4.25 or 5" .357 sig?

[dom1104]

Hey guys, trying to decide between a 4.25" and a 5" .357 sig, this will be for home defense only.

Does anyone know what real world velocity difference this would bring to the table?

I am having a hard time finding data on this.

This would be in a M&P pro 5" .40 cal, or the 4.25" version of it.

Trying to figure out if the extra .75 inches is worth the extra expense of new holsters, custom barrel, etc.

 

[wow6599]

No.....you might gain 50 fps

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357sig.html

 

[230kvdr]

Well you should gain a bit more accuracy with the extra 3/4" for those panic home defense shots. Heaven forbid.

 

[Seven For Sure]

75 fps would be about average, up to 100 fps. DT shows velocities going from 1450 in a 4" to 1525 in a 4.5". Bottleneck cartridges gain more than straight walled cartridges in longer barrels.

For a HD only gun I'd go for the 5", especially with 357 sig. The 357 sig is going to be loud if you're forced to shoot inside with out hearing protection. I can tell you from experience with 3.5", 4" and 6" Glocks in the caliber that the shorter the barrel, the louder the bang. The 4.5" M&P 45 is my nightstand gun and with Gold Dot Short Barrel does'nt have much flash or bang.

 

[Rokman]

I would go with the 5" for home defense only situation.

 

[Shadan7]

Thanks for the cite, wow6599.

Personally, I wouldn't see the benefit as being worth it - not if you already have equipment that fits the 4.25" barrel version. I carry a Steyr M357 with a 4" barrel upon occasion, and trust it just fine. Going to a long gun (even in a pistol cartridge) would make sense in terms of an upgrade, but otherwise . . .

Jim