.357 SIG Causing Accelerated Wear in Unspecified Handguns

[Anthony]

Hello Everyone,

I have heard scattered police reports of the .357 SIG causing unexpectedly fast accelerated wear and tear on handguns. Although I realize that high pressure cartridges age a given handgun faster than a lower pressure one, these reports allege that the users are experiencing unusually fast aging in their handguns even for a high pressure piece.

Has anyone else heard this?

Can you provide any details or sources?

Was thinking of buying a .357 SIG handgun for its many excellent qualities, but would like to know what I'm getting into as far as wear and tear goes.

Thanks for the help.

- Anthony

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Time will tell, but I dont see how this could be a surprise.

Arent most 357 sigs just 9mm guns rechambered?

If 357 mags wear out a K frame faster than 38 special then why would anyone doubt that 357 sig would wear a gun out faster than 9mm??

 

[JohnKSa]

Arent most 357 sigs just 9mm guns rechambered?

Well, in a round about sort of way.

They're 40S&W guns that have been rebarreled. However, you're sort of correct since a lot of 40 S&W guns were not much changed versions of existing 9mm pistols.

The issue is slide velocity. The big clue should have been when Beretta, who immediately chambered their 92 for the 40S&W and called it the 96 refused to release a 357Sig version.

As it is, the 96 has a reduced service life expectancy compared to the 92, and Beretta felt that the higher slide velocity of the .357Sig was going to reduce that life expectancy further to the point of being unacceptable.

The BEST way to shoot .357 Sig is to get a new barrel for a 10mm pistol. You get all the benefits of the .357Sig and you're actually going easier on your gun than the caliber it's designed for!

 

[Lone_Gunman]

JohnKSa,

Having to use a 10 mm gun for a 9 mm round though is kind of awkward.

Part of the supposed advantage of the 357 sig was that it could be packaged into 9 mm sized guns.

If you are going to use a 10 mm sized gun, would seem reasonable just to use the 10 mm cartridge.

 

[JohnKSa]

Having to use a 10 mm gun for a 9 mm round though is kind of awkward.

If you think about it like that then you are right. However, the .357Sig is a decent step up in performance from standard pressure 9mm. Closer to .357 Mag than 9mm. Having to use a 10mm gun for a .357Mag round is pretty close to exactly what you need.

Part of the supposed advantage of the 357 sig was that it could be packaged into 9 mm sized guns.

And it can be, but at the expense of durability. After all, it's been possible to get .357 Sig performance out of a 9mm sized pistol for years--using +P+ ammunition. Why people accept that +P+ will wear out a 9mm quickly but think that a .357 Sig (9mm+P+ performance in a 9mm sized package) should last forever is a mystery to me.

If you are going to use a 10 mm sized gun, would seem reasonable just to use the 10 mm cartridge.

Well, you could also say that if you want to get magnum performance, it's reasonable to expect magnum size.

You don't get something for nothing. If you cram a .357 mag into a 9mm pistol, you're going to pay for it in durability.

 

[Preacherman]

John Farnam has this to say (see here for the source):

19 Jan 03

A student and good friend in a course we are doing here in CA, like me, uses a G32 in 357Sig. His slide cracked at 10,000 rounds and was promptly replaced by Glock at no cost. Yesterday, at 20,000 rounds, the barrel lugs sheared. I'm sure Glock will take care of that too, but this caliber (357Sig) is obviously a lot harder on guns than is the 40S&W and others.

High chamber pressure and high slid velocities obviously take their toll. My G32 is at 2,500 rounds (mostly Cor-Bon), and I have had no problem with it. I also have a SIG239 in 357Sig. It is new and works fine. We'll see how it holds up as we round rounds through it.

I believe the 357Sig caliber to be a significant development in handgunning technology. From what we know so far, its terminal effect is outstanding, but guns chambered for it, even Glocks, are going to be battered as they are with no other caliber. Glock's and SIG's excellent service philosophy are surely helpful, but the user's expectations with regard to the useful life of the pistol are going to have to be adjusted accordingly.

/John