Firearms Food for Thought: Caliber versus Shot Placement
It’s a frequent argument, one prone to sparking tempers in person and on social media – pretty much any time it comes up. Is shot placement truly everything and if it is, does that mean it doesn’t really matter what caliber of handgun you conceal carry? Is carrying a pocket pistol chambered in .380 ACP or even .22LR justifiable if you’re confident in your ability to make the perfect shot when your life is on the line? Or should your EDC be something bigger, such as a .45 ACP or 10mm? With a larger-caliber handgun there’s a sizeable permanent wound cavity, which means maybe – just maybe – you’d have a bit more leeway when it comes to placement. Or does a bigger caliber mean you’d actually have a harder time making that shot thanks to recoil, and maybe even be less likely to carry it since it’s harder to conceal? There are endless questions and countless angles. This is one of those questions that draws a line in the sand, one those on both sides are unlikely to ever agree to crossing.
In recent years the .380 ACP has enjoyed a significant increase in popularity due in part to its small size and lighter weight. It is absolutely accurate to say women are part of what is driving up sales of pocket pistols. Smaller guns may be less intimidating and they are certainly marketed towards women from their candy-themed colors to the salesmen pushing them. There is even women’s clothing specifically made for pocket pistols including tank tops and corsets.
Of course, guns chambered in .45 ACP are often classics – think 1911. Fans of the cartridge speak highly of its size and ability to create a large wound cavity. It may be hard to conceal but it isn’t impossible. One thing it has in common with the .380 ACP is a fresh surge in sales. It seems there have been more 1911s making the rounds lately from re-releases to custom models. Then there’s the 10mm which is another larger caliber favored by growing numbers of shooters for both self-defense and hunting.
There are other options out there, and one in particular which tends to cause heated debates on a regular basis: 9mm. But that’s a discussion for another day.
What do you think? Is shot placement so important it truly negates the need for a larger-caliber handgun?
TFB Staff, bringing you the latest gun news from around the world for a decade.
More by TFB Staffer
![[NRAAM 2024] NEW Taurus & Heritage Revolvers for 2024](https://cdn-fastly.thefirearmblog.com/media/2024/06/04/06441/nraam-2024-new-taurus-heritage-revolvers-for-2024.jpg?size=350x220)
Comments
Join the conversation
this is ALWAYS a misconceived concept. nothing negates shot placement, However the proverbial one shot drop is the point. I can explain this to 100 people until I am blue in the face and every time only one person will get it. Death (complete incapacitation) is caused by brain death, not destroying the heart or lungs, and shooting to destroy the brain stem is an almost impossible shot in defensive handgun shooting. Hence the Center of Mass target to destroy the circulatory system since the target is larger and easier to hit. This is where caliber makes a major difference. The faster the target succumbs to exsanguination the faster they are immobilized. To put it in terms even the least well informed can understand, little holes bleed slow, big holes bleed fast. A.45 caliber bullet is quite literally equal to four .22 caliber bullets in diameter. ( trace the diameter of a ,45 and then stand 4 .22LRs in the circle and see what I mean, proving it to yourself is more effective than any graphic I could post) add the additional damage done by the hydraulic pressure the larger round creates within the arteries involved, the damage that can cause death up to 72 hours later even though the wound itself is repaired and you are less likely to be sued by the perp for defending yourself. And bear in mind, I am not referring to the temporary wound cavity.
I have done extensive research on this subject, and find that very few people realize or even consider the mechanics of physiology when choosing a firearm. And invariably, unless they have a good instructor tell them outright that their choice od a diminutive caliber is stupid as opposed to unwise, they end up at some point putting themselves at risk
A hit with a smaller gun is better than a miss with a bigger gun. However, a hit with a bigger gun is better than the same hit with a smaller gun.
Suit yourself.