THE STOPPING POWER OF DIFFERENT HANDGUN CARTRIDGES

2/22/2003

[2nd_Amendment_Defender]

General Julian Hatcher, a noted forensic pathologist, in the early 1900’s developed a good formula to determine the theoretical stopping power of a firearm cartridge. His formula has withstood the test of time and validation from other studies and data related to stopping power.

You want a handgun cartridge that has a Hatcher value of over 50 for the most effective stopping power. Values over 55 have diminishing returns in that you don’t gain any significant increase in stopping power for the extra recoil and control you must cope with. Handgun cartridges that don’t make a value of at least 50, should not considered for self-defense. If the rating of your handgun cartridge is under 30, it only has about a 30% chance of producing a one shot stop. Hatcher Ratings of 30 to 49 raise a one shot stop to approximately a 50% chance. Ratings of 50 or higher produce a one shot stop about 90% of the time.

Handgun Cartridge Type ..................... Hatcher Rating

.45 ACP full metal jacket 230 grain .......... 49.1

.45 ACP jacketed hollow point 230 grain ...... 60.7

.44 Magnum full metal jacket 240 grain ....... 92.3

*.44 Magnum lead wad cutter 240 grain ......... 136.8

.44 Special full metal jacket 240 grain ...... 51.6

*.44 Special lead wad cutter 240 grain ............. 76.5

.41 Magnum full metal jacket 230 grain ............. 54

*.41 Magnum lead wad cutter 230 grain .............. 80

10 millimeter full metal jacket 180 grain .......... 50.3

10 millimeter jacketed hollow point 180 grain ..62.1

.40 S&W full metal jacket flat nose 180 grain ...... 53.4

.40 S&W jacketed hollow point 180 grain ....... 59.4

.38 Special full metal jacket 158 grain ...... 26.7

*.38 Special lead wad cutter 158 grain ............. 39.7

**.357 Magnum full metal jacket 158 grain ..... 32.7

**.357 Magnum lead wad cutter 158 grain ............ 48.5

.357 SIG full metal jacket 147 grain ................ 36.6

.357 SIG jacketed hollow point 147 grain ..... 45.2

9 millimeter full metal jacket 147 grain ............ 32.3

9 millimeter jacketed hollow point 147 grain ... 39.9

.380 Auto jacketed hollow point 95 grain ..... 18.3

.32 Auto jacketed hollow point 71 grain ...... 11.1

.25 Auto jacketed hollow point 50 grain ...... 3.7

.22 Long Rifle jacketed hollow point 40 grain ... 4.2

* Jacketed hollow points will have the same rating as wad cutter bullets if the bullet hollow tip is greater than 1/2 of the caliber of the bullet.

* .357 Magnum ratings are taken from a firearm with a 3 inch barrel. Longer barrels will raise the rating of the round.

[paul51]

Glock 27 or SIG 239

[ConservativeLawyer]

Thanks.

[FreedomCalls]

For reference James Brady was shot with a .22 caliber.

[ConservativeLawyer]

Thank you. I'll have to take a closer look at those.

[Squantos]

A .44 special Charter Arms Bulldog Pug was something I picked up last year . It's a house gun we keep laying around ....... At first I was hesitant but the little revolver is one sweet little handgun. Small, light and with the .CCI 200 gr Gold Dot Hollow Points I mentioned above is a very fine . One of the most accurate little guns I own. My second choice would be a Smith and Wesson TiLite .38 snub nose loaded with the 38 special ,+P, Federal 158 gr Lead Semi Wadcutter Hollow Point (old FBI load). The addition of Barimi Grips to either revolver will negate the need for a holster as it will slip into the waist band of slacks or a dress. My Girl Friday carries such a rig.

If recoil and weight is not a problem with her I suggest she try a Kimber 1911A1 Stainless Pro Carry in .45 ACP or a SIG P239 in .40 S&W . Very fine off the shelf handguns that need no smithing out of the box.........

Stay Safe !

[Squantos]

Pic in Number 13 !!......Stay Safe !

[wardaddy]

Yep....I like the newer 7 and 8 shot models. Just point and pull the trigger.

Wheelguns are almost always my instant reaction handgun choice...not to say I don't like 1911s and their clones or SIGs

My first .357 was a 1972 or so S/W Model 28...huge heavy sucker. I put Pachmeyers on it when they first came and Parkerized it as well. I had finger gripped Zebra wood handles first....anybody remember those?

[BenR2]

ping

[wardaddy]

Lightweight SW/Taurus/Rossi in hammerless 38+P with manstopper energy disbursement ammo...Corbon, Glazers, Hydrashock, Golden Sabers etc

A nice rubber grip is essential and get her trained and hold the gun tight or it'll blister her wee hands.

[wardaddy]

BTTT

[wardaddy]

That caliber....22...kills more than anything else...due to widespread ownership to be sure but still...

I won't go over my own getting shot by one story again but it stung.

OTOH....if it had been a .30-06....I'd be long ago worm fed.

[BenR2]

This is why you double-tap...always!


/ / / /
Sounds good to me. Supposedly that is a Mossad MO.

[Travis McGee]

Great addition! Thanks!

[Travis McGee]

Is she a shooter already? If not I'd lean to revolvers, .38 special or .44 special in a five shot snubbie.

[BenR2]

My Girlfriend really likes her .38 Special Ruger SP101.


/ / / / /
I like it too, and I'm a guy. (I should have bought it in the .357 caliber, though!)

[Travis McGee]

And don't forget to add that the gun you can reach is ALWAYS superior to the gun locked up at home in a safe!

[Travis McGee]

A day you will not soon forget I am sure.

[Squantos]

Goes without saying in present company ........Stay Safe !!

[wardaddy]

Yep.....January duck season, Matthews Brake, Mississippi Delta, Last Hope Hunting Club, 1977.

I would have sworn I had a bullet in my brain pan rather than fortunately in my inner ear canal.

What I remember most is the instant lack of equilibrium and the overwhleming nausea....and the blood of course....not to mention the look on my assassin's face as I stumbled through the swamp up to the camp steps...lol

[Shooter 2.5]

The eleven year old girl that shoots IDPA with us uses a 9MM FN Highpower .