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P229 .357 Sig or .40 S&W?

vepr762
All of you pro's gave me great advice on a Kel-Tec .380 for an "everyday" pocket gun. It's great and always there, but I'm really concerned about the effectiveness of the round on a drugged-up assailant. My employer is unfortunately based in a real rough area.

I'm in the market for a larger (non-pocket) carry weapon. I tried a P229 and loved everything about it. DA, decocker, accuracy, reliability, the SIZE, the way it fits my hand, but am not sure which caliber to purchase.

Is there any effective/tactical difference between the .357 Sig and the .40S&W besides the speed at which it travels? If that day every comes (and I pray it never does) that I need to draw/fire, I don't want to have to worry about a follow up shot.

Thanks
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • Invicta
    The 357 sig fires a smaller bullet at higher speeds that that of the 40 S&W. Both rounds though produce about the same amount of energy. Both are a step up in firepower from the 9mm luger. If I had to pick either of the 2 rounds for defence I would go with the .40 due to the wide variety of loadings available. You can get factory loaded .40 ammo in weights from 130-180 grains.
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  • Vortech347
    I have a 229 with both barrels. I originally bought the first year it was introduced in .40 and bought the .357 Sig barrel about 2 years ago.

    This is not scientific at all, but after shooting the gun on the same day with both calibers, I now keep the .357 Sig barrel in it and have not shot it as a .40 since.

    The .357 Sig round is substantially hotter than the .40 round. It is obvious when you shoot them side by side.

    While there are more choices in .40 loads the 125 grain loadings in .357 are at around 1300 fps out of a 5" barrel and are a near equal to the .357 Magnum round that is so popular and is so proven.

    I would never feel underpowered with the .40 but I think the .357 is a step up in power.

    Both rounds are extremely accurate and are plenty manageable in the 229. Great gun.
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  • vepr762
    I only fired the .40 version. I forgot to ask how the controlabilty is with the .357. I have a 6" Python that I load to about 1400fps with a 125 grain bullet. The Sig, being semi-auto, should be easier to keep on target, for a follow up if necessary, than a revolver...yes/no? I'd carry the Python, but it's too damn big.
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  • Mooseyard
    I too have a 226 and a 239 with both barrels. I prefer the 357, but if I'm going to the range to practice, I usually shoot the 40 instead just because ammo is cheaper. Otherwise both guns have the 357 barrel in them. Just my .02

    "My faith, my country and my family will guide me; nothing more, nothing less" -Gen. Tommy Franks

    Jess Hoffman
    Mooseyard Precision
    LE Supply & Firearms
    NRA Certified Instructor
    Shawano, WI 54166
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  • mr_floppy
    I have a 229 with both barrels / cals, 357 sig is more fun! But in a world full of black hearted prosecuting attorneys, I'd go with the 40, cal. Less recoil, muzzle flash, an additional round in the mag, and I see leo's convirting to 40 cal. If you have to defend yourself one day, an attorney will have less reasons to attack you if your using the same ammo as your leo's.
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  • Mooseyard
    How can you fit an additional round in the mag on a forty? Aren't they the same size?

    "My faith, my country and my family will guide me; nothing more, nothing less" -Gen. Tommy Franks

    Jess Hoffman
    Mooseyard Precision
    LE Supply & Firearms
    NRA Certified Instructor
    Shawano, WI 54166
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  • mr_floppy
    oops... and its the others way around, I can in a factory 229 mag fit 13 357 sig rounds and only 12 40 cal rounds. try it and you will find it works, Though I would not keep the spring that compressed for any extended period of time. sorry. Due to lawyer fiestyness alone I still stick to the 40 cal for Vepr762's question.
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  • gap1916
    I have used both in the Glock 23/32. The 357sig is more reliable in my mind. The shape of the case makes for more reliable feeding. Not that a straight wall case is unreliable. My 2 cents [8D]

    Greg
    Former Marine
    A N G L I C O
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  • vepr762
    I appreciate all the feedback. Is there any appreciable difference in control with the P239 vs P229?

    I'll probably buy the extra barrel just so I can switch off at the range.
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  • Vortech347
    quote:Originally posted by vepr762
    I only fired the .40 version. I forgot to ask how the controlabilty is with the .357. I have a 6" Python that I load to about 1400fps with a 125 grain bullet. The Sig, being semi-auto, should be easier to keep on target, for a follow up if necessary, than a revolver...yes/no? I'd carry the Python, but it's too damn big.


    The .357 does kick harder but it's not bad. It kicks about like a 6" .357 revolver but is quicker on follow up due to being an auto. The slide action does reduce some of the recoil that you would feel in a revolver.

    Considering it is a lighter bullet than a typical .40 round and it kicks harder that tells you it is a hotter round.

    Regarding the post about lawyers and possible problems with using the .357 Sig in a self defense situation. While I agree that one could argue liability using a "non-standard" round, remember the .357 Sig is a widely available commercial round chambered in a large number of guns now. I don't consider it a out of the ordinary caliber anymore. It's not like your carrying around a .50 AE.
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  • David C.
    quote:Originally posted by mr_floppy
    I have a 229 with both barrels / cals, 357 sig is more fun! But in a world full of black hearted prosecuting attorneys, I'd go with the 40, cal...
    Black-hearted prosecutors are an endangered species. Every time a law-abiding citizen shoots a crook, we're the first to say the jerk had it coming. Remember, we're the guys who give up big paychecks as regular lawyers so we can make peanuts helping the public.
    BTW, I say go with .40-
    I'm no expert but I always choose the bullet that will make a bigger hole. Bigger hole = more blood loss = faster death (in my limited understanding- I do see ALOT of bullet wounds on corpses, though).

    David
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