Criteria for choosing a defensive round

[Beendare]

Research is all over the map on this in regards to caliber and bullet configuration.
What research do you put weight on for your decision?

Do you trust that ballistic gel tests predict performance on a bad guy?

The Strassborg tests [live goats] seem to show improved incapacitation with faster lighter fragmenting bullets...where in the last couple decades penetration seems to be more the goal as in the FBI tests.
Strassborg link;http://guninstructor.net/Strasborg_Tests.pdf
From Strassborg test
We have multiple folks saying the old school thinking behind "knock down power" is dead,
Link to Ammo for sale 9mm commentary;

http://www.ammoforsale.com/9mm-ammo-for-sale#best

From AFS link;
The stuff i'm seeing is saying;
1. Accuracy- (of course!)....but not just getting a bullet in them but in vital zone and smaller caliber is more accurate for most
2. The 'one bullet' man stopper is a myth

Your thoughts?.....plus any links

[August]

You can read and study all you want. Just remember that sometimes your defense weapon won't like your choice of ammo and your accuracy will suffer, or your weapon will not operate correctly...FTF, FTE etc.

[Citizen_B]

Modern legitimate research is pretty conclusive regarding 'stopping power'. The FBI has some good studies as well as others.

A Bad Guy will stop an attack if he chooses to stop (psychological stop) or is unable to continue the attack (physiological stop). Both happen in real life and depend on situation. You cannot reliably count on a psychological stop from saving you in an attack - physically stopping the threat is the only guarantee.

Regarding a physiological stop: Hitting BG in Central Nervous System (center head, spinal column) will instantly stop BG. A hit to a femur/hip/etc bone may prevent BG from advancing. A hit to other vital organs and/or arteries may kill BG due to blood loss etc but he may not instantly stop. Research suggests the Hydroshock Effect is not real in any defensive handgun calibers. Point being, a CNS hit (while difficult to accomplish) is the only guarantee BG will instantly stop attack. Any other hit may stop attack depending on circumstance.

Accuracy is top priority - your chances of survival go up as accuracy go up.

A close second priority is having a round that can adequately penetrate to a vital organ.

A distance third is having the permanent wound channel be as large as possible.

In summary, choose a caliber/platform you are most accurate with, combined with a tried and true JHP cartridge. Federal HST and Speer Gold Dots come to mind but there are others.

Now in my opinion, one of the JHPs mention above in 9mm would be a fine choice. Take training classes.

[Ronin2]

I suggest you read the FBI's latest study on this ....

[billped]

Your conclusions are largely supported by hundreds of posts on this board, so I'm not sure what is being added.

Use at least 9mm, make sure it's not FMJ, shoot several rounds, dependable accuracy is key.

[Red-Osier]

My opinion is this, If I have a ftf or fte with any round in my HD gun it is out. reliablity is more important to me. After all we don't want to have to resort to pistol whiping for defense.

[fritztkatt]

It's very simple. As mentioned already, buy a few boxes of modern jhp, test for reliability and accuracy, stock up on the best one for your gun.

[skyungjae]

What an interesting thread. I definitely see people use such justifications for firearms purchases.

One of my criteria is ammo availability. When it comes to guns and ammo, 1 + 0 = 0. That being said, I will usually go with a common round that Walmart may carry (not counting panic hoarding).

[FresnoRob]

You can read and study all you want. Just remember that sometimes your defense weapon won't like your choice of ammo and your accuracy will suffer, or your weapon will not operate correctly...FTF, FTE etc.

Modern legitimate research is pretty conclusive regarding 'stopping power'. The FBI has some good studies as well as others.

A Bad Guy will stop an attack if he chooses to stop (psychological stop) or is unable to continue the attack (physiological stop). Both happen in real life and depend on situation. You cannot reliably count on a psychological stop from saving you in an attack - physically stopping the threat is the only guarantee.

Regarding a physiological stop: Hitting BG in Central Nervous System (center head, spinal column) will instantly stop BG. A hit to a femur/hip/etc bone may prevent BG from advancing. A hit to other vital organs and/or arteries may kill BG due to blood loss etc but he may not instantly stop. Research suggests the Hydroshock Effect is not real in any defensive handgun calibers. Point being, a CNS hit (while difficult to accomplish) is the only guarantee BG will instantly stop attack. Any other hit may stop attack depending on circumstance.

Accuracy is top priority - your chances of survival go up as accuracy go up.

A close second priority is having a round that can adequately penetrate to a vital organ.

A distance third is having the permanent wound channel be as large as possible.

In summary, choose a caliber/platform you are most accurate with, combined with a tried and true JHP cartridge. Federal HST and Speer Gold Dots come to mind but there are others.

Now in my opinion, one of the JHPs mention above in 9mm would be a fine choice. Take training classes.

Reliability is number one then the list above pretty much sums it up for me.

[Citizen_B]

I had assumed reliability was a given. Most modern firearms with premium SD JHP are fairly reliable, though some are ammo finicky. Next time I'll add reliability to be inclusive.

[musketjon]

Nothing is more reliable than the good, old fashion revolver.
Jon

[caliberetta]

Reliability is first and foremost. So researching the experience of others, as well as testing the ammo on your actual gun and the magazines you will use is the #1 criteria.

Whether you are using Short/Subcompact/Compact or Long/Full Size Barrel, it can also make a difference: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=995367

[Beendare]

I bring it up as I have friends/family that still have the WWII .45 cal mentality

I forgot to post that FBI study, link from gundata.org;

http://gundata.org/images/fbi-handgun-ballistics.pdf

From the study

In order to predict the likelihood of incapacitation with any handgun round, an understanding of the
mechanics of wounding is necessary. There are four components of projectile wounding.6 Not all of
these components relate to incapacitation, but each of them must be considered. They are:
(1) Penetration. The tissue through which the projectile passes, and which it disrupts or destroys.
(2) Permanent Cavity. The volume of space once occupied by tissue that has been destroyed by the
passage of the projectile. This is a function of penetration and the frontal area of the projectile. Quite
simply, it is the hole left by the passage of the bullet.
(3) Temporary Cavity. The expansion of the permanent cavity by stretching due to the transfer of kinetic
energy during the projectile’s passage.
(4) Fragmentation. Projectile pieces or secondary fragments of bone which are impelled outward from
the permanent cavity and may sever muscle tissues, blood vessels, etc., apart from the permanent
cavity.7, 8 Fragmentation is not necessarily present in every projectile wound. It may, or may not, occur
and can be considered a secondary effect.9

[Red-Osier]

I bring it up as I have friends/family that still have the WWII .45 cal mentality

I forgot to post that FBI study, link from gundata.org;

http://gundata.org/images/fbi-handgun-ballistics.pdf

From the study

Thats fine data but, some people are not comfortable with a gun chambered in .45, The ballistic data means nothing if you miss your target. Again to me reliabilty with a firearm you can shoot and hit your target over and over and under stress is of utmost importance.

[Mossy Man]

#1 does it function reliably in my pistol?
#2 does it shoot close to my practice ammo poi/recoil?
#3 does testing show adequate performance?

For me in my 9mms, Hornady Critical Defense 115 meets all criteria.