Years ago, when the army was pushing 9mm as the new "Personal Defense Weapon (PDW)"(army civilian speak for "Pistol") caliber, I was a smart youngish Marine captain and I asked the army colonel giving the presentation if this was the "same 9mm caliber that the Germans lost two wars in a row with".
He said "shut up and sit down".
All the early shots look like misses to me.
Trite comment that lieutenant made, WWII was not decided by pistols. If it were, then explain how the Red Army kicked their German ass with a 7.62 Tokarev? Like you, I have also seen more than a few shootings, 45, 9, 38, and a 22. If a 45 makes you feel good, then carry it, there is not a thing wrong with it, BUT it’s no better than a 9 in reality. I have seen many people shot with a 45 live. And they react no differently than those shot with a 9... and none were “knocked down” or “stopped”. They crumple or stumble over like anyone else.
All of this is already true, but it’s true in spades with modern ammo.
Oh wait, i read it again, the Marine was you. Did you have an answer for how the Russian Army did so well with a .31 cal pistol? Not to mention Wild Bill Hickok did pretty well with a the equivalent of a 380.
But hey, nothing wrong with a 45, but ive seen a few people surprised when their death ray turned out not to be a death ray. Some underestimation happens with 30-30 and M-1 Carbine.