357Sig Vs 40SW... Opinions?

45acpForMe said:

While I am sure there are lots of variances in speed, depending on the barrel length, here is one that is 9mm +p+ around 1524ft/sec out of a real gun ( Walther P88-4 inch barrel) vs advertised speed.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=303

In an apples to apples comparison to 357sig this version has 1301ft/sec out of a (SIG P229, 4 inch barrel).

So you can find a load that you like (and your gun likes) and do the testing. It just seems to me that +p+ is just as good (or better) than many 356sig loads so a 9mm handgun with cheaper 9mm practice ammo makes more sense to me than buying a 357sig and practicing with expensive 357sig. In my case and the OP a 40s&w gun with a conversion barrel may make more sense than a gun that is only in 357sig.

Then again you can get 40 S&W in +P (1300ft/sec) so anything is possible. https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=115

Shoot what you shoot well and leave the caliber worries to those that miss.

Click to expand...

You are correct, most of the high end specialty 9mm loads (Buffalo Bore 9mm 95gr +p+ is 1375fps...$1.80/ea, box of 20) will come close to the 357sig specialty loads. (Underwood 357sig 125gr Hollow-point 1475fps $.70/ea, box of 50)...These are being shot out of similar guns, Glock 19 & Glock 32.

However, for everyday shooting, I can get the 357sig (1400fps) jacketed hollow-point for $.49/shot. Whereas the same type of ammo for a 9mm is $1.00/shot or so. As I stated above, my plunking ammo (1300fps) is about $.32/shot. I don't think you can find that type of ammo to shoot out of your 9mm for that price without reloading.

So to consistently shoot similar ammo in the 9mm as compared to the 357sig, you ammo cost jump drastically.

Again, not getting into the caliber debate, just pointing out some inconsistent information between the two.

It's a personal choice. I have a 9mm I shoot with too....I am partial to the 357sig.

Just my $.02.

Redbaron007 said:

<snip>

It's a personal choice. I have a 9mm I shoot with too....I am partial to the 357sig.

Just my $.02.

Click to expand...

Understood.

If someone asked me which I would rather have in a gunfight I would pick the 357sig over the 9mm in general.

When you weigh in all the factors, cost of self-defense ammo, practice ammo, availability of ammo, you can make a good financial case for either 9mm or 40S&W over 357sig. I am assuming that most of the practicing will be with ball ammo and not +p+ self defense ammo which agreed is costly.

When I bought ammo, 9mm ball was cheaper than 40S&W which was cheaper than .45acp ball ammo and .357sig ammo was around the same price of .45acp. If you can find cheap 357sig to practice with, more power to you. My local walmart wasn't that reasonable. One of the reasons I considered 357sig and 40S&W in the first place was reverse ammo availability. I noticed that while I went in to buy .45acp ammo, all the 9mm and .45acp ammo boxes were gone and sitting on the shelf was some 40S&W and some .357sig. So I picked up a 40S&W P226 and then a few months later a .357Sig barrel for it. I figured that I would always find some ammo to practice with then the REAL ammo shortage hit and I started simply ordering online to avoid several trips a week to Walmart hunting for ammo.

357sig $29 http://www.luckygunner.com/remington-357-sig-ammo-for-sale-357sig125jhpremumc-50

40s&w $20.49 http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...nition-40-s-and-w-180-grain-full-metal-jacket

45acp $28 http://www.luckygunner.com/remington-45-acp-ammo-for-sale-45acp185mcremumc-50

9mm $14.29 http://www.midwayusa.com/product/16...unition-9mm-luger-115-grain-full-metal-jacket

Thank you to all that contributed. My expectations on the responses to this thread were surpassed. I read all the posts and am still trying to absorb all the knowledge on here. I even saved the thread to my hard drive

The .40 S&W MPA is 35,000 psi whereas .357 SIG is 40,000 psi so it isn't just a simple trade between bullet weight/size and velocity. If it were me I'd not consider ammo prices in my decision and would simply reload if that was what it took.

The real problem here is that you're trying to decide between two calibers when you should just buy both.

SteveM said:

The .40 S&W MPA is 35,000 psi whereas .357 SIG is 40,000 psi so it isn't just a simple trade between bullet weight/size and velocity. If it were me I'd not consider ammo prices in my decision and would simply reload if that was what it took.

The real problem here is that you're trying to decide between two calibers when you should just buy both.

Click to expand...

You do realize that when he explains his new purchases to his wife or GF he is going to point the finger at you. I know I will when I buy several more handguns... :banana:

Just Teasing!

If one of you would buy my Harley then carrying two guns past my wife would simply be the first trip in unloading the car.

SteveM said:

The .40 S&W MPA is 35,000 psi whereas .357 SIG is 40,000 psi so it isn't just a simple trade between bullet weight/size and velocity. If it were me I'd not consider ammo prices in my decision and would simply reload if that was what it took.

The real problem here is that you're trying to decide between two calibers when you should just buy both.

Click to expand...

I do have both, kinda sorta. I have the glock 23 (40) and got a glock 32 barrel (357sig)... But yea I'm looking into a new purchase.

Jamesm760 said:

I do have both, kinda sorta. I have the glock 23 (40) and got a glock 32 barrel (357sig)... But yea I'm looking into a new purchase.

Click to expand...

Been almost a month dude ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8tArojnzn4

davidmcbeth said:

Been almost a month dude ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8tArojnzn4

Click to expand...

I'm already carrying the 357, but will go back to 40 when i get my sub 2k in 40.

Jamesm760 said:

I'm already carrying the 357, but will go back to 40 when i get my sub 2k in 40.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the update ... as I predicted in my first post of the thread ...

Enjoy your new gun ...

357 SIG is a great cartridge and a tack driver. There is no reason not to have both barrels. I prefer the metal framed SIGs to the Glock.

I have had a dozen Glocks in all calibers, and my 31C in noticeable the most accurate of the bunch, after thining things out we kept a G-27,26, 23, 19, and the 31C and whenever I shoot them all the 31 seems to do a little better than the rest

markush said:

I have a .357 Sig barrel for my FS M&P .40 and I've shot one after another to compare. The main thing I notice between them is that the .357 Sig report is slightly louder and sharper. I would say the Sig is very slightly more snappy then the .40 out of my Full Size M&P. But then it could simply be that my brain is perceiving this sharper report as being more "snappy" then the .40. In any case if you do notice a difference it will be very slight.

Click to expand...

Hi there, my first post so be gentle with me...:banghead:

Would agree with the above comments, if you look as to see as requirements when created by Speer and SIG originally for LE use:

"...was to duplicate the performance of 125gr .357 Magnum loads as fired from service revolvers with a 4" barrel, in a cartridge designed to be used in a semi-automatic pistol with greater ammunition capacity than a revolver."

The result was a great success, with a flat shooting round with the "punch" similar to the old .357 Magnum, with a good reputation for both accuracy and the inherently reliable reloading characteristics that come with its "necked down" cartridge shape but not so large as to reduce magazine capacity.

Both the US Secret Service and Texas DPS (which also I believe includes the Texas Rangers?) use the cartridge, as do many other LE Agencies.

Pity it's such an expensive cartridge to buy, otherwise the Average Joe shooter might also get the opportunity to use it more - but if you shop around can still get some half-decent ammo prices!