History Channel Confirms 45s Knock You Over!

[GEM]

So I was watching a History Channel show on gunslingers and a cowboy action shooter, actor, 'expert' proclaimed that the 45 Peacemaker was so popular because a round from it would knock you down like a thunderbolt.

I thought pistol rounds couldn't knock you down by sheer force - was I mistaken? It was on TV!

 

[Rockrivr1]

Hummmm, not sure about a person but a 45 round will send a golf ball a good 100 yrds downrange.

 

[ID_shooting]

The Myth Busters proved it was false. IIRC they used a 12ga, a 44 mag and a rifle although I don't remember the caliber.

 

[Elmer]

Even just the bullet's wake flying by will cause you to lose your footing.....

 

[Estela216]

Every force/action has an equal and opposite force/reaction.

end of story

 

[Mulliga]

Admittedly, .45 Colt can be pretty darn powerful. You can load it up to near .44 Magnum levels, after all.

Another aspect is the mythic power of the "45" caliber. That's part of the reason people like 1911s. Every shot carries with it the thunder of American freedom, every 230 gr. bullet is like a little American flag.

 

[fredcwdoc]

I have been a firefighter for 27 years. In the mid 80's I was standing by with an engine at a drug take down when the BG decided to exit the garage and raise a firearm at a swat team member. Big mistake! He was hit with a 308 from a sniper rifle, one shotgun blast, and two 9mm rounds. This guy went straight down like a sack of potatoes. Never flew backwards, tumbled, or cart wheeled like on the movies or TV. I realize this was not a western 45 shootout but it sure changed my view on how the body reacts when shot. By the way, the BG survived and I learned I can crawl under gravel.

 

[Cosmoline]

It depends on what "knock you down" means.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Simple test -- put on roller skates or stand on a skateboard and fire a .45. See how far back it pushes you.

 

[bakert]

Knock you down? Nope, but it will sure as hell make you fall down!!

 

[wasrjoe]

I saw the History Channel thing, too. Makes me wonder what other myths have been pushed by "experts" on their shows.

Another aspect is the mythic power of the "45" caliber. That's part of the reason people like 1911s. Every shot carries with it the thunder of American freedom, every 230 gr. bullet is like a little American flag.

Haha, that's sigline material. Mind if I use it?

 

[Elmer]

I saw the History Channel thing, too. Makes me wonder what other myths have been pushed by "experts" on their shows.

Can't really pick on History Channel. There's plenty of myths propogated in the gun magazines, and even on boards like this one.

 

[hightech]

The Real Truth

It’s on television it has to be real.
It’s on the internet it must be true.

All with a grain of salt.

 

[dev_null]

Of course it will! ...if you have the harness and wire that Hollywood uses.

 

[Malamute]

"So I was watching a History Channel show on gunslingers and a cowboy action shooter, actor, 'expert' proclaimed that the 45 Peacemaker was so popular because a round from it would knock you down like a thunderbolt."


Well, I guess that settles it then.

 

[Pop]

Knock you down...yes. Pick you up and knock you backwards----NO!

Conservation of momentum. If that happened the shooter has to fly backwards too.

 

[sgt127]

"....the 45 Peacemaker was so popular because a round from it would knock you down like a thunderbolt."


Its true.



If you can launch a Peacemaker, particularly if it has a 7 1/2 inch barrel, at someone around 2000 fps, it will indeed knock them down. Thats dang near three pounds of steel hitting them.

 

[nico]

GEM, did the show happen to be Wild West Tech? I've seen the guy say stuff like that before, but he always made it appear that he was quoting the sentiment of the time. Are you sure you're not taking the quote out of context?

 

[possenti]

By the way, the BG survived and I learned I can crawl under gravel.

Good Grief!!!

Why is it that scumbags always seem to survive things like this? Hell, with my luck, I'd get shot in the fingertip with a .25acp and die instantly...

Just like with drunk drivers. Seems like they ALWAYS survive after crashing and killing everyone else involved... :banghead:

 

[nico]

Just like with drunk drivers. Seems like they ALWAYS survive after crashing and killing everyone else involved...

there's actually a reason for that. Not to go too far OT, but drunks are less likely to be injured in accidents because of the dulled reflexes caused by alcohol. They don't tense up like a sober person who sees a car about to hit them does so they're less likely to sustain serious injuries.

 

[Krag]

Yup, the old .45 Colt was a veritable "Hammer of Thor." And the .45 ACP is twice as powerful. Several years ago I read in an English gun book (by an otherwise respected author) that the .45 ACP would "...knock a man off his feet even if he was only hit in the arm." What horse....excrement!

It's no wonder so many people are enamored with the old .45 ACP when legends like that are still repeated in the mass media. Give me a 9mm Para anyday!!!

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Every shot carries with it the thunder of American freedom

That is one of the best comments I have read in a while, and I think it sums up the resurgence in popularity and mystique of the 1911.

 

[Baba Louie]

I read that Wyatt Earp practiced a pistolwhipping to the noggin manuver called "Buffaloing" on several ner-do-wells... and that mighta set them back on their butts for a spell.

 

[dav]

the thunder of American freedom, every 230 gr. bullet is like a little American flag

That's some purdy poetry, Mulliga.

Any idea where I can get myself a little stamp with an American Flag so I can stamp all of my 230gr ammo from now on?

I figger if California can stamp a serial number on every bullet, I should be able to stamp flags!

 

[bad LT]

A 45 will only knock you over if it hits you in the finger