Yep. What's interesting is that the proponents of this "new math" are the first to admit that multiple hits are required to reliably stop a threat. Frequently suggesting that faster shooting and more hits are needed, and that shooting until the threat is down is what must be done. Which for a modern 9mm may well mean more hits than a traditional .357 Magnum revolver even holds. Yet the loads are equally effective because of modern bullet technology.
That's some pretty funny logic if the .357's legendary status is based on facts. And if it's not, I'm led to wonder how more LEOs didn't die from running out of ammo in their 6 shot revolvers before the threat was successfully stopped.
Back in the day we put MUCH more emphasis on marksmanship. When I first started in law enforcement, our qualification course was the NRA National Police 60 shot course of fire that included 24rds fired at 50yds. We carried our 12 extra rounds in drop box leather cartridge holders as speed strips and speed loaders were new innovations. Not accepted yet by higher ranking police administrators.
My last annual qualification was 30-shots with a G22. Only 2-rounds fired from 25yd line…
Our department issue circa 1978 was Remington 125gr SJHP. The only two incidents I was only remotely involved with were one shot fired, and three shots fired (by officers).
The one shot fired was in a scuffle for the officers gun. Bang-flop, perp declared dead at the scene by coroner. Second was a perp had taken officers revolver, and fired shot at arriving backup officer. Backup fired three shots… first into hood of the patrol car. (Officer had taken cover behind fender). Second struck perp in right leg below the knee, second hit the perps mouth, blowing out 4-front teeth, and taking out 2” of the right mandible and exiting the neck. Perp was incapacitated at scene, transported to nearby hospital and survived. It was my supervisor that was disarmed, and my partner who shot the perp. Perp was a large ex-collegiate football player passing forged checks. Supervisor was 5’5, 145lb heavy smoker…. Range was 60feet.
It was my day off, and I was cutting grass when it went down, 2 blocks away… heard the shots..
My experience is that the .357mags reputation is earned. Not withstanding the hyperbole of busting radiators or penetrating engine blocks, and such…
I’ve taken deer and pigs with various .357loads. Shot placement matters. Only once did I resort to having to speed load. I was accosted by a pack of dogs while collecting evidence after-the-fact on an illegal-baited dove shoot. I shot six time’s taking out 5-dogs, missed (I think- it was a melee!), and reloaded, firing one more shot at fleeing pack. I recovered one bullet that struck a pit bull-mix that hit the chest. He spun around several times biting at his opposite hind quarter before running out of gas… I found the bullet lying on the ground where he bit it out and spit it out… (Winchester 145gr Silver-tip. That box/lot# chronographed at 1,345fps from my M686 -4”).
Though I still have some of the Winchester Hi-Speed 158gr Conical FMJ rounds from when I worked at a municipal P.D., and had a speed strip of the infamous KTW Teflon coated penetrators. I donated them to a police museum…
