[Mike Irwin]

Man you REALLY need to go back and reread the Thompson-LaGarde tests. You completely mischaracterize these tests and their results.

Failing that (original copies are scarce and valuable), the 4th editon of Cartridges of the World had a very nice summary of the tests.

Other than head wounds, they found the .30 Luger to be SEVERELY lacking -- not even REMOTELY "equaling the killing power of the .45 ACP," unless you count ONLY the results of head shots and drop body shots from the equasion entirely.

The article summarizes the conclusions reached by Thompson-LaGarde:

"The major conclusions drawn from the Army lethality tests of 1904 are as follows:

1. Within the velocity range possible with handguns, there is no marked effect from velocity alone other than greater penetration.

2. At hnadgun velocities there is little difference in the effect of different bullet materials (leard or jacketed) when traversing flesh. However, lear of expanding bullets will inflict more damage when they strike bone.

3. In flesh there appears to be little difference between a sharp pointed or round nosed bullet. On the other hand, a flat or blunt point does substantially more damage to blood vessels and bone and has less tendency to be deflected by bone or cartilage.

4. The weight of the bullet does not appear to be critical, although it is to be noted that the most effective bullets were not only of large caliber, but also of the heaviest weight.

5. The diameter or caliber of the bullet is important because at handgun velocities expansion of soft point or other expanding bullets is not reliable. The larger diameter bullets simply destroy more tissue and blood vessels because they affect a larger cross sectional area."

Having read the Thompson-LaGarde study a number of times (a copy signed by both Thompson and LaGarde, interesting tidbit), those 5 points characterize the study very well.

In the 1920s the British undertook a series of tests of a similar nature. To quote the article:

"Their conclusion was that diameter of the projectile made very little difference. Weight and velocity were the most important factors and the velocity had to be low, not high."

Another interesting tidbit...

"A report was issued by the US Army after the Korean War entitled "Weapons Usage in Korea," by SLA Marshal. All of the general infantry weapons were evaluated by field studies both during and after combat. According to this report, the .45 Automatic was regarded by the combat troops as superior to the .30 caliber carbine (not the same as the .30 Luger, but ballistics are quite similar) for close range fighting becase of its superior stopping power."

While I'm sure the .30 Luger was used to successfully take game animals, I have to wonder how many animals were LOST simply because the .30 Luger is not up to the task? I'd bet good money that there were a lot of carcasses with itty bitty wound channels left to rot.