Hypothetical question 45ACP vs 357 mag

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Waterboy3313

Waterboy3313

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I have a Kimber TLE 2 full size 1911 in 45acp. I also have a Ruger GP 100 in 357 magnum with a 6 barrel. Both of these are on my ccw permit. I'm not a competition shooter but I feel like I shoot both of them exceptionally well. I just ordered a shoulder holster for the revolver and still waiting for it to be delivered.

I recently bought an adventure type motorcycle. My brother bought one as well. We have been riding the trails and remote dirt back roads of far northern California for the last few weekends.

My question is of the two hand guns I mentioned earlier which one would you carry and why? Obviously it's for personal protection and hopefully never needed. We have mountain lions, black bears, rattlesnakes off grid people like from deliverence and some people even say wolves around here.

Like I said hopefully never needed but if something happens in the middle of nowhere and left alone for a break down or whatever. I've carrying my 9mm shield but I don't ever want to have to face a hungry mt lion or bear with that or let alone at all. My goal is to leave the wild life alone but to have a plan if things go sideways.

Both firearms are loaded with my hand loads. The 357 packs a full load of h110 and Hornady xtp 158gr bullet. The 45 acp is loaded with either a 230gr hollow point or 185gr Hornady z-max with hefty load of tite group.

I'm leaning towards the 357 so far but if you had to pick one of the two I would like to know the reason why.
 
And the winner is......

Waterboy3313 said:
The 357 packs a full load of h110 and Hornady xtp 158gr bullet.
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Honestly, a lot comes down to how well you shoot each one, and how quickly you can "skin that smoke wagon" and go to work.

But as far as cartridges go, the 158gr XTP in .357 Magnum is hard to beat as an all-around defensive load. At least in my judgement.
 
Honestly, a lot comes down to how well you shoot each one, and how quickly you can "skin that smoke wagon" and go to work.

But as far as cartridges go, the 158gr XTP in .357 Magnum is hard to beat as an all-around defensive load. At least in my judgement.
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I was thinking the same thing. I actually shoot both of them very well. I'm not recoil sensitive either. The new holster isn't here yet and will be the first shoulder holster I have used. So hopefully I can get used to it. I ordered a Hawaiian shirt to go with it lol.
 
I like your thinking. After trial and error with 1911s, berettas, sigs etc I've found I like a wheel gun for the adventures you're describing.

No mags to worry about, good power, accuracy, and versatility. You could bring speed loaders or strips from 38 wadcutter to your 158 gr xtps- or even ratchet things up with 180 gr Hardcast magnums.

I went to the rifle range with a friend from work, he was shooting an m10 and 44 mag lever gun. I was able to ring steel at rifle ranges with my six inch magnum. Handheld rifle that packs well in a shoulder holster! What's not love?

I'd feel better with the ruger than the kimber .
 
I consider the. 45acp 1911 to be the premier self defense pistol.
Reasons:
*IMHO bullet diameter matters.
*longer sight plane.(edit, not with a 6"bbl)
*quicker and convenient reloads.
*thinner profile
*field strip advantages
*holster choices

It comes down to personal choices.
I really like .357 and would struggle with the question myself.
 
In the environment and under the circumstances you describe, I would lean to the 45. Both would work and the 357 is going to hit harder. Northern CA out in the sticks, people would be my biggest concern.
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I agree with people being the biggest concern. Last weekend we were up at a place called back bone ridge. Lots of people actually living up in the sticks where we were. All had signs up that made it obvious they live in the sticks for a reason.

I like your thinking. After trial and error with 1911s, berettas, sigs etc I've found I like a wheel gun for the adventures you're describing.
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I definitely love my wheel guns. I do my best accurate work with my GP100. I've hit targets out to 160 yards with mine. I also like the fact if it's loaded I can pull the trigger and it should go boom. Only downside is 6 rounds. My holster I'm waiting for has a place for two speed loaders though.

It comes down to personal choices.
I really like .357 and would struggle with the question myself.
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That's my problem. I love both and shoot both great.
 
I would decide based on how you feel about the manual of arms.

With the revolver, you'll have to be comfy with shooting it well in double action.

With the 1911, you'll have to decide if you want it cocked n locked on a motorcycle, or hammer down, or have to rack one in.
 
I'd choose a revolver in 357. If you fall, are injured, and/or are in a tussle, there will be less of a chance of a manfuction with a revolver (you are on a bike and in the woods which makes this more likely). Both 1911s and revolvers have limited capacity, and I doubt that you will have time to reload in just about all the situations you'll realistically find yourself in. If you are truly worried about it, carry a speed loader and a couple of speed strips.

I EDC a S&W 686+ with 7 rounds of 357mag regularly. I am not worried about capacity or being in a prolonged shootout with several heavily armed gang members or terrorist.
 
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With the revolver, you'll have to be comfy with shooting it well in double action.

With the 1911, you'll have to decide if you want it cocked n locked on a motorcycle, or hammer down, or have to rack one in.
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I do practice DA shooting often although my preferred target shooting is SA. I'm not bad at it but there is always room for improvement. The fact that a loaded revolver is pull the trigger and it should work is appealing to me especially if injured. I do carry my 1911 with one in the chamber hammer back. So as long as I don't have to reload I should be good with either gun.

Well I would carry the 45acp on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
The 357mag on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
And alternate on Sundays.
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Now you have me thinking I need to order a shoulder holster for my 1911. I have 3 holsters for it already and I really like my clay holster IWB piece but I think it would be too uncomfortable on a motorcycle.

I don't know for sure yet but I'm thinking shoulder holster on a motorcycle is going to be the way to go over my preferred 4 o'clock IWB kydex holsters.
 
I just wanted to say thank you for all of the great replies so far. This has been pretty interesting so far. I like the answers giving actual answers with the reasons why. It's been a big help for me and I appreciate the feedback.
 
You are talking about a feeling, which one inspires confidence. For me, 1911 is first choice. I have waay more experience with that type. But if you handed me your .357 I would feel plenty well armed too. Both of your weapons are great.
I carry my Uberti 1860 Army about half the time in the hinterland. No worries.
 
Heck... carry both. Carry one on your body and the other in a backpack or motorcycle satchel
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It's funny you mentioned that. I was thinking I will have to play with my 1911 holsters and see if I can find a comfortable position while being on my motorcycle.

I tried my usual 1911 set up sitting on my motorcycle. I will post a picture at the bottom. I think if I rotate my holster around to about the 5 o'clock position I could manage it. The problem is my big 6'5" uncoordinated and not flexible self might have hard time reaching around to draw it. Drawing is easy trying to put it back might really hurt. I'm very stiff and not flexible. IMG_20220723_130427031.jpg
 
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I’d go with the 1911 .45 ACP as well.

I have eight .357 Mag revolvers from 2” to 8”, including a 4” GP 100, and six 1911 style pistols. A 6” GP is a hearty handgun to carry in the woods, plus the size makes the draw and presentation a bit slower than the 1911.

My good buddy was riding his KTM in Siskiyou County last weekend, he lives up near Ashland, Ore. I believe he carries a .45 for the same reasons you stated.

7E1A38C9-18D3-421F-914F-D875655CA98F.jpeg
2C37DA82-9E9B-4CEB-BE0E-7E4A7DADA95A.jpeg 7DE4962A-6D28-4551-B748-C6D0319246F1.jpeg

For what you said you want to do, the .45 is a bit easier to pack and has ample power to handle those tasks.

Stay safe.
 
If allowed to open carry, for a motorcycle I'd be inclined to take the 45 in a UM84 retention holster.
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The belt clip makes it handy to get on and off, too:
252BInternational%252BUM8492%252BUniversal%252BHolster%252BAmbidextrous%252B%252B%2525281%252529.jpg

They make a drop strap (two lengths, actually--the shorter one probably better for cycling) along with a number of accessory fittings. They are available at $14, if you shop well (the accessories are all over the place, pricewise).

Now, if concealed is required, I might lean to a chest rig, under a cover garment like a vest or the like. This would get the weight more to the middle, and the presentation to you less likely to "flag" others or yourself on the draw. Either the revolver or the auto would ride well like that.
 
Tough call, I often keep both a .45 and .357 loaded up for home defense. The 1911 could be advantageous in that if needed, could be reloaded faster. I would consider a higher performance powder though, something like Power Pistol, which can do very well (230gr @~1000 fps). The .357 is a beast though, will definitely have the penetration advantage with those 158's. Personally if I wanted to carry a 357 I'd get a shorter 4" GP100. Either way you should be good to go.
 
I went with a 6” wide neoprene Velcro kidney belt. It will hold either a revolver or a semi-auto and spare mag. It rides just above the wasteband over the kidneys. Here it is under my off road body armor.

View attachment 1091656
 
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murf said:
either will work, imo. i would not carry on the hip as a fall may injure that hip. i did a front flip over my quad about seven years ago. i fractured my leg on the handlebar and drove the handle of my blackhawk up into my short ribs when i landed on that side. not fun.

luck,

murf
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Ouch! I cant “like” that one, it hurts just thinking about it. :what:

Stay safe.
 
murf said:
either will work, imo. i would not carry on the hip as a fall may injure that hip. i did a front flip over my quad about seven years ago. i fractured my leg on the handlebar and drove the handle of my blackhawk up into my short ribs when i landed on that side. not fun.

luck,

murf
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I laid down a motorcycle and broke three ribs on a Beretta 96 in a shoulder holster. Knew a Bicycle patrol officer (friend of a friend.) who went down on a gun pretty close to SOB position and was paraplegic too.

Something like a fanny pack might be safer on a bike idk.
 
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