How Does a .45 ACP Revolver Feel Compared to a .357?

[D-Man]

I didn't want to clutter up the other .45 ACP Revolver thread with this 'newbie' question.....

How does a revolver in .45 ACP feel compared against a similar sized .357? The two closest models that S&W makes I can think of is the 625 and the 686.

 

[pinkymingeo]

What do you mean by feel? I find perceived recoil lower in the 45.

 

[D-Man]

^ Basic 'shooting feel' - I also would believe that the .45ACP is a softer shooter compared to .357 (using standard loads in each).

 

[Hutch]

In similar size/weight revolvers, the .45 has less recoil and report. In fact, I think the .45ACP revolver has one of the most "pleasant" (if you can call it that) reports of any handgun. Not an ear-splitting supersonic crack, not a bark, but a very satisfying roar.

The only counter-example to this I can think of is a friend's 625-10, that scandium-framed 2" weird puppy. My WORD, that thing punished me....

 

[Tom Servo]

.45ACP is a completely different bird in revolvers than it is in automatics, but that's a different thread

Recoil is less pronounced, which is a given since a revolver weighs twice as much as a pistol. It's certainly less than you'll feel with a .357, not to mention quieter.

Bear in mind, all the .45ACP revolvers I've seen are the larger N-Frames, which are girthier than the K/L-Frame .357's.

All said, you don't realize what an accurate round the .45 is until you've fired it out of a 6" revolver.

 

[8ring]

The .45 acp revolver that most everyone uses is a S&W 625, a N-frame revolver. This is the same frame used for .44 mag (629), .45 colt, and other fairly heavy rounds. The weight and smooth action of the 625 with a 4" or 5" barrel make for a pleasant shooting experience.

In contrast, most .357s are built on medium sized frames (Ruger GP100, Security Six, S & W 686(L-frame), Dan Wesson Model 15). The lighter weight of the medium frame revolvers combined with the higher pressures and lighter bullets of the .357 creates more muzzle blast and perceived recoil.

I've shoot full zoot .357 mags factory rounds (125gr UMC) out of my GP-100 with a 6" barrel. While manageable, after about 48 rounds I say that enough is enough. Even milder reloads (158gr at 1,100 fps) become tedious after a while.

Then there are those small frame or scandium frame .357 mags with short barrels. I've never shot any one of these but can imagine that the recoil and muzzle blast with full power .357s would be harsh. Using one of these devices would also be a good way to develop a flinch.

On the other hand, I've shot up to 200 of my .45 acp IPSC reloads through my 625 at one time without complaint.

Good luck in selecting a wheelgun. For more information about this fascinating topic, visit Grant Cunningham's website.

Chris

 

[BikerRN]

I went shooting yesterday and fired those two calibers out of my revolvers.

I shot 100 rounds of the 45 ACP. It was a nice, pleasant feeling with a smooth "roll" to the recoil. I then shot 160 or so, rounds of 125 Grain JHP's out of my 3" .357 Magnum. It is not quite the "beast" everyone makes it out to be, but it is definately more noticeable.

Both are good rounds in a revolver and my EDC off duty is a 4" N-Frame right now. I'll be switching to the 3" Ruger GP100 after I have it worked on by a gunsmith. For myself I won't shoot .357 Magnum out of a barrel shorter than 3" and actually prefer a 5" barrel.

With the .357 Magnum I need to be more concious of what stocks are on the gun. In short, Rubber with a covered Backstrap is the only way to go, IMHO. With the 45 ACP I often use a pair of "Boot Grips" that leave the Backstrap exposed and don't have a place to put my little finger, if that tells you anything.

If I had to pick one revolver caliber to carry it would be the .357 Magnum as it is the more versitle round.

Biker

 

[S&Wfan]

Hi,

I once had (before foolishly trading off both) a pair of N frame revolvers with virtually the same length barrells . . . a 6" Model 27 in .357 and a 5" Model 625 in .45ACP.

I used 'em in pin matches, both wearing Hogue monogrip rubber grips for speed and comfort. So here is an apples to apples comparison of the two guns on the same frame and basic barrel lenth:

Even in the N frame, for fast shooting the .357 wheelgun still slapped your hand with that sharp sting of a stout .357 load. The .45ACP? Man, what a soft and sweet shooting round that is!!!

An N frame in .45ACP is a soft-shooting pussycat with that pleasant (anyway) recoil charecteristic of a .45ACP (a firm push rather than a sharp sting).

Due to the recoil charecteristics, plus moonclip flexibility and speed, IMHO a .45ACP revolver is the ultimate "combat"/self defense wheelgun! Even in this 3 1/4" configuration, it is quite fun to shoot . . . including recoil wise!

 

[jameslovesjammie]

S&Wfan said it best: .45 is more of a slow push, .357 is a sharp snap.

The .45 operates at 21,000 psi in standard form, 23,000 in +P form. The .357 runs at 35,000. The higher pressure of the .357 produces more muzzle blast, and, in some shooters, gives more PERCEIVED recoil because of the flash.

 

[Stainz]

Most folks will think that the recoil is greater in a 4" 625 than a 1911, given the same ball ammo. The revolver weighs 6+ oz more - but has no recoil-absorbing action to lengthen the time of the recoil impulse, effectively lessening it. Also, typically, your grip of a 1911 is tighter (Grip safety & no limp wristing!). I prefer the 625. It does weigh 3 oz over the 6-shot 686, but takes a near identical grip (slight internal shape difference). Actually, Hoques backstrap padding grips made as OEM grips on the .460/.500 Magnum X-frames, and only available from S&W Accessories for $35, also fit the K, L, & N frames - they are that close in size!

Given the same grip, the difference in the .45 ACP vs .357 Magnum is in the feel (push vs whack), sound (boom vs crack), and muzzle flash (mild vs illuminating). Precede those .357 Magnum terms with 'big' if you sub a .44 Magnum. The .45 ACP is a frugal entry into big bores - and can suffice for many applications, one being it's frugal & available nature. I stupidly sold mine - once - just to replace it a few months later. Keeper!

Stainz

 

[45Badger]

45 acp = boom!
.357 mag = BANG! or BAM! or BANG-ZOOM!

 

[antediluvianist]

.45 = baritone

.357 = baritone with a pin stuck into his ass

 

[D-Man]

I appreciate all of the comments. I've heard the comparison to a 1911 before, and that makes a whole lot of sense.

If I decide to expand my collection of classic S&W's (currently at 1 with a 6" 19-4), a model 25 will definitely be on my list.

 

[Master Blaster]

Good

 

[BlindJustice]

Comparison in my experience

S&W 625 5" Bbl. Len. Full Underlug
Weight empty: 45 oz
Grips: Guy Hogue Finger Grooves,
checkered Full Size, Rosewood

S&W 686P 4" Bbl. len Full Underlug
Weight Empty: 39 oz.
Grips: Guy Hogue Full Size Coco Bolo
w/white spacer and Rosewood buttcap.

Note: The next range session the above
grips were meant for and now installed on
my 617 - where the lack of checkering is not
an issue. The current grips are Guy Hogue
finger grooves, checkered Compact K/L size
in Rosewood. They should make a big difference

Loads fired

.45 ACP Leadhead 200 gr. SWC @ 1,025 FPS
about 80 rds and 1 cylinder full of
CorBon 165 gr. JHP @ 1,250 FPS just to
break the sound barrier with the beast

.357 Mag. Win-West. 125 gr. JHP @ est. 1400+ FPS
about 42 rounds then I switched to some
.38 Special 158 gr. SWC at 1,000 FPS

The 625 just BAMs away - the shorter case of
the .45 ACP & Auto RIm with the same load are
easily shucked out This one has a Action/Trigger
job lots of DA shots. The 686P, the grips were
wrong & should have kept the stock rubber ones on
I do like the balance of the 4 inch Bbl. but the 5"?
muzzle flash was present and I hope the new grips
work out better. The .38 Spcl was just two cylinder
full I got from my shooting partner who has a GP100
6" Bbl. and a Dan Wesson snubbie. The GP100 with
the longer barrel to burn up more of the slow mag
powder shot well - comfortable but a sharp firm recoil.
oh, and using HKS Speedloaders for the 7 shot
cyl. - the longer magnum cases would hang 1 or 2
empties with the grip interference - I'll get the
new grips relieved and re-shaped to fix this
problem.


Side note - My S&W 60 3" Bbl. .357 Mag. is
24 oz empty. I have restricted it to .38 Spcl
+P 135 gr. Speer Gold DOt at est. 900 FPS
as well as some of the 158 gr. SWC of my shooting
partner's handloads. Very nice shooting
gun with the load properly matched for it's weight
ALso, with the 3" Bbl. the 60 gets a full length
extraction rod to extract the empties with no
interference via the stock rubber grips that
cover the backstrap.

1911 Note:

Same 200 gr. SWC at 1,025 FPS

Although the slide makes it 'busier' it is
easier for me for follow up shots as well
as just shooting it better than the 625.
ALso, I usually fire about 40% more rounds
in a 1911 range session.

Another factor of perceived/felt recoil is that
the bore axis is lower with a Semi-Auto. The
higher bore axis of the revolver equates to
greater leverage upon the shooter.

 

[ACP230]

I have a .45 ACP Smith 1917 and an M28 in .357 Magnum.
Both are N-frames and both have Pachmayr Presentation grips.

Feel before shooting is almost the same.

I don't recall much difference between the two in recoil, or muzzle blast, either, at least with 158 grain loads in the M28.

 

[rcmodel]

I think recoil is pretty comparable in a 4" 625 & a 6" 19.

But there is a world of differance in muzzle blast.

I will on occasion light one or two off without earmuffs with the .45.
No Way will I shoot a .357 without them!


rcmodel

 

[Majic]

For an apples to apples comparasion forget the M66, 19, and 686 which are medium framed revolvers and look to the M27 and 28 which are N-framed .357 magnum revolvers.

 

[jh9x18ky]

Depends on the firearms in use.... just as someone posted above. I have a 325pd 2in in 45acp, its a handfull with 230gr hardball ammo. I also have a 25 S&W 6in and its a pleasure to shoot. The 325pd still isnt unmanagable, but it does jump, much like a short barrel 357.... but the 45 doesnt have the ear splitting crack of he magnum round.

 

[pinkymingeo]

Because of the way it recoils, 45acp is great in very light guns. I regularly carry a 325PD and (maligned previously in this thread) 625-10. Both 22oz. The -10 is smaller, but has a SS vs Ti cylinder. Neither is real fun with factory ammo, but very effective, and fun to shoot, with the right handloads.

 

[S&Wfan]

. . . Another factor of perceived/felt recoil is that
the bore axis is lower with a Semi-Auto. The
higher bore axis of the revolver equates to
greater leverage upon the shooter.

Hi,

I politely beg to differ. Yes, the lower bore axis of a 1911 helps, but is partially offset by the slide racking backwards and then slamming shut forward again. This causes instability in the firearm as it transfers this energy to the shooter's arm.

This trait, plus folks trying to perfectly anticipate and correct for the next round's recoil causes many a shooter to "milk" a 1911 in a fast-paced action type handgun match.

Sometimes it is quite amazing just how much that many shooters milk a 1911 under stress . . . as shown by the dirt they are kicking up on the ground below their target at 10 yards! Sometimes you'll here someone going "moooo" in the background at a match, as the dirt flies.

Conversely, the .45ACP revolver's bore axis ain't that much higher, particularly to those of us who PROPERLY grip the wheelgun as high as possilbe. With no slingshotting slide puking hot brass it's right side, a .45ACP revolver's push is simply smooth, evenly diminishing, and steady.

Thus the barrel can swing during recoil towards the next target and return to POA smoothly. Combined with a smooth, experienced double action trigger pull with perfect staging of the trigger as you are swinging to the next shot, the shooter can't "milk" that sucker!

The result, for those of us who practice with 'em a lot, is faster shooting times during matches and more accuracy from the more stable revolver too vs. a 1911 shot at speed.

That is mind-boggling to many who shoot autos but Jerry M. ain't the first or only one to discover that one can shoot a Smith wheelgun at a higher rate of speed than a 1911.

Naturally, this is a controversial statement I've just made, but one understood by many who've taken the time to master shooting Smith wheelguns fast, and smooth, in the double action mode.

Once a shooter experiences this, including using an electronic timer to see the results, it changes how you feel about double action revolvers!

Then, with the moon clips, one can reload as fast as they can their 1911s . . . and sometimes even faster! It's just that the motor skills to master shooting, and reloading, a double action wheelgun take longer to develop at speed.

 

[def4pos8]

As another genius has already stated (sort of): "A .357 is a .45 set on STUN!"

--and don't tell me how "powerful" .357s are! In short barrel lengths, a "hot" .357 only produces a great deal of hot exhaust gases, not energy.

 

[Glen Vandermolen]

I have an S&W M66 with a 2.5" barrel and a Taurus Titanium Tracker 455 with a 4" barrel. The S&W outweighs the Taurus by about 10 oz. I can tell you the recoil on the S&W using 158gr. .357 Magnums feels a lot more harsh to me than the 45acp. Its louder, more flames and it has a sharper felt recoil.
I prefer the 45acp, even though the Taurus is lighter.
The 45acp recoil seems more like a strong push, whereas the .357 mag is a hard, fast punch.

 

[amprecon]

Heavier

 

[BikerRN]

Here's my 45 ACP Wheelie. BTW, it's my EDC off duty.






Biker