Considering a few things, I've heard all my life that "a .45 caliber bullet from a long or acp will lift you off your feet and knock you back"
Now, I know better. HOWEVER, it is said in response to this "if it doesn't knock you off your feet when shooting it, it isn't going to knock down the target man."
Considering that, if you aren't standing just right braced for the gun fire from your weapon, you can be knocked back a little stumbling.
If your target is not braced against the bullet, then one shot I would think from a .45 or even .38 could stumble him back a bit. 2 to 4 shots quickly placed from a .45 or maybe even .38 could indeed knock a man back. I know the first time I shot my .45 1911 firing all 7 shots I was almost swept off my feet because of the recoil until I learned to lean into it. Same thing happen to a girl that went shooting with us this past weekend from just one (and each one afterward) shot from my .38 Official Police. With each shot she would take she would stumble back a tad and my hand would have to catch her back and try to encourage her to lean forward.
NOW, combine the above statements with the fact that the target is not only getting the equal energy from the recoil of your gun, he is also getting a bullet drilled into him and probably even one that is mushrooming inside him (HP or HS) tearing his flesh and crushing bone. This could also cause reaction such as when you get hit with a fist. It isn't the fist that knocks you back but the pain from it. Also, the target is most likely not expecting the force of the bullet hitting him. He has no time to brace himself, if he spots you at all he is more likely going to be trying to duck for cover. If he decides to charge you (for some crazy reason) then he might just keep comming then (as he is resisting the energy of your bullet) unless you hit a vital spot.
Now, I know better. HOWEVER, it is said in response to this "if it doesn't knock you off your feet when shooting it, it isn't going to knock down the target man."
Considering that, if you aren't standing just right braced for the gun fire from your weapon, you can be knocked back a little stumbling.
If your target is not braced against the bullet, then one shot I would think from a .45 or even .38 could stumble him back a bit. 2 to 4 shots quickly placed from a .45 or maybe even .38 could indeed knock a man back. I know the first time I shot my .45 1911 firing all 7 shots I was almost swept off my feet because of the recoil until I learned to lean into it. Same thing happen to a girl that went shooting with us this past weekend from just one (and each one afterward) shot from my .38 Official Police. With each shot she would take she would stumble back a tad and my hand would have to catch her back and try to encourage her to lean forward.
NOW, combine the above statements with the fact that the target is not only getting the equal energy from the recoil of your gun, he is also getting a bullet drilled into him and probably even one that is mushrooming inside him (HP or HS) tearing his flesh and crushing bone. This could also cause reaction such as when you get hit with a fist. It isn't the fist that knocks you back but the pain from it. Also, the target is most likely not expecting the force of the bullet hitting him. He has no time to brace himself, if he spots you at all he is more likely going to be trying to duck for cover. If he decides to charge you (for some crazy reason) then he might just keep comming then (as he is resisting the energy of your bullet) unless you hit a vital spot.