Twelve feet or less the .32 will mess up your day. I do alternate Glaser's with Hydra-shocks with the HS as the first round followed by the GS's. And at twelve feet a head shot no matter how big or fat they are they're going down. Then too, I'd be aiming for the crotch. And I practice. The IDF urban snipers targets the knees first then the crotch area then the head. And they use Ruger 10/22's
R/Janey
Yes, a .32 Glaser to the head could ruin your day, but getting knocked to the ground and having someone pinning and pounding you, shot placement may not be optimum. I had a (one of two different) real self defense situations a long time ago where the perp broke down my front door (I had heard him and had seen him through the peephole and retrieved a handgun, Charter Arms 44 SPL). My front door was broken in and this crazy person was running toward me and had hands out to choke me. I had a hold for a head shot, but he turned and ran back out. If he had gotten me more by surprise and there was a struggle, the shot would have been from any gun I could get to and from where I could maneuver to aim. The FBI Miami tragedy showed their 9mm did not have enough energy left after going through the arm of a BG to kill him. The BG's got shot many times, but still managed to kill many of the FBI Agents. From my two self defense experiences I can say that it will likely be completely out of the blue and not what you ever planned for.
My second close call was around noon on a bright, sunny day going to an ATM at my bank on Sunday. I pulled up and was the only person there. But, when I started entering my transaction, a car sped out from the gas station next door and pulled into the handicapped parking behind me separated by the width of the sidewalk. The car had 5 hispanic youths with matching red print head bandannas and I could hear them arguing about who was going to get me. I had a small Colt Ponylight .380 in front pocket pocket, but (I don't remember rounds) maybe 7 rounds. I had a Glock 30 .45 ACP in my car and grabbed my cash, card and sprinted to my car. If I was going to be in a fight I did not want 7 rounds in a marginal caliber. They tore out and left. WHEW! That seems to be the trade, ease of carry vs what may be encountered. Now I live in bear country and have had several bear problems where I was able to chase them off without firing a shot, yet.
Thanks for the info.