357 sig, anybody shoot it?

[Power5]

What are the advantages of this round? Seems to be fast and same grain weight as 9mm. There are a few rounds of 147 grain too though. Has a bit more energy due to higher velocity than 9mm. Even has more energy than parent bullet the .40S&W. Its double the cost of 9mm though so just wondering if you shoot it, why?

For some reason I am finding myself wanting a pistol to shoot this. Maybe its the sexy necked cartridge.

Was thinking of a taurus 857 or sig p290. Would be for a carry piece.

[Elbows]

Supposed to be better against body armour in certain guises, and generally people say it's a lot of ballistic bang-for-your-buck, with less recoil than a .40. However it simply never really truly caught on, something reflected by it's price.

I'd have no problem with it, but with decent defense ammo available in all the other more affordable calibers, I'll never bother getting into it.

[DustinM]

Short answer, don't bother.

I too am in love with .357 sig, due to basically being a hot 9mm projectile.
Ammo is expensive, guns that are chambered in .357 sig are expensive.
You're better off buying almost any other caliber.
If you want huge bang for the buck, check out 10mm. It's a cannon round essentially.

Don't know about it being better against body armor, but I suppose the higher velocity of the projectile would help. Really though, a 9mm or .40 are better choices.

Also, those 147gr loads tend to have less lb/ft of force on impact. Not sure why, really.

[LinkATX]

Pretty much what Elbows said. There are a number of Police departments that use this round but they don't have to pay for the ammo. I have a Sig 226 in .40 s&w with the .357 barrel that I've have used for maybe a box of ammo. It's a very accurate round with slightly less recoil, IMO. I highly recommend that you buy a pistol in .40 that you can swap the barrel out on, instead of buying a pistol that only can shoot 357 sig. While the sig round has slightly higher energy and penetration with the lighter bullets, as always with any self defense round, bullet placement is key. Having cheaper .40 s&w rounds will allow more practice at less cost; more important than a bit more energy IMO.

[Power5]

10mm is just as expensive and I do not have huge wrists. I guess I will look at guns with interchangeable barrels though.

I have only found a few options. Sig sp2022 is at the top of my list. XD makes one as does S&W with the m&p.

Any other options I should look at?

[SuperStar]

yeah just get a .40 and get a .357 sig barrel for it, .357sig should utilize the .40 mags since its just a necked down .40. Nice to have options.
10mm is the coolest though cause you can interchange barrels to a .40, .357sig, or 9x25... i have skinny wrists and shot my glock 20 in a match once

[abawp]

Ammo is expensive, guns that are chambered in .357 sig are expensive.

No they're not. .357 sig takes up the same space as a .40 S&W since the cartridge is nearly the same size save for the necked down area to accommodate the 9mm slug. All it takes is a barrel swap on any of the .40 S&W chambered pistols. Plenty of Glocks have a .357 sig barrel swap available, it's the only difference between a G22 and G31.

[Power5]

definitely no glocks. sorry.

[abawp]

definitely no glocks. sorry.

No worries, I was just pointing out one particular maker's options and compatibility. This sight has a pretty extensive list of alternatives to Glocks and the more obvious (and expensive) Sig Sauer option.

http://www.handguninfo.com/Archive/w....com/#Firearms

[dubraycer36]

Comparisons w/ ballistic gel.
124gr FMJ 10% gel 35x15x15cm, 25 meters

10mm Auto PMC 170gr JHP fired from a Colt Delta Elite

.357 Magnum Speer 125gr Gold Dot (I couldn't find any vids for .357 Sig, but it's gotta be close to this, right?)

[gotta_jet]

.357 sig is a poor choice.

[HighFructoseCornSyrp]

I don't have too much to add. I'm not sure why glock is off the table...for 40 to 80 dollars you can install various safeties on them. That seems to be everyone's biggest gripe.

Anyway, I spoke with a detective a while back who carried a glock 33 (subcompact 357 sig). He told me he the 357 sig round had too much recoil for the small frame to be comfortable. He switched to 40 (barrel swap) and it still was not friendly to shoot. He told me he now carried with. 9mm lone wolf barrel.

Moral of the story? If you're going to carry it, get a glock 33 or 27. If not, 22 or 31. You can get 22s for like 350 bucks all day long. If you get the itch for a different caliber, just buy the different barrels...It's the cheapest and most durable option IMO...

[1lojet1281]

the main draw for the 357 sig was its penetration (giggity!) iirc it was the Arazona state police that worked with Sig to provide input for the developement of the cartridge. they wanted something that would have maximun penetration of obstacles, mainly car bodies and windshields and in this aspect the 357 sig does truly shine above most other handgun cartridges. probably the next closest thing would be 7.62 Tok.

I also have heard that its a lower recoil alternative to 10mm for large game hunting with a pistol but I have no personal experience with it as far as hunting. it is a pretty snappy little round but i wouldnt call the recoil excessive, or punishing but it is by no means a "low recoil" round. not ideal for novice shooters or young shooters.

all that said, it does have a cool factor and sex appeal that is undeniable (for me anyway) i dont think i could justify a dedicated gun in that caliber but something like a glock that can be a switch barrel model it would be cool to have a second barrel to play around with it. other than that i can find little reason for private citizens to NEED a 357 sig unless you plan on getting in shootouts with people in cars

[gtguard]

http://tacticalforums.com/ubb/Forum78/HTML/000368.html
Here is a good read. Get a 9 or a .40, if you want something else get the .357 sig.

[Power5]

I think i have decided on a Sig 2022. I do not need to buy a used glock, nor do I like the look or feel of them. Also I prefer DA/SA over striker pistols.

[Elbows]

^Those ballistic gelatin tests are a bit skewed...considering you took a .357 Magnum revolver round with Speer Gold Dot (arguably the best defensive ammo in the world) vs. a 9mm full metal jacket?

Come on now...anyway, I have no beef with .357 Sig, but I hate boutique rounds, just makes life more difficult. Still a good bullet.

[dubraycer36]

^Those ballistic gelatin tests are a bit skewed...considering you took a .357 Magnum revolver round with Speer Gold Dot (arguably the best defensive ammo in the world) vs. a 9mm full metal jacket?

Come on now...anyway, I have no beef with .357 Sig, but I hate boutique rounds, just makes life more difficult. Still a good bullet.

I agree, but no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find a .357 sig test.
If you can find one I'd be glad to change it out, but the reason I posted that one is because it can't be THAT much of a difference between a revolver and an auto round, can it?

[Power5]

Not as good as the videos you already posted but the very end of the clip has a side view.

[VEEDUB_FAZEVR6]

I never got the chance to shoot it. But I was reading that other countries (mainly in Europe) who allow their civilians to legally carry, have BANNED calibers larger than 9mm.

The .357Sig round will give you the ballistic damage equivalent to a .40SW round. The .357Sig was designed to be some type of loop-hole for the 'big bore' ban overseas.

[HighFructoseCornSyrp]

Jeez I'm kind of in love with this round the more I look at it. Out of a subcompact glock, it stomps the 357 magnum out of a snubby. If you're not looking for a hunting caliber (10mm or 357 mag), this is a really nice option. I just wonder how it recoils comPared to my subcompact 45...I know it's a higher round count, but the rarity of the round and the snap recoil impulse would be its only detractors. Too bad you cant just neck down 40 s&w brass...

[Power5]

Thought it was a necked down .40 with 9mm bullet. I would imagine it has less recoil than .40 or .45

[Justin]

I have one but don't want to use it as a self defense round as I want something that is more likely to enter and stop instead of keep traveling. However, I might just be making all that up...

I bought an HK in .357 sig because it was a steal of a deal, I also had a Sig P250 with the .357 and .40 barrels but never used a .357 in it...Expensive bullets and more often than not Wal-Mart and the like don't carry them or want an arm and a leg. I am still very hooked on .40 and .45

[compy222]

I carry a glock 33 in .357sig and love it.

Excellent performance from a small bullet. I have a .40 barrel to drop in, all glocks can be barrel swapped between .40 and .357. Even the mags are the same.

A little .357sig love:


Winchester Ranger T-Series 125gr JHP - left fired into water (through bucket and 6 inches of earth), right fired into a iced milk jug. Rough expansion was nickel/quarter sized.


what was left of the bucket - incredible penetration...blew my 9 and .45 out of the water (literally)


said Ranger T-series next to .50BMG -

[Power5]

I believe all Sigs can be barrel swapped between .357 and .40 as well. Sig pro is a pretty good deal and likely the next gun I pick up. Have not found any place that sells them equipped with a .357 barrel so will likely be buying a 40 and finding a barrel aftermarket. How is your compact with recoil?

[compy222]

I believe all Sigs can be barrel swapped between .357 and .40 as well. Sig pro is a pretty good deal and likely the next gun I pick up. Have not found any place that sells them equipped with a .357 barrel so will likely be buying a 40 and finding a barrel aftermarket. How is your compact with recoil?

its got some pretty good muzzle snap. i find i can get three shots off in a straight line upwards, past that under rapid fire, it gets really tough to stay close to your original point of aim. the difference in recoil between .357 and .40 is negligible. the .40 seems to chug you back a bit more and the .357 seems to have more "flip" in the muzzle. either way, the recoil is the result of a small frame, compact, and light pistol shooting powerful bullets. its nothing compared to the stupidity of a j-frame .357 airlite...which basically feels like hitting your hand with a hammer every time you shoot.

also, i would recommend a sig everyday over a taurus. i've seen failures from almost every taurus, everything from poor fit and finish, to broken cast parts, etc.

consider the S&W MP9 or MP40. the compact is a great size for carry and shooting. should be close to the sig price point.

[Power5]

Finally found a 2022 in stock local to fondle. I love the feel. Does not feel as top heavy as a glock or m&p. Love the trigger. They only had a 9mm but ergonomics are the same. Buds has the .40 for $464 with night sights. Great price I think. They have the same gun I handled for $399. Local shop wanted $515. Ridiculous though they must be in demand locally because this is the first time in a couple months they have even had one on hand.