Buy a .357 or a .45 - NOT a caliber war

Which one would you rather have?

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You already have 2 semi's, its time for a change, get the revolver 1st and pick up the .45 later.

Good used revolvers are going up fast in price.
 
This gun will be used for everything but carry (P99 fills that need). Home defense, range time, showing off, etc. I intend to buy both...but it's rather which should come first.
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A revolver is more versatile WRT power levels. Any of the straight walled "revolver" rounds (357 magnum, 44 magnum, 45 LC) can be loaded and fired successfully through a very wide power range - from "bullet barely leaves barrel" to "I think I broke my wrist" without any changes to the revolver.

That is also true if you want to play with different bullet types (FMJ, Hollowpoint, SWC, etc) because there are no "feed" issues with a revolver.

That may or may not be important to you.

Mike
 
For sheer fun at the range : either the .357 or the .45ACP
For personal protection : either the .357 or the .45ACP
For a CCW : S&W 442 or 360PD Ultra light weight, mega-dependable & packs a huge punch!
 
Get the .357 simply because prelocks are not that common and its pretty easy to get a SA 1911.
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I favor the .45 first, and that's the way I voted... but this is an excellent point. If you have a line on a clean Smith pre-lock at an attractive price, that's the one to get first, I have to admit.

They may not be so easy to come by later.

SA 1911's will be around.
 
SO HARD TO PICK.

I like Smiths and Rugers plenty, BUT a full size 1911 is absolutely mandatory to own while the .357 can be a little more tricky in terms of which one and for what purpose...

The way I look at it is, as always, from a practical CCW standpoint. Not sure I could conceal a 686 all that well (the compact grip-accepting GP100 is another story, however) while I'm very confident I could conceal a 1911. I generally like how revolvers feel and operate and I love everything about a .357, but a .45 could potentially make more sense at this time.

I hate it when people say this, but I gotta do the same: you could hardly go wrong with either.
 
People always bring up the different available power levels that a revolver can use, but I use a 18.5lb spring in my 1911 and it will cycle starting 185-grain target loads all the way up to +P levels of performance. Just hold it like you mean it ;)

Granted you can always go lower with a revolver, I'm not really sure you gain anything by doing so after a certain point.
 
2.7 grains Bullseye behind a Lee cast 148 grain wadcutter is a very accurate load in all my .38s and .357s and makes a great small game load for squiirel or rabbit. In some of my guns, I like a 105 grain Lee SWC (very accurate bullet) in front of 2.3 grains bullseye. It approximates .22LR for power, but past 30 yards it has a lot of drop. Great plinker, though, very cheap to load. A can of bullseye lasts forever. Of course, revolvers are generally more accurate than autos and can do things like hunt small game if you get a good one. The most accurate 1911 might put 'em into 1", but it won't be particularly great for what most 1911 shooters have a 1911 for, self defense. The gun has to be loose to be reilable and loose doesn't jive with accurate.

I consider the 4" DA .357 magnum revolver far more useful than the average auto for reasons of versatility in the field as well as being a fine and powerful self defense weapon, one of the best stoppers of all time in police hands, in fact. It may be a little slower to reload, but don't tell Jerry Miculek that. :D Of course, I'm no Jerry Miculek, but I don't reckon I'll need worry about speed reloads too much in a civilian self defense role. I'd rather have one hot 140 grain .357 magnum jacketed hollowpoint well placed than a magazine of hardball sprayed all over, personally.
 
A pre lock 686 is the one to pick up now while you can. The 1911 isn't going anywhere, it will still be there and ammo for the 686 is $8/ 50 rd of 38's around here $11 for 50 rd of Blazer 45. Grab the S&W while you can.
 
.

I think that as long as you are comfortable with a revolver and can
shoot it well, the .357 Magnum caliber in a medium/large frame would suit
your purposes better than a .45 ACP caliber pistol.

For HD and showing off (range), a .357 Magnum through a 4" barrel will be
at least equal to the .45 ACP, and will likely outperform in terms of
accuracy.

As others have mentioned, the revolver and its ammo (.38 & .357) might be
less expensive, if that is a consideration.

It is important to remember that there is no wrong choice here. This is a
personal preference issue.

:)

Will anyone else in the house be using the gun? If so, maybe their
preference should decide.
 
I voted for the 357.

I like both but if I had one choice it would be the 357:uhoh:

I actually prefer the semi autos now, in other calibers but that is another topic:)
 
I voted 1911 because they are, in .45ACP, my favorite pistol, bar none. I have a pair of 686's (4" & 2 1/2") and like them a lot. :)
 
"can't say I agree with you on that one glockman19. Actually I was going to mention that in addition to the .357 disadvantages listed by Gustav, I would add ammo cost to the list. I get blaser brass at $10 or $11 a box to feed my .45s. I find .357 and even .38 ammo to be considerably more expensive."

Nonsense. .38 spl ammo is much less expensive than .45 ammo.
Federal American Eagle is less than Blazer Brass and you can reload it when your done. If you can't find .38 spl ammo cheaper than .45, then you are not looking very hard.
 
more of a revolver fan...voted for .357 magnum; had @ 6 1911's over the years and not really impressed with the 'hit and miss' of reliability; if I were to consider a .45 acp semiautomatic that did some defensive work in its stint with me, I would be looking at something more modern in design that is meant to run defensive loads (Glock, H&K, Springer XD, etc);

if you want both a revolver and .45 acp, there are a few ways to combine both...S&W 625 or older 25 for DA or Ruger Blackhawk combo w/ cylinders for .45 LC & .45 acp for SA; I like .45 cal, but I went pure retro and got an Uberti Cattleman in .45 LC...as long as I don't try to run hot & macho loads, it will last a lifetime
 
I say the .357. Simply cuz of the versatility. Very cheap to shoot 38s all day long and can load up some good 357 if you want to do some more serious PD or handgun hunting. I have both a 45 and 357 enjoy the heck out of both of em.
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could'nt agree more.
 
For hunting I would go for the .357 for self defense I would go 45acp.

I like 45 acp vs .357 for SD because of lower recoil pulse, low flash and subsonic.

.357 can be loaded up or down for just about anything you care to hunt and is also a good choice for self defense.

Just imho.
 
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