Need opinions on Glock 33 and 357 Sig

[shafter]

Ammo can be very difficult to find at times. It's an interesting round but not something I want or need.

 

[2zulu1]

The .357 Sig is my preferred Defense Cartridge in a "normal capacity" pistol of 14+ rounds . I use it in a Gray Guns full prepped P226R with RMR and Light and use the Sig 15 shot mags and the gun is carried on a fully equipped and ready War Belt I am familiar with thru range time. It is stoked with Underwood 124 Grain HP which is a Nosler HP bullet that will withstand the 1475fps it is loaded to, ammo for going into serious work. The .357 Sig in a strong pistol is not loaded to it's potential in most loadings, the Under wood load is . There are Law Enforcement loadings of 124 grain Gold Dot bullets that also reach the Underwood level , they expand violently , always , which is a beautiful thing . I have a couple 50 round boxes of those held in reserve/ As mentioned the .357 Sig reloads easily ( same reason it is so reliable in a pistol feed wise- the bottle neck case) but bullets are best around the 125 grain weight and with longer straight sides before the ogive = most .357 Magnum bullets. It was brought to my attention that the .38 Super can be loaded to similar velocities , however the .38 Super case doesn't feed like the Sig and really needs special strong cases to be safely reliable at this pressures .

I also have the P226R in .357Sig, it's a great platform that points well for me. Having said this, I have one P226 and seven 1911s in .38Super, 3 are Colts including a lightweight Commander, fantastic for cc, that I like a lot, I've used this caliber on the ranch against vermin more than any other caliber. The .356 caliber Super can be loaded with .355, .356 and .357 caliber bullets. The .357 cal 125gr XTP is the same bullet that Hornady uses in their .357mag ammunition, it's designed for magnum velocities, it's a very tough bullet on big bone. The 1491fps XTP pictured above, was loaded within VihtaVuori N105 published data, within SAAMI specs. Many years ago I was able to purchase Remington 38Super +P brass in a bulk buy, special strong cases ??? are not needed with these loads.

The .357Sig has had serious feeding issues with handloads and factory ammunition, bullet set back due to improper neck tension. The .357Sig was designed to headspace off the case neck, the 400 Corbon I handload for Starline brass, doesn't have neck tension issues do to its longer case neck design., and it headspaces off the case mouth.

There's a message in the following three pictures. This 125gr Gold Dot loaded in a Colt 1911 Gov't 38Super, it impacted a four layer denim test at 1436fps/572fpe, the 125gr Gold Dot is designed for 357Sig/38Super velocities,



This Speer 9mm124gr +P Gold Dot, fired from a Glock 17.3 impacted four layer denim at 1220fps, it's designed for 9mm velocities,



This handloaded 124gr Gold Dot impacted four layer denim at only 1289fps, it's designed for 9mm velocities, at 1289fps this 124gr Gold Dot tremendously over expanded, while it would have had a large crush cavity in soft tissue, it would have failed miserably at soft tissue penetration;



For personal defense/protection, he 124gr Nosler JHP is designed for 9mm velocities, not 1475fps at Sig velocities IMNSHO.

 

[Gordon]

I also have the P226R in .357Sig, it's a great platform that points well for me. Having said this, I have one P226 and seven 1911s in .38Super, 3 are Colts including a lightweight Commander, fantastic for cc, that I like a lot, I've used this caliber on the ranch against vermin more than any other caliber. The .356 caliber Super can be loaded with .355, .356 and .357 caliber bullets. The .357 cal 125gr XTP is the same bullet that Hornady uses in their .357mag ammunition, it's designed for magnum velocities, it's a very tough bullet on big bone. The 1491fps XTP pictured above, was loaded within VihtaVuori N105 published data, within SAAMI specs. Many years ago I was able to purchase Remington 38Super +P brass in a bulk buy, special strong cases ??? are not needed with these loads.

The .357Sig has had serious feeding issues with handloads and factory ammunition, bullet set back due to improper neck tension. The .357Sig was designed to headspace off the case neck, the 400 Corbon I handload for Starline brass, doesn't have neck tension issues do to its longer case neck design., and it headspaces off the case mouth.

There's a message in the following three pictures. This 125gr Gold Dot loaded in a Colt 1911 Gov't 38Super, it impacted a four layer denim test at 1436fps/572fpe, the 125gr Gold Dot is designed for 357Sig/38Super velocities,

View attachment 1176950

This Speer 9mm124gr +P Gold Dot, fired from a Glock 17.3 impacted four layer denim at 1220fps, it's designed for 9mm velocities,

View attachment 1176951

This handloaded 124gr Gold Dot impacted four layer denim at only 1289fps, it's designed for 9mm velocities, at 1289fps this 124gr Gold Dot tremendously over expanded, while it would have had a large crush cavity in soft tissue, it would have failed miserably at soft tissue penetration;

View attachment 1176952

For personal defense/protection, he 124gr Nosler JHP is designed for 9mm velocities, not 1475fps at Sig velocities IMNSHO.

Kewl! I have not grown to like XTP bullets but yes they do penetrate. Gold Dot bullets are amazing, but you are right , anything above about 1200 fps and they are not great. Bar NN es and other copper bullets really can do great above 1400 fps IMHO my experience is zip with .400 Carbon but I did have a S&W .357 Bain and Davis which is a .357 cylinder reader for .44 mag cases necked to .357 . It exceeded the .357 max ! .I also had a couple , three .38 Supers and they equal ..357 Sig , I don't think they can surpass it safety as the case capacity is not there.I have zero problems with the neck head spacing on the Sig , I do have to really dot my I s and cross my t s with case moth head spacing and .38 Supers were the worst for me. I think you know the Sig needs that cylindrical shank on their 125 bullets .

 

[Southerner up North]

Have a Glock Compact 4 in. barreled G23.4 in .40 S&W, and a Lone Wolf 5.3 in. .357 SIG barrel for it.

Best of both, especially the Hornady Custom 147 gr. XTP at 1300 fps. and 550 ft-lbs. of energy.

If I read this correctly, you run a 5.3" barrel in a 23 frame and slide. If that is right, would you share a photo?
Thanks

 

[Gun-Reck]

If I read this correctly, you run a 5.3" barrel in a 23 frame and slide. If that is right, would you share a photo?
Thanks

LWD 357SIG 5.3 in., in the old G23.2.

The S&B 140 gr. TFP ball is also a very good trail round, at about 1375 fps. at the muzzle.

 

[Southerner up North]

LWD 357SIG 5.3 in., in the old G23.2.

The S&B 140 gr. TFP ball is also a very good trail round, at about 1375 fps. at the muzzle.

Much appreciated