Cartridge choice - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

firearmgeek · 03-06-2007, 02:37 PM

Just want get an idea as far as reliability, accuracy.... deciding between a .357 or .45 (+2 already for price and purchase accessibility). Been hearing some good ballistics on the .357 or are these all urban legends.

Thanks in advance.

kannibul · 03-06-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firearmgeek

Just want get an idea as far as reliability, accuracy.... deciding between a .357 or .45 (+2 already for price and purchase accessibility). Been hearing some good ballistics on the .357 or are these all urban legends.

Thanks in advance.

None of it matters much...

Get a gun that you're comfortable with, and practice with it. Placement is key, BY FAR.

Ballistics Gel tests aren't worth the paper they're written on - they show expansion for soft-tissue only.

The only place that'll happen is if you shoot them in the belly, which won't put a determined BG down. Shoot them center mass, and you have bones to contend with.

Show me the same ballistics test with a cadaver's rib-cage as part of the test.

I have the "horrible" 9mm - I'm not worried. I have 10 rounds in 2 mags that I can sling at the BG - if I hit with 20% of those, and he's still after me, I'll need a lot more than a pistol to take care of business.

lora84 · 03-06-2007, 02:54 PM

I have a GLOCK 31 which is a .357SIG and it is really a nice shooting pistol. I have been told by a few people that I consider to be highly knowledgeable in regards to ballistics and guns in general, that a .357SIG is essentially a 9mm magnum. The only complaint I have with the round is that it is difficult to find and is very expensive when I do find it.

dzine808 · 03-06-2007, 03:53 PM

.40 because its has equal amounts of everything...speed, stopping power, accuracy...good over all round and with my tactical...it's freaking sweet!!!

40SWXDSHOOTER · 03-06-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzine808

.40 because its has equal amounts of everything...speed, stopping power, accuracy...good over all round and with my tactical...it's freaking sweet!!!

40 is the best of both worlds (That's my .02, and you will get everone elses .02 also).
The truth is they all kill paper, knock down steel, and if it is for self defense they all have the same power when it comes to missing your target.
Buy the one you want, and practice.
If you want to know what other people think, well you will get all that you wanted to know here.

macphisto · 03-06-2007, 04:39 PM

I would go with a .45. The .357 Sig has a tendency to over-penetrate, which could be very undesirable.

This discussion may be of interest to you: http://www.pafoa.org/forum/question-...-vs-357-a.html

Not to mention the fact that the 357 SIG is highly impractical to practice with, shoots through just about anything you point it at: engine blocks, car doors, the sidewall of your neighbor's house, 3 people in a row, etc.

Two of my acquaintances rushed out and bought 357 SIG's back when they were all the rage 2 or 3 years ago. Their new pistols turned out to be tough to get cartridges for, tough to reload for, and expensive to shoot. They were, also, troubled by lots of recoil, and lots of chamber pressure, too.

Both of these guys have ended up trading their new 357 SIG's for 45 acp pistols; and I got to say, 'I told ya so!'

firearmgeek · 03-07-2007, 12:20 AM

So Im convinced .45 acp is my best choice and thanks for the input regarding .40's I have a G23 i know exactly why you guys like it so much.

Last question, if I go with the XD 45 acp... is there an available barrel to change to .40 cal its just good to always have options. And also on new XD purchases do you guys recommend the DGR upgrade right away? And what other mods is necessary to have a reliable and pleasant experience?

FunBobby · 03-07-2007, 06:47 AM

I wish I know what .357sig they had mine doesn't shoot through engine blocks... but I've stated many times befoer over penetration isn't as big as people make it out to be.

kannibul · 03-07-2007, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunBobby

I wish I know what .357sig they had mine doesn't shoot through engine blocks... but I've stated many times befoer over penetration isn't as big as people make it out to be.

Under-penetration is a bigger issue, IMO.

Skin is equal to 4" of balistics gel.

So, if you figure an average guy is 12" thick front to back, and you're doing a stomach shot, that's equal to 20" of penetration with ballistics gel.

Throw some bones in there (true center mass), and you got a bullet stopping half-way through the target.

When your using a JHP round, the shape is more resistive (and becomes more resistive as it goes through flesh) - OTOH, if your using FMJ, they will hold their shape and continue penetrating long after a JHP has stopped.

slugger6 · 03-07-2007, 09:37 AM

With an admitted bias, I would recommend the .45ACP. I've been shooting that caliber longer than I can remember and it has never let me down.

03-06-2007, 02:37 PM	#1
firearmgeek XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kalifornia Posts: 13	Cartridge choice Just want get an idea as far as reliability, accuracy.... deciding between a .357 or .45 (+2 already for price and purchase accessibility). Been hearing some good ballistics on the .357 or are these all urban legends. Thanks in advance.

03-06-2007, 02:54 PM	#3
lora84 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NC Posts: 1,328	I have a GLOCK 31 which is a .357SIG and it is really a nice shooting pistol. I have been told by a few people that I consider to be highly knowledgeable in regards to ballistics and guns in general, that a .357SIG is essentially a 9mm magnum. The only complaint I have with the round is that it is difficult to find and is very expensive when I do find it. __________________ "Attitudes are contagious, do you have one worth catching?" - Oscar Wilson Banks

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03-06-2007, 03:53 PM	#4
dzine808 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ring of Fire Posts: 165	.40 because its has equal amounts of everything...speed, stopping power, accuracy...good over all round and with my tactical...it's freaking sweet!!!

03-06-2007, 04:39 PM	#6
macphisto XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 108	I would go with a .45. The .357 Sig has a tendency to over-penetrate, which could be very undesirable. This discussion may be of interest to you: http://www.pafoa.org/forum/question-...-vs-357-a.html Not to mention the fact that the 357 SIG is highly impractical to practice with, shoots through just about anything you point it at: engine blocks, car doors, the sidewall of your neighbor's house, 3 people in a row, etc. Two of my acquaintances rushed out and bought 357 SIG's back when they were all the rage 2 or 3 years ago. Their new pistols turned out to be tough to get cartridges for, tough to reload for, and expensive to shoot. They were, also, troubled by lots of recoil, and lots of chamber pressure, too. Both of these guys have ended up trading their new 357 SIG's for 45 acp pistols; and I got to say, 'I told ya so!'

03-07-2007, 12:20 AM	#7
firearmgeek XDTalk Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kalifornia Posts: 13	So Im convinced .45 acp is my best choice and thanks for the input regarding .40's I have a G23 i know exactly why you guys like it so much. Last question, if I go with the XD 45 acp... is there an available barrel to change to .40 cal its just good to always have options. And also on new XD purchases do you guys recommend the DGR upgrade right away? And what other mods is necessary to have a reliable and pleasant experience?

03-07-2007, 09:37 AM	#10
slugger6 XDTalk 20K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 20,125	With an admitted bias, I would recommend the .45ACP. I've been shooting that caliber longer than I can remember and it has never let me down.