Thanks much.
How does one measure lethality so you can compare between guns? Is there a standard measure of some kind?
http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_power_chart.htm
I actually couldn’t find the simple chart that compared brands and calibers. It listed Glaser (sp?) plastic bullets and they were among the best. The worst were full metal jacket.
There have been statistical studies of the effectiveness of differing rounds and bullet weights in shootings as to 1-shot stops. (i.e. the perp immediately ceased being a threat after being shot, either incapacitated or dead). The problem is that the sure bets are not always rounds that are easy to shoot (or pleasant).
A bit of judicious searching would probably net you good info.
IMO in your price range, the XDS, slim .45 or the Kahr .45's would be a good bet.
Shot placement, shot placement, shot placement......
Somewhere on FR is a report from an retired FBI guy that studied caliber effectiveness. The answer is the above.
Looks like the closest Cabela’s to you is Hamburg, PA. Any big store like Cabelas will do. Even a big gun shop.
I bought a rifle over the net at a weapons store in Kentucky. They had a drop down list of weapons sellers to choose from where they would send the rifle. One of the choices was in my town so I clicked to send it there.
Then, I called the place in town so they would know the rifle was coming. When it got there, they called me. I went there and did the paper work including they did the FBI check thingy and I wasn’t wanted for anything, didn’t have a criminal record, so I got my rifle and left.