FBI study says 9mm is best

[Eric Marleau]

Read this month's NRA American Rifleman.
Good article on "Knockdown power".
Talks much about the same things.

Eric

[Thunder71]

Interesting read:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/alternat ... ping-power

[igofast]

Additionally, they say that the wound cavity is indistinguishable to the Medical Examiner or OR Surgeon between .35 and .45 - which I believe. But that's not 'premium' ammo. I'll bet they could tell between .7 and .9

As per the original article,

There is little to no noticeable difference in the wound tracks between premium line law Auto enforcement projectiles from 9mm Luger through the .45 Auto

http://looserounds.com/2014/09/21/fbi-9mm-justification-fbi-training-division/

I think we should all note that the actual .pdf of the Training Divisions report has not been made available.

Wound Cavity =/ Wound Track

For some items they specifically call out premium, which make me believe that in items they do not call it out they are not studying it(ie 2nd para in Tactical Realities - I don't think they are using premium loads for testing 9mm vs 40 - not saying they would necessarily be different)

[LarryFlew]

Don't know about over all but I can see by my police range brass purchases that 40 has really fallen out of favor. 2012 about a 3rd of the 1800 pounds (yes with a P), 2013 was maybe 20% and 2014 there where less than 200 rounds in 2000 pounds. May not be true of all PD's but from the range I get pistol brass from it appears to be almost gone. 45 remains about the same for all 3 years.

[Erud]

It's dopey studies like this that reaffirm my love for my beloved .88 mag:

[Ironbear]

Read this month's NRA American Rifleman.
Good article on "Knockdown power".
Talks much about the same things.

Reminds me of an article I read ages ago...

The author stated than when people asked him to recommend something with real "knockdown power", he would suggest either "Peterbilt" or "Mack"....

[brent fox]

Our Volvo is most certainly capable of providing "stopping power" AND coming out looking pretty (except for that big stain we have to hose off)!

[Eric Marleau]

+1 with that statement.

Eric

[TTS]

Interesting read:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/alternat ... ping-power

That's it, I am getting a .32 ACP!

[Ironbear]

Calling a Volvo "pretty" is another good way to start fights in bars!

[rottenit]

Surprised... Isn't a 10mm person going to chime in?

[Rodentman]

I drove a vulva once. Does that count?

[brent fox]

Only once, eh?

[MJY65]

Of course, no shortage of... ahh.. stuff... out there!

The normal bullet weight of a .45 ACP is 210gr. The normal weight of a 9mm is 110gr. They can both be purchased with the same hollow point construction. So, which one is going to produce the most damage??? If you think there is negligible difference, you are sadly mistaken. Try hitting your thumb with a 4 oz hammer and then a 4 pound hammer. Which one is going to hurt the most?

I'm guessing the 4lb hammer beats the .45 ACP for real "knock down" power!

Not only that, but I have yet to find 45 ammo with 1700 grain bullets.

[Tronster]

People always cheer for "their" caliber, and spew nonsense about all the other calibers out there...

...buuuuut I gotta agree with the recommendation of 9mm. Shootability, inherent feeding reliability of the cartridge, mag capacity for weapon size, and plenty of velocity for reliable expansion.

The 9mm just gets a bad rap in FMJ, but in modern JHP it's a downright nasty round.