That specific link was actually discussed here years ago: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....aliber-rethink
To copy over info from that thread, according an ME that was posting on Lightfighter:
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Originally Posted by Dr. ThanatosNot really adding anything that DocGKR and others haven't already said, but I thought I'd chime in on what I see in the terminal ballistics between 9-40-45.
I see a lot of GSW's. I do have selection bias, I only see the dead guys with GSWs. When I examine a wound track at autopsy, I can't tell the difference between 9 and 40. I can sometimes tell a 45 was used. Depends on what/where it hits but it does leave a bit bigger hole. Other than location, what does seem to make the most difference is what bullet was used. Good quality defensive bullets do a better job than crappy stuff. Yes, I know it's obvious, but a lot of thugs use whatever they find. Those bullets tear up, fall apart and sometimes only are successful from numbers or luck. The better bullets that we see, sometimes from LEO guns, do exactly what they are supposed to, dump a lot of damage, stop in the dead guy and generally ruin his day. Survival time is reduced and the hospitals have a much harder time fixing the injury.
And as a side note about shot placement, Bob, you are absolutely right about location isn't everything. I've had a guy get two contact range GSW from a 25 acp to the side of his head, and only died cause he got choked into unconsciousness and drowned. But I recently had a 25 acp foil 3 surgeons because it hit too many vessels and they couldn't save him. But, he made it to surgery, and it sure wasn't a one shot stop. Cause he was still fighting after he was shot. I still think shot placement is the most important thing, as long as the rest is squared away.
My bottom line as a civilian is pretty much what has been discussed, use a reliable gun, make the compromises where you need/want to, and use good bullets. And oh, yeah, practice.
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Originally Posted by Dr. ThanatosWoodlandSOU - Honestly I don't see much difference between 9 and 40. Only when I pull the bullet out and see/hold it, or when they tell me what was recovered in cases with exit wounds do I know the difference. Bony penetration is pretty much the same. They both usually stop if they hit something hard and thick (Spine, pelvis, skull, etc) There may be minute differences in depth of penetration of bone, but nothing significant. Soft tissue injury is basically identical and more a feature of what type bullet was used rather than caliber.
Source: https://www.lightfighter.net/topic/r...43236914629998Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. ThanatosWithin the calibers we're discussing, (9mm and 40.S&W) I see differences based on the type of bullet rather than the size. Smaller calibers (22lr, 25acp and 32acp) this doesn't apply. .380, 38/357, and .45 are similar but a little different. (Most .45 and most 38/357 behave very similarly to the 9/40. But not always enough to make a generalization.) And .44 and up revolver cartridges may not apply either. (I haven't seen enough .44s to have an opinion yet and .500S&W or other handgun hunting rounds behave differently.) Rifle wounds are completely different as are shotgun wounds.Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostofwarDr. Thanatos, Thats some good info and it confirms what I have heard from other sources. Basically you are saying that the size of the bullet doesn't matter as much as the type of bullet (FMJ vs HP) right? And thats just with with handguns correct? I've read many, many articles on ballistic tests and so on, but its a little more rare to hear what a doc has to say about caliber and bullet type in relation to wounds they have seen and/or treated.
Sorry about all the qualifications, I talk to lawyers too much.
I'm just glad there is a topic I know a little about. I've learned a lot from y'all on here, I'm happy to contribute anything I can.
For what it's worth(not much), after I did this a bit and started to develop an opinion, I sold my Glock 23 and bought a 19. For me the cost difference between 40 and 9 was enough to make it worthwhile. Everything is a trade off, pick the ones you want to make. I think Bob and Pesty0311 said it best above me.