Originally Posted by ImportConvert

Above 1200fps I stick with monolithic constructed bullets (Barnes) and Gold-Dot. (for my 357SIG).

For my 9mm, I use the newly re-designed ranger T-series +P+ loading (in an effort to make up for my G19's shorter barrel.) The extra velocity doesn't do much to a human target (witness the effectiveness of the .45ACP at 850fps), but for getting through car doors, and other barriers (Again, witness the .45ACP, and not in a good way this time), velocity is instrumental.

I have tired of the "knockdown power" "Hydrastatic shock", etc. etc. people always talk about with handguns. With a handgun bullet, aside from placement (which is #1 by FAR!), how big of a permanent cavity is made is what is important. FMJ usually leaves a permanent cavity around 66% the size of the caliber. JHP's, depending on how "flat" they expand to/the sharpness of the shoulder, usually leave a permanent cavity 85-9X% the size of the expanded slug.

Also, average expansion is what is important, not extreme expansion. That is, an average between the narrowest and largest expanded diameters are much more telling than the often cited largest diameter.

All that being said, barring an emotional shut-down, you are going to have to cause the target to lose enough blood-volume to shut down (roughly 20-30%), and no handgun is going to do that in a timely fashion without striking a major artery. Hit the CNS or hope they decide to stop coming or hit a major artery leading upward that will drop pressure FAST.