How can I counter that argument and get you to pay the extra $100 that I want without being able to demonstrate the difference
You tell them the difference is "magic". It can't be seen, or felt, or measured, because its only there, momentarily, during a life or death situation. Surely that's worth a little something extra, right? Have a little faith, brother!
Some of the statements in the last couple pages got me thinking, specifically, about the differences between things, and how we treat them. We have observed results, we have empirical data, we have calculated energy & reoil, we have wound channels, we have lots and lots of factors.
There are measurable differences between everything. Sometimes, this is significant. Sometimes, its not. And, what we believe is significant, which might be something else again.
I hear, all the time, about how A is better than B, or C, because of this or that factor, and I would ask, how much better? and Does it matter?
I hear "officer's scores and qual times improved when they switched to....."
I never hear HOW MUCH, they improved, or if that improvement is actually significant. Again, there is a difference between something measurable and something significant. If that dept's average scores went up, by 2 points and their time went down by .2 seconds, that's a difference. It's an improvement, right? but is it enough to be significant on the street?
People talk about how they do better with 9mm because it has less recoil. Admittedly I don't have much trigger time shooting the .40, but I have shot the round some. I've shot a lot of 9mm and .45ACP and, TO ME, there isn't any noticeable difference between the amount of recoil, in guns of the same size and weight.
There is a difference, it can be calculated, but I can't FEEL it. Maybe you can, but I can't. Therefore, TO ME, there is no significant difference. So, if find that arguments over what is superior, for other people, based on a factor that isn't significant to ME fall rather flat.
None of the factors involved in stopping and attacker, that we spend so much time discussing, is the deciding factor 100% of the time, based on observed results.