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.357 Mag vs .45 ACP
- Thread starter ArmySon
- Start date
This debate is endless I think..lol...its been going on as long as I can remember. Having changed opinion many times I finally came to the conclusion that the difference between caliber's is less important than other factors. For defensive style shooting the factors that I consider are:
concealability
function--including reliability, unusual movements required to get into fire mode.
accuracy combined with speed of use.
speed of followup shots.
ammo capacity
speed of reloads
----with the metallurgy and bullet design provided to the average consumer today any caliber from 9mm on up can be made to perform to your desired critieria, (deep penetration or rapid expansion), and for me when you consider those two options each caliber handles the recoil pulse slightly different at different power levels and that is an important factor in my ability to have the firearm/ammo combination fit my needs.
----bottom line is --it just dosent matter, every combination has pluses and mineses for each individual. I would tend to believe that most shooters would be adequately armed with any pistol in a 9mm or above caliber and commercial ammo--and then training comes in to get the most from the combination that you are using........fubsy...
concealability
function--including reliability, unusual movements required to get into fire mode.
accuracy combined with speed of use.
speed of followup shots.
ammo capacity
speed of reloads
----with the metallurgy and bullet design provided to the average consumer today any caliber from 9mm on up can be made to perform to your desired critieria, (deep penetration or rapid expansion), and for me when you consider those two options each caliber handles the recoil pulse slightly different at different power levels and that is an important factor in my ability to have the firearm/ammo combination fit my needs.
----bottom line is --it just dosent matter, every combination has pluses and mineses for each individual. I would tend to believe that most shooters would be adequately armed with any pistol in a 9mm or above caliber and commercial ammo--and then training comes in to get the most from the combination that you are using........fubsy...
Mike Irwin
Staff
My S&W Model 19 2.5" .357, or my Model 19 4".
I can hit repeatedly with them at just about any distance.
------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
I can hit repeatedly with them at just about any distance.
------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
i think a .357mag is a better round for carry but they both do equally well for home defense. i say this because the .357mag does better after penetrating all kinds of barriers that you might encounter on the street (e.g. a car) but for home defense it seems like barrier penetration is less of an issue.
however if it was between these 2 calibers on which i would carry i'd take the .45. i only have 1 .45 (Glock 30) and 1 .357mag (S&W 686+) but i shoot pistols much better than revolvers. to be able to conceal a .357mag it would have to be pretty small and then it would have a lot of recoil. i like to be able to make quick accurate follow up shots if i can with any gun i use for defense and i don't feel i can do this with a .357mag so well. i also cannot reload revolvers very quickly since i'm left handed and don't have much practice and like how my G30 can hold 11 rounds and its easy to carry more magazines.
however if it was between these 2 calibers on which i would carry i'd take the .45. i only have 1 .45 (Glock 30) and 1 .357mag (S&W 686+) but i shoot pistols much better than revolvers. to be able to conceal a .357mag it would have to be pretty small and then it would have a lot of recoil. i like to be able to make quick accurate follow up shots if i can with any gun i use for defense and i don't feel i can do this with a .357mag so well. i also cannot reload revolvers very quickly since i'm left handed and don't have much practice and like how my G30 can hold 11 rounds and its easy to carry more magazines.