.357 Mag or .45 ACP

[ArmednReady]

So which would it be? Which 1 would you trust more to stop somebody in 1 shot? In other words which round do you think has more stopping power?
I know what your going to say well a .45 carries more rounds compared to a .357 but in this thread it doesnt matter because we arent talking about a full clip or cylinder, Im talking 1 shot and 1 shot only which round would do you think is more likely to get the job done?

[nn3453]

None. If you read about most actual incidents involving a handgun, one shot kills are a myth, unless you luckily manage to destroy the CNS. Both are good fighting calibers. Don't believe in the one shot hype.

[CA Gun Laws Suck]

230 Grain all the way!

[the_t0ny]

im sure most people will agree that shot placement is more important than caliber if you want to stop somebody with one round.

[sevensix2x51]

your parameters are not broad enough. if i were to rely on dropping the bad guy in only one shot, the pistol to do it would be this one.

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storeproduct520.aspx

[9mmepiphany]

there is no doubt in my mind that when you give up the platform advantages of the semi-auto over the revolver, the .357 Magnum loaded with the 125gr JHP would be more dependable a for a single shot stop.

I also consider the 357SIG a more likely stopper than the .45ACP

[fennecfrank]

for stopping power, I would use .50 GI:



Look at the size of the bullet after expansion. Almost 1" !!

[stormvet]

The problem with small super fast bullets is over penetration, all that energy goes right threw your target. If you dont hit anything vital they just have a SMALL clean hole in them. I'll take the .45 with its BIG dirty hole and bullet still in the target.

[Notblake]

The problem with small super fast bullets is over penetration, all that energy goes right threw your target. If you dont hit anything vital they just have a SMALL clean hole in them. I'll take the .45 with its BIG dirty hole and bullet still in the target.

This is true of military munitions.... Modern high quality JHP's expand to ragged deadly flowers inside the BG, they are very effective.

Edit: This is my bet for best pistol for stopping power:



Rifle caliber pistols are SUCH a blast to shoot! (literally and figuratively) not to mention the accuracy increase.

Overpen is an issue (neighbors beware)

[Cokebottle]

None. If you read about most actual incidents involving a handgun, one shot kills are a myth, unless you luckily manage to destroy the CNS. Both are good fighting calibers. Don't believe in the one shot hype.

+1000

There are three ways to "stop" an attacker:

1 - CNS hit.... brain, neck, etc.... paralyze them
2 - Bleed out... and even with a direct hit to the heart, they may not drop for many minutes.
3 - Scare the crap out of them.... When they realize that you ARE serious and you WILL kill them, they will have one of two reactions... back off and seek an easier target, or they will do their best to kill you.

#1 and #2 are probably going take more than 1 shot from anything smaller than a .50 BMG.

[Notblake]

Can't remember where I read it but a coroner said that most of the pepole he examined who had dropped almost instantly when shot in the chest had massive bone fracturing, where the bullet hitting the rib cage or spine had created a kind of internal frag-grenade that does terrible things to ones thoracic cavity. I found that to be both interesting and likely, as breaking a rib in and of itself makes movement VERY difficult, if your rib exploded into your lungs heart ect you would not be having the best day.

[Günter]

Both are considered some of the best man stopping handgun cartridges out there, if I had to choose one or the other, it will be the .357 Magnum

Federal .357 Magnum in 125 grain JHP
Velocity: 1,450 fps
Energy: 584 ft•lbf
Expansion: 0.65 inch
Penetration: 12 inches

Federal HydraShok .45 ACP 230 grain JHP
Velocity: 850 fps
Energy: 369 ft•lbf
Expansion: 0.78 inch
Penetration: 12 inches

[ArmednReady]

None. If you read about most actual incidents involving a handgun, one shot kills are a myth, unless you luckily manage to destroy the CNS. Both are good fighting calibers. Don't believe in the one shot hype.

Im not saying a man would drop in 1 shot my question basically is if you only had 1 bullet and 1 gun to defend your house would you choose a .45 or a .357 mag? I understand this is a highly unlikely senario but basically I want to know what people prefer when capacity and the shooting platform arent factors, round for round which 1 would you prefer to save your life?

[shooting4life]

Round for round I would do 357.

[rrr70]

How about Corbon 45 ACP +P 185 grain JHP?
1150 fps and 543 ft/lbs