Will the .357 SIG supplant the .40 S&W in the Police Market?

[Ian11]

Do you think the .357 SIG will eventually become the dominant police round over the .40 S&W?

Why or why not?


*And no popcorn throwing from the 9mm/.45 ACP/10mm contingent from the peanut gallery. Hope we can keep this thread focused on these two rounds and not about your preference for 9mm/.45 ACP/10mm Yadda yadda yadda

Face it these two are heading for a battle to become THE premier police round for this half of this Millenium. So let's keep it on point people!!

 

[WonderNine]

I think that the .357SIG will eventually overtake the .40S&W. But then I'm the kind of guy that would have said the superior Betamax will eventually win against VHS.

 

[mete]

In the research I have done there is no difference in street use between 357sig/40s&w/45acp. So it's a toss up. Of course for those who straddle the fence , get a 357sig and get an extra 40 barrel.

 

[HSMITH]

They are so close ballistically they essentially identical with light bullets, and the 40 has much more range for heavier bullets to be used. Neither does things even significantly better than the other unless you are a heavy bullet fan, then the 40 is markedly superior as it will develop much higher velocities. The 357 sig does nothing the 38 super can't do, and look where it is on the all time scale. There is one place where the 357 sig shines above all other recent cartridges, it was a beautiful marketing move that payed off. Nothing else has done as well IMO with so little to offer over what was already available.

Of the two I feel the 40 is superior, I like big bullets and heavy bullets are useful on occasion.

 

[Sean Smith]

.357 Sig is probably better, but .40 S&W got there first with the most. It is too intrenched to face a serious threat, though you might see a gradual migration to .357 Sig in a few places as their .40 S&W guns wear out.

 

[BigG]

Look what HSMITH said: "brilliant timing." My view is 357 SIG is a hotted up 9mm. I've had it and Super 38 and 9mm Luger and there is not enough difference between them to bother. What I'm after is more bullet mass and for that you need to move to something that starts with 4. My two sense, YMMV.

 

[10-Ring]

Sine agenices routinely test & replace their weapons, they will always be in search of the ideal sidearm. Also, since there are so many agencies & so many requirements & so many opinions of what optimum really means, there will be a place for a lot of diff't calibers.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Ian11, My Friend-

I didn't vote in your poll; cuz I still think the jury is
still out on both of those caliber's. Plus, the fact
we already have the time-tested and street proven
.357 magnum. Now only if they would design
a self-loader (excluding the Auto Mag and
Desert Eagle) that would be comfortable to
carry and conceal easily; yet be chambered for the
.357 magnum cartridge! I would call that the
break through of this new century. Come on SIG-
Sauer, Glock, or H&K; show us what you are made
of!!!!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[BigG]

Ala Dan, my friend, there was a 357 Magnum autoloader called a Coonan. It was pretty much based on the Colt 45 Automatic Pistol but chambered in 357 Magnum revo cartridge. Don't think they went over all that well but there are some who swear by them. Greetings from your fellow Dixie resident.

 

[10-Ring]

Plus a 357 magnum semi auto would make fr a pretty beefy handgun. One issue w/ police agencies is being able to find a handgun that will fit many diff't sized officers.

 

[Sean Smith]

Ala Dan,

You could always convert a .38 Super P220 to 9x23...

 

[j45m16]

The 357 sig may expand but the 40&45 will never shrink !

 

[Bobarino]

one drawback i see for the .357 sig is the costs of ammo. since PD's are often on tight budgets, the cost of practice ammo could sway them away from the relatively expensive .357 sig.

Bobby

 

[jc2]

The LE market place as a whole seems to be gravitating to heavier bullets as whole: the 147-grain 9x19, 180-grain .40 S&W, 230-grain .45 ACP. I don't see a lot of market for just another 125-grain .36 calibre.

 

[Ala Dan]

Thanks guy's for the info!

BigG, you are so right. I forgot all about the
Coonan .357. Actually, I have never seen one in person.

Sean Smith, that sounds like a cool idea!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Hal]

Bottleneck rounds have a poor track record of success in handguns in the USA.
Off the top of my head I can only think of 2 that made it with any degree of success. The .44/40 and the .32/20, both of which are or would be long gone if not for the cowboy shooters.
Based on that, I'd think the .40S&W will remain on top, and that how I voted.

 

[sgt127]

The .40 replaced the vast majority of 9 mm pistols riding around in cop holsters. Most of those 9 mm's were getting near the end of their lives as police guns and the "need" for a caliber upgrade was being called for. The .40 showed up and the big shift occured to the .40. Most of the .40's out there aren't old enough or worn out enough to require replacement and I doubt there are any major agencies that are willing to spend the money for another caliber change until those .40's start showing their age. There is of course the question others have brought up as to the real advantage of the .357 Sig VS the .40 anyway. I know I had to give up my cocked and locked Wilson Series 70 Colt for a Glock 35 about three years ago and there is no way my department is going to change calibers and 200+ guns until these wear out. Realistically, we issue the Cor Bon 135 GR and I'm not sure there is a viable upgrade barring a huge revolution in ballistics. Bottom line, in my opinion, is the money. The 40 will likely stay the dominant police caliber for the next 10 years.