The Stopping Power Of .45ACP

Published on December 27, 2025
Duration: 0:49

This video from Civilian Tactical explores the stopping power of the .45 ACP caliber by comparing it to 9mm using ballistic gel. The host, demonstrating high authority through practical testing, found that while the .45 ACP carries more energy, its terminal performance in gel wasn't dramatically different from 9mm hollow points in terms of target movement, despite a noticeable increase in recoil.

Quick Summary

The .45 ACP caliber demonstrates greater energy transfer and penetration in ballistic gel compared to 9mm, often characterized by tunneling. However, practical tests showed it didn't significantly move the ballistic gel target more than a 9mm hollow point, despite a noticeable increase in felt recoil.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and 9mm Comparison
  2. 00:079mm Control Test
  3. 00:16.45 ACP Test
  4. 00:33Results and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

How does .45 ACP stopping power compare to 9mm?

In ballistic gel tests, the .45 ACP carried more energy and tunneled through the target. However, it didn't significantly move the target more than a 9mm hollow point, suggesting the perceived difference in stopping power might be less pronounced than often assumed.

What is the purpose of using ballistic gel in firearm testing?

Ballistic gel is used to simulate biological tissue, allowing for standardized testing of a projectile's terminal performance, including expansion, penetration depth, and energy transfer, providing objective data on how a round behaves upon impact.

What was the observed recoil difference between 9mm and .45 ACP in the video?

The host noted a significant increase in felt recoil when firing the .45 ACP round from a 1911 pistol compared to the 9mm round, which is a common characteristic of the larger caliber and heavier projectile.

Did the .45 ACP show significant expansion in the ballistic gel?

The video focused more on energy transfer and tunneling for the .45 ACP, while the 9mm hollow point was noted to have decent expansion. Specific expansion measurements for the .45 ACP were not detailed, but its penetration was evident.

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