[T.B. Yoits]

However, I thought mid 19th century small arms did not have the velocity of current weapons. It seems like it would be hard to kill one person and wound another with the same bullet. I am suspicious of that story.

A few notes:
-Mid 19th century arms, especially a .44, have lethality equal to or greater than current sidearms.
--The firearm was likely a modern recreation firearm such as those made by Uberti or Cimmaron, not a historical piece. Such firearms, for safety reasons, can handle the pressures of modern ammunition.
-Multiple credible reports cite the shot as a "through and through" where the single round passed through Halyna Hutchin's lower torso, missing bone, and struck Joel Souza, who was behind her, in the clavicle.

[DesertRhino]

The muzzle energy of the Colt Walker was not exceeded by a handgun until the 357 Magnum was invented.