload"
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Actually the 45 ACP was developed during the Phillipine police action. Seems that the locals would drug up and the standard at the time .38 special did not have enough stopping power to put them down. So after many test calibers the 45ACP was adopted to replace the .38 revolver. Several reasons, one being the additional stopping power, 230 grain bullet, plus faster reloads. Magazine vs cylinder. The difference between been hit with a 45 vs a 38 is like being hit by sand (38) a bus (45). A great home defense weapon is a shotgun shooting slugs. At 25 yards a 1 oz slug has between 2500 and 3000 foot pounds of energy. It will knock you down no matter where it hits you. But it also will penatrate several walls so you have to be careful when using this type of home defense. Actually for here in the Villages if you wanted a good home defense weapon, pick a shotgun, loaded with 7 1/2 or 8 shot. Still have the 1 1/8 oz of lead but is you miss and it hits a wall, window or any solid object, it will not penatrate and keeping going, but at a range of 6 to 10 yards, it will take the bad guy down. BTW, you will still need to aim, no spray and pray.
Here is an interesting article concerning stopping power that is posted on our local IDPA website
The Problem with Stopping Power It explains a lot and is educational to the non-shooter. Hollywood has really clouded the stopping power of firearms. It looks really good for the bad guy to be tossed across the room when shoot, but in real life this does not happen. There is only a couple shoulder fired weapons that will do that. The .50 cal has such hydrostatic shock that it does blow the body apart, 650 grains of lead hitting you is a terrible shock to the system. High speed rounds, like the 5.56mm NATO, AR15, M$4, etc., pass through the body quickly and unless it hits a bone or major organ, does little damage.
The 380 that was used in the video requires extreme shot placement to be effective. But, bigger is not always better. Carrying the huge Smith and Wesson 500 S&W hand cannon might seem good, but if you can't hit anything with it, you are better off with the puny 380. I have had husbands bring their wives to me for CWL training and leave them with a 45, 40 or a 9mm. Some of the ladies could handle these caliber very well, some where scared of the recoil and noise. Also I have had guys that think they can shoot the larger calibers but can't hit the inside of a paper sack whle inside that sack. They are afrid of the recoil but won't admit it. It does not matter what caliber you carry, if you can't hit the target, it best to carry a pocket full of rocks. Surprisingly enough, the caliber that kills more people, other than military calibers, is the overlooked 22 long rifle.
For some really good information on handguns and shooting opportunites please check out our local IDPA club at
Eustis Gun Club - IDPA Then come join us once in a while and have fun learning how to properly handle a firearm, safely while having fun shooting. Who knows, you might find it enjoyable and fun.