The Rohrbaugh Forum
Miscellaneous => Other Guns => Topic started by: Rocnerd on December 14, 2005, 09:53:30 AM
-
Anybody have a pistol in this caliber? I guess I have an indulgent desire to get a pistol in every caliber and was thinking of setting my sites on this one next (after the P7M8 and compact .45 and . . . well, you know put it on the list).
-
Rocnerd,
I don't have one, but did seriously consider it once.
Finally, I concluded that it may not be that common, and I felt more comfortable knowing that 40 S&W or .45 Auto would likely be on the shelves.
Of course, that was just an impression about the .357 Sig and I don't really know that much about the supply.
Funny how we always need just one more gun. :)
Bill
-
Funny how we always need just one more gun. :)
One? Just one? :o (So many guns . . . so little time . . . .) ;D
-
I like that marine shotgun you have, Richard.
That's a real humdinger.
That should take care of most routine threats. :D
Bill
-
I don't think it would be that rare -- haven't the TX rangers and HWY Patrol switched to it? On the other hand, I can't recall ever seeing a gun in that caliber -- it may end up a bit like a 40S&W, not a bad caliber, but, IMO, no real benefits over the ubiquitous 45
-
I have a Sig 229 with two barrels, same magazine; one is
.40 and the other is .357 Sig. Yes, the THP and the Rangers
switched to the .357 Sig from the .40. It is hotter and allegedly more accurate than the .40. It is considerably
hotter than a standard .45 round, albeit smaller in mass,
but entirely adequate to change the bad guy's channel.
One Trooper told me that his groups were much tighter with
the .357 Sig vs. the .40
-
tracker,
Is that a standard Sig P229? I didn't know they could be used that way.
Darn! That makes a person think about buying another gun.
Bill
-
Yes, Bill, that is a standard Sig 229--the extra barrel is about
$160. Teddy also did an action job on it. Glock and Springfield
also make guns in .357 Sig, among others I'm sure but I don't
think any are quite like the 229 in that regard.
-
I've got a Steyr M357 -- and a Kel Tec P-40/P-357 (yes, a Kel Tec in .357 Sig. :o ) KT used to stock the .357 top end for the P-40 for $175, the drop-in barrel alone was $110. It is an inexpensive way to get into that cartridge. Of course, when the Steyr wasn't well known or popular, your could pick up an M357 for $299.
I find the recoil no worse in the .357 than the .40 -- maybe even a little less with the lighter weight projectile. Yes, it is accurate as well. The low bore axis of the Steyr and short reset trigger makes it a real performer in this cartridge.
Here's a link to an informative website regarding this cartridge -- and a list of agencies who are utilizing the cartridge. http://www.handguninfo.com/Archive/www.Pete-357.com/#Agencies
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/flyandscuba/p357andp3at.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v250/flyandscuba/Steyr_Blade_Tech.jpg)
-
A 357 Sig in powRball; now that is a hot number. I'll have to
try some of that because I sure love it in 9mm.
-
I didn't know that Steyr or Beretta chambered any of there firearms for the .357 Sig. I knew Glock and of couse Sig did, but that was it. Will check the Steyr out this weekend. Thanks.
Does Steyr have a website?
-
Here's the website: http://www.steyr-mannlicher.com/index.php?id=617
It looks like the .357 Sig offering is limited in production -- and they've gone up a bit in price since I bought mine...
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=41483632
-
Thanks for the web address.
I just found this on gunbroker. Seems really cheap for a Sig. I wonder if there is something wrong with it.
http://www.gunsonthenet.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=41479210
-
That is cheap, indeed.
-
357 Sig after-market barrels are available from Jarvis, for
example, to convert the Beretta 96 from 40 calibre. I don't
know about the magazines.
-
Jarvis also has a 357 Sig barrel for a Glock 22 that works
with the Glock 22 magazines if you had a 22 model and
didn't want to spring for a new Glock in 357 Sig.
-
Magazines for .40 S&W should work just fine with the .357 Sig.
-
Jarvis also has a 357 Sig barrel for a Glock 22 that works
with the Glock 22 magazines if you had a 22 model and
didn't want to spring for a new Glock in 357 Sig.
How about for the Glock 23?
-
Glock 23 magazines will work for the 357 Sig.
-
Glock 23 magazines will work for the 357 Sig.
Right, sorry, I meant does Jarvis have barrels for the .357 Sig for the Glock 23 also?
-
http://www.jarvis-custom.com/
Here is the website; I was unable to tell.
-
Don't know if Jarvis does, but several manufacturers do.
To get back to the initial question asked on this thread, I had a .357 SIG pistol (a Glock 33) way back in the mid/late-'90s when they first came out. I shot about 2200 rounds ($ouch$) through it before trading it off a year or two later.
Here are some things that I noticed:
The .357 SIG (like all bottlenecked pistol rounds) feeds like a dream. You're shoving a 9mm pole into a 10mm hole - my gun never had feeding issues.
The .357 SIG initially had problems with the bullets setting back into the neck of the case. The first cartridges did not have cannellures to hold the bullets where they should be, and I had to constantly eyeball rounds that I'd cycled through because they did shorten - which could have been ugly given the edge-of-the-envelope pressures the cartridge operates at in the first place. I don't know whether this has been remedied (I see more mfgrs are cannelluring their rounds, but I don't know if it's solved the problem), but it is a common problem with bottlenecked semiauto rounds - just look at the major crimp the Sovs put on the 7.62x25s. (I actually have a thread on Glock Talk asking about whether this has been fixed, because I've been thinking about getting into another .357 SIG pistol . . . .)
When I'd fire the microGlock in .357 SIG, people would always gather behind me to see what I was shooting. The concussion was like that of a .357 magnum full-bore round - it'd pound you on the chest. The actual recoil of the gun was sharp, but not difficult to manage, even from such a small platform. I will say that it took me about 500 rounds to overcome the flinch I would soon develop as a result of the G33's concussion. My wife just flat-out refused to shoot it - it's not a novice's gun (but we're on the Rohrbaugh Forum, so it's fine for anyone here ;) ).
The rounds aren't cheap. They've gotten better, but they're still not cheap. They're also not as easy to find as .38/.357/.44s.
The rounds were accurate, or at least just fine. My group sizes were the same from the G33 as they are from my G26.
Anyway, hope this was of interest and use. :)
-
One more thought: since Glock now makes 3 models of 357
Sig, it might work to just buy the equivalent 357 barrel for
your 23; it is worth an inquiry.
-
That is a possibility Tracker, but then I wouldn't have the excuse to buy a new gun :) ;) :D
Thanks Erich. I love the WHOOM! and flash you get from .357 Mag rounds, so that sounds right up my alley. I could see that setback would be a concern, good point. I'll have to see what the Christmas bonus is like this year. If I have any left after paying off the credit cards, yeah right, I am putting a HK P7M8 on layaway. Once that is paid off maybe get the .357 Sig instead of the compact .45. Hmm. Decisions decisions.
-
If I were going to buy one it would be a Glock 32 which is
like a Glock 19 size. It also comes compensated but that
is a controversial subject because of the hot cases shooting out the top of the barrel. It is nowhere near a P-7 in cost;
I would think in the high 400's or low 500's.
-
I meant to type: "hot gases".
-
Hi Rocnerd,
I have a Glock 32 (357 SIG caliber) and I have a 357 barrel for my Glock 27 .40 S&W cal. The .40 magazines feed the 357 rounds just fine, and the .40 S&W and 357 barrels are interchangeable in the Glocks. That’s because the 357 Auto (SIG) round is a .40 caliber case necked down to fit a 9mm (.355 in) bullet.
I also have a Glock 23 .40S&W that I shoot quite a bit, so I can compare the two rounds in the exact same "Glock 19 sized platform.” The 357 Glock 32 cost me the same as my .40 Glock 23, a little under $500 with standard sights.
I find that the Speer GDHP 357 SIG 125 grain (which seems to have very similar ballistics to the .357 magnum rounds), and the .40 S&W Speer 165 grain GDHP have almost the same felt recoil. From what I’ve read and from what I’ve seen in my own informal testing with plywood, sheets of steel and wet phone books, is that the .40 S&W may have an edge in stopping power and price of ammo, but it seems to me that the 357 round has better penetration through barriers (car doors, walls, etc.) and has a flatter trajectory at a greater range. That may be the reason some police departments prefer the 357 SIG round over the .40 S&W. For me accuracy is about the same in both, but I shot the G23 .40 a lot more than I do the G32 357. So all else being equal the 357 is probably more accurate. I do well with both rounds at self defense distances (45 feet or less).
I was going to buy just a 357 barrel for my Glock 23, but that costs about $175. So I figured for “only” about $325 more I could have a whole new Glock 32. It works for me. ;)
I feel that if I ever have to use either my G23 or G32 in a self defense situation, on an assailant within 25 yards and in the open (not behind a barrier or in a vehicle), that either caliber will both have very similar stopping power. If, in the unlikely event that I do have to engage an assailant at greater distances or when they are behind cover, or in a vehicle, then I believe I would rather have the 357 Glock 32.
How do I justify having both? The Glock 23 .40 caliber loaded with Speer 165 grain GDHP rounds is my primary home defense hand gun. With the .40 caliber I think there is less of a chance of the bullets going through the bad guy and the walls of my house and then into a neighbor’s house. My 357 Glock 32 loaded with Speer 125 grain GDHPs is the hand gun I take with me to the woods when I off-road with my Jeep. There I may have to make hits at a greater distance, or engage targets in vehicles or behind barriers. Of course, in most cases, I also have my “pup” (Rohrbaugh R9s) loaded with Speer GDHPs in my pocket. ;D
Ed
-
I've been talked out of the .357 Sig and .32NAA (both bottlenecked rounds) by the guys at Guns Galore in Fenton, MI. Both times the owner told me he would sell me the gun if I really wanted it (he had Sig P239s in .40 S&W and .357 Sig in stock. Ditto the NAA Guardians in .380 ACP & .32NAA).
His reason? Ammo selection is limited, relatively expensive, and sometimes real hard to find. Especially if you are far from home.
I bought the P239 in .40 S&W & the Guardian in .380 (about a year apart) and never regretted my choices.
Sig will sell me a .357 Sig barrel for my P239 if I really want one, but when I get the urge to shoot a .357, I just dig out the S&W 686 and blast away. 8)
-
Thanks Edman. Its good to know the recoil is relatively the same for the .40 and .357. I will probably end up with one of either the Steyr or the Sig. Not just yet though, as I just ordered my P7M8. $1200 or so NIB from the distributor, or it may be slightly cheaper if they can get it directly from H&K. Either way it is a good price. I have seen used ones with a decent amount of holster wear go for that much.
-
Amen on the ammo being expensive and possibly difficult
to find in the future; it seems to all get back to nines and
forty-fives.
-
Steve,
I keep seeing Guns Galore signs on the interstate. I've been afraid to stop there, for fear of spending more money.
That Sig P239 is just right. I got the short trigger to make the reach a little less.
-
Bill,
Does Sig make a .357 Sig barrel that would work with your
239?
-
Is a bear Catholic? ;)
Actually, the P239 is the pistola I've been considering for getting me back into this caliber.
-
tracker,
I don't think so. To the best of my knowledge, it is strictly 9mm.
It's actually my favorite pistol, which goes in a VM-2 IWB from Milt Sparks. You pretty well have to wear your shirt out, to carry it properly.
-
Bill,
I was thinking of the 239 in .40 which does have an alternative .357 barrel, I think, just like the 229; or you
could just buy the 239 in .357 Sig.
-
If I ever return to a large caliber, it would probably be a .45 auto again. I just traded my Glock 36 a few months ago for an AR-15 carbine.
I have been reading that the most popular LEO pistol is a Glock 40 S&W. Can't remember the model at the moment, but fairly certain it is the Glock 22.
If the R9S continues to be 100% reliable, then that will be my "always" choice to carry.
-
I was thinking like tracker . . . :-[
-
I like the 239. It is thinner and more compact than the 229, but it just doesn't fit my hand as well as the 229. I saw a two tone 229 with the silver fire controls at the gunshop that needed a wipe down from all the drool I left on it.
-
Rocnerd,
I want one of each.
Many folks think the Sig should have won over Beretta when they selected the Army pistol.
Bill
-
If I had to choose between my Glock 23 (.40S&W) or my Glock 32 (.357 SIG/Auto) I would take the G23 .40S&W for many reasons. I feel it is the better self defense round, and ammo is a bit cheaper, but 357 ammo prices are coming down. In fact I was able to buy 1000 rounds of Speer .357 SIG 125 grain GDHP ammo for $229.00 with free shipping from Ammoman.com. That comes out to about 23 cents a round. That's $4.60 for 20, or $11.50 for 50 rounds of high quility Speer Gold Dot Hollow Points. If .357 Sig rounds ever become too expensive I'll just buy another .40 S&W barrel for my Glock 32 and the I'll have another Glock 23. ;)
Ed
-
Corbon has introduced the DPX load in .357 Sig....AND, it is less expensive than the .40 S&W offering!!
https://www.dakotaammo.net/shop/product_info.php?products_id=258
$16.62 for the .357 Sig whereas the .40 S&W is $24.06
The 125 gr DPX bullet should scream from the .357 Sig!! This may be THE carry load for this caliber.
-
flyandscuba,
Thanks for the info on the CorBon .357 SIG ammo. I'll get some and test it with my .357 SIG Speer 125 gr. GDHP on some steel plate and wet phone books. I'll give a report.
Ed
-
I finally got to shoot the .357 Sig the other day. A secret servant agent was shooting his issued Sig 229 in .357 Sig and let me pop off a few rounds. Wow! Loud bang is true, but what a pussy cat compared to my glock 23. I also got to shoot my friend's HK USP in .40, which was again softer shooting than my G23. Hmm. I would really like to shoot a Sig 229 in .40 next to a 229 in .357 to see what, if any, difference in felt recoil there might be. Well, as soon as my finances recover from my latest undisciplined buying of my beloved Colt Python I may just pick up the 229 in .357 and get a .40 barrel for it as well.