[Chris Stephens]

Hi there Wes,

As a recent convert to the .357 SIG and a long-time user of the .40 S&W, I feel qualified to make some comments with regards to your excellent topic.

In the two loads I have chosen to carry in my G-23 and recently aquired SIG P-239, here are some comparisons from Federal and Speer's web sites:

In the Federal Load, product # PD40S4H 135 grain Premium Defense Load we have a 135 grain bullet leaving the muzzle at an average of 1200 ft/sec with muzzle energy hovering around 432 foot/pounds. That's a very decent showing for .40 S&W round.

On the other hand, we have the Speer Personal Protection Gold Dot stock # 23918 round shooting a 125 grain bullet at a very respectable 1375 fps and boasting 535 foot/pounds in muzzle energy. The 155 grain load in .40 S&W is equal to the Federal Load.

For my purposes, ballistic coefficient and sectional density of the bullet itself makes little difference to me in terms of terminal performance.

From a "non-scientific" and practical viewpoint, the .357 SIG offers more muzzle energy and allows me more accurate shooting with less felt/percieved recoil due to the lighter and higher velocity cartridge.

Personally, there is a lot to like there.

I feel equally armed with both cartridges and functionally feel that the .357 SIG cartridge is a more reliable feeder due to its "bottle necked" case.

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hello OG,

Thank's for the reminder and you are absolutely correct.

It is my opinion and based on my personal experience thus far with the SIG 239 and SIG 226, there is a lot to like based on the ballistics of the .357 SIG round.

I've not yet found a source of data on "street proven results", but the cartridge is still relatively young and not in widespread use by the LEO community to the degree the .40 S&W is based on my previous thread and poll.

Should anyone know of such a source of information, it would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi Jim,

The following state LEO agencies use the .357 SIG:

Rhode Island State Police
Virginia State Police (replaced the 9mm in 1997)
Texas DPS/Texas Rangers Uniformed Division

There could be more, but this is what I have uncovered from recent inquiries here and around the web.

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there Wes,

I am in total agreement with your strategy of buying a barrel and fitting to an existing platform.

I might add in jest, Be Ware, I did the same with my Glock 23 and wound up buying two SIGs.
chambered in .357 SIG!

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there,

Add the North Dakota State Police to the list of .357 SIG carriers. My data base is growing....

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hello Mr. Twoguns,

First off, Wow! and thanks for the data. It does indeed cast a different light on the two cartridges and there is a discernable difference indeed!

There is one comparison that I would enjoy seeing.

That is a comparison between the .357 Magnum and the .357 SIG since folks seem to draw on that for a shooting comparison when folks strike up a conversation on the .357 SIG touting its benefits.

Again, thank you and I am happy to see you listed the Speer Got Dot load up there for comparison.

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Mr. twoguns,

I was suprised to see the Speer Gold Dot data as well and its significant comparison to the suppositely hotter Corbon ammunition. That really is an eye opener for me as well. I really do enjoy the chronograph reports and it does confirm "real world" data as compared to what I read on the manufacturers web sites.

Wes, if I can help in any way with the .357 SIG data, please feel free to PM me and I hope I didn't post anything to make anyone think that reloading this round is difficult to do.

If I can reload it, than anyone can.

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there ELB,

That would be a fantastic comparison to see if the "real world" data matches the legendary comparison folks make between the .357 SIG and .357 Magnum.

So far, I've not found a side by side comparison on the internet.

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hello ELB,

My oldest son has to be up at 5AM to be on the High School Bus at 6AM.

In about 2 months however, my son will be in the US Marines, so someone else will be waking him up

Maybe I can sleep in then after school's out for the summer. In the meantime, I use the time to do whatever strikes my fancy, i.e. reload cases, check the forum.

Chris

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there Wes,

Thank you for the report and comparative testing in your HP.

I really believe that testing two calibers in the same platform handgun will usually give you a "significant feel" the likeness and difference in the same handgun platform. I've found that to be the case with the .40 vs. .357 SIG in my since departed Glock 23!

Based on your excellent report, I can sympathize with you on the ammunition availability issue.

What I have done in my particular case, is order the 125 grain Gold Dots from www.midwayusa.com and have started to load my practice ammo. My previous experience tells me that when I become competent in loading one caliber or another, I can often duplicate the carry load. Harvesting brass and finding bullets is not an issue as long as a major supplier has them both. Midway also lists seasonal runs of "once fired" grade 1 and grade 2 brass.

Its worth the extra effort in my opinion, if I really want to shoot and practice with a particular load. I personally find the lower recoil impulse, higher velocity and downrange terminal performance worth the effort of reloading the .357 SIG.

Wes, again, thank you for sharing your findings with us. It is always great to have the extra objective experience recorded here for all to see.

Please let us know what you decide to do.

Chris