Mini-Glock Dilemma: .357 SIG or .40 S&W??

[Anthony]

Hello Everyone,

Here's a good question for you Glocksters out there.

I'd like to buy one of the mini-Glocks, but am unsure whether to buy one in .40 S&W or .357 SIG. Although I am aware of the fact you can change calibers by simply switching the barrel I am more interested in the shooting qualities of the guns in both calibers and any general comments on the calibers themselves.

Why do you prefer one caliber over the other in the mini-Glock?

Does either caliber have any specific advantages or disadvantages over the other?

Does Glock sell the replacement barrels to swap between the two calibers?

Thanks for all the input.

- Anthony

 

[M58]

If you reload, .357 is OK.
Yes, barrels are available.
Try to shoot one of each if possible.
They are pretty close; .357 may have the edge through windshields and doors.
10mm is better!

 

[Poohgyrr]

Barrel swapping between .40 and .357 is not a good idea for first and second generation models.

Glockmeister is one place that sells most everything you need.

 

[Kahr carrier]

I Like the 40 cal Glock 27 myself.

 

[denfoote]

Glock 29!!!
10mm, 40S&W, and .357 SIG all with a barrel change!!!

www.topglock.com has match grade EFK barrels for the G29 for a reasonable price. I just got one in .40 Smith. Shoots like a dream!!

 

[rugerfreak]

I was faced with the same decision a while back. I went with the G27 in .40.

Mainly because:

40 ammo is cheaper

more widely available

more bullet choices and just more factory loadings in general

I already have a 9mm and just liked the look of that big hole of the muzzle of the gun

For me, this was purchased as a last ditch defensive gun--I felt the .40 would be somewhat quieter than the .357---because more than likely I won't have my ears on if I would have to shoot a BG---so my thinking was--maybe I won't go deaf while doing it. Not sure about this---just what I was thinking before my purchase.

And last----I felt the .40 would have a higher resale value if I didn't like it-----not selling it---I love it. Its now my American Express gun---don't leave home without it.

These are pretty much the things I was going over before I bought the gun.

 

[10-Ring]

I like denfoote's recommendation...10mm, 357sig & 40 s&w from one frame & slide seems like the ticket

 

[dairycreek]

I opted for the G27.

Really easy to carry in a Sidearmor IWB holster. It has been reliable to a fault and ammo is readily available and much, much less expensive than 357 SIG. Good shooting

 

[biere]

If you reload, the 10mm and 40S&W round use the same bullets unless you get into the really heavy ones. If you reload see if the dies used for 40S&W can be used to load 10mm as well.

I did not see enough difference between the two to bother me when I went looking for one.

The warning about the barrel swaps applies to 2nd gen 22s, I have not seen a problem with the 27s but everyone should check to be sure.

I also had some older 15 round mags for the 40S&W and did not want to check about changing followers or anything else.

I am happy with my 27 and will eventually get a 357 sig barrel but for now it does not matter to me.

I also am big on the 10mm glocks, but I have both a 29 and a 27 and there is a difference in size that makes me feel the 27 can do some things a 29 might not do as well if we are talking about hiding the gun.

 

[Blueduck]

As noted above factory barrels are available, cheap and the only mechanical difference between the two guns.

That said your basically picking if you want your slide to say G-27 or G-33. I'd think if you lost interest in the gun you would find it easier to sell or trade the one marked G-27.

 

[duncan]

If you want a truly versatile platform, the G33 is the best CCW mini-Glock ballastically and package wise.

The G33 factory barrels are well made and differ from the G27 barrel in that brass buldges are minimal. Shot some ammo through a G27 factory barrle and look at all of the buldges and smiley faces on the brass.

And since the G33 is designed for high pressure, you have added engineered support.

I think that you'll need to get the G27 to do the 357 sig and 9mm conversions. Get those Federal converison barrels, some G26 9mm magazines and you have three calibers in one platform.

Add an Advanatge Arms .22lr conversion kit and you have four.

Carry .357 sig, practice with 357 sig or 40SW, practice with newbies on .22lr.

I prefer the Glock 32 with G23 hi caps though!

 

[DonGlock26]

I'd take a .40 Glock over a 9mm+P++ anyday. The .357Sig is usually a light bullet 125gr as opposed to a 180gr .40S&W bullet. I prefer a heavy bullet for self defense.

 

[MolonLabe416]

I'd go with the 40 for all the reasons listed. I carry a G-23, but if I were buying a mini-Glock, I'd go with 9mm. It's a small pistol with a short barrel. 9mm would be more pleasant all the way around, I should think.

 

[rugerfreak]

My G27 is surprisingly easy to shoot-------getting good groups even shooting one-handed.

I got rid of a G35 because of the snappy recoil---but the G27 is no big deal.-----I have no clue why the discrepency(sp??)---just my subjective opinion-----and a happy G27 owner.

 

[Dingo]

Snappy recoil with the 357 is right, Rugerfreak. Remember that the 357 operates at a much higher chamber pressure than the 40. I'll stick with my 27.

 

[DonGlock26]

Rugerfreak,

The G-27 has a double recoil spring that tends to cut down on recoil. I wish my G-23 came with one.

 

[Beorn]

I have friends that work for the border patrol. Almost all of them carry Beretta 96s (.40 S&W of course), but a few of them carry Glocks. A few of them have tried the .357 SIG as a secondary weapon, and the results are mixed. But few of them would ever trade their .40s.

My only Glock is an old 17, so I have no experience shooting any of the others, but I HAVE fired .40S&W and .357 SIG... For so many reasons already mentioned above (i.e.- price, availability, resale, etc.), I'd go with the 40...

For what it's worth.

 

[Deuce]

I'm in the same spot

You can get pretty hot loads in .40sw approaching and overlapping .357sig. But, .357sig has the edge ... in power. Cost of ammo is a HUGE factor. The .357sig "bark" without ears is a concern. For me, .357sig just doesn't have enough of a power advantage to make it a no-brainer. If I could get a 10mm in the same size (G29 is longer and thicker), I think I'd probably go for that. My only concern at this point is, I get the G27, and, after a while, still want the G33. Then again, after buying a few boxes of ammo, the reverse could certainly occur as well. Anyone else notice a difference in grip between the G36 and the other babies? For some reason, the G36, with a firm grip, makes my strong middle finger knuckle feel terrible in seconds. Otherwise, I'd jump on the G36. As it is, I might check it out again in case my knuckle was already sore for some reason (always banging it into door jams and such).

He11, I don't know. They should have a wheel (ala Man Show Wheel of destiny) for this sort of thing.:banghead:

 

[Beren]

The 357SIG "bark" is a concern of mine as well. I once fired a round with my hearing protection slightly ajar, and I definately noticed...

Is there any objective study available on the impact of muzzle report on unprotected hearing at close range? Or does anyone even have the equipment and willingness to get a reading on the dBs of various pistol calibers?

 

[biere]

I like the 9mm, 357 sig, and 40S&W since they share holster sizes and stuff since their outside dimensions are the same when comparing baby glocks or whatever.

I had a 36 and wound up selling it when I decided it duplicated what I had and was not what I really wanted. It is different in exterior dimensions from other glocks, I compared it to my 19 in size more so than to my 26.

I think any of them will get the job done. You just need to decide the nail you want to hammer. In this case the hammer is a glock and the nail is whatever cartridge you choose.