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LOL

I like to do the math

230 gr
900 fps
490+ ft lbs of energy
dumped into ‘about’ a half inch.

I like those numbers....

I know people are just going to think I'm gross. But if I MUST stop another human being by issuing deadly force, bearing in mind that this action of stopping them is probably going to kill them... I don't want to have to watch them squirt blood everywhere from a smaller handgun wound, and cry and shout and thrash around for a couple of minutes before finally dying. I just don't want the mental anguish and aggravation.

That's the main reason I carry a full sized semi-auto (Colt Series 80, .45ACP). It's gross I know, but that's the reason!

I don’t think your numbers add up. I don’t think 230 grains at 900 fps will give you more than about 400 lb-ft of energy.

here’s the formula:

E=1/2 mv^2

To use units common with bullets and firearms, you need to do some pretty heavy duty conversions(to a non-math person)

Use mass in grains, and velocity in ft/sec

since grains is weight, not mass, you need to divide it by the acceleration of gravity(32.1739 ft/sec/sec). Also, there are 7000 grains in a pound, so divide it by 7000 as well.

That formula will give you 413 lb-ft of energy for your 45ACP bullet.

Now, compare that to a 9mm +P round.

90 grains
1500 fps

energy works out to 450 lb-ft.

413<450 so the 45 loses and the 9mm wins.

Also, I would like to point out that not many 45 ACP rounds weighing 230 grains actually acheive 900fps. Most will be right about 800-850 fps. That yields an energy value in the neighborhood of 300-350 lb-ft...maybe slightly higher.

To put that into perspective...a top performing 22 magnum rimfire bullet has an energy value of 330 to 345 lb-ft.

Theoretically, the 45ACP is pretty weak. In the real world though, the 45 drops bad guys way better than the numbers would seem to indicate.