Which handgun/ammo combination is best for a one-shot stop?

[ACP]

SA Mireles ended the Miami gunfight with a S&W 686 loaded with .38 Special 158-gr. LSWCHP+P. The perps were in a defensive crouch in the front seat of the automobile, one having already suffered a pretty heinous sinus cavity shot that should have put him out permanently before he stumbled zombie-like through a hail of gunfire into the car. At point blank range, I believe Mireles - whose left forearm was useless due to a .223 round from a Mini-14 -- hit with 4 or 5 of 5 or 6 shots, all to the face/neck/upper chest region. Chalk one up for courage under fire and no chance of limp wristing.

 

[Bainx]

Gold Dot 230 grain hollowpoint thru a Glock model 30.

 

[CWL]

My Wilson KZ45 using any decent 230gr JHP, even 230gr. FMJ will work with a head shot.

This is just my preference, there is no secret or magic formula.

Placement, placement, placement.

 

[Jeff OTMG]

Your choice of S&W mod 29 or Ruger Redhawk, both in .44 mag shooting the RBCD load. 44 Mag. 110 gr. TFSP 2430 fps / 1445 flbs. Another choice might be a .454 Casull, maybe a Taurus, the RBCD generates nearly 2400 flbs. of energy.

 

[Mark IV Series 80]

I'll take my tuned Model 66, with triple T's, and a 6 inch barrel.
I can hold 1.25 inches at 25 yards with this gun.

I would load hot 125 grain, JHP .357 Magnums.

 

[Gordon]

I guess they were thinking about this question 150 years ago when they asked for Manton to make up the brace of English 16ga rifled double barrel 'Travelars Pistols' I have in safe deposit box for my posterity.

 

[Blackhawk]

Au contraire, Pistolsmith. Head shots are my song, but this scenario is ONE shot, meaning that you don't get a followup if you miss that crucial small kill spot.

I know many shooters who can hit a quarter at 15 yards, so can I, but I don't know any who can reliably do that under the pressure of this shot, and I wouldn't believe them if they said they could.

That's why I would rely on a round like the RBCD that would effectively turn almost any COM hit into a one shot stop. It's about as close to a C4 stuffed and fuzed hollow point there is, and when there aren't any more vital organs in the torso, the stop is pretty much a sure thing.

 

[DaveD]

Glock 23 Corbon 135 gr

 

[JeepDriver]

S&W 686 4" barrel loaded with 125 gr Speer Gold Dots flying at 1450 FPS and a shot to the head.

And two follow up shots to the chest to be sure.