357 Sig or 40 S&W

[rbernie]

You have chosen a 4" barreled compact pistol platform for range work and possible CCW. You can have this WunderTacticalPistole in 40 S&W or 357 Sig. Which of the two chamberings do you choose, and why?

 

[ugaarguy]

I have just chosen a 4.25" pistol for range and CCW use. It is a 1911 type pistol in 45 ACP. I like the 45 ACP for is slow push, as opposed to rapid snap like the others', recoil charecteristics. The low pressure of the 45 ACP results in less flash and muzzle blast than the other, much higher pressure, cartridges. I believe the lower flash and blast are important in a defensive pistol, as the likelihood of it being used in low light or indoors (home defense) is high. Lastly, while unlikely, the large bore of a 45 does provide a backup in that the round starts with a large diameter should a hollow point fail to expand; unlikely with modern ammo, but still nice to have. I went with a 1911 because it fits my hand and I enjoy the trigger feel inherent to the design. That is what works for me.

The reality is that any of the cartridges listed will do the job, and do it well. Find the pistol that fits your hand and choose the cartridge that you feel most comfortable shooting.

 

[10-Ring]

I like the 357sig as a platform, but I just don't like the expense That said, I'd go 9mm or 45 acp - whichever one you can get the most trigger time training on

 

[rbernie]

Y'all have missed the point - in the scenario provided, I already HAVE chosen the pistol that works for me. It's only available in 40S&W or 357 Sig.

I only put the third choice in to accomodate the (so I thought) few who would find the need to draw outside the lines I provided.

 

[C-grunt]

I chose .40 as the .357 Sig still isnt available everywhere and its more expensive.

Just out of curiosity, what gun is available in .40/.357 and not 9mm?

 

[kirkcdl]

I have concealable pistols in 40,45,and 357sig.I carry the 357 because it works better for me at follow up shots and overall accuracy.Ammo is more expensive,but I'm worth it...

 

[PO2Hammer]

I have a Sig P226ST .40. I thought I would end up buying a .357 barrel for it for accuracy's sake.
No need. My Sig shoots as good as I can hold out to 50 yards, nailing 4X4 wood scraps when I do my part.
I recently shot a friends XD in .40 that was almost as good at 50 yards the very first time I tried it.
I would like to try .357 Sig, but .40 comes first for me.

 

[Greg8098]

357 SIG

Lots of flash and boom,... always a definite plus in my book!

 

[Rampant_Colt]

.357 Sig FTW!

I voted for the .357 Sig cause you can always buy a .40S&W barrel for it later on.
I should have bought the Glock 33(is that the full-sized model?) in .357Sig and bought an extra .40 barrel. Evidently the .357 Sig models are beefed-up in critical points because of the higher pressures.

I use the .40S&W barrel in the warmer months and switch to the .357 when it gets cold out.

 

[WYO]

I don't know the answer, but I would want to know what kind of chronographed velocities people are getting in 5 inch versus 4 inch .357 Sigs. If it drops off too much, it's not worth it. My own velocity tests in .40 show inconsequential velocity loss in that caliber between 5 inch and 3.5 inch guns with the 180's I carry.

 

[greyeyezz]

357 Sig

My 357Sig barrel groups WAY better than my 40 barrel in my P229, both Sig barrels. Recoil is a tossup.

 

[GungHo]

.357 SIG's availability is regional. There's plenty of it in my area. It's more expensive than .40, but it's not a significant increase.

I have a 357 Dragon(something) barrel for my SIG 229, but I'm considering just using the .40 and dropping the .357 I just don't feel it's adding anything except buying a wider variety of ammo and burning my fingertips if I wanna switch barrels at the range.

There's no real difference in shooting either, except that I have to remember to aim higher with .357, as the sights are designed for .40.

 

[gudel]

I'd go with the 40. costs less, and available plenty.

 

[ugaarguy]

Y'all have missed the point - in the scenario provided, I already HAVE chosen the pistol that works for me. It's only available in 40S&W or 357 Sig.

Ahh, now that you've clarified this I would go with 40 S&W for wider ammo availability and slightly lower cost. I also like the heavier bullet weights available in 40 S&W as opposed to 357 SIG. Honestly if it's down to those two chamberings either will be more than adequate so get the one you like best.

I only put the third choice in to accomodate the (so I thought) few who would find the need to draw outside the lines I provided.

By putting the third choice in you expanded the boundaries, and many folks voted within the boundaries of the poll. With the third choice in the poll your question read as more a hypothetical scenario than an actual scenario. Though, like others, I'm curious as to what pistol is available in 40 S&W and 357 SIG, but not 9mm.

Regardless of all that it sounds like you've done your homework and found a pistol that fits you, and that's what's important - great job .

 

[DogBonz]

I chose neither

But from thoes two, I'd take the 357 sig.

 

[two tone]

.40 is the compromise round. like alot of people i prefer 180 grain. imho the 357 sig is more for Law enforcement, the reason being is it penetrates light barriers (auto glass for example).

 

[highlander 5]

40 S&W if you reload or decide to you'll find tons of once fired brass at your local range

 

[Dollar An Hour]

.357 Sig

.357 Sig ammo isn't that expensive if you buy online. It's also nice that practice FMJ ammo like CCI Lawman is loaded to the same pressures as JHP defense ammo like Gold Dots.

I like .357 Sig - with those velocities you should get nice expansion & penetration.

 

[Just_a_dude_with_a_gun]

I couldn't afford to practice with .357sig in my P239. So I sold that barrel and only used the .40s&w bbl in it.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

I own several 9mm's- CZPCR, BHP, P225 come to mind quickest, and I've carried each as a CCW at one or another point in time. I also have a P220 in .45ACP, of course, with the same criteria. SWMBO carries a Springer Micro in .45as well.

Of those, which are splendid pistols, none gets carried as much as my P229 in 357sig. I'd say at least 350 of 365 days a year, it's the P229. The rest are rotated incidentally, with the P220 being the heaviest in that otherwise light rotation.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[amprecon]

Went with G23 because of the larger bullet diameter and weight and ammo is easier to find and cheaper and the muzzle blast isn't so prominent.

 

[Shrike360]

The main reason the .45 feels more like a push is because it is a subsonic round in most cases, combined with the lower pressure.

As a note, there are some very low recoiling .40s out there. But then again, I don't mind the recoil of it, it doesn't seem much more to me than a 9mm.

 

[pinotguy]

357 SIG all the way. I am well aware that it is decidedly more expensive, but I think the premium you pay is surpassed by performance. I am coming around to .40 S&W though, - in +P/+P+ formats. One of my dream guns is a 1911 CCO chambered in 357 SIG and I could always buy an additional .40 S&W barrel.

 

[possum]

I would take the .40 simply because i ammo cost and avaliablity of the ammo. the .40 would allow you more bang for your buck. which is what i like, but i am kinda partial to the .40 so that might explain it!

 

[fastbolt]

.40 S&W

I have my own reasons, however, and you've got to make your own choice.

I prefer not to make such decisions for myself based upon a polling of either friends or strangers ...