The ancestry of the .357 Sig  

In 1902 the 9X19 mm Luger Cartridge was introduced. This cartridge did not become popular with American law enforcement or the gun buying public until the 1980s when it was adopted by the United States military. Today, the 9mm is one of the most common pistol calibers in the world and it is the standard pistol cartridge for NATO. The 9mm is one of the most popular civilian self-defense pistol cartridges. Due to the relatively light recoil, the 9 mm is often selected by shooters who are new to “defensive shooting” and many experienced shooters prefer 9mm pistols as well.

In 1935 Smith and Wesson unveiled the .357 Magnum. Shooting a 158 grain lead semi wad cutter at 1,550 FPS from an 8 1/2 inch (later changed to 8 3/8 inch) barrel, this powerful revolver cartridge was very popular. Over the years, barrels were shortened, frame sizes were reduced, and the loads were also reduced by the ammunition manufactures. The .357 Magnum was the preferred sidearm of law enforcement officers and outdoorsmen for decades. The most popular modern self defense load for the .357 Magnum is the 125 grain JHP at 1,450 FPS from a four-inch barrel revolver. This load has earned a stellar reputation for effectiveness. Because such powerful loads were found to accelerate the wear and decrease the durability of medium frame revolvers, the ammunition manufactures often reduce the velocity of the 125 grain bullet to approximately 1,350 FPS in a four-inch barrel revolver (4-inches of rifling).

 In 1994 the .357 Sig (.357 Auto) was Introduced. The .357 Sig is to the 9mm as the .357 Magnum is to the .38 Special. The .357 Sig might have been named the  9mm Super Auto, the 9mm Magnum or the 9×22 mm. The .357 Sig uses a bottle necked case to accommodate a 9 mm projectile. It does not use a bottle necked .40 S&W case as is often reported. Such a case would in fact be too short and would lack strength. The .357 Sig is loaded to 40,000 PSI which is higher than that of the .357 Magnum, the .44 Magnum or the 10mm auto. Like the .357 Magnum revolver, the .357 Sig has earned the respect of many in the law enforcement community.

Despite its effectiveness, the .357 Sig has been slow to catch on with civilian handgunners. The most popular loads for self defense in the .357 Sig are 125 grain JHP’s at an actual velocity of 1,350 to 1,475 FPS from a 4-inch barrel (3- inches of rifling). The .357 Sig has the power and effectiveness that many people mistakenly attribute to the 9mm. The .357 Sig does what people think the 9mm does.

Who makes pistols in .357 Sig?

Pistols chambered for the .357 Sig cartridge are available from several manufactures. Glock produces the Glock 31, Glock 32 and Glock 33. In addition, .357 Sig barrels can be acquired for the Glock 20, 22, 23, 27 and 35. Sig Sauer makes several popular pistols in .357 Sig including a 1911. This is a full size pistol with a 9+1 capacity, a 5-inch barrel and comes standard with low profile tritium sites.

Who makes ammunition in .357 Sig?

Ammunition for the .357 Sig is available from Winchester, CCI, Federal, Remington, Hornady, Buffalo Bore, Double Tap, Cor Bon, Black Hills, Underwood and others. Hollow point ammunition is available in weights from 90 to 147 grains. Wide nose Lead Flat Point 180 grain ammunition is produced by several companies including Double Tap. Full metal jacket ammunition is available in the 125 grain and 147 grain weights.

Who uses or authorizes pistols chambered for the .357 Sig cartridge?

 

This cartridge is or has been in use by dozens of Law Enforcement Agencies including the United States Secret Service, the Air Marshalls Service, numerous State Police Departments and Highway Patrols. The .357 Sig is also carried by many Fish and Game enforcement agencies. The .357 Sig is reported to be the 3^rd most commonly carried handgun caliber by American Law Enforcement.

Reliability

The firing chamber of a .357 Sig pistol has a funnel shape like most semi-automatic rifles and machine guns. Because of the inherent advantage of feeding a 9mm bullet into a firing chamber which is large enough at the breach to accommodate a 10-mm cartridge case, the .357 Sig is the most reliable (feeding) modern common auto pistol cartridge. Ejection with the .357 Sig is very reliable due to the recoil energy and slide velocity.

Accuracy 

The .357 Sig can accommodate a match grade barrel without compromising functional reliability due to the bottle neck firing chamber. The .357 Sig is arguably the most inherently accurate of the common auto pistol service calibers.

Range and trajectory

Due to its high velocity, the .357 Sig has the longest Point-Blank Range (PBR) of the common auto pistol service cartridges. When using a 6-inch target the PBR of a .357 Sig firing a 125-grain bullet at 1,350 FPS is 122 yards. Zeroed to be 3-inches high at 50 yards this load is still ½ inch high at 100 yards and only 3-inches low at 122 yards. Some of the higher velocity .357 Sig loads will extend the point-blank range past 130 yards.

Penetration 

A .357 Sig loaded with hard projectiles may defeat level 1 and 2A body armor. The .357 sig is superior to all other LE auto pistol cartridges in its ability to penetrate automobile doors. In a recent test the .357 Sig penetrated more 1/8 inch sheets of aluminum than did the 9 mm, .40 S&W or .45 ACP all of which were using FMJ ammunition. In another test the Full Metal Jacket .357 Sig penetrated more ballistic gelatin than all other Full Metal Jacketed common auto pistol cartridges including the 10mm which came in a close second.

The .357 Sig as an Outdoorsman’s Handgun or Trail Gun

Pistols chambered for the .357 Sig have some obvious advantages over the large frame revolvers often carried by sportsman afield. They are more concealable. They are generally lighter. Night sights are readily available. A light may be quickly attached for certain applications.  Calibers may sometimes be changed in the field by simply switching barrels.

Some auto pistols are easy to disassemble, facilitating the replacement of parts. Auto pistols tend to have less felt recoil and less muzzle rise than revolvers of comparable power, thus allowing for faster follow up shots and reducing the tendency to flinch and miss. Auto pistols are generally more reliable under field conditions. .357 Sig pistols are typically smaller and lighter than 10 mm auto pistols which are often selected by outdoorsman who prefer to carry a semi auto handgun.

Predator Defense

A 12-gauge slug shotgun or a .45/70 lever action rifle with heavy loads would be far more effective than a handgun in stopping a bear. For that matter, a Ruger Super Red Hawk .454 loaded with 360 grain bullets would be comforting in a confrontation with a large predator.

While relatively effective, these are all large heavy guns which I am not likely to carry on a consistent basis. My revolvers do not have tritium sights or a rail for an illumination light. My Glock 31 has both and is far lighter than any of my magnum revolvers.

Despite “old wives’ tales” to the contrary, “torture tests” have conclusively proven that a revolver is more susceptible to stoppages from dirt and debris or rough use, than most modern auto pistols. A revolver usually has more moving parts and there is space around the cylinder for debris to create stoppages. Some readers are no doubt cursing at this perceived blasphemy. During my decades of LE instruction with both revolvers and auto pistols, I observed far more breakages and sent far more guns to the armory for repairs when we were issuing revolvers.  Once again, we are sorry if facts are in conflict with your long-held beliefs. Incidentally we own twice as many revolvers as auto pistols. We have no prejudice; we are simply striving to find the truth.

Many will rightly argue that no handgun has the power to reliably stop large predators. Correct, however the best gun to defend yourself with is the one you are carrying. This is true whether your attacker comes at you on four legs or two.

We have 17 cases in our files of people stopping and killing bears in self-defense with a handgun. Most of these shootings involved the use of common semi auto pistol calibers, including one Brown Bear attack stopped with a Glock 33 .357 Sig.  Five of these cases involved a .45 ACP and two with a .40 S&W. We have credible reports from the officials who investigated 2 cases of aggressive Brown Bears stopped with a 9mm pistol. The common advice that anything less than a 12 Gauge slug is useless for predator defense may not be written in stone. 

Penetration is far more important than expansion when selecting a cartridge for predator defense. Hollow point pistol bullets are not appropriate for defense against large predators. A full metal jacket projectile is preferable to a hollow point but inferior to a hard cast lead bullet.

Some of the .357 Sig FMJ or heavy hard cast lead loads will penetrate almost 5 feet of ballistic gelatin. With these loads, the .357 Sig could serve as a predator defense cartridge. While certainly not the best tool for the job, a medium frame auto on your person beats a .45/70 at home in your safe or back in camp. A medium frame Glock 31 or 32 is compact and light enough to be carried whenever you are afield.

An outdoorsman who runs into a group of armed narcotics smugglers or a pack of aggressive wolves or feral dogs may appreciate the magazine capacity and quick reloading capability of an auto pistol.

The .357 Sig for hunting

Using a 4.5, to 6-inch barrel and the right loads, you should be able to hunt game that you would hunt with a .357 Magnum revolver. With 147 grain, hollow points at 1,300 FPS from a 5 or 6-inch barrel, the .357 Sig could be used for close range deer hunting in some states.

The last buck I harvested with my .270 was taken at 20 yards. While I own much more powerful hunting handguns, I have no doubt that my Glock 31 .357 Sig, with a 5.3-inch barrel and the right loads would have easily done the job.

In my home state of Utah, the minimum requirement for hunting deer with a handgun is 500 Ft. Lbs. of energy at the muzzle. Most .357 Sig loads will exceed 500 Ft. Lbs. of energy from a 4-inch barrel and some will exceed 600 Ft. Lbs.  Several of the best .357 Sig loads will obtain nearly 700 Ft. Lbs. from a 5.3-inch barrel. Check the laws in your state before electing to hunt with any firearm.

Due to excellent accuracy and flat trajectory, the .357 Sig could also be used to “head shoot” small game for the cook pot, when and where it is lawful to do so.

Versatility

A Glock .357 Sig (as well as some other .357 Sig pistols) may be quickly converted to .40 S&W by simply changing barrels. Neither additional parts nor magazines need to be changed. This allows .357 Sig owners to shoot a plethora of available cartridges in both .357 Sig and .40 S&W. Field stripping the gun, switching the barrels and reassembling the gun, can be accomplished in seconds. 

Using a .40 S&W conversion barrel the owner of a .357 Sig pistol may use .40 S&W factory “handgun shot shells” for cleaning vermin out of the garden, barn or camp site. 40 caliber practice ammunition is widely available and less expensive than .357 Sig. With a conversion barrel in .40 S&W and an additional 5.3-inch .357 Sig barrel for use as a trail gun I could accomplish almost everything that I would normally use a pistol for.  

Criticisms, common misconceptions and just BS:

 

Myth: “A 9mm will do anything that the .357 Sig will do.”

 Fact: This is true in a manner of speaking. Whatever the 9mm can do at the muzzle, the .357 Sig can do at 60 to 80 yards.

 9mm Speer Gold Dot 124 grain +P = 1,150 FPS and 364 FT LBS of ME

.357 Sig Speer Gold Dot 125 grain = 1,375 FPS and 525 FT LBS of ME

The .357 Sig achieves 225 FPS additional velocity and 161 additional FT. LBS, of energy at the muzzle. Another way to compare these two loads is to understand that the .357 sig shoots the same bullet and has the same velocity and energy at 70 yards as the 9x19mm +P has at the muzzle.

9mm Winchester 127 grain +P+ = 1,250 FPS and 435 FT LBS of ME

.357 Sig 125 grain Winchester SXT = 1,455FPS and 585 FT LBS of ME

The .357 Sig achieves 205 FPS additional velocity and 150 additional FT LBS of energy at the muzzle. When comparing these loads the .357 Sig has the same velocity and energy at 60 yards as this 9X19 mm +P+ has at the muzzle.

 9mm Winchester 127 grain +P+ = 1,250 FPS and 435 FT LBS of ME

.357 Sig Underwood Ammunition 125 grain = 1,511 FPS and 634 FT LBS of ME.

The .357 Sig achieves 261 FPS additional velocity and 199 additional FT LBS of ME. When comparing these two loads, the .357 Sig has the same velocity and energy at 85 yards as this 9X19mm +P+ has at the muzzle.

 9mm Cor Bon 125 grain FMJ +P = 1,250 FPS and 435 FT LBS of ME

.357 Sig Buffalo Bore 125 grain FMJ = 1,480 FPS and 608 FT LBS of ME

The .357 Sig achieves 230 FPS additional velocity and 173 additional FT LBS of energy at the muzzle. When comparing these loads the .357 Sig has approximately the same velocity and energy at 75 yards as this 9 mm +P has at the muzzle.

The .357 Sig produces energy levels of 500 to 650 Ft. Lbs. depending on load and barrel length. The only other common auto pistol cartridge to equal or exceed 650 Ft. Lbs. of energy is the 10 mm and it only does so in the hotter loads. No other common auto pistol cartridge which is available in a light weight, compact, high capacity semi auto pistol produces the energy of the .357 Sig. 

Note: I have seen factory handgun ammunition produce 300 FPS less or 150 FPS more velocity than the manufacturer claimed when fired in the same pistol that was reportedly used in the testing. Until you have tested the ammunition yourself, you cannot be certain how it performs. See .357 Sig ammunition tests in this article.

Myth: “The 357 Sig. has failed to achieve the stated objective,” of duplicating the ballistics of the vaunted .357 magnum revolver, in a modern semi automatic service pistol.

Fact: We own more firearms chambered in .357 Magnum (Revolver) than any other caliber (16). We are fans of the caliber and believe it to be a classic. However, the .357 Sig loads will equal or exceed the velocity and energy of the much revered .357 Magnum revolver when fired from barrels with the same length of rifling and using bullets of equal weight. When comparing lighter weight bullets, the .357 Sig has slightly higher velocity. When comparing heavier bullets, the .357 Magnum revolver has slightly higher velocity, again when using barrels with the same length of rifling.

To those who would dispute my conclusions I can only say, buy a chronograph. A noted gun writer (Whiley Clapp) recently conducted his own extensive tests and came to the same conclusion. “The .357 Sig is slightly more powerful”  than the .357 Magnum revolver when loaded with 125 grain bullets. He was ridiculed for publishing an article disclosing these findings. Some people “cannot handle the truth.”

Myth: “The development of 135 grain loads in the .40 S&W made the .357 Sig obsolete.” 

Fact: The .40 S&W 135 grain loads are rated at 1,200 to 1,300 FPS but none that I have tested would break 1,200 FPS. Such loads are not equal to the .357 Sig in velocity, energy or power factor. For example, a 135 grain .40 S&W at an actual 1,180 FPS produces only 400 Ft. Lbs. of energy. Generic, plain wrapper practice loads in the .357 Sig produce 500 + Ft. Lbs of energy and some factory .357 Sig loads produce well over 600 Foot Pounds of energy.

 A .40 S&W which will actually launch a 135-grain bullet from a four-inch auto pistol at 1,300 FPS or more would in fact be equal to most, but not all .357 Sig loads. The Underwood 125 grain .357 Sig often exceeds 1,500 FPS from slightly less than 3 inches of rifling such as in a Glock 32.

Myth: “The .357 Sig penetrates no more metal (car doors) than other common auto pistol cartridges.”

Fact: This claim seems to be based on the fact that in standardized tests, after passing through a thickness of metal which can be penetrated by most common auto pistol projectiles, the .357 Sig JHP would then penetrate no more ballistic gelatin than other service calibers. This is not relevant to the discussion. 

The question is not, “How much ballistic gelatin will the .357 Sig penetrate after passing though a sheet of metal?” The question is, “does the .357 Sig penetrate a greater thickness of metal than other common auto pistol cartridges?”  The answer is, yes it does. Such tests are widely available and we have observed them.

Myth: “Due to the short case neck, you cannot load bullets heavier than 125 grains in the .357 Sig.”

Fact: Several ammunition companies load 147 and 180 grain bullets in the .357 Sig.  

 Myth: “The .357 Sig has too much recoil.” 

Fact:  Per Sir Isaac Newton’s 3^rd law of motion, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” The .357 sig has more recoil than a 9X19mm because it is more powerful. Recoil with the .357 Sig is noticeably greater than the 9mm and so is the power. This level of recoil is well within the ability of most experienced handgun shooters to manage. Those shooters who cannot control more recoil than that generated by the 9mm should stay with what they can shoot well. This includes FBI agents.

Common Criticism: The .357 Sig is only a .355 bore so the very name is meant to deceive the gun buying public. 

Fact: The beloved .44 Magnum and .44 Special are .429 or slightly less than .43 caliber. This is a difference of 11 thousandths. The still popular .38 Special is .357 or slightly less than .36 caliber. This is a difference of 23 thousandths. The very popular .380 ACP is .355.  This is a difference of 25 thousandths. Most of the .32s are .311, a difference of 9 thousandths. The .327 Magnum is .311 or a difference of 16 thousandths. I have never heard anyone complain about any of these discrepancies. The .357 Sig is .355.  This is a difference of only 2 thousandths. Shall we go on? What is the point? Is this all that critics must hang their hat on, two thousandths of an inch? This is childish nonsense at best.

I find it odd that people who love the 9mm do not like the .357 Sig which shoots a 9mm bullet faster with more energy, has a flatter trajectory, feeds more reliably and creates a larger wound cavity. Biases can be hard to understand. Seeking the truth without having a preconceived belief often produces more accurate information.  

What is wrong with the .357 Sig?

The bottle neck cartridge case is a bit harder to reload than a typical straight walled pistol cartridge. Ammunition is less common and more expensive when compared to the 9mm. The report of the .357 Sig is like the .357 Magnum and greater than that of the 9mm or the .40 S&W. The .357 Sig has more recoil than a 9mm but the same or slightly less than a .40 S&W. There is no factory produced hand gun shot shell available for the .357 Sig.

This is a very short list of legitimate criticisms when compared to the many fine attributes of this cartridge.

Why the 9mm?

I have recently come to some conclusions regarding the popularity of the 9mm pistol cartridge. The 9mm is less powerful than the .357 Sig, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP. Thirty years ago, I would not have given you a nickel for a 9mm pistol. They were infamous for failing to incapacitate determined attackers even with multiple hits. In fact, we have recently viewed dozens of 9mm FMJ shootings from countries where hollow point ammunition is not commonly available, and we see people absorbing numerous rounds with minimal effect. Modern high-performance ammunition has been improved to the point where the once distrusted 9mm has become effective in the self-defense role. These advancements in ammunition technology have been applied to all self-defense calibers which are also more effective than they were in decades’ past. 

The best modern 9mm ammunition will expand to .60 and penetrate 12 inches of ballistic gel. State of the art .45 ACP hollow points will expand to .100 and penetrate 12 inches of ballistic gel. Since they both make the FBI and law enforcement minimum, they are both deemed to be equally effective. WHAT! Everything that exceeds the minimum standard is not necessarily equal.

There are many good reasons to select the 9mm as a service or defense caliber but to believe that all calibers are equal because they all exceed some minimum level of performance is nonsense.

The primary reason that many agencies and civilians prefer the 9mm is the simple fact that they are easier to shoot well, and the ammunition is considerably less expensive. These are the same reasons that we recommend the 9mm for self-defense to most of our clients. We do not however tell them that hits with their 9mm are as effective, round for round, as a more powerful caliber.

Possibly the most common reason for selecting the 9mm over more powerful calibers is the previously mentioned lower cost of ammunition. Agencies which spend millions of dollars a year for ammunition understandably prefer to reduce costs. Civilians who are avid shooters may fire hundreds of rounds in a single practice session. Competition shooters may shoot more than 10,000 cartridges a year. They understandably appreciate the lower cost of 9mm ammunition compared to all other center fire semi auto pistol cartridges. It is simply a matter of dollars and cents.

The list of reasons for selecting a 9mm over more powerful calibers is long and valid. I often carry a 9mm pistol and I feel confident that it will do the job. I own at least a half dozen pistols in this caliber. I do however tire of people trying to convince me that shot for shot the 9mm is just as effective or even more effective than pistols which are more powerful. Infantry combat, 35 years in LE, information from handgun hunters, having studied hundreds of law enforcement shootings and extensive ballistic testing tells me that this is simply not so. It defies logic. You can believe whatever you wish, and I will no doubt be unable to sway some with mere facts. If you wish to believe that more powerful calibers are not more powerful, ignorance is bliss.

.357 Sig ammunition tests:

All tests were conducted at an altitude of 4,900 feet.

The ambient air temperature was approximately 50 degrees.

The chronograph was set 15 feet from the muzzle.

Glock 23 with a .357 Sig “4-inch” KKM drop in match barrel (2.6 inches of rifling)

Winchester Ranger SXT .357 Sig JHP

Velocity: Ten shot average 1,436 FPS at 15 feet from the muzzle

Velocity corrected to the muzzle approximately 1,455 FPS

Standard deviation: 18 FPS

Muzzle Energy: 585 Foot Pounds

IPSC power factor: 181

Consistent expansion to .65 calibers

 

Speer Gold Dot 125 grain JHP .357 Sig

Velocity: Five shot average 1,355 FPS at 15 feet

Velocity corrected to the muzzle approximately 1,370 FPS

Standard deviation: 13 FPS

Energy: 521 Foot Pounds

IPSC Power Factor: 170

 

Buffalo Bore 125 grain FMJ .357 Sig

Velocity: Five shot average 1,459 FPS at 15 feet

Velocity corrected to the muzzle approximately 1,480 FPS

Standard Deviation: 16 FPS

Energy: 608 Foot Pounds

IPSC Power Factor: 185

 

Remington 125 grain FMJ .357 Sig

Velocity: Five shot average 1,351 FPS at 15 feet

Velocity corrected to the muzzle approximately 1,365 FPS

Standard deviation: 15 FPS

Energy: 518 Foot Pounds

IPSC Power Factor: 170

 

Speer Lawman 125 grain FMJ .357 Sig

Velocity: Five shot average 1,325 FPS at 15 feet

Velocity corrected to the muzzle approximately 1,345 FPS

Standard deviation: 19 FPS

Energy: 502 Foot Pounds

IPSC Power Factor: 168

 

American Eagle 125 grain FMJ .357 Sig

Velocity: Five shot average 1,312 FPS at 15 feet

Velocity corrected to the muzzle approximately 1,330 FPS

Standard deviation: 14 FPS

Energy: 491 Foot Pounds

IPSC Power Factor: 166

 

Winchester 125 grain FMJ .357 Sig

Velocity: Five shot average 1,296 FPS at 15 feet

Velocity corrected to the muzzle approximately 1,312FPS

Standard deviation: 16 FPS

Energy: 465 Foot Pounds

IPSC Power Factor: 162

 

Hornady 147 Grain XTP JHP .357 Sig

Velocity: Five shot average 1,219 FPS at 15 feet

Velocity corrected to the muzzle approximately 1,235 FPS

Standard deviation: 11 FPS

Energy: 498 Foot pounds (well over 500 foot pounds from a 4.5 inch barrel)

IPSC Power Factor: 182

 

Pistol: Glock 22 equipped with a 4.5 inch KKM .357 Sig barrel

Ammunition: Winchester Ranger SXT 125 grain hollow point

Velocity: Ten shot average 1,468 FPS at 15 feet from the muzzle.

Velocity corrected to the muzzle 1,485 FPS

Standard deviation 28 FPS

Muzzle Energy: 610 Foot pounds

IPSC Power Factor: 185

 

Ammunition: Buffalo Bore 125 grain FMJ

Velocity: 5 shot average 1,488 FPS at 15 feet

Velocity corrected to the muzzle approximately 1,510 FPS

Standard deviation: 18 FPS

Energy: 634 Foot Pounds

IPSC Power Factor: 189

 

Ammunition: Remington 125 grain FMJ

Velocity: Five shot average 1,375 FPS at 15 feet

Velocity corrected to the muzzle approximately 1,395 FPS

Standard deviation: 14

Energy: 540 Foot Pounds

IPSC Power Factor: 174

 

Glock 22 equipped with a 5.3 inch KKM .357 Sig barrel

 

Ammunition: Winchester Ranger SXT 125 grain hollow point

Velocity: Five shot average 1,497 FPS at 15 feet

Velocity corrected to the muzzle approximately 1,515 FPS

Standard deviation: 33 FPS

Energy: 624 Foot Pounds

IPSC Power Factor: 189

 

Some will argue that energy is not the best indicator of ammunition performance.  I agree. I started writing about this fact more than 40 years ago. However, energy is the industry standard for measuring a projectiles ability to do work. Energy is used by many fish and game departments in determining the power required to legally hunt. For these reasons I have included energy in this article.

 

Other organizations use momentum or power factor (PF) to rate the power of a cartridge. The International Pistol Shooting Confederation (IPSC) and Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) are among them. Power factor may be more relevant than energy in determining the power of a given cartridge. Here are some numbers when comparing the .357 Sig to its closest rivals.

 

Power Factors:

9X19 mm 115 grain @ 1,150 FPS              = 132 PF

9X19 mm 147 grain @ 950 FPS                 = 140 PF

9X19 mm 124 grain +P @ 1,150 FPS         = 143 PF

9X19 mm 127 grain +P+@1,250 FPS         = 159 PF

 

.357 Sig 125 grain @1,350 FPS                  = 169 PF

.357 Sig 125 grain @ 1,370 FPS                 = 171 PF

.357 Sig 125 grain @ 1,438 FPS                  = 180 PF

.357 Sig 147 grain @ 1,225 FPS                 = 180 PF

.357 Sig 125 grain @ 1,485 FPS                 = 185 PF  

.357 Sig 147 grain @ 1,255 FPS                 = 184 PF

.357 Sig 125 grain @ 1,510 FPS                 = 189 PF

.357 Sig 147 grain @ 1,300 FPS                 = 191 PF    6.0-inch barrel

.357 Sig 180 grain @ 1,100 FPS                 =198 PF      5.3-inch barrel

 

.40 S&W 135 grain @ 1,200 FPS               = 162 PF

.40 S&W 180 grain @ 1,000 FPS               = 180 PF

.40 S&W 155 grain @ 1,180 FPS               = 183 PF

.40 S&W 165 grain @ 1,120 FPS               = 185 PF    

Summary:

For the past 85 years, the .357 Magnum Revolver has been touted by many as the best all-around handgun cartridge. Often considered the standard by which self-defense pistol calibers were measured. Popular as a trail gun and adequate for predator defense although notably marginal for Bears. Not necessarily the best for all handgun tasks but excellent for some jobs and usable for many others.

 

I am puzzled by those who rave about the .357 Magnum revolver yet do not like the smaller, flatter, lighter, more reliable, easier to shoot and higher capacity .357 Sig which has similar and sometimes better ballistics. 

 

There are better calibers for one purpose or another but no other medium frame, light weight, portable, concealable, high capacity auto pistol that we know of will accomplish as many jobs in such a satisfactory manner as the .357 Sig. Add a .40 S&W conversion barrel, and you have a weapons system that can accomplish a great many tasks for which a handgun might be used. The .357 Sig should have a much larger following among civilians. The .357 Sig deserves to be much more popular than it is and I hope that the gun buying public comes to appreciate this excellent caliber. For those looking to step up from the 9mm, but want to stay with a 9mm size pistol, the .357 Sig would seem to be a good choice.

Based on our testing and research we have a high degree of confidence in this caliber. Stacey and I routinely rely on Glock .357 Sig Pistols for our personal protection. A Glock 32 .357 Sig sits in my holster as I write this article. That is “high praise indeed.”

 Larry and Stacey Mudgett/ Marksmanship Matters

 

 Brief Summary of the Article

The .357 Sig has more kinetic energy than the 9MM +P+, .40 S&W or .45 ACP+P

The .357 Sig has the same velocity and energy as the .357 Magnum Revolver

The .357 Sig has a power factor greater than the 9MM +P+

The .357 Sig has a power factor which is equal to the better .40 S&W loads.

The .357 Sig has a power factor which is equal to common .45 ACP loads

The .357 Sig creates a larger temporary wound cavity than 9MM

The .357 Sig has a flatter trajectory than other common auto pistol calibers

The .357 Sig has a greater PBR than other common auto pistol calibers

The .357 Sig has better barrier penetration than common auto pistol calibers

The .357 Sig has approximately the same recoil as the .40 S&W

The .357 Sig can be switched to .40 S&W in seconds by simply changing barrels

The .357 Sig is in common use by Law Enforcement

The .357 Sig is available in “9MM size pistols”

The .357 Sig FMJ penetrates more tissue simulant than the other auto calibers

The .357 Sig is more reliable in feeding than other common auto pistol calibers

The .357 Sig is inherently more accurate than other common auto pistol calibers

 

Opinion:

The .357 Sig should be one of the most popular Semi Auto Pistol calibers.

 

If you do not agree with our conclusions, then we invite you to conduct your own tests.  If you are objective your conclusions will likely be similar to ours.