40 or .357SIG Whats the Dif ?

[sgtf109]

I'm new to these calibers, and the ammo manufactures say whatever. So..what your opinion on these calibers lean me in the right direction, for my next purchase.

[ryucasta]

Think of 357 SIG as a necked down 40S&W. The magazine is interchangeable and for guns that come in either caliber it’s just a matter of swapping out the barrel. Both are fine calibers its more a matter of your preference.

[Steve Koski]

Some diameter, some weight, some velocity, and some noise.

[ButchC]

Koski was a bit abupt with his post. He left out: "Some $$ for ammo." :)

[caz223]

.40 ammo is cheaper and more readily available.
The sig is a higher pressure round, and is supposed to simulate one of the best rounds of all time.......the .357 magnum 125 grn jhp.
I happen to prefer the 357SIG because of the edge in velocity.
If you find yourself shooting the lighter loads out of your fourty, or looking for the load with more power, try a 357 sig (Or drop in a 357SIG barrel.).
You may be surprised on just how accurate this hot little round can be.
Just last week with my 2340 in 357SIG, I shot a 3" 20 (Twenty) shot group at 25 yds.
No sandbags, no rest, not leaning against a tree, not prone, etc.
Just standing offhand.
If you like heavier loads, then stick with 40's.

[THELimey]

You can get 357sig ammo at 'like' 40 prices from 'GeorgiaArms'
'Cheaper than Dirt' 'Ammoman' etc.

I would get a 40 and a drop in barrel or the reverse and see
for yourself barrels are as little as $80 so its basically just
the cost of 500 rounds to have 2 guns.

Before you get a 40 though make sure its third generation
so you can do this (in a Glock) or in a second generation
serial number after #CCFxxx (correct me if i am wrong guys).

[caz223]

Also, I think that barrels for the 357SIG are fully supported, because the bottle-necked sig just naturally wants to feed.
Less chance of a kB!

[Jobe]

357 sig ammo is a bit more expencive, kicks harder, will make you deaf if you don't use hearing protection.

On my G31, my muzzle flip was not to my liking. If I where you I would go with the G22 and get a Sig 229 for the .357 caliber. Just my opinion ofcourse.

The Kool think about the Sig is, the barrels are interchangable. Just buy a .357 barrel and you basically have 2 guns in one.

Jobe

[loandr.]

I have a first generation .40 and it swaps out my G33 barrels and mags interchangeably.
loandr.

By nothing more than design(bullet shape) I feel the round is more reliable as well. Most bottleneck rounds feed better than their counterparts :-)

[TheGrinch]

Does the point of impact change when using a Glock 33 Barrel on a Glock 27? How much and which way?

Anyone try a 9mm aftermarket barrel on a 27 or 33? Same question with respect to point of impact.

Grinch

[loandr.]

no signigicant point of impact difference. more muzzle flip and flash with the .357 though. Not harder just snappier than the .40.
loandr.

[Jobe]

laondr,
Kool to hear you can change your barrels out on that G33.


I was told that I had to send it back to glock for modifications if I wanted to swap barrels.

Jobe

[loandr.]

thats BS NO mod.s needed, I know a few guys with G27's we all
have done the swap with no diff.
loandr. out

[grenadier]

Noise? The 357 Sig is definitely louder.

Recoil? Overall, both are about the same. The .40 feels more like a blunt, heavy, slow shove compared to the 357 Sig, which feels more like a hard, sharp, quick push.

Accuracy? That depends on the user. For me, my own mechanics and skills are the limiting factor. Whether I use the .40 barrel or the 357 Sig barrel in my Glock 31, the gun can shoot better than I am capable of at this time.

Reliability? For Glocks, it's a moot point. Sure, the 357 Sig's bottlenecked design helps feeding reliability. However, the .40 Glock chambers are throated, and cut a bit loose, so either way, you get excellent reliability in a Glock.

Availability? The .40 is still more common, and the ammo is more plentiful. However, you can find 357 Sig ammo at most WalMart stores, and that it is much easier to find today than it was 5 years ago.

Ammo cost? Sure, the 357 Sig is more expensive, but only if you buy ammunition from merchants.

If you load your own ammo, making top quality 357 Sig cartridges will cost you only a wee bit more than making 9 mm Parabellum cartridges, and will cost a wee bit less than making .40 cartridges.

My costs:

9 mm 124 grain plated flat point bullet (Berry's, West Coast, Rainier's): 4 cents
8.3 grains Alliant Power Pistol: 1.7 cents (allowing for lost powder, etc)
Standard small pistol primer: 1.5 cents

So, for 7.2 cents, I can manufacture my own 357 Sig plinking cartridges, which works out to $3.60 for a box of 50 cartridges.

Even when compared to the least expensive plinking fodder, it's still substantial savings.

The cost of the Dillon carbide dies has already been paid for several times over.