.357 Sig or .40 S&W short barrel?

Varminterror

Varminterror

New member
I own both in full size models, but I'm looking at adding a sub-compact (double or single, not caring yet) conceal carry piece with a little more oomph than my normal EDC 380's and 9mm's.

Not necessarily looking for brand recommendations - everything I'm considering are ~3" barrel models. That's not the question.

I'm looking for expereinces with the 357 Sig vs. 40 S&W in short barrels. Recoil won't be an issue for my wife or I.

I'm sure both are "right answers" for my application. Just curious if there's any reason to favor one cartridge over the other in a 3" tube. I'm finding myself on the fence.
 
Not exactly sure what you are looking for in a response, so if I miss the mark, please ignore.

In the interest of full disclosure, I don't own a 357 Sig. pistol. I have shot a couple, but don't own one. I do EDC
a Glock 27. And I own other Glocks in 10mm, 45 Auto, 40 S&W, and 9mm.

First, I prefer a bigger bullet, so of the two, the 40 S&W wins there. Ammo is cheaper, unless hand loading, and more available. The 357 Sig, will have better penetration, but in SD pistols, one hopes all rounds hit the intended target, and don't pass through to injure an unintended target. So better penetration may not really be an advantage. Me personally, if Glock would ever make a 30S, in a Gen4, I would switch back to the big old slow bone breaking 45 Auto. But my G30SF, is just a tad to thick, and heavy, for most EDC situations...For me. So my compromise is the G27. Lighter, thinner, yet still brings 10+1 180 gr. slugs to the fight.

Squeeze
 
Squeeze, that's kinda where my mind is right now - I'm a "big slow bullets" guy, but I've been playing with a couple sub-caliber neck-downed revolvers of late, and it reinvigorated my feelings for my .357 Sig.

I'm kicking back and forth between the G33 or G27 and the Sig P224 - I'm leaning towards the P224. She's anything but thin and light, but it does have the advantage of a little extra recoil taming weight, a little more grip, and a few extra rounds. I have bunches of pocket pistols and a few mid-size "compacts" to carry, but I'm looking for a bit more range, bit more power, and bit more capacity.

The flatter shooting 357Sig might have a slight advantage if I try to get more use out of the pistol and try to hunt with it, not that a sub-compact pistol makes a good hunting weapon.

The numbers on the page don't really have enough variability to make much difference, which makes the decision that much more frustrating - I know both answers are "right," but my brain doesn't compute two solutions very well.

The good news is that I can buy replacement barrels for either of my options at a relatively reasonable cost. I'm already reloading both, mags transfer, just need a barrel... And of course, if I go with Glock, my OCD will have to accept that it says the wrong number and cartridge on the side.
 
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40 s&w is so common, nothing against the 357 Sig though. With the 40 brass is almost free, if one reloads. If it came down to one gun for me, I'd take my P2000sk in 40.
 
I went through 2 or 3 sub 40s looking for a backup to my duty gear, i couldnt find one that was reliable and had all manner of failures including having a pistol split itself in half in my hand. I decided the 40 was too much for a tiny gun and gave up on it.
 
I started with a S&W M&P Sheild40 as my "small carry gun", after 2 years I moved on to a S&W 642CT in 38 Special. Between these 2 guns they are both great, so it was down to a coin toss which one I took. In the last 3 months I have started to carry a 3" 1911 Colt Defender in 45ACP, I like the 1911 platform and for now at least the 1911 will be riding with me most of the time.

Good Luck on whatever you decide to buy and carry.
 
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Originally Posted By: NdIndyI went through 2 or 3 sub 40s looking for a backup to my duty gear, i couldnt find one that was reliable and had all manner of failures including having a pistol split itself in half in my hand. I decided the 40 was too much for a tiny gun and gave up on it.



Could you share which 40's fell apart on you?

I'm leaning heavily towards the SigSauer P224 (as in ready to order a pair of them after tax time), with a machined steel slide and aluminum frame. The Glock 27 and 33 are my second option in 40 & 357sig, respectively. If the steel & aluminum Sig can't keep the 40 contained, then maybe it's worth looking at a G36 or G30SF in 45acp.
 
Originally Posted By: NdIndyI went through 2 or 3 sub 40s looking for a backup to my duty gear, i couldnt find one that was reliable and had all manner of failures including having a pistol split itself in half in my hand. I decided the 40 was too much for a tiny gun and gave up on it.

I have two G27s, one Gen 3, and one Gen 4, and I shoot my SD loads, along with a pile of medium power practice loads, twice a month, on my pistol range. Yes, after 100 rounds, my hands are telling me I should switch over to the G23 for a few mags.
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But I have never had a pistol in 40 S&W come apart. I have had a case blow out, in a 9mm Browning BDM, taking out the magazine(follower and floor plate!), and the extractor. Probably a range pickup, that I missed the Glock smile on. That Browning impressed me, after measurements showed no damage other than a new extractor, and getting a fresh mag. I have pushed the limits on Glocks in 10mm, 40 S&W, and 45 Auto, to the point the bulged brass was recycled, and I have never had anything close to a pistol KABOOM. Not saying it can't happen, but something beyond stout loads has to happen. Some pistol manufacturers have had issues with early models of 40 S&W in 9mm pistol frames, so I would give new models, of 40 S&W, in small pistols, time to get proven safe.
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Squeeze
 
Take a look at the CZ 2075 RAMI in 40S&W
I picked one up about 2 years ago and will never part with it. Look at the rami with the alloy frame, and stay away from the polymer rami.
Very solid handgun and can be easily concealed.
 


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