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MrTuffPaws is correct. Especially with handgun rounds - shot placement is the most critical factor in defensive shooting. In my mind I try to think of shot placement as a lot like stabbing someone with a sharp pencil (sorry about the gruesome image but shooting isn't much prettier). You can stab someone 20 times in all the wrong spots or just once in the right spot to stop them. That's why constant range practice is so important - otherwise the handgun just gives a false sense of security.
As I recall, the .45 ACP still has much more kinetic energy than the 9mm. Kinetic energy is a function of both mass and velocity. While the 9mm is faster the .45 has more than enough mass to outclass the 9mm - even if they were both hollow points.
But, regardless of the numbers and calculations, and ballistic tests the real facts are in the empirical data taken from the field. The muzzle velocity, terminal ballistics and other numbers on paper are all theoretical until the performance of the round is tested in "real" encounters. Since (thankfully) I've never had to shoot someone I can't tell you from personal experience. But the experts and professionals I've met tell me that the .45 is noticably more effective at stopping a subject. And the empirical data support that claim.
In fact my numbers were culled from a resource that breaks the data down even further by ammunition manufacturer (PMC, Corbon, Federal Hydra-Shok, etc.) and bullet configuration (FMJ,JHP, etc.). They also show the .45ACP to be a better bullet. And, yes, the JHP is a more effective stopper than FMJ.
I'd take a good 1911 or USP.45 over any 9mm any day of the week. If I haven't mentioned it before - the 9mm and .38special are bareley "acceptable" for defense as handgun rounds. The .380, .22, .32, .25acp are regarded as inappropriate - but "better than nothing." So I'd avoid these if I could.
I hope that answers your question.
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