"Stopping Power" is more related to system shock than bleeding.
Glasers & other frangible slugs (frangible - breaks into many smaller chunks easily) work because they are much more likely to dump 100% of their energy into the shootee
A bullet that goes through someone is not imparting all of its energy into the soft tissues, shock is not as great, regardless of the slug size.
Hollow-points are not always effective either. For example, a deep-cup hollow point that first goes through the perp's leather jacket is likely to not expand; the leather fills the cup and the bullet doesn't (generally) expand, or doesn't expand enough.
Glasers (and other frangibles) are better , because the smaller bits (small bird shot in the case of Glasers) dump their energy much quicket than one large chunk ... meaning 100% of the energy is dumped into the soft tissue ... usually causing greater shock to the system (like central nervous system shock).
By the way, they're called "Safety Slugs" because once they penetrate or bounce, they break apart and are much less likely to hurt/kill someone (like onthe other side of a window, door, or drywall).
The Illinois State Police have a legendary story about a traffic stop gone bad. The perp was all but numb on coke/crack ... it took dozens of hits with 9mm soft hollow-points, several shotgun hits, and ultimately a shotgun slug to the head to bring him down.
I believe that's when the I.S.P moved to +P+ Silvertips. I don't remember any more. Many/most police organizations are limited to the bullets they can use by their corporate lawyers; they have to be able to defend the choice in court too).
For defense, you don't want something that "shoots through schools" ... the legendary 88 magnum
) ... you want something that can be operated under stress and can deliver the max system shock (repeatedly, if necessary) without endangering others in the case that you miss or overpenetrate.
The best money spent is on training and practice. Hit What You Shoot. Most good ranges will have "combat shooting" instructors that can give the appropriate training, and in some cases, add some stress to give you the feel of a tense situation.
It is also a good idea to talk it over with your attorney. Find out what the laws are and abide by them. In the event that you do shoot someone, even an evil-doer, you'll be sued (in most cases ... California removes civil liability from someone in proven defense cases). Having documented training/education and legal counseling goes toward your defense in the light of being a responsible firearm owner and good citizen (versus a "blood-thirsty, irresponsible, Rambo-wannabe looking for an excuse to shoot somebody").
You've seen on TV what the media does with firearms; revolvers and (most) shotguns are "Nice guns" ... semi-autos are "evil guns" ... a good plaintiff's attorney will amplify those impressions to the jury ... you're fighting public opinion at that point, and how much of a fight it will be will vary by area of the country (think Arizona or Texas versus, say, urban Illinos or Maryland).
One of the best writers in this regard is M. Ayoob. He covers "everything you need to know before you shoot somebody" and firearm / defense safety.
Check it out.
FWIW
Scott
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