I am thinking about getting a new semi-auto pistol in one of these two calibers. I would like to hear from anybody with experience from either, but especially if you have experience with both. Any problems feeding or ejecting with the .357? Also what pistol do you have? I am looking at a Springfield XD, or a SIG, but I am still open to suggestions.
I like my XD a whole lot, but it’s a 9mm (4 inch), I keep thinking my next gun is going to be either a XD40 subcompact or a Keltec of some sort (obviously there are some big tradeoffs buying either of those… Better stopping power or better concealability? ) I know lots of people like Sig’s, they all seem bulky for me, can Carrying it is always a condition of my purchases so never put much into them, plus they seem to be spendier.
XD has a great forum ( Link ), to date I’ve seen very few problems with XD’s, I have full confidence in mine for carrying.
No personal experince with a .40 or .357 myself I know some on here have some experince with them.
I like my XD a whole lot, but it’s a 9mm (4 inch), I keep thinking my next gun is going to be either a XD40 subcompact or a Keltec of some sort (obviously there are some big tradeoffs buying either of those… Better stopping power or better concealability? ) I know lots of people like Sig’s, they all seem bulky for me, can Carrying it is always a condition of my purchases so never put much into them, plus they seem to be spendier.
XD has a great forum ( Link ), to date I’ve seen very few problems with XD’s, I have full confidence in mine for carrying.
No personal experince with a .40 or .357 myself I know some on here have some experince with them.
I carry a Glock .40 Model 22 for work, and really like it. Not the most compact gun, but has been bullet proof(pardon the pun)for 8 yrs. now. A department I work closely with has the Sig 357 also in a glock. The Sig definately has more penetration, but kicks a bit more (they have the vented barrel on theirs). The ammo is a bit higher on the Sig also. Haven’t heard any copmplaints from them either, and they have had theirs for 5 yrs. Hope this helps.
Bernie 
I carry a Glock .40 Model 22 for work, and really like it. Not the most compact gun, but has been bullet proof(pardon the pun)for 8 yrs. now. A department I work closely with has the Sig 357 also in a glock. The Sig definately has more penetration, but kicks a bit more (they have the vented barrel on theirs). The ammo is a bit higher on the Sig also. Haven’t heard any copmplaints from them either, and they have had theirs for 5 yrs. Hope this helps.
Bernie
The 357 sig uses a 9mm bullet. I think if you have a .40 gun and install a 9mm barrel you can shoot 357 sig rounds since they are .40 brass necked down to 9mm. Maybe you can have the best of both worlds. I’m sure some more experienced gun guys will let you know for sure what you need.
As far as what make of gun to get, its a personal thing I guess. Get what feels good in you hand. You cant go wrong with a manufacturer like Springfield, Sig, or GLOCK. Have fun shopping!
The 357 sig uses a 9mm bullet. I think if you have a .40 gun and install a 9mm barrel you can shoot 357 sig rounds since they are .40 brass necked down to 9mm. Maybe you can have the best of both worlds. I’m sure some more experienced gun guys will let you know for sure what you need.
As far as what make of gun to get, its a personal thing I guess. Get what feels good in you hand. You cant go wrong with a manufacturer like Springfield, Sig, or GLOCK. Have fun shopping!
What are you using it for? Concealed carry?
The .40 round is going to be a lighter load than the .357 would be and for an “emergent” situation, this may bode well to the situation as your 2nd and subsequent shots may be closer or on target vs. firing a hotter round.
This also holds true if you, again for concealed carry, are looking for a smaller gun. The smaller it is, the more difficult the control factor tends to be.
I am not sure on prices, but I would sure think that .40 ammo is probably cheaper than the .357 auto rounds?
Another gun that you may want to look at is a Kahr. I know a couple of people that have purchased these and like them for concealability. You can literally put them in your front pants pockets and not know its there.
Probably the most important thing is go somewhere and shoot the guns you are interested in. Get to know what it feels like “during business hours”, not just how it fits in your hand.
If you are thinking about stopping power in a hand gun, then consider this analogy…would you rather be poked in the shoulder with a finger or hit in the gut with a fist. Size matters…
Good Luck!
Rick
What are you using it for? Concealed carry?
The .40 round is going to be a lighter load than the .357 would be and for an “emergent” situation, this may bode well to the situation as your 2nd and subsequent shots may be closer or on target vs. firing a hotter round.
This also holds true if you, again for concealed carry, are looking for a smaller gun. The smaller it is, the more difficult the control factor tends to be.
I am not sure on prices, but I would sure think that .40 ammo is probably cheaper than the .357 auto rounds?
Another gun that you may want to look at is a Kahr. I know a couple of people that have purchased these and like them for concealability. You can literally put them in your front pants pockets and not know its there.
Probably the most important thing is go somewhere and shoot the guns you are interested in. Get to know what it feels like “during business hours”, not just how it fits in your hand.
If you are thinking about stopping power in a hand gun, then consider this analogy…would you rather be poked in the shoulder with a finger or hit in the gut with a fist. Size matters…
Good Luck!
Rick
I won’t be using it for concealed carry since I live in Wisconsin. However, I’m hoping that may be possible down the road, so it is a consideration. I’ll mostly be using it for target shooting and home defense. Does anyone know a gun shop in Western WI where you can try out guns? I think you can at Bill’s in the cities, but unless I’m mistaken, I can’t buy a pistol in MN, unless I get it transferred to a FFL holder in WI. I don’t really want to waste their time if I’m not going to buy from them.
I won’t be using it for concealed carry since I live in Wisconsin. However, I’m hoping that may be possible down the road, so it is a consideration. I’ll mostly be using it for target shooting and home defense. Does anyone know a gun shop in Western WI where you can try out guns? I think you can at Bill’s in the cities, but unless I’m mistaken, I can’t buy a pistol in MN, unless I get it transferred to a FFL holder in WI. I don’t really want to waste their time if I’m not going to buy from them.
Well I don’t think it’s a waste of anyone’s time at all to try them at Bill’s it’s a big reason they have them, is so people can try new guns, and they charge you to rent ($10 a gun I think) them at the range, so I don’t see or wouldn’t feel any obligation myself, I paid to rent it, they made money and they’re happy (not that they’d mind selling you one) Lots of fun stuff to try there, Bill’s north has a S&W 500 
That’s a fun rental, but at $2 a shot (last time I shot it, I’ll bet it’s more now) 5 (6?) is all you need.
Well I don’t think it’s a waste of anyone’s time at all to try them at Bill’s it’s a big reason they have them, is so people can try new guns, and they charge you to rent ($10 a gun I think) them at the range, so I don’t see or wouldn’t feel any obligation myself, I paid to rent it, they made money and they’re happy (not that they’d mind selling you one) Lots of fun stuff to try there, Bill’s north has a S&W 500 That’s a fun rental, but at $2 a shot (last time I shot it, I’ll bet it’s more now) 5 (6?) is all you need.
Where is Bills North located? I’m interested in a 41 mag but would like to try one out first.
Where is Bills North located? I’m interested in a 41 mag but would like to try one out first.
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Where is Bills North located?
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Where is Bills North located?
Found a good deal on a Sig P226 in .357 Sig over the weekend. 
Just have to wait the three days and I’ll be out punchin some paper. I’ll let you know how it goes. The only thing it needs to convert to .40 is another barrel, so I may get one of those too.
Found a good deal on a Sig P226 in .357 Sig over the weekend. Just have to wait the three days and I’ll be out punchin some paper. I’ll let you know how it goes. The only thing it needs to convert to .40 is another barrel, so I may get one of those too.
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