9mm VS. 357 Sig. FOR HOME/SELF DEFENSE?
- Thread starter Preacher.
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Erm.... why not? There is at least a theoretical reliability advantage. The only reason I say theoretical is that most modern pistols feed non-bottle-necked rounds so well and reliably that I don't know if the failure rate is actually any lower in bottle-neck rounds.
Certaindeaf
member
The parent of the 9mm Luger, the .30 Luger, was and is renowned for its feeding reliability.
I don't know if it has the same neck tension issues that the Sig has though.
I don't know if it has the same neck tension issues that the Sig has though.
R.W.Dale
Member
my experience with 357 sig as a HD ccw weapon has lead me to recommend against it for others.
Ime the sig round is fatally flawed for folks who don't practice with what they carry with a .gov footing the bill. That flaw is bullet setback.
In a g32 with ranger t series ammunition just two rechamberings of the same round netted nearly .030" of bullet setback. If you actually shoot and practice with said firearm this will get expensive in a hurry.
So if you're a LEO that always unloads his magazines bullet first 357 offers a small but distinct improvement in ballistics.
But for the rest of us that minuscule advantage over 9mm+p doesn't justify the cost of ammunition with a limited load life
posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complaints about
Ime the sig round is fatally flawed for folks who don't practice with what they carry with a .gov footing the bill. That flaw is bullet setback.
In a g32 with ranger t series ammunition just two rechamberings of the same round netted nearly .030" of bullet setback. If you actually shoot and practice with said firearm this will get expensive in a hurry.
So if you're a LEO that always unloads his magazines bullet first 357 offers a small but distinct improvement in ballistics.
But for the rest of us that minuscule advantage over 9mm+p doesn't justify the cost of ammunition with a limited load life
posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complaints about
armsmaster270
Member
I bought a Sig 226 in .40 and at the same time bought a spare barrel in 357 Sig I hardly use the .40 barrel any more. The 357 Sig has been my CCW caliber for a long time
RBid
Member
If you can quickly and accurately put shots on target with the .357 SIG, can control it one-handed, and feel better carrying that, go for it.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
In total agreement with post #5.
Rockyriver
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If you want to get a 357 sig, Buy a 40 cal handgun that also offers the gun in 357 also. Then get a 357 barrel for SD and use the 40 also for SD and practice. The Magazines are the same.
Its the best of both worlds. The sig really rocks the walls at the firing range when I set it off. You can tell a big difference in sound over a 9mm, even with muffs on. I went with S&W M&P's. Midway has the barrels for cheap for the M&P if you get stock S&W barrels.
I suggest 357 sig when out on the town with the 124 grain Federal HST or Gold Dot 124 grain, and when at home as a night table gun run the 40 barrel with 180 Federal HST.
The 357 Sig to me would be a bear to handle with no ear protection in a house, not that the 40 is much quieter, however its more bearable. The 357 sig drops the bad boys real good when you look at police department statistics that use them.
Its the best of both worlds. The sig really rocks the walls at the firing range when I set it off. You can tell a big difference in sound over a 9mm, even with muffs on. I went with S&W M&P's. Midway has the barrels for cheap for the M&P if you get stock S&W barrels.
I suggest 357 sig when out on the town with the 124 grain Federal HST or Gold Dot 124 grain, and when at home as a night table gun run the 40 barrel with 180 Federal HST.
The 357 Sig to me would be a bear to handle with no ear protection in a house, not that the 40 is much quieter, however its more bearable. The 357 sig drops the bad boys real good when you look at police department statistics that use them.
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AK103K
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The only thing I ever noticed different between 357SIG and +P+ 9mm, was the 357SIG was a little louder. Either way, either of them will deafen you indoors.
The 357SIG isnt the big bad wolf some seem to think it is, it really is just basically a +P+ 9mm, and shoots the same as one in comparable guns.
Things I never had an problems with 357SIG are...
Shooting them. They are no harder to shoot than anything else.
Muzzle flash, any worse than anything else. I dont know what people who say they are flashy are shooting, but I never saw it with factory or reloads, even indoors.
Feeding. They feed fine, and better than some others. The pistols I have had the most trouble with feeding have been 1911's in .45acp.
Bullet setback with factory ammo. Then again, I never chambered a round more than twice to ever really see any. Reloads were never an issue, as they were compressed loads, and there was nowhere for the bullet to go but out.
Reloading them. They are as easy to load for as anything else.
About the only bad thing I can say about them is, ammo and bullets for reloading got real pricey there for awhile, and my Glock 31 was beating itself to death (something my SIG's never had an issue with).
With all that said, I got rid of all mine, and went back to 9mm. 9mm factory ammo is a lot cheaper, and so is reloading for it, so I get to shoot a lot more for the same money.
The 357SIG isnt the big bad wolf some seem to think it is, it really is just basically a +P+ 9mm, and shoots the same as one in comparable guns.
Things I never had an problems with 357SIG are...
Shooting them. They are no harder to shoot than anything else.
Muzzle flash, any worse than anything else. I dont know what people who say they are flashy are shooting, but I never saw it with factory or reloads, even indoors.
Feeding. They feed fine, and better than some others. The pistols I have had the most trouble with feeding have been 1911's in .45acp.
Bullet setback with factory ammo. Then again, I never chambered a round more than twice to ever really see any. Reloads were never an issue, as they were compressed loads, and there was nowhere for the bullet to go but out.
Reloading them. They are as easy to load for as anything else.
About the only bad thing I can say about them is, ammo and bullets for reloading got real pricey there for awhile, and my Glock 31 was beating itself to death (something my SIG's never had an issue with).
With all that said, I got rid of all mine, and went back to 9mm. 9mm factory ammo is a lot cheaper, and so is reloading for it, so I get to shoot a lot more for the same money.
357 SIG is very loud, in my experience. Reloaded with AA#9 (only way to go, IME) there was a lot of flash as well. Since factory ammo seems to also be loaded with a slow powder, there's a lot of residue. It's not any harder to shoot, once you get past the blast.
It's a special purpose round in my mind. Home defense isn't that purpose, because it's going to be.super loud and you'll probably feel like you've been hit with a flashbang. I've never shot it inside though, just a guess.
A sidearm while hunting or for keeping safe on long roadtrips on secluded highways would suit it well. It's got some serious penetration.
It's a special purpose round in my mind. Home defense isn't that purpose, because it's going to be.super loud and you'll probably feel like you've been hit with a flashbang. I've never shot it inside though, just a guess.
A sidearm while hunting or for keeping safe on long roadtrips on secluded highways would suit it well. It's got some serious penetration.
Hit_Factor
Member
For max reliability in Glock 23 converted to 9mm consider swapping the ejector and extractor. Those parts are inexpensive and easily obtained.
If you're going to change the ejector and extractor in a glock 23 to shoot 9mm, you should have gotten a G19 and saved yourself the hassle. Barrel swaps are simple but that's going to require tools and little pieces everywhere.
If you want a 9-piece, get a 9-piece. Personally I don't agree with shooting something in a caliber it was not intended for.
otasan56
Member
For SD I'd get the 9mmP. You can get 115 or 127gr JHP +p+ rounds for it that are very hard hitting. AND, practice ammo is easier to find.
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Godsgunman
Member
9mm gets my vote, its what I carry 90% of the time. Plus probably what I'll grab for HD at night since my CZ has night sites. I do also have a .357 Mag revolver I carry for winter and then is the house gun for the wife when I'm not carrying it (.38+P when with the wifey).
otasan56
Member
Nice pictures of two hard-hitting pistols. I prefer my G17 and its 17 rounds of +p+ 115gr JHPs. And practice ammo is far easier to find. My Walmart always has 9mm in stock.
Corpral_Agarn
Member
In my situation:
For home defense pistol--> Full size, all steel, heavy (42oz+ammo) = .357 Sig
For carry gun --> compact, steel slide/alloy frame, lighter (25oz+ammo) = 9mm
I am lucky enough to have both at my disposal.
I think that the .357 Sig is the "better" round but capacity is nice and follow up shots are irreplaceable. The margin that the .357 is better is not really that much once you hit the BG (its gonna hurt bad either way, just make sure you can do your part) but it is better. I find that the .357 is great for folks that need to shoot through something to stop threats. That's perfect for my house cause the only people that would get hurt would be intruders. Walking around on the street it is not necessary to penetrate quite that well.
Things like blast and noise are negligible to me because those things come second to stopping the threat as fast as possible. And out here in CA suppressors are not a celebrated addition to your firearm :banghead:.
9mm is also significantly easier to shoot well. That is important to note if you do not reload or have a ton of money for practice.
For home defense pistol--> Full size, all steel, heavy (42oz+ammo) = .357 Sig
For carry gun --> compact, steel slide/alloy frame, lighter (25oz+ammo) = 9mm
I am lucky enough to have both at my disposal.
I think that the .357 Sig is the "better" round but capacity is nice and follow up shots are irreplaceable. The margin that the .357 is better is not really that much once you hit the BG (its gonna hurt bad either way, just make sure you can do your part) but it is better. I find that the .357 is great for folks that need to shoot through something to stop threats. That's perfect for my house cause the only people that would get hurt would be intruders. Walking around on the street it is not necessary to penetrate quite that well.
Things like blast and noise are negligible to me because those things come second to stopping the threat as fast as possible. And out here in CA suppressors are not a celebrated addition to your firearm :banghead:.
9mm is also significantly easier to shoot well. That is important to note if you do not reload or have a ton of money for practice.
otasan56
Member
So, what make/model of pistols you use for SD, at home and on the street?
Corpral_Agarn
Member
Home (used to ccw it too): Sig Sauer P226 in .357/.40 and another slide for .22 (soon to be yet another for 9mm)
And I just picked up a Sig P239 in 9mm as my carry gun.
I guess I am a Sig guy... but only because the less expensive options just didn't fit me quite right. I have smaller hands and find the P239 with the Short Trigger fits the best. Great weapons, both, never had a failure yet. I also am a huge fan of the DA/SA systems but i grew up on revolvers and it makes sense to me...
You really can't go wrong with Glocks, Springfields, or Smith and Wessons that I have seen. Sigs just fit me best and I like metal guns.
And I just picked up a Sig P239 in 9mm as my carry gun.
I guess I am a Sig guy... but only because the less expensive options just didn't fit me quite right. I have smaller hands and find the P239 with the Short Trigger fits the best. Great weapons, both, never had a failure yet. I also am a huge fan of the DA/SA systems but i grew up on revolvers and it makes sense to me...
You really can't go wrong with Glocks, Springfields, or Smith and Wessons that I have seen. Sigs just fit me best and I like metal guns.
otasan56
Member
I carry a Glock 17 with WW 9mmP 115gr JHP +p+ loads. Since 1989.
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