Virginia State Police & 357 Sig

[NitLion]

Created to duplicate the best ballistics of the .357 Magnum revolver in a semiautomatic pistol, the .357 SIG spits a 125-grain jacketed hollow point at 1300 to 1400 feet per second, delivering 500-plus foot-pounds of energy. Departments which have adopted it are delighted with the performance, reporting a high frequency of one-shot stops. The Virginia State Police, who issue the .357 SIG Model P229 pistol, told me that they were particularly pleased with the number of felons who dropped and stopped fighting after receiving non-fatal wounds in non-vital parts of the body.

from an article forund here:http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob93.html

[PaleGreenHorse]

While most people insist on energy dump not being any factor at all in stopping a BG, The bottom line is the psychological effect on a human "feeling" the gunshot in a non-fatal wound can be devistating enough to take the fight out of them. Energy dump attributes to the temporary wound cavaty and the resulting feeling of actually being injured from the gunshot wound. IMO just another plus on why the 357sig is better for carry than a 9mm. Many reports show suspects shot and injured in "non-fatal" 9mm shootings never even feel the gunshot initially.

[jbrown50]

The reason that the .357 magnum 125 gr. round performs so well on the street is because the bullet expands reliably and violently even through heavily clothed human bodies. The bullet's speed and design (exposed lead tip) both contribute the most to it's street effectiveness. Those of us who shot, enjoyed and carried the .357 magnum also remember that the round was very accurate despite the muzzle jump and noise.

Personally, what impresses me the most about the .357 Sig is it's accuracy despite the muzzle flip(even from my little Glock 33). It doesn't matter what load you use they're all accurate. The inherently accurate 9mm bullet leaves the muzzle so fast that nothing seems to affect it. The bullet simply goes where I point the gun and reliability is excellent. 'nuff said.

[Squadman]

Some data on "One Shot Stops": One shot stop data (http://www.teddytactical.com/archive/MonthlyStudy/2004/03_StudyDay.htm) Check the 357 SIG data and the ammo used.

357 SIG-This is the most current law enforcement cartridge and therefore, shooting data is limited. The top rated cartridges were the Remington and Federal 125 grain JHPs. Both were rated at 91% one shot stops. Of the 9 loads evaluated, the poorest was the Federal 158 grain Hydra-Shok which was involved in 41 shootings with 32 one shot stops for a 78% rating.

[Clem Eastwood]

i think it has less to do with energy dump and more about them feeling the concusion from the gun. my p229 .357 has a hell of a concusion from the muzzle when fired. you can feel it in the next stall at the range like a 4" S&W 686 with magnum loads. i can go into a crowded range with my p229 .357, and everyone is shooting. i start shooting and everyone will stop until i am done because it messes up their concentration. ;f

[jbrown50]

Originally posted by Clem Eastwood
i think it has less to do with energy dump and more about them feeling the concusion from the gun. my p229 .357 has a hell of a concusion from the muzzle when fired. you can feel it in the next stall at the range like a 4" S&W 686 with magnum loads. i can go into a crowded range with my p229 .357, and everyone is shooting. i start shooting and everyone will stop until i am done because it messes up their concentration. ;f


During a recent trip to the range with my brother, he commented about a 6 to 8" fireball leaving the barrel of one of my .357 Sig converted G27s. I guess from my angle behind the gun I never really notice it.

People at the range mumble about my .357 Sigs too until I crank off a couple of 300 gr. Hornady XTPs from my 6" S&W 629 44 Mag. It kinda puts things into perspective.