"Manstopper" is an informal term used to refer to any combination of firearm and ammunition that can reliably incapacitate, or "stop", a human target immediately. For example, the . 45 ACP round and the . 357 Magnum round both have firm reputations as "manstoppers".

What does it take to be a "manstopper" load? Is there really such a thing as a "manstopper" since there are so many variables involved such as location of bullet impact, accuracy of bullet, reliability of expansion, control for a second shot if necessary and then there is the vast differences in how different people react to even extreme trauma. Some have tried the below concept of bullet design with varying levels of success.



Is part of the "manstopper" reputation our confidence in the ammo we carry or the number of times we choose to shoot the perpetrator in order to stop them? There are so many aspects to a real life "gunfight" not often covered in the media. Interesting NO?

People actually still use this term?

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aka "Mooncat"

the more enlightened among us use the term beingstopper.

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The best I can with what I got

No one who knows anything does.

The PC group use homo sapien stopper

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aka "Mooncat"

I like beingstopper. What if you have to take down an alien?

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The best I can with what I got

Be it "manstopper", "stopping power", what ever terminology you wish to use it is the concept that is the issue not the language. We seem to keep trying to re-invent the wheel when that is not the problem. Deal with the issues not the terminology!

If you could harness the energy of the keystrokes devoted to this topic you could probably power the entire country for a year.

Just do a search here on this forum alone. You will have reading material to keep you occupied for a couple of years.

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Possum—The other white meat!

And yet the argument goes on and on which is my point!

We as a gun culture do not seem to be able to see the forest for all those trees at times! Deal with the issues not the terminology! This is why such discussions rarely go anywhere as we kill our own rather than have open honest discussions. "Dismissal" is not just an Army air defense system.

No handheld firearm is a reliable "manstopper." Not even a 12 gauge slug gun, or a .458.

Any projectile that weighs at least 180 Grains and travels at least 900 Feet Per Second is a Manstopper. That's the correct answer.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

Since I am somewhat new to the shooting world, didn't buy my first gun until a little over 5 years ago, this is my opinion. The caliber is not as important as the projectile, a bullet that just punches a hole then keeps on going is not going to have as much stopping power as a same weighted bullet that deposits most or all of it's energy in the target. But, there is also the need for the bullet to have enough kinetic energy contained in it so that there is sufficient force imparted on the target. That is why hollow points with high velocity are normally referred to as self defense/duty round, and ball ammo referred to as range rounds. That is my 2 cents.

Those who really know the answer can't speak about it anymore.

The variables you introduce in your OP are the problem. There are just too many contingencies in these scenarios to come to any inflexible and single conclusion relating directly to the firearm or ammunition of choice. Just impossible to answer all of the "what ifs" that invariably enter in to this kind of discussion.

Physiologically speaking, if you are able to impart significant damage to the brain, or brain stem, there will be no response from the person or animal on which the damage was inflicted. The fight is over, whether the injury was caused by a .22 rimfire projectile, a 10mm projectile, or an iron skillet.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

How fast do you have to shoot an iron skillet to get it to expand?

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The best I can with what I got

When you start a discussion with outdated terminology, don't be surprised when the
terminology becomes the discussion.

Way back, when M27-M28 revolvers were worn by every county-mountie and country deputy, the 110gr 357 was the favorite 'man-stopper' according to my several former LEO grandparents and uncles and brothers and further out relatives. But that was way back.

Personally I am aware of only one genuine man-stopper, and I married her.

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Marty 4513TSW 13-1 642 60-10

Let me be the stick in the mud.

Discussions about shooting folks seem to have been normalized since the 70s, and only to the deficit of those who truly enjoy fine, accurate handguns in any caliber whatsoever. Any gunshop will yield customers and staff very happy to discuss 'self-defense' cartridges, projectiles, etc., etc., ad nauseam. Never wonder why non-gun people are appalled by what they see and hear.

Not trying to be a drag on the conversation, just asking that we think about what we say and write in these times wherein so many voters look askance at gun owners.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

I'm used to most self-defense discussions being based around the objective of "stopping" a threat, not killing anyone. Granted, there's always at least a few people in any given discussion who are merely using the term "stop" as a euphemism for "kill" due to their asserted belief that all criminals are desperate drug-addicted "crackerjack boys" (or whatever the slang term is) who absolutely will not stop unless they are dead. However, not everyone who discusses self-defense thinks that way, and I'd like to think that for most, stop means stop.

That being said, I'm not particularly concerned about how naive bleeding heart pacifists feel about my decision to take my self-defense dead seriously and thusly have followed that line of reasoning to its logical (albeit dark) conclusion by seeking an adequate self-defense cartridge which is potentially fatal on the off chance that I am accosted by the illusive crackerjack boys who are in fact desperate enough to kill just to get their next fix of sweet caramel corn mixed with peanuts.

I am a peaceful man unless threatened, and believe me, once the Hand Phaser has been invented, I'll gladly swap out my deadly firearm in exchange for one, and happily leave that sucker set to stun indefinitely.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

I know everything about nothing.

That is exactly my point! In essence there is no such thing out of a handgun. You make the best choice you can practice, practice, practice and then it all comes down to where you hit, what you hit, and how the individual you hit reacts to such damage. Oh, and don't stop shooting to the bad guy is down for good or you run out of bullests but in that case reload and repeat the former.

I don't drink coffee anymore, but that would have made it shoot out my nose!

Please lock thread.

By and large, the terminology IS the issue.

Good presentation, pretty accurate historical recap, but not really new information for most of us.

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Formerly Model520Fan

Since there are those here that have taken on the self appointed role of speech moderators.

PLEASE LOCK THIS THREAD

Thread closed at OP request.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220