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Shot placement above all, followed closely by a round that will penetrate deep enough to go through the CNS or major heart/arteries/lungs (in order of best-worst.) followed by lots and lots of holes.

In my experience a pistol round, even a "Big" one...is a really loud icepick. If you stabbed something with icepick A versus icepick B which is 2.5mm wider, would it overly care? Probably not.
Would it care if you stabbed it 15 times versus 7? Yes. A lot.
Would it care if one stab was through the aorta versus one to the lung? Yep.

Rifles? That's another matter. You start seeing enough velocity to create a temporary cavity large enough to rip flesh and structures by overstretching, along with bullet fragmentation leaving you with *slightly* more room for error. Is it more lethal a hit with a pistol to the same not-immediate-KO spot? I can't say, but the survivors tend to be a more messed up long-term.

its the relatively killing potential between 7.62 and high velocity 5.56 that I don't know about.

Speaking of US military ammunition only:
7.62 does not fragment reliably at any range. 5.56 does at close range.
M855 5.56 can shoot through personal armor that will happily stop M80 7.62 (Particularly things made of steel close enough that the 5.56 still has a velocity advantage.)

This is also before you factor in better trajectory, shorter flight time, and lighter recoil into the mix...to say nothing of the platforms firing either cartridge. All else being equal? Gimme the 5.56, frankly.

 djones520 wrote:
I'll buy a 1911 eventually as well, because I just don't feel like a true gun loving American if I don't.

But PDW first. Since I'm moving to Tennessee/Kentucky this spring (Ft. Campbell here I come!), both states reciprocate Michigans CPL, so I can finally go about getting that.

When looking at firearms in the area, I'd STRONGLY suggest heading up to Whitaker Guns (it's about 3 hours drive through Ky from the Campbell area) and The Franklin Gun Shop (in Franklin, TN, only about an hour away, depending on traffic)

Because if you cant find a firearm that you like or want in there, you don't like guns, or probably shouldnt get one

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
Because if you cant find a firearm that you like or want in there, you don't like guns, or probably shouldnt get one

Assuming they have anything in stock. I still see a few sellers with empty shelves in this area.

Probably people loading up with lead bullets before the price increases 1600 %.

 Kilkrazy wrote:
Probably people loading up with lead bullets before the price increases 1600 %.

Sales have been high and holding ever since the "gun safety" push after Newtown.

And once again, bullet =/ cartridge.

Cartridges aren't made of lead.

 Breotan wrote:

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
Because if you cant find a firearm that you like or want in there, you don't like guns, or probably shouldnt get one

Assuming they have anything in stock. I still see a few sellers with empty shelves in this area.

Both of the shops I listed maintain over 5000 firearms in stock... they are both top 10 in size for gun shops in the US.

 Kilkrazy wrote:
Cartridges aren't made of lead.

The bullet, you see, is the little metal thingy that actually gets propelled down the barrel of the gun and eventually strikes something. The powder? Not the bullet. The case? Not the bullet. The primer? Not the bullet. The complete package known as a cartridge? Not the bullet.