357 or 9mm

[kona]

Thinking about a ruger GP 100 for the high country. Am I getting much more power with hot 357 over +p 9mm in my SIG 226 or G19?

[ray1970]

I usually use a 357 for my back country sidearm. I usually like the heavier bullets. You can't get those in 9mm.

[Fentonite]

Fire a 9mm+p, and then fire a .357. The difference is not subtle.

[kona]

I really don't think I'm gaining much with 357.

[hurley842002]

I really don't think I'm gaining much with 357.

It would seem as tho you already have your mind made up, but i'll politely disagree. Don't get me wrong, I love my 9mm, but it doesn't hold a candle to a properly loaded .357 mag. Heaviest I can go in 9mm is 147gr, and case capacity is very little. I can load a 158gr quite hot, or if I really want to penetrate, 180gr or even 200 gr....... Here are some numbers from Double Tap:

147gr 9mm
http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_371&product_id=581

180gr .357
http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_331&product_id=336

200gr .357
http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=303_331&product_id=337


So if you notice, the 200gr .357 smokes the heaviest 9mm offering available....

[ray1970]

I really don't think I'm gaining much with 357.

I don't have great internet access now, but I bet if you look at the energy created by the best 357 load and the best 9mm load the 357 is going to win.

[ray1970]

Just looked up some buffalo bore data. They have some 357 loads right at 800 ft lbs of energy. Their best 9mm +P+ load barely hits 500.

[Irving]

Energy may be closer between rounds if you are comparing a hot 9mm out of a 5" barrel compared to a mellow 357 out of a 2" snub-nose gun. I don't know without looking it up though.

[sroz]

I agree with everyone else, but looks like you have your answer. If you're still trying to decide, Google may provide more insight.

NM...looks like others have done it 4 u.

[hurley842002]

Energy may be closer between rounds if you are comparing a hot 9mm out of a 5" barrel compared to a mellow 357 out of a 2" snub-nose gun. I don't know without looking it up though.

Definitely a valid statement, I certainly wouldn't recommend shorter than a 4" barrel for a woods gun, and a 6" would be much better.

[spqrzilla]

Thinking about a ruger GP 100 for the high country. Am I getting much more power with hot 357 over +p 9mm in my SIG 226 or G19?

What are you trying to accomplish? The GP 100 won't be legal for big game as it hasn't enough barrel length to get hot .357 Mag loads up to the required minimum energy.

[kona]

Still looking at the gp 100. Double tap makes it interesting.

[cysoto]

Thinking about a ruger GP 100 for the high country. Am I getting much more power with hot 357 over +p 9mm in my SIG 226 or G19?

Have you considered a 10mm instead? It has better terminal energy than a .357 and, in a platform such as a G20, many more rounds than any revo.

[SA Friday]

Have you considered a 10mm instead? It has better terminal energy than a .357 and, in a platform such as a G20, many more rounds than any revo.
Oh sure, muddy the water with logic...

[wctriumph]

Get yourself a Ruger Blackhawk with the 5.5 barrel and go practice with it or, a Super Blackhawk with the 5.5 barrel and go practice with it.

[sellersm]

My question is how many animals have been taken with 9mm? I vote for a longer barrel revo or a 10mm.


Sent from my fat fingers using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)

[hurley842002]

Have you considered a 10mm instead? It has better terminal energy than a .357 and, in a platform such as a G20, many more rounds than any revo.

Can't really go wrong with the 10mm as a woods gun, especially if you are more familiar with semi autos like me. I miss my OD G20, what a fun pistol.

[TFOGGER]

There's about a 40% difference in muzzle energy in factory loadings at 125 grains between the 9mm +P and .357. As noted before, the .357 is available in heavier bullets that will generate a metric crapton more energy, which could really come in handy if you're dealing with an annoyed bear. I personally wouldn't be comfortable trying to defend against a bear of angry moose with a 9mm...a .44 mag would be better, not being in that situation would be better still.

[sellersm]

^Yep. .44mag is the top choice!


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[ray1970]

With all the 44 talk, this would be my choice.

http://www.biggamehunt.net/graphics/photos_talltales/329pd-6.jpg

[Milt]

.357 magnum. In a 'service' weight revolver, like the GP100, even the hotter .357s are controllable for follow-up shots. It is NOT about energy, but penetration.

The 9x19 is well suited for self defense in areas where the primary threat is other people, but larger threats (like those found in 'the woods') require a lot more penetration. Feral dogs would most likely be facing you, meaning that more penetration will give you a better chance at hitting something important in a big dog's body; even human threats might need more penetration as they will likely be wearing heavier clothing and possibly have equipment on their chests (binoculars, ammunition pouches, etc...). 'Over-penetration' is much less likely to be a problem, since there are very few crowded streets and shopping malls in the boonies.

The .44 magnum, especially in light weight revolvers, has too much recoil for the average person to shoot rapidly AND accurately. The .357 is FAR from ideal, but is a workable compromise for those who cannot have a big bore rifle at the ready. In Colorado, a steel-framed 4" revolver with stoutly constructed 158 grain or heavier bullets in 'full power' .357 magnum loads will handle most situations if you do your part.

[Great-Kazoo]

Here's my trail gun, old Speed Six.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2zjjblg.jpg

[JM Ver. 2.0]

I really don't think I'm gaining much with 357.

Then why the fuck are you asking?

This shit pisses me off.

If you already have your mind made up why ask?!

Sent from my teepee using smoke signals.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Then why the fuck are you asking?

This shit pisses me off.

If you already have your mind made up why ask?!

Sent from my teepee using smoke signals.

Wow.

[SA Friday]

With all the 44 talk, this would be my choice.

http://www.biggamehunt.net/graphics/photos_talltales/329pd-6.jpg

Damn Ray, I didn't know you were a masichist. I've shot one of those and I think I'd rather be mauled than pull the trigger on one of those ever again. WAAAAAAAAYYYY too light for the 44 mag round. Hell, too light for the 357 mag round IMO. Amazing to carry, but you can't get more than one or two rounds out of it and your hand/wrist is toast.

[ray1970]

Damn Ray, I didn't know you were a masichist. I've shot one of those and I think I'd rather be mauled than pull the trigger on one of those ever again. WAAAAAAAAYYYY too light for the 44 mag round. Hell, too light for the 357 mag round IMO. Amazing to carry, but you can't get more than one or two rounds out of it and your hand/wrist is toast.

Chances are, if it is for a camping/hunting/hiking type sidearm, it will be carried a lot and shot very infrequently. The light weight would be ideal in my book.

Also, on a strange side note, handgun recoil has never bothered me too much. I've shot just about every caliber you can think of, even 45-70 and 30-06 and it just never really caused me much discomfort. Rifles, on the other hand, I am really recoil sensitive. Even a .308 doesn't agree with my shoulder most of the time.

[Zombie Steve]

4" .357 is about the best all around compromise IMHO. I've had my cast 158's in the upper 1,300's, but generally keep them to 1,250.

If you are talking about a 2-1/2" barrel, then yes, I'd compare that to a 9mm. There's no comparison if you're shooting a revolver with 4 inch barrel or more. My 686 has taken a beating over the years. Good amount of horsepower, easy to shoot, great trigger, comfortable to carry.

Hasn't looked this nice in many years, and you'll have to pardon the glory hole on the side, but here it is:

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x214/sbecht/DSCF1808-2.jpg


Of course... you could get the best of both worlds - Blackhawk convertible in .357 / .38 / 9mm:

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x214/sbecht/DSCF2174.jpg

[Great-Kazoo]

Wow.

It is a legit response. Why ask if your mind's made up ?

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

It is a legit response. Why ask if your mind's made up ?

You've never changed your mind on anything? Never had your mind set but asked a question that opened it to new possibilities? Ever bought something and sold it because you didn't like it?

[osok-308]

The .357 has a good bit of energy behind it. A good bit more than the 9mm depending on the loading. I have a S&W 686 that I will never give up. The 10mm and .44 mag have a LOT more energy but ammo price is much higher. I personally like the capacity you can get with a Glock 20, and you'll not have to worry about ammo being in short supply during legislation crazes as more people own 9mm/.357 than 10mm. If you want a new revolver, go with the .357, you won't be sorry.

[wctriumph]

This was my hiking/hunting back up pistol until I needed to sell off a bunch to make ends meet several years ago. I had two, one 7.5 for hunting and the 5.5 for back up. I still have the 7.5 as it is the first handgun I purchased on my 21st birthday (a lond time ago).

[Zombie Steve]

Very nice. Mine's in .45 Colt... clearly, it's spent a fair amount of time on my hip.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x214/sbecht/BHwear.jpg