Back in the day when we wore black boots and green suits we were always tought center mass. A head shot with a hand gun at less then point blank range was considered to have a high probobility of missing. The Browning Model 1911 in .45 cal. was designed as a secondary close quarters weapon used with maximum effectiveness within 15 yards. I guess times were different then, body armor didn't exsist or was not nearly as effective as it is today. As a paltoon Sergeant I carried a Mossberg 500 "Trench Gun" and a .45 as a side arm. At any rate a shot to the chest with a .45 usually did the job. The Mossburg with slugs (pumpkin balls) was highly effective from 30 yards in and .0 buck shot from 20 in. All my trainning primarly consisted of Jungle warfare and some house (European theater) fighting all close in combat. Things are different now I'm sure, this was 30 to 36 years ago I might be a little off on my ranges but that's what I seem to remember. I served from 1976 to 1984. "All the way". This thread took on a life of it's own.
