Opinions on 357 Sig

[fraz]

Is the 357 Sig an accurate round compared to others? I heard that it isn't as inherantly accurate as some pistol calibers.

[halifax]

I've got both barrels for my SIG 226 and 239. The 357SIG seems to impact just as precisely as the 40S&W, if not slightly better.

[Oceanbob]

The .357 SIG is just as accurate as any other pistol round. Homeland Security, Police Departments and Federal Air Marshalls carry them.

One experienced Firearms Instructor told me that the .357 SIG is also considered slightly more reliable feeding because the bottle-neck cartridge chambers much easier than a straight-walled cartridge.

I recently shot the .357SIG for the first time; I really enjoyed it. Zippy and accurate. I bought an aftermarket barrel (KKM) off another Cal Gunner and I am going to pimp out a Glock 27 with it....hehehe.

Be well, Bob

[Cuda440]

The accuracy really depends on the weapon more than the round, but the high velocity of the 357sig will have less bullet drop at longer ranges.

Personally, I like the caliber. It combines the semi-auto capacity of a 40s&w, and the performance of a 357 magnum. The ammo costs the same as 357 mag, and $18 per box doesn't seem extremely expensive to me.

In before someone says "it's an answer to a question that was never asked"
So was every other caliber- we could have just stuck with cannons

[BigfootHunter]

I too am a fan of this caliber and have both a 40 and 357sig barrel for my sp2022 and M&P 40. It is definitely an accurate cartridge, and the reasoning behind why some agencies use it is the ability to engage targets at a longer distance. Ultimately accuracy does depend on the platform, but the ability to shoot farther/flatter is there regardless. It is a little more expensive, but it makes sense to get the conversion barrels if you have a 40 since the same magazines are used. 9mm sized projectile with a big powder charge behind it, sign me up!

If you reload, the 9mm bullet means reloading components are cheaper as well, though since it is resized like rifle brass you either have to lube it up before resizing or use a 40 cal resizing die first (carbide dies don't need lubrication) before using the 357 die for neck sizing. Either way it's technically the same amount of steps as a regular pistol caliber once you add the extra die (making it 3 dies just like any other pistol caliber).

[davbog44]

The 357SIG is accurate. It is possible that some shooters experience a slightly different POI with 357SIG when using a pistol that allows for a barrel swap between .40S&W and 357SIG. For example, with SIG pistols (P226, P229) you can simply swap barrels to convert from 357 to 40 and vice versa. There are other pistols that allow that as well.

But I know that when SIG ships a P229 or P226 in 357SIG they use a different front sight than they do when shipping the gun as a .40S&W. One is a #6 and the other a #8, though I always forget which is which.

I find I can get slightly better follow up shots with 357SIG than I can in the same pistol in .40. Recoil is about the same between the two calibers in the same pistol, but has slightly different characteristics.

I too have read that the necked cartridge is a net positive for feeding.

The biggest downside to 357SIG is the cost of the ammunition. It does cost more than .40 and can sometimes be harder to find, at least at attractive price. I have also read (though never personally experienced) that bullet set back could be an issue with the round because the bullet simply isn't seated as deeply as some other cartridges.

I like the caliber a lot. So much so that I bought my last SIG pistol in 357, have 357 barrels for two other SIGs I own, and just got one for my HK P2000 SK, and a P229 DAK in 357SIG is one of my carry guns.

[coq]

My little Glock 33 is maybe the most accurate Glock I've got. I noticed this recently, consistently ringing a small piece of steel at 50 yards. It shoots noticeably flatter than 9mm and with that extra pressure, is a very fun round as well. You won't feel underpowered. .357 Sig ammo costs about the same as .45ACP. As many have stated, for 2 guns in one, a .40/.357 conversion barrel is definitely the way to go.

[9mmepiphany]

I've found that the 357SIG was more accurate than the .40S&W in both a Glock and Sig platform

[Q619]

It's a great round with great performance. I plan on getting one eventually

[starsnuffer]

If you like to shoot it, buy it. Don't buy it if you think you're getting a superior round. These days they're all pretty much similar, just buy based on preference.





-W

[CessnaDriver]

Maybe someone can back me up, I've read and believe I've seen some testing videos...

Talking semi-auto.. Doesn't the .357 Sig perform better for things like car door penetration? something the secret service was interested in?

[starsnuffer]

It might, but then you're talking about FMJ ammo, not the hollow points or expanding rounds that you'd want for home defense.

If you want to shoot through car doors on a regular basis, 5.7 or 7.62x25 Tokarev would be better choices.

-W

[BigfootHunter]

Cool pictures, but it looks to me like the 357sig also creates the biggest wound channel as well (even larger than the on created by the 45acp!). Seems like it's the superior round to me, based on those pictures anyway...

[Cuda440]

That picture is cool, it shows that the 357sig probably won't over-penetrate the target, which I view as a good thing. However, watch the vids below, you'll see how much energy is really transferred by the 357sig. Massive amounts of energy transfer without over-penetration sounds like an ideal combo.

40 S&W


45 ACP


357 Sig

[starsnuffer]

Those videos are good but the fact that the last gel block was much less tall in the front gives the illusion of more shock then is really imparted. It also looks like the bullet fragments nearly completely. Not a real apples to apples comparison.

I think it's pretty clear that all of them are going to kill. We're not arguing which is more deader then the other. I'd still recommend to keep shooting until the target is no longer moving, be it with a .500 or a .22.

-W