27 or 33, yes, a .40 S&W or a .357 sig.

[rgc]

I am not looking to start a what is superior to what type post. I am looking for a new carry GLOCK and I was wonder about the pros and cons of the 27 (which I am familiar with) and the 33. I know the .40 S&W is a good round, however, I am not that up on the .357 sig. I have done some searches on this board and others, yet, I am still not quite clear on if .357 is a better round for self defense over the .40. I know the .357 sig should have better penetration and very reliable feeding, yet, I have really don’t think the 27s that I have known or heard about have ever had reliability problems. Anyway, any info on the difference in the calibers or in the two guns mentioned would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
rgc

Ps. To be honest I am leaning toward the 30 or 36 as I love the good ol’ 45 acp.

 

[surfinUSA]

I've got a G27 and like it alot. The 40 is approved my my department and the 357 sig is not, so I don't know much about it.

I think the 40 is easier to find. From what I've seen it turns bad guys into worm food fairly easily. The G27 is easy to conceal, accurate and reliable. Can't ask for much more than that.

 

[ebenw]

.357 maybe a better round...

.357 maybe a better round, however, the .40 s&w is fast becoming more popular. That's probably because the casings look less complex.. .40 ammo will probably cost less, unless you reload.

BTW, the .357 sig casings are the same length (roughly) and circumference as the .40 s&w, so It's a small wonder that with the change of a barrel, some pistols would be convertible. Look at the sig 228... or is it 229? After-market barrels for the sig are around $200 at the most, so the option have to be deliberate.

 

[Rich357]

Here's some data on the G33, G32 and G31. I've posted it a couple of times here recently. The same source also has data on the G27 but I don't have the magazine with me right now.

You can shoot either round in the G27 or G33 with just a barrel change. Why not be different and order the G33?

The G30 and G36 are fine pistols but you lose quite a bit of velocity and energy with any short barreled .45auto.

If you don't mind the size of the G30 and G36, look at the increase in velocity and power you get going to the G32. It is virtually the same lenght and height as the G30 and G36. It is thinner than the G30 and a little thicker than the G36

Here is some data from the Glock Annual '99, article "Glock's .357 Trio", page 80. It gives some idea of the effect of barrel lenght when using the .357SIG.

G31, barrel 4.49 inches
G32, barrel 4.02 inches
G33, barrel 3.46 inches

G31 Cor-Bon 125 gr 1431.2/586 velocity/energy
G31 SpeerGD 125 gr 1378.8/527

G32 Cor-Bon 125 gr 1402.4/546
G32 SpeerGD 125 gr 1355.8/510

G33 Cor-Bon 125 gr 1350.2/506
G33 SpeerGD 125 gr 1278.2/453

Rich

 

[ebenw]

so, did they give..

any reference point as to the "stopping power."

A very subjective part of a study, I know, but IMO flesh and bone may yield just a small amount of difference between 480 fp and 580 fp...
Good research, though.

Think of BG at 4 feet away and you may as well focus more on the projectile than the barrel length.

Stay away from ball ammo, unless you're shooting chickens.

You're Desert Eagle .50 AE might be at home in your safe, but that teenie little KelTec .32 ACP will be in your pocket when you need it. I don't think anybody would be laughing if you have to use it.

 

[rgc]

Thanks Rich.

I actually have that annuall from '99 right in front of me. As for the 32, well lets just say I spend quite a bit of time each day with a 19. I was really looking smaller and lighter than my trusty 19. Hence, the 27/33 or the 36. Additonally, I have a friend that deals in a lot of used guns who tells me he is seeing more GLOCKs in .357 come through his door recently. Thus, there is the chance I will get a better deal on a 33 before I get a good deal on a 27 or a 36 . . . my interest in the .357 sig was sparked.

 

[Beav]

I don't have any experience with either of those handguns but I do have several 40S&W (Steyr M40, Walther P99QA, and a Beretta 96G Elite II) and one 357SIG (SIG P226) handgun.

I really like the 357SIG round. I am more accurate with my P226 than any of my 40S&W guns, could be the guns themselves but I'm not very accurate with any of my 40S&Ws even the Beretta. I like the LOUD report from the 357SIG and yet it doesn't seem to be any snappier than the 40S&W, I find it fun to shoot. It also has the bottlenecked design which should improve feed reliability. If your bothered by kBs, I've read that the 357SIG has thicker casing than the 40S&W and therefore should be less likely to kB. The only negative I have for the the 357SIG is the cost of ammo. I eventually plan converting all of my 40S&W to 357SIG in the future. With that said, I think the 40S&W is a good round, just not for me.

Good Luck!

 

[Rich357]

I enjoy shooting the G27 and G33. But, I lean toward the G33.

Rich
ps The SIG P239 in .357SIG is very nice.