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I'll admit the term "knockdown" is unscientific and misleading, but, honestly, isn't this more of a terminology dispute than literal mythology?

There is bound to be more of an "oh, crud" factor to getting hit with 240 grains of .45 ACP than, say, the 80 grains of lead Granpappy's .32 rimfire pushed out of the muzzle at about the same velocity. The .45 ACP can be said to have more je ne sais quoi than the .32, and those who stoke their 1911's with clips call it knockdown.

No gun that leaves me standing when I shoot it will physically launch me off my feet if I'm shot with it. I get it. Knockdown, as a term, is more like what a homeopathic "doctor" means when they use the word "cure." Knockdown doesn't exist as actual knock your punk self down. A better term is needed. It's a colloquial, marginally meaningful measure of relative pacification.

Not that I recommend using firearms on relatives. Gotta keep my terminology precise. Precise shot placement, too. That's a biggie.

It's interesting to think there must be more energy imparted to the shooter's hand than the target. The recoil is from what spits out the muzzle, and that is both propellant and bullet. The target doesn't get hit with propellant, just the bullet.

Amazing we can endure shooting our guns.