.357 sig

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hall5d

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Does anybody have experience with the .357 SIG cartridge? I'm thinking about getting the x-change kit for my P226 and the .357 would add more variety to my lineup. Any thoughts on recoil, handling, etc. compared to 9 and .40? It looks like ammo might be hard to come by too....
 
It is a bit snappier than a 40.

On paper is a real "whiz-bang" type round.

I got a 357 sig pistol, and bought a 40s&w barrel for it. I don't think I've actually put more than 500 rounds through the 357 since I bought it 3-4 yrs ago....

It's "cool", it feeds real smooth. 124gr pills at 357 mag velocities. (Not so much with the 147gr pills).

If a guy could CCW here in Canada, I believe it would be the answer.
 
I ccw with a glock 23 with a barrel conversion. It is very snappy in lighter pistols, but for defensive carry it is great. The only big concern is lack of ball ammo. You will likely be shooting jhp for any practice. Once you overcome the recoil, it is laser accurate.
In the all steel sigs the recoil is very manageable. Given the fact it is a bottle neck cartridge, Ftf is almost unheard of.
 
I really like my 357 Sig. As previously mentioned, it is snappy. I don't think it is any snappier than 40 though, and find it easier to shoot and control than 40 in the same pistol. You certainly will notice a step up from 9mm.
 
I've never shot one either or even seen a gun chambered for the round. However, I think getting ammo for it will be feast or famine so you find it, you better buy it all cause' you never know when it comes around again.
If the claim of a 124gr round at .357 velocity is correct, it should recoil close to shooting a 3-4" K frame with .38Spl+P or 125gr .357 JHP ammo. True?
How is the SIG cartridge for muzzle flash?
 
Have shot many rounds of it. Great round and very accurate. It is snappy and its like a magnum for velocity but very manageable. It is loud but thats fun and depending on what powder is used you can get quite and impressive flash. Worst part is availability/cost of ammo. Luckily I reload for that cartridge so its quite reasonable but if I had to purchase factory ammo, I would not shoot it as much. I have it in a couple of Glocks as well as a P226. I am very pleased with it.
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I had a .40 P226 that I picked up a .357 barrel for. I didn't find ithe recoil much different between them as the video below shows. It's a fun round--I've got a 31C top up for my Glock 22 since I sold the SIG a few months ago. I find it's more like a hot 9mm round than a .357. Muzzle flash does not seem bad using Winchester White Box ammo.

[youtube]xWixM456gUQ[/youtube]
 
The .357Sig is an interesting cartridge with some definite tactical merits, but as a sporting cartridge I don't feel it has anything special to offer. I have a .357 barrel for both my P226 and M&P40, but I rarely shoot with them. 40S&W ammo is far more available to me, and I don't find them that different to shoot.
 
I have a .357 SIG barrel for my Glock 20. Out of 10mm, .40 S&W and .357 SIG, the .357 is the most accurate. I cannot directly compare the "snappiniess" as I didn't do that. I also only have 50 down the barrel. I liked it a lot though and plan to shoot more. I have supplies to reload it because it is so expensive off the shelf. If I had a P226, I would get a conversion for .357 SIG. For me it's just fun to have another calibre to try. Also, as far as the accuracy goes, I need more time and care to absolutely declare it the winner. That was my first impression though.
 
I don't have any 357sig experience but I do have an STI in 40 S&W with a 9x40 interchangeable barrel (9x40 is basically a 357 sig that headspaces differently and uses 40 brass)
Used as a IPSC Standard gun the class has a minimum power factor for major of 170 (velocity x bullet weight divided by 1000) and most people add a few for good measure, I try to keep it around 175 (5 PF is not that noticeable IMO).
What I have found;
My 40 load is a 180 grain jacketed bullet at around 980'ish fps. Fairly snappy but totally workable- I like it.
My 9x40 can't drive a 124 fast enough to reliable make major in Standard. You need about 1425 fps (ish) and with the powders I have had access to I can get there but I can't get a comfort zone. It works well but not my cup of tea...(with my open top end the 124's work great but that's another story...)
147's can be driven easily past major, 7 grains of Longshot gives me a 1210 fps average and work good with lots of velocity on tap if you want to lean on it a bit harder.
My feeling is the perceived recoil is equal to or less with the 9x40 in comparison to the 40 (same gun, same slide, etc...) but the faster round seems to smack the steel harder and it seems it's slightly more accurate- but that may be me...
I guess it's depending on what you want out of it and if you reload.
One thing is for sure is if you want something different it's a conversation starter...
 
.357 Sig is reasonably popular Down Under due to our calibre restrictions(target shooters limited to 9mm/.38 but up to and including .45 allowed only for metallic silhouette and single action) as it is the only way to make Major in IPSC Standard division. I didn't shoot when .40S&W was an option but from talking to the more experienced guys they would ditch .357 Sig in a heart beat if .40S&W was allowed. It is just cheaper and easier to get cases for and there are a million loads available whereas a lot of guys had to come up with .357 Sig loads themselves. Most of the guys use a 160gn projectile and locally made AP70 powder which is rebranded as Hodgdon Universal in the US and Canada.

If we didn't have calibre restrictions nobody would shoot it except the enthusiast or special snowflake type. It just doesn't really offer anything special.
 
from what i understand the 357sig is a very popular round for European police forces.
its said to be a very flat shooting round which would explain the improved accuracy some people find with it.
 
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