.357 SIG or .357 Magnum

[cdogg44]

I'm pretty new to all of this, but have got a basic question. I searched a little, but didn't seem to find exactly what I was looking for.

I've always heard the term .357 Magnum, but have never heard of a .357 SIG. Are they the same thing? Will a hangun chambered in Magnum shoot SIG or vice versa?

Also, several manufacturers seem to list that their .357's will shoot .38 specials. Will a G32 shoot .38 specials? Is it really this confusing?

I'll be turning 21 soon and am in the market for a handgun. For the money, I must say that a Glock is very appealing. I guess I'm sort of attracted to the .357, either SIG, magnum, or both, because it seems like everybody's got a .45, .40, and 9mm.

Thanks

[MCNETT]

The .357sig is basically a .40SW necked down to 9mm. I like to think of it as a 9mm on steroids! ;I

Here is a picture of the round, you can only shoot .357sigs in a .357sig bbl.

[G33]

.357 mag. is for revolvers.
.357 Sig is for autos.
Mag. has been around for decades.
The Sig has been around since about 1994 and the Sig 229.
The mag. has more loads available.
The Sig was designed to mirror the mag. in the 125 gr. load only.
Assuming a 4-5 inch service pistol for LEO usage.
Just some general ideas.:)

[cdogg44]

Originally posted by G33
.357 mag. is for revolvers.
.357 Sig is for autos.


That's where I was getting confused.

[Venator]

Originally posted by cdogg44
That's where I was getting confused.

To make you more confused, there is at least one semi-auto pistol (a Desert Eagle) chambered for .357 magnum. That is the exception, though. The Glock 31, Glock 32, and Glock 33 are chambered in .357 SIG.

.357 Magnum revolvers can shoot .38 Special because .38 Special is exactly the same size except the case is shorter. .38 Special revolvers cannot shoot .357 Magnum. I don't believe that there is any production semi-automatic handgun that chambers .38 special.

[DeadMansLife]

Originally posted by Venator
I don't believe that there is any production semi-automatic handgun that chambers .38 special.

S&W, bring back the Mod.52!!! PLEASE???

[SDBettas]

Would I rather have a revolver with 5 or 6 rounds of .357 Mag, or a semiauto with 15 rounds of 357 Sig? Kind of a no brainer.

[PurchGuru]

Originally posted by cdogg44
That's where I was getting confused.

Auto cartridges have a rim (used for ejection) that is the same as the overall diameter. There is a groove under neath it that is smaller than the overall diameter.

Revolver cartridges have a rim that is larger than the overall diameter of the round and no groove. Like you see on a 22 LR or shotgun shell.

Study the picture that McNett posted. Look at the very botom of the round ... see how it is different from a 22 LR or shotgun shell?

[cdogg44]

Originally posted by PurchGuru
Auto cartridges have a rim (used for ejection) that is the same as the overall diameter. There is a groove under neath it that is smaller than the overall diameter.

Revolver cartridges have a rim that is larger than the overall diameter of the round and no groove. Like you see on a 22 LR or shotgun shell.

Study the picture that McNett posted. Look at the very botom of the round ... see how it is different from a 22 LR or shotgun shell?

I can't believe I didn't notice that. But it makes a lot of sense now that I think about it.