Pistols suck really really bad...

Below is a still shot from the .45 ACP 230gr HST vs 220gr +P Critical Duty test we ran as one of our first 10% gel tests. The wound trail, specifically out of the HST (bottom left star pattern), is VERY solid for a pistol round. We still need to run tests on some other self defense loads out of the EDG pistols (definitely interested in looking at a .45 Golden Saber after our 9mm comparo...), but after seeing results from 8 different premium self defense pistol rounds, I think I have a decent grasp on it.

And I have to say, pistols are sooo baaaad...
in comparison to rifles. If you look at the next image, you can see the major wound cavity from our very first gel test, the PDX1 from Winchester in 7.62x39.

Look, the 7.62x39 has probably killed as many human beings as just about any caliber in history, but most "gun people" would consider this a relatively weak rifle cartridge. And yet, the comparison of damage is NOT EVEN CLOSE. I mean, the above pic probably displays what, maybe 10x the amount of gel "tissue damage" as 3 premium .45 hollow points?

How about we stack the deck in favor of the pistols. Instead of comparing the $1.50 per round PDX1 to the .45s. Let's compare the HST & Critical Duty that average ~65 cents a round right now between the two, to a 7.62x39 FMJ that's running just 22 cents a shot.

Off hand, I'd estimate that I'm seeing maybe... 3x the amount of overall 10% gel damage from a single, super cheap 7.62x39 FMJ than I'm seeing from $2 worth of premium .45 defensive ammo. 1 shot of soft shooting rifle FMJ vs 3 shots of pistol JHP.

Look, pistols are convenient, they are concealable, they are light, and they aren't as "scary" to gun muggles. But please be aware... if tissue damage, and by extension, 10% gel damage are indications of stopping power (and they are), pistols blow chunks. Don't expect 1 shot from your pea shooter to put down a baddie.

TL;DR? Pistols are shockingly bad, that is all.