The 357 SIG

Is 357 sig worth the cost?

  • yes

    Votes: 61 50.0%

  • no

    Votes: 61 50.0%
  • Total voters
    122
  • Poll closed .
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A

applekev

Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2006
Messages
117
Do you feel that the 357 SIG cartridge in a autoloader is worth the high cost of the ammo? Tell me why. Thanks!:cool:
 
I don't think the added cost is THAT much more than a good 9MM load would be...it is MUCH faster than any similarly weighted 9MM and the designs are different (not just a "9MM bullet on a different case")...specifically of the Speer Gold Dot I used to carry when I had this in a SiG Sauer P229 and P226, it had a dished hollowpoint ogive and performed nicely against auto glass, obstacles and barriers as well as ballistic gellatin...I compared a nice Winchester Ranger Talon 127Gr +P+ and the 125Gr Gold Dot stayed together better...a three day class where I shot 1000 rounds caused my wrists to hurt a bit (but perhaps anything would have) and I have since gone .45ACP but would have 357SiG on my hip anytime...
Bill
 
If you reload, the cost is not that much of a relative issue.
I like the idea of 9mm bullet riding on a necked down .40sw case.
I like the idea of using .40SW mags for .357SIG cartridges, (in many cases, not all).
I like the barrell swap idea ,especially in Glocks.
damn fine cartridge!
I think its used by the New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Delaware state PD.
 
although corbon 115 grain 9mm loads are 1350 fps, the 357 sig corbon is 125 grains and 1425 fps. although some would argue that the difference isnt that much, i consider 10 more grains and 75fps to be rather significant. while i dont feel undergunned with 9mm +P (im carrying a glock 19 with corbon 125 grain +P loads at 1250 fps right now) i still feel "better" with a 357 sig.

although practice ammunition is much more expensive in the 357 sig ($19 for 50 rounds of 357 sig WWB compared to $16 for 100 rounds of 9mm WWB) , in defensive ammunition it really isnt much more expensive ($20 for 20 rounds of 9mm corbon +P, $25 for 20 rounds of 357 sig corbon).

i own, enjoy, and trust both but i trust the 357 sig more.
 
Yes it is worth the extra $$ for the performance, just as 10mm is worth every penny more to it's fans. Is it for everyone? No, of course not, but to those who want more penetration from a similar load weight then it's the perfect match.
 
It's awesome, but there isn't anything the .357sig does that a .40s&w can't. I have a .357 Sig (P229), and I love it, it's just not as cost effective as the .40s&w.
 
1.buying ammo bulk it isnt that much more expensive

2.the 357 sig round feeds better

3.i feel good carrying a round that protects the president and the airlines
 
Personally, I don't like the .357sig that much. Perhaps if it truly matched .357mag velocties I'd be more interested, but it falls short by about 200fps. Plus, if you increase the bullet weight above 125grs you run into problems with powder volume and velocities get exponentially less as you increase weight. From a reloader's perspective it is a PITA to reload because of its small crimping zone on the case which means that you have to use glue to keep the bullet in place. However, other than the small crimp zone it is a pretty well designed case and is pretty robust.

I like the 9x19mm very much. I can reload the 9mm safely with no pressure signs to 1300fps for a 124gr bullet. With the .357sig I have loaded it up to 1450fps for a 125gr bullet with no pressure signs. Sure there's a gap of 150fps, but I don't think it is enough to make a switch to .357sig. Now the 9x23 Winchester is another story. It's a straight walled heavy duty cartridge that is factory rated at 1450fps for a 125gr bullet. Hand loads are over 1600fps for a 125gr bullet, and 147gr loads are around 1400fps. Now that's a cartridge that makes a distinct difference from the 9x19mm. :D
 
Around here the price for 357Sig is nearly identical to 45ACP , so I voted yes . I love it in mu Steyr M357.
 
Don't buy the premise of the poll.

For range ammo, I reload and it isn't really any more expensive.

For defense ammo, the price difference isn't that great.
 
----quote--------
Perhaps if it truly matched .357mag velocties I'd be more interested, but it falls short by about 200fps.
-----------------

This is partly a problem of apples-and-oranges comparisons.

The 357 SIG wasn't designed to duplicate anything anyone can possibly do with the 357 magnum cartridge out of any conceivable firearm and any possible loading.

It was designed to approximate the ballistics of common 357 SIG defense loadings shot out of duty-size handguns. It does that fairly well.

If you are a cop looking for a duty pistol or anyone looking for a self defense pistol, I think 357 SIG is a viable option. Not the only option, not a magical option that is infinitely more deadly than any other caliber, but a viable option worth considering.

If you are hunting moose, shooting 200 grain nuclear handloads out of your 12" barrel scoped hunting revo, then no, I don't think 357 SIG is going to match what your 357 magnum can do, or even come close. But that wasn't the intent, either.
 
when this round was developed, I conversed with someone at the Texas Department of Public Safety...at the time they were carrying SiG P220s in .45ACP...they wanted a bit more and helped get out a .45ACP +P in 230Gr...because of a preceived (not from the firearms guy I talked to but by the administration) need to have a smaller package and some desire to have the "power" of their .357 revolvers, they looked into and adopted the 357SiG...plus they claimed better penetration against barriers (cars)...
As for matching similar velocities to police duty .357mag...it exceeds it in that regard...125Gr @1350-1400 for the 357SiG and 1250-1300 for 125Gr .357Mag out of 2 1/2"-4" barrel duty revolvers...
Bill
Bill
 
Is it worth it?
If you want classic, 125gr .357 revolver performance out of a semi-auto, its worth every penny.
 
When I swap my custom KKM .357 Sig barrel into my .40 S&W Browning Hi-Power I like the way the .357 Sig gives steel targets a substantually louder WHACK! Slide (cycle) time seems just a bit faster with the .357 Sig as well. I absolutely think it's worth it & find the cost difference between it & .40 S&W insignificant.
 
I think it's worth the cost IF you want the performance it offers. It's more expensive to shoot, certainly, but I don't think it's out of line with the performance the cartridge gives.

I have a SIG P239 .40 S&W that I'm acquiring a .357 SIG barrel for, and the unique magazines required. Not that I'm going to shoot .357 SIG a lot, but it's not a very expensive addition, and should I ever sell the pistol, I may recover a good bit of my investment.
 
My next gun is going to be a glock 31 357 sig.

This is why:

"Item 25B utilizes a 124gr. FMJ flat nose bullet at 1,425 fps. This bullet will smash through typical stick frame walls, car doors and a bears skull or shoulder bones. It is designed for those who need deep penetration. It should penetrate 24+ inches in human tissue."

Right off Buffalobores site, that is by far the most powerful round I have seen in a auto loader except a 10mm. I would go up against anything with that round. A solid full metal jacket at 1425 fps out of a small handgun is amazing.

note 575 ft. lbs. of energy, wow

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357sig
 
Perhaps if it truly matched .357mag velocties I'd be more interested, but it falls short by about 200fps.
Click to expand...
in many loads up to 125 grains it does match and in fact exceeds the .357 magnum.

corbon 357 mag 125 grains 1400fps
corbon 357 sig 125 grains 1425fps (actually chronos out closer to 1450)

handloading may be different, but im comparing what is available off the shelf.
 
I've owned and carried my P229 for about 7 years now. It's what I train with and it's what I depend on.

I don't think quibbling over the price difference in ammunition is a factor when I consider my safety and life, as well as the lives of those who look to me for protection.

Yeah, I own some 9mm pistols, as well as .45ACP. I like them just fine, but the 357sig gets carried almost all the time. It performs to my expectation. Isn't that the goal?

Regards,
Rabbit.
 
Right off Buffalobores site, that is by far the most powerful round I have seen in a auto loader except a 10mm. I would go up against anything with that round. A solid full metal jacket at 1425 fps out of a small handgun is amazing.
Click to expand...

and a 9x23, 9x25 dillon, .460 rowland etc...

.357 sig...Eh...less ammo capacity with a 9mm bullet...pass.
 
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