Posted on 12/17/2013 9:02:36 AM PST by Scoutmaster
Santa may bring me a Sig Sauer P226 if I'm good. I'm considering adding a new caliber to my handguns (which, sadly, were lost in a parasailing accident). I've test fired both the .357 Sig and the 40 S&W and am leaning toward the .357 Sig.
However, use would be a backup backup handgun for home defense and - let's admit it - for fun on the range.
I'm already set in .22LR, 9mm (including a P226 in 9mm), and .45ACP and am comfortable with what I already own in those calibers.
I know I can buy an extra P226 barrel for about $200 and enjoy both .357 Sig and 40 S&W calibers.
I'd appreciate any input comparing the .357 Sig and the .40 S&W.
You got lucky.
I guess I did for once.
It is fun outshooting the range officer who has a trident on his jeep.
Most people say the .357 has more penetration than the .40, so for home defense, maybe the .40 would be better. Some .40s can be converted to .357 also.
If you want to punch holes get the .357 Sig, but the the .40 will do a better job of stopping, that’s why a lot of forces are going back to .45ACP from 9mm.
recoil is not much different.
The .357 Sig ammo is more expensive and harder to find.
Decisions, decisions.
Neither is a great cartridge.
First the 40 S&W. Powerful round, but a structurally weak case. There are portions of the case that are much weaker than most other handgun cartridge cases out there (i.e. less brass in key areas). Combine that with some semi-automatic firearms which don't have a lot of case support where the magazine feeds the barrel and you have brass cases that fire-form and expand a lot. A hot round or a case that has been reloaded a lot (cold working of the thinned case metal) is a disaster waiting to happen. If all you shoot is factory loaded ammo, probably not bad (depending on the firearm's design), just expensive.
Second the Sig 357. OK, so what is to love about a bottle nosed hot 9mm round designed to be short and thick? If I want a really hot 9mm in semi-automatic, then the .38Super has been around for decades and is (in my opinion) so much better.
You said you were a .45 ACP fan. If so, get the .38 Super. You or whoever ultimately ownes it and reloads for it will be much happier.
“I live in Florida where heavy leather jackets are rare and I doubt I’ll be shooting into cars. For me the .45 acp is preferred except its hard to carry concealed in shorts and a tshirt. I plan to get a small .40 that I can carry concealed.”
The smallest pocket handgun in a reasonable caliber is the AMT .45 backup. Fits nicely in ones front pants pocket, too.
Cheap.
Stainless Steel.
Did I mention .45 ACP?
All you need is to develop a trigger finger of steel.
;-)
I shoot and reload 357SIG extensively. The good news is you dont have to choose between 357 and 40. In all HGs Im familiar with the conversion between the two is as simple as dropping in the appropriate bbl. Springs, mags and extractors are ‘ambidextrous’. Its a big win/win in my view.
If you reload youre in a better place to shoot 357. In my area 357 is almost impossible to buy loaded and when available its $$$$$$$$. That said, ignore ALL of the ‘its hard to reload’ schtick. Its not more difficult than any other round. You do need to pay closer attention but you should be doing that anyway. First, case prep is going to be identical to any other bottleneck case. Youll need to lube and prep the mouth. Second, neck tension is your friend. Thats whats going to hold the projectile in place primarily (NOT the crimp). On my Dillion press I found that I didnt want ANY neck flare. That station simply drops powder and nothing more. This assures neck tension will be at max. If it isnt retire the brass or anneal it. Also when resizing I set that die up to headspace on the shoulder NOT the mouth. I found this gave far superior results (precision) that using the mouth as the datum point. Lastly not all 9mm projectiles are appropriate. I found generally truncated cone shapes are best. Oh, powder....I started out using Hodgdon Benchmark. It worked pretty well but muzzle flash was prodigious!! Due to the powder shortages I tried Alliant Power Pistol and found it FAR superior as to precise and much less flashy.
As to performance look at LE data. Many agencies are converting to 357 for its superior ability to defeat barriers. It can be a HOT round...if you want it to be. There are several well done gel tests on youtube that would be interesting to view.
HTH
I have shot thousands of rounds of both. 40 is my choice.
Ammo is easier to obtain
Brass last longer for reloading
Less recoil and more range of reloading
Will find more 40 on the battle field
40 not as destructive on the frame of the weapon
My 2 cents....Good luck with your choice
There is a lot of merit to concept of an early 70 Series Colt 1911 shooting some of the newer hot 38 Super rounds. .
Had a lightweight Commander in .38 Super, it was picky about ammo. I now have a P220 in super, but one of the non-euro one’s that have the mag release located like a 1911. The P220 will feed anything all the time.
Finding magazines is a pain though.
I have a keltec .32 which weighs 7oz unloaded. I figure its better than nothing but I don’t really trust it. Its so small that its difficult to grip and then it jams when I shoot.
I have two 9mm Keltec’s. One I keep in my pickup and the other by the easy chair in the house. Yea, they are cheap which is why I keep one in the truck. Couldn’t stand to experience one of my berettas or H&K getting stolen.
Funny that you mention that yours jams. I had a gunsmith tell me one time that the Keltec’s are also known as jammamatics :)
The 40 is more than capable and much more common. Ammo availability would be my concern in this day, and for that issue, I’d choose the 40.
You have to grip them really tight. They are so light and small the gun will twist in your hand, preventing the gun from properly extracting the brass and chambering a new round.
At least thats what I think is happening. I’ve found that if I grip the gun very tight it eliminates the problem.
Thank you! I will have to give that a try.
Like I said, both of my Keltec’s are much like keeping an old tool around. Better than nothing.
I would like to routinely carry my better hand guns but I am afraid of theft.
A wiki article on it - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limp_wristing
I no longer worry about theft after my house was broken into. Its not secure unless its in a safe. Unfortunately a gun is useless in safe.
I totally agree. I keep my H&K compact on our bedpost with a mossberg tactical 12 g next to it.
I was referring to keeping guns in my pickup. I work at a midwestern University and for obvious reasons do not carry while on campus.
Hear-hear! (Amen!)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.