.357 or .45

[Sistema1927]

After you resolve this dilemma, do yourself a favor and augment whichever one that you choose with a S&W .45 ACP revolver. 1917, 625, 22-4, whichever one floats your boat. Then you can have the best of both worlds, and with a double moonclip holder on your belt you will have 18 rounds at your disposal.

There are very few problems that can't be solved with 18 rounds of .45 ACP.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I was going to argue the point about ammo capacity but "DragonFire" already did that well. Like already said, a 1911 will hold 7 or 8 rounds whereas a revolver used to be a six-shooter but there are many on the market which hold 7 rounds and now even 8 rounds. The S&W M627 Pro holds 8 rounds of .357 Magnum and can be reloaded with the use of moonclips just as fast as the 1911. (also said above and I agree totally)

As for which is best.... the .357 Mag/.45 Auto argument has been going on for Decades and there's still no real answer since both are great rounds that do the job in the real world if you do your job.

 

[AStone]

I just did a search on this thread for the word "placement".

Said search turned up zero results.

Therefore, please let me be the first to offer this advice.

Shot placement, shot placement, shot placement.

I'm happier with my revolvers in .38 spl & .357 mag
than I ever was with my semi-autos.

Never once had a jam with either.
But I much prefer the simplicity of revolvers.

Never once felt under armed with revolvers.

If I could carry only one handgun?

A snub in .38 spl +p with full grips.
With that, I can put 3 in the right place
every time. (See "shot placement").

It's good enough.

 

[Defensory]

Posted by Onofre3:
Guys I need your advice! I'm torn between buying a .357 revolver or a .45 semi-auto. Which should I buy? Which performs better? I need this for home defense and will also most likely carry it around with me.

A high capacity .45 semi-auto is the best choice for home defense and concealed carry, hands down.

I recommend the Springfield XD Compact, which comes with two magazines. A 13 rounder for home defense, open carry and the range---and a 10 rounder for concealed carry.

If you fire a .357 Magnum with defensive loads in a low/no light situation in a confined space such as a bedroom, hallway, etc.---you can count on being temporarily blinded, deafened and disoriented for a substantial amount of time. Permanent significant hearing loss is very likely.

The .357 is a respectable outdoor gun for open carry and as a hunting backup, but should be avoided for indoor defense.

 

[AStone]

The .357 is a respectable outdoor gun for open carry and as a hunting backup,
but should be avoided for indoor defense.

I agree.

In camp, I'll take my 65
stoked with .357 mag.

At home, work & other indoor locations,
I'll take a snub eating .38 spl +p.

 

[skoro]

I have both. And I love shooting both my S&W Model 13 and my Colt Commander. But the one I keep loaded in the bedroom is the .357. Nothing against the 45 ACP as a defense round. It's been proven on battlefields and in shootouts acrosss the globe. It's just that a revolver isn't going to jam at a critical moment.

 

[Stainz]

Here you go - current stock - works great. While the .45 ACPs load fast, the eight spindly legs for the 627 are a bit slower. Still, what better way to launch a .45 ACP than from a round gun? And - wanna new 1917?? They have a new 'classic' remake.



Vern was worried about capacity... here is a .223 ammo box with 105 moonclips loaded with 230gr ball ammo - that's 630 rounds. How many of those 8 rd C.M. mags you got there, Vern?? Bring on the Zombies! I am ready for a serious day at the range...



Seriously, this is a wheelgun forum... you want rude-case-tosser advise?? Gads! Go to the purity of the revolver - be cleansed....

Stainz

 

[Vern Humphrey]

It's just that a revolver isn't going to jam at a critical moment.

No criticism intended, but if you go through these threads, you'll see plenty of examples of revolvers "jamming" or suddenly failing. And revolver stoppages usually cannot be cleared by a simple drill.

 

[Stainz]

No, a drill seldom helps clear a jam with a revolver - now, a hammer, there is some real help!

Seriously - a backed out ejector rod on a S&W, which should have been Loctited, is the only tie-up I've had. Okay, a primer-only load - but that would have caused the same amount of grief with an evil bottom feeder.

Oh, and I wouldn't use a hammer on any revolver... not even a Taurus!

Stainz

 

[skoro]

I'm aware that there have been cases of jammed revolvers. I've never experienced or witnessed one, though. I have several autos that are fine pieces of machinery and work almost flawlessly. But you and your auto can do everything right and chamber a squib round or a dud that could lead to embarrassment at an inopportune moment.

It's all a case of probabilities. And I'm betting that the S&W revolver will probably be less likely to jam or misfire than either of my M&Ps or my Colt. Of course, YMMV.

 

[Onofre3]

If you fire a .357 Magnum with defensive loads in a low/no light situation in a confined space such as a bedroom, hallway, etc.---you can count on being temporarily blinded, deafened and disoriented for a substantial amount of time. Permanent significant hearing loss is very likely.

The .357 is a respectable outdoor gun for open carry and as a hunting backup, but should be avoided for indoor defense.

Now this is something Ive been hearing about the 357. However I was thinking that I keep the gun loaded with .38s at home but load them with .357s when I'm out? Dang! am I complicating things for myself?

 

[Onofre3]

Well Im not really out to start a revolver vs semi auto debate as both do have their pros and cons.

My concern is which would be better in terms of stopping power and penetration, the .45 or the .357?

 

[Schofield3]

All you need is practice; you can go mad trying to find “the” best round. Shot placement and accuracy is what matters, shoot with a caliber you can hit with period.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My concern is which would be better in terms of stopping power and penetration, the .45 or the .357?

A 12-gauge shotgun with #4 buck.

 

[22-rimfire]

I think you would be well served with either. I would lean toward a Glock for reilability in a pistol and probably one of the pocket sized 38 revolvers versus a 357 for general defensive use.

 

[mnw42]

You could always split the differences and buy a .38 Super or 9x23

 

[Walkalong]

buy a .38 Super

Yep, sweet round. I have two 1911's in .38 Super and would feel well armed with either. They have never jammed yet either. Occasionally the one set up for hot loads will catch the last brass on midrange loads.

I would much rather have one of my 1911s in .38 Super than any of my .357's for self defense.

Hey Stainz. Here is another .45 ACP six shooter option. 1955 Target I put some older S&W stocks on it. It could be my "sniper pistol"

 

[Old School]

I prefer the 45 acp to the 357 mag when it comes to recoil. I like the slow hard push of the 45. That fast hard crack of the 357 isn't as enjoyable to shoot for me. However, I have supreme confidence in the power of the .357.

 

[bestseller92]

When it comes down to it, any quality .45 auto or .357 revolver will serve you well for defense.

Emphasis on "quality".

 

[Robert Hairless]

But please if you feel the need to enter a gun fight..that exceeds the FBI standard 3 shots ,in 3 seconds at 3 Yds. take a rifle.

Quite so. I make it a firm rule to never be attacked with deadly force under any other circumstances.

If an attacker is going to be so boorish as to require more than three rounds at a distance other than three yards at a time other than three seconds, I want nothing to do with him and will not deal with him.

There is far too much riffraff masquerading as good, law abiding criminals nowadays. I follow the rules and I expect no less from those who try to kill me.

 

[HB]

A high capacity .45 semi-auto is the best choice for home defense and concealed carry, hands down.

We all obviously agree on that one

HB

 

[JackCrow]

Robert, I just about fell out of my chair laughing at your post, good one!

Onofre3 - What it comes down to (IMHO) is, can you be honest with yourself? The reality is that .38/.357 and .45 will all give good service and reliability isn't a problem in quality handguns that are adequately maintained.

What you are going to have to do is to go out to the range and try out the guns you are interested in. Then you will have to be honest with yourself about how comfortable with the ergonomics and manual of arms for each individual firearm you try. Make your selection based on that.

Then take the one you decide upon and commit yourself to becoming as proficent in its use as you can possibly be. Everything else will fall into place along the way.

Cheers!

 

[Defensory]

Posted by Onofre3:
Now this is something Ive been hearing about the 357. However I was thinking that I keep the gun loaded with .38s at home but load them with .357s when I'm out? Dang! am I complicating things for myself?

You're not complicating things, but you are making a substantial compromise.

Whereas the .357 and .45 ACP both have proven superior stopping power, the .38 Special does not.

Defensive handgun experts like Massad Ayoob will tell you that the .38 Special is the MINIMUM you should consider when looking for a revolver cartridge for self-defense.

I don't know about you, but if my life is on the line I don't want the "minimum".

Well Im not really out to start a revolver vs semi auto debate as both do have their pros and cons.

Neither am I.

You stated you were primarily interested in a home defense handgun. I explained why the .357 isn't suitable for use in confined spaces and low/no light situations.

I also explained why the .38 Special isn't a good substitute. Reliable one shot stopping power just isn't there, and in a critical situation you might get off only one shot, so you want a proven man stopper.

I would also pass on a 10mm semi-auto for home defense, for the same reasons I'd pass on the .357.

There are no compromises with a .45 ACP semi-auto. The proven stopping power is there, without the deafening muzzle blast and blinding muzzle flash of the .357. The .45's recoil is also noticeably lighter, for better control and faster follow-up shots.

My concern is which would be better in terms of stopping power and penetration, the .45 or the .357?

Since you stated that your prospective handgun would be for home defense, you really need to take more than one or two things into consideration.

Both have proven, well-documented stopping power. The .357's stopping power proved itself in police work for many years, and .45 ACP stopping power has been proven in both military and law enforcement use.

However, the .45 is the better choice for home defense, for the reasons I've previously mentioned.

 

[AStone]

I also explained why the .38 Special isn't a good substitute. Reliable one shot stopping power just isn't there,
and in a critical situation you might get off only one shot, so you want a proven man stopper.

Yeah, maybe.

Still, given +p in a snub
that I look forward to carrying,
I'm happy with my .38 spl.

If something bigger floats your boat, go for it.
I got no issues with that.

But if you're a smaller person looking for a handgun
that you'll never balk at carrying (because it's heavy
and it gets tiresome carrying it around day in and day out),
then don't overlook the .38 spl +p.

And of course, we must raise that familiar reprise:
shot placement, shot placement, shot placement
is more important than velocity, force, etc.

I'm confident that with a double/triple tap,
I can put two/three into torso/head in a sec or so.

Good enough for me.

YMMV.

 

[jashobeam]

Revolvers jamming and tying up

I have twice seen revolvers get tied up due to the bullets "crimp-jumping" and pressing against the frame, thus preventing the cylinder from rotating. I've also seen a shooter unable to pull back the hammer because the cartridges had backed out slightly in the cylinder (or were not fully inserted to begin with) and were pressing against the frame. At least that is what I believe had happened because after I picked up the gun, released and reclosed the cylinder, the action worked fine. The cylinder holes may have been fouled to the degree that the cartridges were sticking slightly. I've also experienced an improperly timed or poorly aligned S&W Airweight that sent tiny, hot fragments of something back into my face. It wasn't jammed or tied up, just scary.