P80 Debate. 40 S&W, 9mm or 357 Sig ?

[bdb.hunting]

So I’m not heavy into handguns but prior to the freeze I decided to get more than the one I had.

With money being tight at the time I decided to get myself a P80 frame to build out later. (It’s standard size G17 frame.)

I’m trying to decide what to do and keep flip flopping so I’ve come to you all for help.

I know I can find slides and or barrels and do all three. I know the 40 and 357 ejector is straight and the 9mm is slightly bent so to make sure I have the right one installed.

So the real question is which would you build? And would you use a Glock slide or aftermarket slide ? I do want to mount a red dot in this pistol so a slide cut for that will be what I’m after.

If you have owned or shot all three cartridges or even just a 40 or a 357 I’d like to hear about it. I reload so I’m not too worried about ammunition costs. I’m already well into the 9mm reloading world along with a lot of rifle cartridges.

EDIT: one reason I look at 40 is that I plan to one day apply for wilderness ATC for trapping purposes. However in BC rules state you require a 357 or bigger. So while a 9mm may or may not be allowed depending on who is looking at the application. (Technically slightly different diameters) the 40 would pass without issue. I do wish I’d had a 10mm when I bought but just wasn’t available to me at the time. For plinking I’d drop a 9mm barrel in without question.

Cheers,
B

 

[fightinghamster]

Personally if I had the money I’d get a 40 and a 9mm complete slide with a threaded barrel and optic cut, then shoot both and decide what I want to do from there, can always sell unused parts after, I’ve got 9mm s and a 40 and i like shooting both but because I can’t buy anymore I try to make the guns that I have able to convert to different calibers so I can at least feel like I’m getting different guns lol, personally on the caliber front I stay away from odd calibers like 357 sig and just stick to the basics but to each there own, currently piecing together a 9mm p80 full size

 

[bdb.hunting]

Personally if I had the money I’d get a 40 and a 9mm complete slide with a threaded barrel and optic cut, then shoot both and decide what I want to do from there, can always sell unused parts after, I’ve got 9mm s and a 40 and i like shooting both but because I can’t buy anymore I try to make the guns that I have able to convert to different calibers so I can at least feel like I’m getting different guns lol, personally on the caliber front I stay away from odd calibers like 357 sig and just stick to the basics but to each there own, currently piecing together a 9mm p80 full size

Thanks for the reply. I’ve never had the chance to shoot a 40 as nobody I know owns one. Also I rarely get out to shoot my 9mm or 22lr handguns and it’s something I need to work on.

I think you’re right in saying get both. I’m gunna start with a 9mm because it seems to be much easier to get parts and I’m waiting for 40 slides to arrive somewhere.

B

 

[Jarvy]

Why choose? Get a .40 slide, which will fit both factory glock .40 and .357 barrels. Most barrel companies make 9mm conversion barrels that drop right into .40 glocks. .357sig fits perfectly in .40 magazines. It really is that easy.

It's what I did when I had a Glock31. .357SIG is still is my favourite caliber of all time, but when I couldn't source it or just had less loonies to spend, I'd drop in the 9mm barrel.

 

[I Dont Care About You]

40 is dead, There is zero reason to go 40 .... cue all the outrage 40 owners to tell me I'm wrong.

9mm is easier to get and cheaper to shoot with less recoil. Why would anyone want to spend more to deal with more recoil?

I shot a 357 Sig for the first time a week or so ago. I'd always assumed it was just another sort of 9mm analog meant for competition. That notion was VERY wrong. 357 is quite a powerful cartridge. It is basically the equivalent of full chat 357 Magnum. If you are just looking for a fun, plinking caliber to shoot, 357 Sig is absolutely the wrong choice. Factory ammo is also quite expensive.

 

[fightinghamster]

Why choose? Get a .40 slide, which will fit both factory glock .40 and .357 barrels. Most barrel companies make 9mm conversion barrels that drop right into .40 glocks. .357sig fits perfectly in .40 magazines. It really is that easy.

It's what I did when I had a Glock31. .357SIG is still is my favourite caliber of all time, but when I couldn't source it or just had less loonies to spend, I'd drop in the 9mm barrel.

This is probably the most cost effective solution to be able to shoot anything you want

 

[OCanada]

Why choose? Get a .40 slide, which will fit both factory glock .40 and .357 barrels. Most barrel companies make 9mm conversion barrels that drop right into .40 glocks. .357sig fits perfectly in .40 magazines. It really is that easy.

It's what I did when I had a Glock31. .357SIG is still is my favourite caliber of all time, but when I couldn't source it or just had less loonies to spend, I'd drop in the 9mm barrel.

I have an optics cut .40 upper that I got cheap. Got a 9mm conversion barrel for it, and rarely use .40 now. This is mainly due to cost difference and finding supply. The money you could save over time shooting 9mm, could add up to getting a .22 conversion upper for your frame to really cut down on ammo costs if you are inclined.

P.

 

[JBD]

a 357 sig shoots the same bullets a bit faster than 9mm and the 40 shoots a larger bullet at roughly the same speed as a 9mm so both are a bit more powerful than 9mm. Both cost more to shoot than 9mm.

 

[Butcherbill]

Since you can’t run a 10mm on a mid size frame I’d go 40.

 

[brownbear53]

9mm, cheaper to build and to feed, replacement parts are easily found, and its a target shooting firearm, why bother trying to track down two defunct, overly expensive cartridges when all your plan on doing is pinging steel or putting holes in paper.
9mm also has the most variety of ammo, in bulk, available at almost all retailers at any given time.

A complete and functional slide for a g17 platform can be had for 300-900$ depending on what you get, lower parts will cost you another 150$.
Mags and optic extra.

 

[SLANTO]

Why choose? Get a .40 slide, which will fit both factory glock .40 and .357 barrels. Most barrel companies make 9mm conversion barrels that drop right into .40 glocks. .357sig fits perfectly in .40 magazines. It really is that easy.

It's what I did when I had a Glock31. .357SIG is still is my favourite caliber of all time, but when I couldn't source it or just had less loonies to spend, I'd drop in the 9mm barrel.

This, I’ve got the Glock22 with the .357 Sig barrel and drop in 9mmm conversion. Go for the Advantage Arms .22 for a very flexible platform

 

[alpining]

...EDIT: one reason I look at 40 is that I plan to one day apply for wilderness ATC for trapping purposes....

Assuming you qualify for an ATC in the future, wouldn't you able to purchase a new pistol then?

Regardless, I wouldn't make today's decision based on what might happen with your potential ATC needs.

 

[B]

Variety is the spice of life. Dead or not being able to shoot .357S and .40 is a thing. I'd go the .40 slide route as mentioned, you'll be able to do it all that way.

 

[bdb.hunting]

Assuming you qualify for an ATC in the future, wouldn't you able to purchase a new pistol then?

Regardless, I wouldn't make today's decision based on what might happen with your potential ATC needs.

Technically yes I believe you can but I also want to take a course prior to applying to improve my skill and its best to do said course with a pistol that would qualify. Its allot of annoying back and forth with the CFO but I know there is a podcast out now that has helped with the steps in BC as the BC CFO is terrible at replying to questions.

I'm someone who would prefer to be prepared. Id rather be able to hand off all the paperwork and have a qualifying firearm prior to applying. I already would have applied but had to cancel some courses due to a back surgery.

B

 

[bdb.hunting]

Variety is the spice of life. Dead or not being able to shoot .357S and .40 is a thing. I'd go the .40 slide route as mentioned, you'll be able to do it all that way.

Thats what I was thinking but the census seems to disagree with me. However I think I will hunt down a .40 slide and go from there I may just get a couple barrels for it at the end of the day and possible shoot nothing but 9mm through it except for courses and when/if I apply and receive an ATC.

 

[alpining]

Fair enough. (different topic, but I think the success rate of ATC applications is pretty low, which is why I shy away from using that as a deciding factor)

Personally, if actually using it for serious wilderness protection (and not just for dispatching trapped animals), I would absolutely wait until the ATC was approved, and then buy a genuine Glock large frame pistol. But if you need to (or want to) stick with your P80, then if you built it carefully and ran a few thousand rounds through it without any problems, that would be my second choice.

 

[alpining]

As for cartridge choice, f you just want to add variety to your range sessions and you already handload, then 40 is probably the way to go. Lots of free brass available, if you don't mind picking it up.

For wilderness protection (not just dispatching trapped animals), there is a good argument for the 357Sig. It gives you many more bullet options. But then we're getting into real "caliber wars" territory:

Luckily you're not limited to factory ammunition. With careful handloads, and assuming you have no issues finding the perfect choice of components, I'd be satisfied with any of the cartridge options. 40 S&W factory ammunition is truly Short & Weak. You can handload it "better", but in my mind it's really just a big 9mm, and with fewer bullet options. As IDCAY mentioned above, the 357Sig is a different animal.

 

[bdb.hunting]

Fair enough. (different topic, but I think the success rate of ATC applications is pretty low, which is why I shy away from using that as a deciding factor)

Personally, if actually using it for serious wilderness protection (and not just for dispatching trapped animals), I would absolutely wait until the ATC was approved, and then buy a genuine Glock large frame pistol. But if you need to (or want to) stick with your P80, then if you built it carefully and ran a few thousand rounds through it without any problems, that would be my second choice.

If and when the day comes. An I get approved for an ATC I have an uncle with a revolver that I’d like to take off his hands and use as I’d prefer that personally but see as it can’t be transferred I won’t be for the time being and if the rules do change that’s the first phone call I’ll make.

I actually just purchased a G35 slide setup to test on the P80. With plans to get a 9mm barrel and maybe a 357 Sig if I can find it. Having the extra cartridges to shoot really is what I’m looking for now while I can’t buy or build other things. I have a 9mm and 22lr so something else will be fun!

I agree handloads open up options and lower cost with both. (I already have 40 cal dies as I got them in a reloading lot I bought a few years back.

B

 

[alpining]

Right on, let us know how that G35 slide works out on the P80.

 

[bdb.hunting]

Right on, let us know how that G35 slide works out on the P80.

Will do! Looks like I’m swapping the trigger housing/ejector pin but other than that it looks to be fine! I’ll go over parts diagrams as it arrives to confirm the rest is good.

Thanks for the advice and help.

B