----Original Message-----
>From: Chris Krok
>To:
DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [DSN_klr650] NKLR stoppies (in the criminal sense)
>Date: Monday, October 01, 2001 15:50
>
>
>> Sanow and Marshall looked at all of those factors in the documented shootings
>> they examined. I respectfully encourage you to read their two excellent
>> books, "Handgun Stopping Power" and "Street Stoppers" for yourself.
>> They chose to focus on measured first shot stopping power.
>
>Even if the first shot doesn't stop them, doesn't it slow them down
>enough for shots 2+?
Yes. Training calls for two fast shots to the upper abdomen followed by a third shot to the head if the attacker has not gone down (i.e., is wearing a bullet-resistant vest). The problem is that the first solid hit wins, and against multiple attackers the defender may not have enough time or ammunition to expend three shots per attacker.
>> As to the bullet-resistant vest, which more and more people in the illegal
>> drug trade are wearing these days, every shooting course I am aware of
>> teaches two shots to the thorax followed by one to the head if the attacker
>> keeps coming.
>
>Isn't the thorax an awfully small target? Even though police
>departments probably aren't funded enough for the degree of training
>they'd like, I thought they go for center of mass in "emergency"
>situations. Should we be able to do better than the pros?
>--
>Dr. J. Christopher Krok
>Caltech Adaptive Wind Tunnel
>MS 205-45, Pasadena, CA 91125
If your thorax query was humorous, sorry, I missed it. Would you prefer I say "abdomen"? Or "upper chest"? Sorry, I should have been more clear.
The more advanced pros are trained to aim for the intersection of the vertical line drawn down the spine and a horizontal line drawn between the armpits. This aiming point maximizes the probability of a hit which will immediately stop the attacker. The older style of training teaches aiming for the center of mass. This older style assumes poorer marksmanship and tries simply to maximize the probability of a hit, even if the hit is not a stopping hit.
-- Marc, Kawasaki KLR650 A12, Loveland, Colorado, USA