Stopping Power Myth

Tweet

In most cases bigger is better, but in the case of handgun calibers that adage is not always true. Now unless you are Dirty Harry a 45 might not be the best gun for you. I have hear this argument as long as I have defended small caliber effectiveness, a 45 is the best because of its stopping power. The argument continues into you do not have to hit an important part of the body to stop the attack because of the amount of power generated by a 45. Anything smaller than a 45 will not stop anybody unless you hit an important part of the body. Here is why I believe that the 45 being the king of the mountain of stopping power is a myth. First if you cannot shoot it what does it matter. A 45 generates a lot of power not just against your target but also your hand. Now if you can handle it fine, but most cannot. Second hollow point ammo allows a handgun user to fire a small round while still being able to do damage. Third a piece of metal no matter what the size of the piece of metal fired from a gun hitting the human body is going to do damage. Metal verse flesh metal wins every time. Fourth accuracy matters. A 22 is always going to be more accurate than a 45. If you can aim it you can find a vital part of the body. Fifth and last the military uses a 22. The M16 fires a 223, and if smaller is better for the military then why should I argue with that.