Why no semi auto .357 Mag?

[Mastiff]

I think the 9x23 Winchester is the ballistic equivalent of the 357 Magnum. With the very strong web in the case (50,000+ CUP) you can easily reach 357 Mag pressures. I load the 9x23 Winchester with 357 bullets for my converted Tok.
Clark has handloaded 9x23 cases to have TWICE the maximum charge of the 357 Magnum without blowing up either the case or the pistol.

A quote from one of his posts:

If one can find a 9mm Tokarev barrel, and ream it out to 9x23mm, load with Power Pistol, 158 gr XTPs and 1.4" OAL, then the Tokarev goes to a level beyond the hottest 357 mag.

 

[another okie]

Action pistol shooters have used the .38 Super for a long time, and some are now loading up the 9mm so it makes the "major" power factor, which means loading it up to very high pressures. In fact, I think I remember reading about a ".355 magnum" marked round that was a very, very hot 9mm.

 

[Thumper_6119]

Some of the responses to this thread are hysterical!!

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I find the .44 Magnum to be really pleasant to shoot, but Desert Eagles seem to be the gun that gunnies love to hate.

I was told by a local gun range worker (where guns are rented), that the D.E. is the worst to maintain after being shot a lot, among all the handguns that they rent out. Seems that its gas system is fragile and breaks a lot. Not sure which parts exactly.....

Yeah, the 9x23 Win is good thick brass and is indeed the one true equivalent to .357 mag in a semi-auto. Some say that the Tanfoglio in .38 super will handle the 9x23 just fine.

 

[rcmodel]

I don't hate Desert Eagles.
My son had one in .357, and it was the most accurate long range handgun I think I ever shot.

But there is no deigning the fact they are huge, heavy, and about as ergonomic & quick-handling as a cast iron anvil.

DE's should come with trail-legs and wheels as standard equipment!

rcmodel

 

[neededausername]

I appreciate all the replies to my original question. To those who are telling me how I can get something as powerful as a .357 in an autoloader, thanks, but I'm not interested. I don't necessarily want a .357 or .44 mag semiauto. I'm just new to the gun culture, and trying to learn as much as possible. So I was just curious as to why. I think I know now. I love how helpful everyone is around here.

 

[JShirley]

Well, Mastiff beat me to the punch.

The .38 Super is more powerful than a 9x19, by a little. The 9x23mm Winchester, on the other hand, can give true .357 magnum power with lighter weight loads from the factory. Winchester White Box (in this caliber evidently one of the few JSP that actually expands) will deliver a 124 grain jacketed soft point at 1500 fps from a 5" barrel. 125 grain Silver Tips are loaded about 40 fps slower.

People search for "the ultimate", and it's elusive. I can say that I have a double stack 1911 in 9x23mm Winchester, and if I had to defend myself with a handgun, it'd be pretty darn good choice.

John