Posted on 12/17/2013 9:02:36 AM PST by Scoutmaster
Both good rounds, I went with the .40 because its more available.
I second the advice about ammo availability.
These events have been epidemic. Epic loses.
If you reload, get the 40 S&W
If you cast your own bullets and reload the 357/38 special would be my choice. The light loads are cheap shooting at the range.
357 sig not the same as 357 magnum
With many LEOs switching from 9mm to .40, the ammo availability argument only gets stronger with time.
They’re both pretty much the same, so look at price/availability in your area. But if you have to ask about differences/which is better, then they’ll be pretty much the same for you :)
Rules of a gun fight:
1) Gun beats no gun - buy what you will actually carry
2) Hit beats miss - a .22 that hits is worth far more than the .44 mag that misses
3) fast beats slow - He who shoots first, often shoots last
4) Big holes beats fast bullets - get the largest caliber you can control (see #3). With in the same caliber, go with the faster bullet (see #3)
5) many holes beat one hole - it the situation called for a shot, two is better than one.
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.
38 special is cheap to shoot if you load your own. I don't know sig.
.40
Remember the 45 GAP?
I had two until my boating accident. Luckily I had an ample supply of ammo. Before the “shortage” it was as available as .40. During you couldn’t find it (like every thing else). Now I see an occasional box or two in Academy then a few weeks where there is none. It will come back.
In Texas it is what the DPS carries so you tend to find more on the shelf in normal times.
I’ve never been sold on a “compromise round”.
If 9mm won’t do, use the .45 or full up .357.
.357 Sig, 40 and 10mm are fine for LEO’s but not my idea for home and personal use.
I have the P220 Carry for CCW, and FNS-9, if I need a lower profile.
The .357 Sig is a real boomer and more difficult to reload (necked down case) as well as being more expensive up front.
I’d say go with the .40.
When I think .357 Sig, I think Betamax.
Nothing wrong with it, except it didn’t catch on. Sig had been offering new pistols with two barrels standard, which I thought they were still doing. This was to support the customers who had already purchased a pistol in .357 mag, with a continuing ammo source. However, the round was so hard to find, Sig had to offer a second chambering standard, in order to sell the pistols.
To my knowledge, the issue with it being a Betamax round has not changed.
Tough call. I ended up buying the SA XD 40, and getting the 357 Sig barrel. More accurate with the 357 Sig for some reason. When I carry it is 40 though (when I can’t carry my 45), just seem to get better and cheaper ammo to practice and carry.
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