I think far too much is made of pistol bullets and their performance. Rather, I prefer to think of the results in the context of the fight. Recall the cop who shot 33 rounds at a perp and scored 14 hits without a full stop...45 ACP fail with six vital hits. 38 Special from snubby revolvers failed in the Miami shootout. Then we hear stories of the opposite...guys giving up after being shot through the flesh of the ear, face shots, heart shots, etc.
I dunno at this point. I think the old timers, despite the more limited bullet technology, were mostly right about slow and heavy bullets. But, we also now have faster shooting guns (for the average person--Jelly Bryces and Bob Mundens of the world notwithstanding), there is certainly something to be said for pulverizing important squishy bits with a burst of three to six 9mm bullets in either a vertical line or circular pattern. One guy stated that a combative felon never failed to fall down when shot in the face three times with 9mm FMJ. Then again, an old cop I did summer work for told me he shot a rioter in the '68 DC riots with 357 Magnum and the bullet ricocheted off his belt buckle and up into his face. The bullet didn't stop the perp and he had to fight his way out with his baton. The rioters damaged his back and he was medically retired a few years later.
"You can do everything right and still lose."
--John Murphy, FPF Training
I think John's statement about covers it. Choose a good gun, quality ammunition, the best gear and training you can afford, and hope for the best.
