.357 or .45
- Thread starter Onofre3
- Start date
- Status
Both are excellent choices (no help there).
But here is some help. When I carry, I mostly pocket carry, and my favorite revolver is a 6 shot Colt Magnum Carry. A Ruger or S&W J-Frame is another good choice. The key is a snubby. But I have learned not to use 357 in it. The 38 Special +P works in Gold Dots much better, is easier to get follow up shots with and won't rip off the skin on my hands.
When I can go with a 45, I use an in a in waist band holster, and prefer either a Officer sized or a bobtailed commander. But I pocket carry far more times with either the revolver or a Colt Pony.
So you may find that one cann fill both needs for you very well.
But here is some help. When I carry, I mostly pocket carry, and my favorite revolver is a 6 shot Colt Magnum Carry. A Ruger or S&W J-Frame is another good choice. The key is a snubby. But I have learned not to use 357 in it. The 38 Special +P works in Gold Dots much better, is easier to get follow up shots with and won't rip off the skin on my hands.
When I can go with a 45, I use an in a in waist band holster, and prefer either a Officer sized or a bobtailed commander. But I pocket carry far more times with either the revolver or a Colt Pony.
So you may find that one cann fill both needs for you very well.
First question is, are you familiar with the .45 semi-auto? They are a little different animal. If you go with one, be sure to learn the manual of arms.
A .375 revolver is, as a general rule, a little more reliable and MUCH easiler to use. The .357 125 gr Hollow point is one of the top 'man stoppers', but has a lot of muzzel flash.
If you can, shoot both and that will help a lot in making a choice.
A .375 revolver is, as a general rule, a little more reliable and MUCH easiler to use. The .357 125 gr Hollow point is one of the top 'man stoppers', but has a lot of muzzel flash.
If you can, shoot both and that will help a lot in making a choice.
I have both and I love them both. Great calibers!
A 1911 Series 70 MK IV Colt .45
Colt King Cobra 6 inch stainless .357
Taurus Titanium 617 2 inch snub.
Colt 1911 has a pretty good bump with 230 grain ball. (I have not had a chance to shoot any hot stuff yet)
King Cobra with 180 grain partition golds kicks pretty good. I'd say about 1.5 time more in perceived recoil than the .45
Taurus titanium with 180's SUCKS!!! SUCKS BAD!!!
About 14 shots and it is time to put it up.
But I love them all.
A 1911 Series 70 MK IV Colt .45
Colt King Cobra 6 inch stainless .357
Taurus Titanium 617 2 inch snub.
Colt 1911 has a pretty good bump with 230 grain ball. (I have not had a chance to shoot any hot stuff yet)
King Cobra with 180 grain partition golds kicks pretty good. I'd say about 1.5 time more in perceived recoil than the .45
Taurus titanium with 180's SUCKS!!! SUCKS BAD!!!
About 14 shots and it is time to put it up.
But I love them all.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Revolver reliability is over-rated. If you cruise these threads very long, you will see one account after another of a revolver tying up. And unlike malfunctions in automatics, revolver stoppages are not easily cleared.
And as John Farnham points out, the most common cause of a stoppage in an actual fight, in either automatics or revolvers is running out of ammunition. The automatic's greater capacity and more rapid reloading is a great advantage here.
And as John Farnham points out, the most common cause of a stoppage in an actual fight, in either automatics or revolvers is running out of ammunition. The automatic's greater capacity and more rapid reloading is a great advantage here.
Black Knight
Member
In addition to being familiar with the 45ACP there are many different makes out there. Some are DA/SA others are DAO while others are SA. If you choose a SA (1911 style) how do you feel about carrying a pistol with the hammer cocked and the safety on? Some folks have a hard time with this and thats fine. It took me a while to get used to it. The revolver is easier to get used to carrying. With the right holster depending on your body shape you could conceal a 4" 357. When I'm out recently I carry a 4" Colt Python in a Bianchi 8L Shadow holster wearing a 5.11 vest. No problems concealing it. As far as which one is better. That question has never been answered and come close to making enemies out of friends. Both are superb for defensive purposes.
Onofre3 said:
Not really... Depending on the kind of .45 you get, you might have more rounds, but comparing an average .357 revolver (6 shots) to an average .45 (7-8 shots) there is hardly a difference.
The .357 and .45 are some of the best man stoppers available. Both have an enviable record. For home defense I lean toward the .357 magnum.
Onofre3 said:
Dude... Experts, laymen, police, etc have debated this and there isn't a clear answer. If you search for archives on this site, you will find folks debating this as well.
Vern said:
uhhhh.... Has a revolver ever had a "failure to feed" or a type 2, 3 or 4 stoppage??? No. It has never happened.
I have owned countless revolvers and only had 1 that had a timing issue and that happened in the first 100 rounds... That is why you do not consider a gun reliable (no matter what kind or who makes it) until you cycle 300 - 500 rounds through it.
Police and military have both used the revolver extensively... They are "trail rated" designs, as much as any automatic.
wheelgunslinger
Member
Buy one of each. 
As related previously, there are benefits to each.
Remember that not all revolvers and 1911 pattern handguns are the same. Compare a specific model revolver to a specific 45.
As related previously, there are benefits to each.
Remember that not all revolvers and 1911 pattern handguns are the same. Compare a specific model revolver to a specific 45.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I don't think anyone can answer that. All we can say is they are both quite good at what they do.
Now, I carry a Chip McCormac 8-round mag in my M1911, with a spare 8-rounder on my belt. With one up the spout, that gives me a total of 18 rounds. In terms of readily available ammo, that's better than a five-shot revolver and 2 speed loaders -- and a lot quicker to use.
HB
Member
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2007
- Messages
- 2,390
Another thing to consider is cost of ammo. .45 is getting pretty expensive now days, but .38 isn't too bad. Practice with .38's and load .357's when your done. Also consider that 1911's aren't exactly inexpensive, yet you can get a used Ruger for about $300
HB
HB
Technosavant
Member
One one hand, a semiauto .45 will hold more ammo and will likely be easier to shoot. On the other, a .357 revolver won't have failures to load or eject and has an incredible amount of penetration.
Yes, revolvers aren't absolutely reliable, but they don't get picky when it comes to magazines. Reloading is far faster in a semiauto, but reloading isn't likely to be an issue in most defensive situations (and a S&W 627 with moon clips has 8 rounds on tap and can reload just as fast as a semiauto). Stopping power is largely a myth; it depends more on scoring good hits than on the round itself being a death ray. It is easier to conceal a 10 or 14 round .45 semiauto than an 8 round .357.
You are looking at two VERY different guns. Pick whatever feels better to you and what shoots better. Either way you will be quite well served when it comes to defense.
Yes, revolvers aren't absolutely reliable, but they don't get picky when it comes to magazines. Reloading is far faster in a semiauto, but reloading isn't likely to be an issue in most defensive situations (and a S&W 627 with moon clips has 8 rounds on tap and can reload just as fast as a semiauto). Stopping power is largely a myth; it depends more on scoring good hits than on the round itself being a death ray. It is easier to conceal a 10 or 14 round .45 semiauto than an 8 round .357.
You are looking at two VERY different guns. Pick whatever feels better to you and what shoots better. Either way you will be quite well served when it comes to defense.
DragonFire
Member
8+1+8= ???
Just a typo, no big deal, but your post shows one of the problem with these kinds of "discussions'. There are so many points to consider, and most are base on your personal beliefs and preference.
Most statistics I've seen/heard have non-LEO gunfights being over in just a few rounds. Reloads, especially fast reloads, don't play much into who wins. BUT there's no such thing as having too much ammo at a gunfight, so carry amounts and reloads should play into our decisions on a CCW piece.
And for the record, my S&W 627 has 8 rounds per moonclip, and I bet I can reload it about as fast as you can an auto. (or at least as fast as I can an auto). So with a single reload you have exactly 1 round more than I do, and I can carry at least 2 moonclips in the space of a single mag.
As others have already said, modern handguns are very reliable, and once you break them in and settle on a load for them, they are even more reliable. So neither an auto nor revolver is inheritantly more reliable than the other. 45's and .357's both have good track records, so no one can definitely say one is better than the other in every way. Plus it's not really of a decision of 45 vs .357, it's 45 in a specific auto vs .357 in a specific revolver (otherwise the Desert eagle in .357 or a 625 in 45ACP would have been discussed).
So what you carry is a very personal decision, that no one can really make for you. Which do you prefer? Can you shoot it quickly and accurately? Is the gun you choose reliable? Can you carry/conceal it comfortably? If you can say yes for the gun you prefer than you're set. Yeah, alot of people will say you made the wrong choice, but about as many will say you made the right one.
No one can say for certain that the wrong choice will definitely cause you to lose a gunfight, anymore than they can say the right choice will definitely cause you to win one.
wnycollector
Member
Most of the year I carry either a Ruger security six snubbie in .357 or a SIG P220 .45 (in the summer S&W J frame). I am comfortable with both. It comes down to your personal preference.
bestseller92
Member
For my "one" self defense gun (if I only had one), I'd go with a Glock 22 .40 over any .45 auto or .357. Sixteen rounds of hollowpoint fun.
bflobill_69
Member.
A quality revolver (ie. ruger, s&w, colt) is the most reliable gun, period...
...even if a round misfires, you just continue to pull the trigger.
I am suprised thats even debated.
It was my understanding from my reading over the years that .357magnum has the best "one shot" stopping power. Theres an awful lot of energy in .357 loads!
Anyone have any hard statistics comparing .357 to .45?
Fire both, and see what you like. In the end, the best gun is the one you shoot most accurately with.
Bflobill_69
...even if a round misfires, you just continue to pull the trigger.
I am suprised thats even debated.
It was my understanding from my reading over the years that .357magnum has the best "one shot" stopping power. Theres an awful lot of energy in .357 loads!
Anyone have any hard statistics comparing .357 to .45?
Fire both, and see what you like. In the end, the best gun is the one you shoot most accurately with.
Bflobill_69
1911 .45. Hands down.
I do like my 2 1/2" 686, and take it in the car with me sometimes, but if I am going to carry it, it will be the 1911 .45 every time. I am better with it, it is flatter and conceals easier(to me), follow up shots are easier, unless you are using downloaded .357's, and I just have more faith in it for defending my life.
That is my personal preference. FWIW
I do like my 2 1/2" 686, and take it in the car with me sometimes, but if I am going to carry it, it will be the 1911 .45 every time. I am better with it, it is flatter and conceals easier(to me), follow up shots are easier, unless you are using downloaded .357's, and I just have more faith in it for defending my life.
That is my personal preference. FWIW
It's debated because revolvers can tie up, just as autos can jam. Like Vern said, I can clear a jam pronto, not so if your revolver ties up.
When I used to shoot IPSC, I saw a lot more semi autos jam than revolvers. In fact, I cannot think of one revolver malfunction.
And now, at the range, I still see more semi auto's malfunction than revolvers.
Revolvers are very reliable. Semi autos have to be looked after.
I would depend on a 357 revolver. Like this one
And now, at the range, I still see more semi auto's malfunction than revolvers.
Revolvers are very reliable. Semi autos have to be looked after.
I would depend on a 357 revolver. Like this one
Last edited:
Billy Shears
Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2008
- Messages
- 1,020
I would feel very well armed with either one, but I'd lean toward the .45. Although with the right holster you can certainly conceal the .357, you will almost certainly find the .45 easier to conceal due to its flatter cross section. You will also almost certainly find the .45 easier to shoot. It has less felt recoil and considerably less muzzle blast and flash. Add to these virtues the advantages of greater ammo capacity and faster reloading, and to me the .45 looks decidedly more user friendly.
Having said that, a good revolver shooter will beat a fair semi-auto shooter almost every time, so whatever you get and are more comfortable with, practice until you have achieved a high degree of competence, and you will be well armed no matter which you choose.
Having said that, a good revolver shooter will beat a fair semi-auto shooter almost every time, so whatever you get and are more comfortable with, practice until you have achieved a high degree of competence, and you will be well armed no matter which you choose.
What hell do you live in?the lone gunman
Member
Revolver reliability is over-rated. If you cruise these threads very long, you will see one account after another of a revolver tying up. And unlike malfunctions in automatics, revolver stoppages are not easily cleared.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vern , sorry but I don agree with that. A revolver tying up. ? Im sure you know much more about handguns than I do, but could you post some proof of this. I have shot revolers for 30 + years and have never had one Jam. Maybe a couple that didnt fire, but just go to the next round. I think any problem with a revolver may be improper reloads. I respect your opinion, just want more facts. Thanks ..Dale
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vern , sorry but I don agree with that. A revolver tying up. ? Im sure you know much more about handguns than I do, but could you post some proof of this. I have shot revolers for 30 + years and have never had one Jam. Maybe a couple that didnt fire, but just go to the next round. I think any problem with a revolver may be improper reloads. I respect your opinion, just want more facts. Thanks ..Dale
Attachments
offshorebear
Member
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2007
- Messages
- 32
The reliabilty of a revolver vs a semi seems to come up a lot on this board. I wouldn't trust a gun for defense that isn't 100 percent reliable. Maybe my 1911 will act up if I shoot a thousand rounds through it and don't clean it, but for self defense its always good to go as far as I'm concerned. If it had relability problems I would have it fixed until I was satisfied it was 100 percent. After all these arn't very complicated machines we are talking about. I don't think reliability is a good argument in the semi vs revolver debate.
- Status
