.32?

my take on smaller calibers is simple. As the size down, the requirement for precise shot placement goes up.
 
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precise shot placement doesn't matter if you can't penetrate to vital organs. not saying the .32 cannot, just not as well. i once worked a young man who got shot right in the forehead with a .380, it bounce off, leaving a 6" gash from the forehead to above the ear. no skull penetration. great shot placement, poor penetration through bone.
 
Question is, does the same shot to the forehead fail to penetrate a substantial percentage of the time or was that head shot a fluke?
 
Many people get shot in the head without penetration. The skull is thick and rounded. Bullets in any caliber have a tendency to deflect.

The requirement for precise shot placement is the same- from .22 short to .454.
 
One of my coworkers had a friend who was shot in the front of the head with a police issue revolver. I'm suspect that it was in .38SP caliber but that information was not supplied. He survived because the bullet did not penetrate the skull.

The front of the skull is pretty tough and is rounded as well. A bullet that hits at an angle or off to one side can ricochet without penetrating.
 
I wouldn't exactly call a big old forehead a precision target....

A nostril or a pupil is more like it & there's not much behind those to limit penetration.
 
While relating stories a friend (since departed) was captured at Malmedy and was in the group of soldiers many of whom who were murdered. My friend fell, unscathed, and another GI fell on him, he feigned death however a German shot each body about him in the head with a probable 7.65 mm. My friend was also shot directly in the back of his head, the bullet travled halfway around his skull exiting in the front. He had the scars to show the bullets travel. When he regained consciousness he beat feet...a number of GI's survived by making it to the woods and beyond.
 
I carry my Beretta 81 and my NAA 32acp because I shoot them well and the NAA is easy to carry at work. I believe its better to have a small gun in a lower caliber with me VS my 45 I left in the car:rolleyes: At least with my pocket gun I have a chance to defend myself if ever needed.
 
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