Penetration: .357sig(fmj) vs. .357mag (swc)

[Pepe Domingo]

During the week, I ccw a Glock 33 in .357 sig with a name brand 125 grain hollow point. However, during the weekend, when I am out hiking or kayaking I usually grab my SP101 in .357 magnum with a name brand 158 grain swc.

My reasoning is that during the week, my primary threat is two legged and I am looking for a good balance between expansion and penetration. However, when I am in the great outdoors, there is a possibility of a four legged threat that would require increased penetration. Also, a revolver just seems to belong in the woods more than a Glock.

Is this reasoning correct? Is a 158 grain swc from a 3" revolver going to signifigantly out penetrate a 147 grain fmj from my baby Glock? My gut answer is "yes", but I have no data to confirm this suspicion. Any help?

Thanks

 

[DWARREN123]

I don't know if it will out perform but it will do the job. Love my sp.

 

[Pepe Domingo]

I like my SP and I also like my Glock. I know that if I did my part, either one would save my bacon. I just wonder if I would seriously handicap myself if I left the SP-101 at home and carried my G33 which is lighter and carries 11 rounds.

 

[rdrancher]

Check out http://www.brassfetcher.com

Hope this helps.

rd

 

[Pepe Domingo]

I have decided that this is a dumb question with no right answer. Maybe I'll back up the SP101 with the Glock on the other hip.

Why oh why do us gun people spend so much time thinking about and arguing over the most arcane stuff.

My next post will be titled:

In a SHTF scenario that involves grizzlies, nazi bikers, evil world governments and freezing rain, should I go with a 16" or an 18" AR-15?

 

[jameslovesjammie]

18", but in 6.5 Grendel.

 

[eldon519]

If you want increased penetration, have you looked at 180-grain .357 magnum loads?

If you're really concerned about large animals, Buffalo Bore makes a 180-grain hardcast load that generates 1300 fps from a 3" revolver. That's about as good as it gets for penetration in a pocket gun.

 

[roscoe]

True, and you can also get similar 180 and 200-grain hardcast loads from DoubleTap. They are a handful, but they are penetrators!

 

[Hook686]

Does it matter ...

... whether, or not your reasoning is correct ? It is the path you have chosen. Are you comfortable with it ? I suspect not, by asking others, as to its "correctness".

Personally, I carry a .357 magnum in both the urban forrest, and the wooded forrest. I carry 145 grain silver tip, 125 grain JHP, and 158 grain JSP in the urban environment; and, 180 grain Partition Gold, 158 grain JSP and 170 grain GDSP in the great outdoors. Just my personal likes. I like a revolver.

More often than not, I've take to carry the S&W 329PD, with a mix of snake shot, 200 grain JHP, 240 grain JSP and 300 grain XTP/HP, when going into the Sierras.

Whatever floats your boat.

 

[chris in va]

Curious, where do you put the SP when paddling? I was on the Gauley a few years ago and one of the guys had his revolver somehow fastened underneath the top deck.

I thought about sticking mine in my drytop somehow, but it has the 3" barrel and is actually pretty darn big for that purpose.

For a few years I paddled the Potomac in the DC area. The takeout was covered in gang tags, and I was wishing for something more than my paddle for protection.

 

[Slugless]

Yup, I have a meth-head load and a bear load, the bear load being 180 gr. hard cast.

Why oh why do us gun people spend so much time thinking about and arguing over the most arcane stuff.

LOL! You want to know what pops into my mind about that choice? Will the 180 gr. perform on the meth-head? OMG he'll be speeding, right? Will it overpenetrate? Not dump enough energy in? Will it blow him backwards six feet like you see in Hollywood?

 

[Crunker1337]

In a true SHTF moment when you have to run away from the leftist Nazis, conservative war-mongers, body armored bears, and flying pigs, the best choice is probably the AK47 in 7.62x39mm. It will not let you down period, it's easy to learn to use, it's accurate enough to cover your escape, and it packs a punch.

I would probably say that .44 Magnum is what you need for bear defense, I don't know if a .357 Magnum will cut it.

 

[M'bogo]

The one thing that keeps my SP101 with me in the great outdoors instead of a Glock or Kahr is that you don't need a magazine to feed it. If you have one part of your SP101 you have all of it. If you are unlucky enough to loose the magazine out of an auto, the time you had to react and shoot may well be over before you can locate and insert your spare magazine.

Back on topic the .357Sig is always compared to the .357Mag. I've never heard anyone talking about how their Mag stacks up to the Sig. I vote for the .357Mag.

M'bogo

 

[bl4ckd0g]

The SIG only comes close to stacking up to the mag in loads under 125 grains. I'd personally opt for a stainless wheelgun when paddling, especially if there's any possibility of tipping or rolling.

Take your revolver.