Snuffy

How well does this round shoot, what are the draw backs, what are the pro's?

gunman42782

Basically, it is a .40 S and W necked down to 9mm. It was designed with the idea of putting .357 Magnum balistics into a semi auto pistol. It doesn't quite do that, but the stats on paper is very impressive. I think it is a good round, but it never really has caught on, at least not where I work. Very seldom sell a gun in this caliber, and the ammo is very expensive.

deputy125

the recoil seems no different than a 40............it gets down the range fast...very fast.

DPS went over to it because of its ability to penetrate vehicles/doors/glass......and from listening to them they are happy with it and with the results of some shootings they have been involved in.

the drawbacks on reloading have already been mentioned. Have not really had enough oppertunity/trigger time to comment on the weapon format/round as far as accuracy.

part of the advertising hype was centered on the bottleneck design suposedly being more feed reliable. I prefer/like the advertising hype comparing it to the 357 magnum myself........

during the last ammo shortage/buying panic, the 357 sig ammo was one of the few rounds that seemed to be available during the panic.

Snuffy

Thanks for the input men. This is going to be a carry gun more fire power and less damaging to myt hands than the LCR. I got a darringer in 38 sp and its easier for me to shoot than the LCR. But its is pretty heavy also and I sure that has something to do with it. yes the 357 sig isn't cheap, but them again neither is my life lol.
For years the DPS carried ony S&W 357 but now has changed over to auto's. A while back had to transport Galveston, anyhow a TDC sgt there told me I had to stay of course I knew better than that, but said well I am going to go smoke. When down to the parking lot call my LT and told him what was going on. He said he would take care of it. Anyhow while i was down there I was talking with a DPS officer, and he and I were talking about the switch over from wheel gun to the auto loader. he admitted he shot the 357 much better and was in the middle score wise with the sig. As he said we had alot of practise ammo with the 357 as we shot 38 sp and it was cheap enough to buy and shoot on your as well but with the sig the department can't issue the ammo like they use too and it was to high in price to buy and shoot like he use too. Iagreed with him on the price and it hasn't cu=aught on with the public for sure as the price of the ammo is high.
My whole reason for trading was more gun to start with, and as the Trooper said you do have more than 6 to shoot if ya need too. TRG sold me on not reload for the 40 cal. and I can just look at the 357 sig and see that I don't want to start reloading.
I like the idea of the Glock being ready all the time just don't care for the fact you never know by looking at it if its loaded with the sig. 250 I can look at the right side and see that there is a shell in the chamber. And it does have a longer triger pull but its a real nice triger pull.
I am sure its going to be easier on my hands shooting it.

deputy125

what kind of 38 derringer?

Taurus_9mm

I really like the .357 Sig round and shoot it sometimes from my Glock 22 w/ a Lone Wolf conversion barrel. I refer to it as a laser because it shoots flat and does get to the target very quickly as Deputy mentioned. My personal defense ammo for it is Winchester 125 gr. SXTs and from the bullets that I've shot and been fortunate enough to recover, they expand very nicely. A video I saw recently of a guy on youtube using the same ammo (but shooting into a drum filled with water) mirrored my own experiences; the rounds fully expanded and the bottom edges of the jacket opened up with those jagged points ala the old Black Talon rounds. Recoil to me felt somewhat similar to shooting 155 gr. 40 S&W fodder. It's definitely not an inexpensive chambering though, usually the cheapest I see a box offered for online is around $25.00 and that's typically for FMJ rounds. If I were given a choice of what to protect myself with though between the .40 and .357 Sig I'd choose the latter hands-down every time.

Snuffy

Deputy its a Davis mod. DLB with a 2 inch barrel. Anyhow I bought from a friend who was operating a gun shop out of his house in the 90's Where you could get one now is anyones guess. its shoots good for me and doesn't terr my hand up either.
Thanks for the imformation there Taurus, I was thinkingof using the 40 cal for range practise as I can get that pretty cheap. Will still need some trigger time with 357.

sheepdog

...Snuffer, you skipped the part between .357 revolvers and .357 Sigs where the DPS carried .45ACP!!! Sigs, then, too...but they didn't do well at stopping cars/defeating windshields...then they went to the .357 Sig and here we are...

Snuffy

Well being an old fart like you i felt you could fill in the spaces much better than I could. Trying to help ya feel important there pal. They didn't keep the 45 very long form what I was told the trooper weren't shooting them well at all And it would be very hard to switch from a wheel to an auto loader. But with the world changing as it is the Trooper really do need the added fire power. Especially out in west Texas, where help maybe a very long way from you.

sheepdog

...I don't understand how a man can have trouble shooting a 220 Sig but not with a .357 Sig, which has a sharper kick...maybe they just bucked down and practiced more...anyway...the .357 Sig is better against vehicles...so here we are...now don't be using yours to stop a train!!!

Snuffy

No no sheepdog I have a nice pictture of your face for stoppin trains and such You know the tempation was more than I could berry

Montanan

Our Montana Highway Patrol carries and loves this cartridge, as Deputy stated it works well on vehicles. I personally would be carrying a 10mm if I was back on duty.

sheepdog

...wonder how they compare in stopping power...

Snuffy

Your picture is better than brakes pal.

Taurus_9mm

Here's an interesting, older article on the .357 Sig (and the 9mm) that some of you guys may find enjoyable.

http://www.handguninfo.com/Archive/www. ... ompare.htm

Snuffy

great read many thanks my friend.

Montanan

Good information there, even though I carry a 9mm for SD right now.