Keith B wrote:I want to clear something up for Thomas since he is a new gun owner and wanting to learn. Stopping power is a fairly undefined term when it comes to defensive shooting (not to be confused with 'knock down' power which is total hooey.)
There are basically three ways that a bullet striking an individual will stop them; a central nervous system hit, bleeding out or giving up.
With a central nervous system hit, the body will immediately look to shut down and the person will usually collapse or be unable to control their system and continue their attack.
Second, if the bullet doesn't strike the central nervous system, then you have to wait for the wound to bleed out so the attacker looses enough blood they can no longer function and stop their attack. This will vary greatly depending on where the bullet entered the body and if it strikes a major vessel or not. The bigger the hole, the more blood loss usually, but again it depends on the location of the hit.
The third is the attacker realizes they have been shot and mentally decides to quit attacking and retreats or surrenders.
A shot to the center of mass of the body has a greater chance of you scoring a hit and hitting a vital organ or the central nervous system. A shot to the head will be even more effective usually, but harder to hit. A handgun caliber with more muzzle energy and mass transfered to the attacker can be a benefit (heavier round and/or faster velocity) to create more shock to the system. It can also help in penetration of outer clothing, and will be better going through fat and bone.
Bottom line, any handgun caliber can do the job with the proper shot placement, even a .22. But a larger diameter, heavier, faster round will usually have a better chance at causing one of the three issues above to occur, therefore stopping your attacker.
Hope that helps a little.
And, to stay totally on topic, I am glad she was carrying. Good for her. Wish I could get my wife to carry.
Probably the most reasonable response to the whole "stopping power" discussion that I've read on any forum.
As an avid deer hunter, I've hit plenty of deer/hogs in the heart with a ballistic tip rifle bullet (7mm Mag and .270) and still had them run 50 yards or more. Yet, I've seen them dropped in their tracks from a .22 caliber shot to the neck or head. Remember, this is an animal usually less than 200lbs with much more energy being delivered than any standard concealed carry weapon.