I think the OP was just noting that with 3 different handguns available to him, in the "clinch" he grabbed the .45, I don't think he meant to start a "caliber war".
Even though his handle is "Redcoat" and his avatar a Union Jack, he grabbed the all-American .45. To that I say "Hoorah!"
Shoot anyone in a vital organ with any of those firearms and the attacker will be instantly stopped.
Shoot anyone with any of those firearms and miss a vital organ and they may continue attacking if they are so inclined.
At the end of the day, that is the one and only truth, the rest is merely conjecture. Shot placement is what ultimately ends violent confrontations with determined attackers. Not caliber, not cartridge, not rhetoric, shot placement.
If carrying a bigger gun with higher capacity, a more powerful cartridge, or a bigger bullet makes you feel more confident due to whatever marginal percentage it may offer in specific unfavorable scenarios in which anything less could potentially fail, or otherwise are capable of doing so without it being an issue, then by all means carry it.
As for me, I'll continue carrying a single-stack .380 ACP pistol since that's what I'm confident, comfortable, and familiar with. If I could carry a .45 on me just as easily, then I wouldn't hesitate to do so, but right now that isn't an option.
Plenty of people have been shot thru vital organs & not only continue the fight but with quick medical response, survive. CNS hits are more likely to give instant stops, but even then, notging is 100%.
I really like the .45ACP, it's the only gun I ever had to use in anger. It worked well. That said I have a CZ 75B loaded with Federal 147 G HST's as my house gun. I want high capacity if dirt bags break down my front door.
About 75 miles from where I live, a man and his wife were killed three nights ago when they went out to investigate some noise outside that turned out to be a couple of guys stealing their vehicles.
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Will post more when the final report is out. Could be a useful case study.
That will definitely be a useful case to study. It's unlikely that we'll find anything more than you already know. Their death and the lack of video makes learning anything about what they did, or their motives, very difficult.
Bright lights that can be turned on from inside and a rifle and this case would have had a different outcome.
My point is how naturally I went for the biggest "stopper" bullet almost by reflex, but with a couple of nano-seconds of semi-logical thought. Sort of making me rethink my carry guns....as I rotate 380, 9, and 45 depending on what I'm wearing. (I've got a Smith 442 PC for pocket carry.)
This might interest you and others. I ran across it the other day. The results are probably not what you think.
I would reccommend that you cover your nightstand gun with a towel, paper magazine, sock cap, or something so it is not in plain sight so that if someone gets in you bedroom unnoticed they don't kill you in your sleep with your own gun, in case they didn't bring one of their own.
In my case nothing laying over my carry when I take it off at night and lay it on the bedside table !!
No worry of someone picking it up and shooting me as they would have to get by a very unfriendly GSD that lays outside our bedroom door .. She would cause them to make so much noise my neighbors 1/2 mile away would be awake ..
As much as I enjoy shooting my 9s when push comes to shove I feel more comfortable with something starting with a 4. I carry either a .40 s&w or a 45 acp. I know todays 9mm ammo is very capable but the larger calibers just give me more security. By the way, mine stay loaded.