.357 SIG in an STI Trojan 5.0?

[Ninja42]

Recently, the local rulers have decided to allow the .357 SIG for civillian ownership, and as I was contemplating my next gun purchase anyway, I am now seriously considering to get a gun in this caliber. However, as this caliber is new and unproven here, no one is willing to actually import guns for it, and thus the only way to get to own a .357 SIG is to have a 1911 converted from 9x19mm.

Ive already checked the market for 1911s, and it seems that the only manufacturers whose products I can get is Colt (series 70 only), Taurus, Springfield Armory and STI, and of those four I like the feel of the STI Trojan 5.0 SS the best, though I have some questions that I would like some of you expirienced 1911 guys to help me out with.

First, is it a good idea to convert a 9mm 1911 to .357 SIG at all? Ive been told that a gun converted to .357 SIG can wear out fast, and I am only interested in guns that really lasts. Can an STI Trojan stand up to .357 SIG?

And second, what can I actually expect from the .357 SIG in terms of power and ballistics? The smith claims that it is equivalent to .357 magnum on his website, but I think Ive read elsewhere that it is considerably weaker. What speeds can I enspect 127 and 147 grain bullets to reach with a factory load from a 5" barrel? And in IPSC terms, what power factor can I enspect to reach?

 

[NG VI]

I don't know about 1911s, but with every other pistol I know about that can be converted to .357 Sig easily it is always from .40 S&W and back. Since they use the same breechface and usually the barrel outer diameter is the same, the change is generally a drop-in barrel only. Most pistols in .40 don't even need separate magazines to shoot .357 Sig.

As far as the .357 Sig to Magnum power levels, the classic LE loading of the .357 Magnum was a 125 grain bullet at 1400 or 1450 feet per second, while the .357 Sig 125 grain loading is usually always rated at 1350 FPS, so it isn't quite as powerful, but it certainly has more juice than the 124 grain 9x19mm. And the .357 Magnum can push much heavier bullets, and also I think it can be loaded even hotter than its original loads were.

.357 Sig is a good cartridge though, good luck with your caliber swap!

 

[Beagle-zebub]

Rheinmetall MG3, 7.62x51mm NATO

Hell, THAT's what I want to hear about! And they're just now letting you guys have .357 Sig?

 

[mnw42]

I don't know what restrictions you have there, but I don't think that .357 Sig 1911 is your best option. The Super .38 matches Sig (Corbon and handloads) and the 9x23 Win can exceed; I think are a much better fit for the platform. Neither round was adopted by an military and are wholly civilian rounds. They also offer a slightly higher magazine capacity.

 

[Chuck Perry]

I had a 10mm 1911 that I tried to convert to 357SIG. I used a top name bbl and a top name smith; project fell flat on it's face. If you are looking for that level of power in a 35 caliber 1911, I too would recommend either the 38 Super or 9X23.

 

[VegasOPM]

+ 1 on the .38 Super or 9x23. Actually, 9x21 comes pretty close to .357 Sig and is prevalent in Europe- more rounds in the mag too.

 

[bl4ckd0g]

I'd recommend the .38 if you're into handloading. Since it's an older round, it's a versatile cartridge that's quite forgiving. .357 Sig sacrifices another round in the mag.

You can get a 9x23 barrel reamed so that it chambers both .38 Super and 9x23 win without a problem.

 

[RobMoore]

Another vote for 38 super. Your target won't know the difference, and its an established cartidge for the 1911.