357 sig

[basicblur]

The OP might want be interested in this? (stream or download as MP3)

ProArms Podcast covers 357 SIG cartridge
"We're Getting the Band Back Together" to discuss the .357SIG cartridge
(discussion starts @ the 8 minute mark).

It’s been a long time since we had the whole Band together, this time we have everyone but Mike (he was up “nort”) to discuss our experiences with the .357SIG cartridge. The topic was by listener request. Learn how many state police departments have adopted it, why it can be an ideal personal protection round in rural areas, and why some of our podcast team members carry that caliber daily.

 

[AK103K]

I was enamored with the 357SIG for a number of years, and carried one daily while I was. Never really ran into all the problems the naysayers tell you, other than towards the end of using it, price did become a factor.

I used to by both .40 and 357SIG by the case, and the price was always the same for both. Last I checked, the 357SIG had gone up a good bit more. Even reloading became pricey, mainly because of the price of the bullets, which tend to be caliber specific.

Reloading the round isnt any harder than any of the others, and only requires one extra step if you use a .40 sizer instead of lube. I never had any issues with neck tension, and with the proper powder and load, bullet set back is a non issue.

The round does have a bit of a "bark", but I never found it to be all that bad. I also never found it to be "flashy", factory or reloads, so I dont know what people were using who claim it is. I used to shoot mine indoors quite a bit, and it wasnt any worse than anything else there either. Recoil is really no different than +P+ 9mm out of the same model gun.

The 357mag lovers always chime in about how much better and more versatile the 357mag is, and in some respects they are right. The 357SIG does seem to do what it was designed to do, and that is mimic the old 125 grain 357mag loading. Its main purpose is fairly narrow, that being a personal defense round, so all "versatility" aside, it works as designed. Something the "mag" lovers tend to leave out too is, you cant get a 357mag in an auto loader that has the grip size and mag capacity of a 9mm. The smaller 357SIG's also tend to be a lot easier to shoot well with than the smaller 357mags, in any configuration, although I dont see either being the right choice in that respect.


While I like the round, I gave it up a couple of years back and went back to 9mm. Ammos cheaper, reloading is cheaper, and in its +P+ loading with similar weight bullets, its basically the same thing.

If youre interested in 357SIG, by all means, give it a try. I dont think youll dislike it. Just dont be surprised that down the road, you start getting that 'meh' felling about it, and realize that you can accomplish the same thing, and be shooting more for less with other things.

 

[Maple_City_Woodsman]

DNR Conservation officers carry Sigs in 357 Sig around here, but we don't have any bears.

They are worried about belligerent poachers, pot farmers, making shots across bodies of water, penetrating barriers, and putting down wounded herbivores. For those roles, the 357 Sig is an excellent tool.

In many respects, those are the same qualities most of us should be looking for in many many US states. The 'B' word should not in any way be the litmus test for 99% of outdoorsmen in the lower 48.

 

[1stmarine]

Do the average folks in most situations need to use these rounds? no!
Do many other calibers with and w/o +P hp can get the job done? Yes!

357 SIG is a very nice round, flat shooting and hard hitting.
Plan to spend a little more as it costs more to shoot (not to reload)
Austrian special police shoot 80-90gr solid pills in excess of 2000fps.
Very effective to defeat type II and IIIA body armor.
It is the US Secret service choice for a reason.
So is the choice of the local Police department here that have plenty of money from our local taxes!

For civilians several 124gr HP moving at 1400+fps are a great defensive choice.
5" is adequate. I would keep full size as with a 9mm +P+ is all about speed.

 

[Deputy25]

I work in the woods (Conservation Officer) and I'm issued a Glock 31 in 357Sig. It does everything we need it to do, and then some. It replaced our S&W 686 revolvers and was a big upgrade in the opinion of the troops in the field. As far as use on large critters, that's what our issued long guns are for.

 

[basicblur]

Plan to spend a little more as it costs more to shoot

May depend on your area, or maybe just shop around a bit-prices vary wildly.
I notice online SD 357 SIG costs 'bout the same as other SD rounds, and many times cheaper than stuff like 9mm+P & +P+, 45ACP, etc.

If you have any police supply houses in your area, you need to pay 'em a visit.
I have 'bout three on my regular shopping run, and so far I've been able to find 357 SIG as cheap or cheaper than 9mm +P.
It might be because I live in an area where numerous agencies have gone to the 357 SIG that it's cheaper?

I made a BIG dent in one police supply house-they had Remington Golden Saber Bonded in 357 SIG for $17.95/box of 50!

I just backed ye olde truck up to the door...

 

[1stmarine]

basicblur,
There are exceptions of course and it is a good thing to check with local supply houses.
With the exception of the carry HP options that vary in price and specs but for the purposes of training I use a local warehouse and the best I can do is $320 for 1000 vs $210 for 1000 in 40caliber and $190 in 9mm luger all in Federal American Eagle.
I do watch for deals and buy bulk as I shoot between 7-9K training IDPA rounds/year so in the end all adds up.

If someone suggested the .357 SIG is a substitute for the .357 mag that is wrong. But in reality the idea behind the SIG was to reproduce .357 ballistics in that grain range 110-124gr in
a small package that would feed very reliable from a small frame semi-automatic pistol. So Federal and SIG Sauer arms manufacturer after lots of research took the .40cal and necked that one down to 9mm and
there you have it. .357 mag has many other options and can be pumped to extremes. There is no 180gr SIG hunting cartridge and that was not the objective.

I have these going at 1510-1520fps out of a 5" lone wolf barrel... That is 636ft/lb ..not too far behind may 124gr .357 mags, in this case superior....

http://www.shopcorbon.com/Self-Defe...N-Self-Defense-JHP/SD357SIG125-20/100/Product

http://www.shopcorbon.com/Self-Defe...RBON-Self-Defense-JHP/SD357125-20/100/Product

It can be a pain to reload but reloading process can be improved with a bit of dollars/tools and patience.

 

[Old krow]

If you can stomach the Glock platform, I'd suggest the Glock 20. You'd have the option to shoot the 10mm, .357SIG, or the .40SW.

I wouldn't feel under gunned with a .357SIG, but, I like having options.

 

[1stmarine]

As I said, the key is going long. No compacts here.

Nobody should feel undergunned with anything they feel comfortable shooting even if it is a 44 magnum ...and with fast good placement.

.357 SIG is flat shooting, hard hitting and manageable recoil and that is why it is the choice of many agencies including the secret service.
There are other reasons that is the objective to defeat body armor from
small frames. No critical for the average folks.

As a curiosity some of Secret Service choices.
SIG sauer .357 SIG
H&K MP5
FN 5.7
FN P90
Remington 870
A.I. 308, 7mm REM-MAG