I've heard alot of negative things about this caliber. I myself have noticed that it's insanely over-priced. So over-priced that it's not even worth owning a 357SIG handgun IMO. Lately I've heard that the 9mm +P and the .40S&W both outperform the 357SIG. Is this true, if it is why do people use the round?
357sig
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AK103K
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Where have you heard all these negative things? I think its safe to assume its not from the owners of them.
Everything is expensive these days. If you buy in bulk, they are not really all that far apart. Couple of bucks a box one way or the other.
I have guns in all three of the calibers you mention, and so far, the 357SIG is my favorite. Its accurate, potent, and easy to shoot well with.
Everything is expensive these days. If you buy in bulk, they are not really all that far apart. Couple of bucks a box one way or the other.
I have guns in all three of the calibers you mention, and so far, the 357SIG is my favorite. Its accurate, potent, and easy to shoot well with.
ccmdfd
Member
How are you defining "outperform"?
Most (with emphasis on most) experts conceed that all major calibers (9, .40, .45, .357) perform equally, or so close to equally that the difference can't be measured, in real world performance.
It does have more recoil and flash than 9mm although most of that is dependant on the specific gun being used. It potentially has better barrier penetration than 9mm. It's recoil is considered equal, or close to it, for .40 and .45's.
cc
Most (with emphasis on most) experts conceed that all major calibers (9, .40, .45, .357) perform equally, or so close to equally that the difference can't be measured, in real world performance.
It does have more recoil and flash than 9mm although most of that is dependant on the specific gun being used. It potentially has better barrier penetration than 9mm. It's recoil is considered equal, or close to it, for .40 and .45's.
cc
Autolycus
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If .357 Sig is overpriced then .45 ACP must be overpriced as it is more expensive for a box of that.
AK103K
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klover
Member
Why not rent or borrow one, shoot it, then
come back and tell us the round is no fun at all?
All my autos are .357 sig except the .45 and .22. There, I rest my case
come back and tell us the round is no fun at all?
All my autos are .357 sig except the .45 and .22. There, I rest my case
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just what I've heard
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You hang around a gun store, a range, anyplace frequented by cops, or an internet firearms discussion board, and you will "hear" an awful lot of nonsense about the performance of various handgun calibers.
I have never seen any kind of reliable evidence that any of the defensive handgun calibers (9mm, 357 SIG, 40sw, 45acp) are any better than any of the others in real-life defensive situations.
Such comparisons tend to be long on hype, unfounded opinion, and misdirected testosterone - and very short on facutal substance.
just what I've heard
---------------------
You hang around a gun store, a range, anyplace frequented by cops, or an internet firearms discussion board, and you will "hear" an awful lot of nonsense about the performance of various handgun calibers.
I have never seen any kind of reliable evidence that any of the defensive handgun calibers (9mm, 357 SIG, 40sw, 45acp) are any better than any of the others in real-life defensive situations.
Such comparisons tend to be long on hype, unfounded opinion, and misdirected testosterone - and very short on facutal substance.
Well,my personal experience:I started with 45acp as my favorite,now I own 7 pistols that are dual-caliber,that is,both 40S&W and 357sig.With the exception of one,just a barrel change is all you need.I put my flawless Millenium Pro 45acp in the safe,now I carry a customized(grip reduction,I hate the Glock "bulge") Glock 27/33 with the 357 barrel in it.
As stated above,buy in bulk,Outdoor Marksman,Precision Cartridge,and Georgia Arms are a few to look at,price difference is very small,plus when you buy 1000 at a time you NEVER have to worry if the store has any in stock...
As stated above,buy in bulk,Outdoor Marksman,Precision Cartridge,and Georgia Arms are a few to look at,price difference is very small,plus when you buy 1000 at a time you NEVER have to worry if the store has any in stock...
Harley Quinn
Member
The ammo can be pricey compared to 9mm, I just bought some Fiocchi for $19.95 a box. 
400 Corbon is more money and about the same perfomance with the 125/140 grain ammo.
I have noticed that 45 goes on sale where these other 2 don't. I shoot the 9mm for practice and the others I carry
400 Corbon is more money and about the same perfomance with the 125/140 grain ammo.I have noticed that 45 goes on sale where these other 2 don't. I shoot the 9mm for practice and the others I carry
I have a G19 and G32. 9mm and .357 sig respectively. The G32 is collecting dust. I shoot and carry the G19.
For me, the .357sig is too expensive to shoot compared to the 9mm and I am comfortable carrying the "underpowered" 9mm for self defense therefore my G19 is the one that doesn't look like it's brand new.
I still like shooting the 357sig when i have some extra cash.
For me, the .357sig is too expensive to shoot compared to the 9mm and I am comfortable carrying the "underpowered" 9mm for self defense therefore my G19 is the one that doesn't look like it's brand new.
I still like shooting the 357sig when i have some extra cash.
possum
Member
i agree that the .357 sig is expensive but all good defense rds are, i think that the .357 sig is an awesome defense rd, and happens to be my favorite, i wish it was cheaper, since i like to train with my carry guns so much and put so many rds through them a year, it isn't cost effective for me to have one but i would definetly have one if money wasn't an option.
1man
Member
Another 357 Sig junkie here!
I think I love it more than 45acp(it's extremely close)! I have 4 that shoot the 357Sig(3 Sig P229s & 1 HK USPc)!
I think I love it more than 45acp(it's extremely close)! I have 4 that shoot the 357Sig(3 Sig P229s & 1 HK USPc)!
Just where are your sources? There is a reason why "hearsay" is not allowed in courts.
I prefer .357 Sig because it shoots better for me out of my Sig P229. I have been shooting .40SW since it came out in the early 1990s but have never liked the round. 9mm is fine, but I'd prefer a larger (.45ACP) or peppier (.357Sig) round for SD.
the 125gr 357mag round has the highest number of one shot stops recorded in LE. It is by most considered the best self defense round. With that said the 357-sig does the same in a auto format with high cap mags. It has the penetration of a 9mm with the stopping power of a 357mag. And it is just a barrel switch from the 40s&w round which is also a great caliber. Personally I think the 400 corbon makes more sense, but I love my 357-sig.
alucard0822
Member
I have been a fan of 38 super and 357 mag for a long time, but both have limitations, not necisarily of the cartridge, but in support. There are very few new pistols made in 38 super that are not 1911 platform, and only a model or two that are. I love the 1911, but not everyone does, and with striker fired, DAO, or DA/SA being the predominant sidearm and ccw type today, the lack of choices in 38super is it's main hinderance.
357 mag has several modern REVOLVERS chambered in it, a couple rare or impractical autos, but with a capacity limited to 7 or 8 rounds at most, many people shy away in favor of an extra 6 to 10 rounds they probably won't need to use, and proficient use of a revolver is a skill in it's own right, firing a long DA trigger is something a lot of people can't get used to.
This brings us to the 357 sig, it does most of what 357 and 38 super do, but with greater capacity than 357mag, and more choices in new pistols than 38 super. I do like the caliber, and hope it stays around, and while it is not my absolute favorite, it is hard to beat in a compact auto.
357 mag has several modern REVOLVERS chambered in it, a couple rare or impractical autos, but with a capacity limited to 7 or 8 rounds at most, many people shy away in favor of an extra 6 to 10 rounds they probably won't need to use, and proficient use of a revolver is a skill in it's own right, firing a long DA trigger is something a lot of people can't get used to.
This brings us to the 357 sig, it does most of what 357 and 38 super do, but with greater capacity than 357mag, and more choices in new pistols than 38 super. I do like the caliber, and hope it stays around, and while it is not my absolute favorite, it is hard to beat in a compact auto.
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
I converted my main carry gun, a Sig P239, from .40 to .357 Sig about 2 years ago and I won't go back.
I am much happier with the way it shoots. Reliability was already rock solid so that's not been a concern. I have 500-600 rounds through and never missed a lick.
I am much happier with the way it shoots. Reliability was already rock solid so that's not been a concern. I have 500-600 rounds through and never missed a lick.
kd7nqb
Member
One of my buddies has a G32 in .357sig and comparing shooting that to shooting my .40S&W M&P I still prefer my .40 BUT that may have just as much to do with different guns than it does caliber. .357sig is normally more expensive than .40S&W BUT if they come out with a .357sig slide/ barrel for my m&p I might get one.
1SOW
Member
I've shot 9mm, 357 sig and 40cal in Sig p239. With similar ammo, the recoil goes up (but not bad) as you step up. The 357 is a flat shooter with good stopping power. One thing I read on M.D. Smith's reloading site, is that you have to be careful when you keep taking the "premium protection" rounds out of your magazine when you go plinking, and then puting them back in later. The 357 Sig doesn't seat deeply in the brass, so repeated handling can push the bullet deeper and make it dangerous to fire.
EBRDude
Member
Bullet setback is dangerous in any pistol caliber. I reloaded 357sig and never had any problems with setback, even using the same carry ammo for almost a year before replacing it with fresh loads. The Lee FCD is your friend.
Harley Quinn
Member
When you are reloading the 357 is there any loads (powder) that is compressed?
EBRDude
Member
AA#9 has some compressed loads. I used Blue Dot mostly.
AK103K
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I use AA #9. Works great. Setback isnt an issue with it. AA #7 also works well.
I've never really experienced setback with factory ammo. I usually dont rechamber the same round more than a couple of times either. How you load does make a difference. If you let the slide slam home, you'll experience it sooner than if you load it easy. I quit doing the load, unload, load thing a long time ago. I generally leave the gun loaded all the time now.
I've never really experienced setback with factory ammo. I usually dont rechamber the same round more than a couple of times either. How you load does make a difference. If you let the slide slam home, you'll experience it sooner than if you load it easy. I quit doing the load, unload, load thing a long time ago. I generally leave the gun loaded all the time now.
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