.45 ACP versus .357 magnum

R

RWK

New member
I have a hypothetical question for all our TFL experts: Which round -- the .45 ACP or the .357 magnum -- is the most effective for self-defense? For this thread only, please completely ignore the firearm (accuracy, number of rounds carried, reliability, ease of concealment, and so forth) and focus exclusively on these two rounds, although you should presume both rounds are fired from a 5+ inch barrel with reasonable velocity achieved. Please consider any standard load for either caliber (no +P or +P+). Thanks.

[This message has been edited by RWK (edited June 18, 2000).]
 
There's no wrong answer here, both will do the job if properly placed. The data base shows both do 90% or better on stops,and that's about as good as anything can be...
 
Hello. I'm no expert at anything, but this is a hard one to miss: With 230 gr HydraShok, a standard pressure load, and Remington 125 gr SJHP, one apparently gets similar "stopping power." Either one is a good choice. Best.
 
If overpenetration is an issue, I would go for the 45ACP. If not, put my vote in for the 357 Magnum. For the record, I own and carry both (not at the same time) as I also carry other calibers. They are both kick-butt rounds.
 
Using the ABSOLUTE best available ammo for both, I would say that the .357mag has the edge. Using less than the best ammo with both, the .45ACP gets my vote.
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
fud-nra.gif
 
Which one is best?

The one that you can shoot the best.

If you can't hit the broad side of a Buick with a .45 or a .357, then it's not the gun for you.

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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
PreserveFreedom

The 45 is more likly to overpenitrate in a human than a 357 JHP. Most 357 125 grain loads go about 10 to 12 inches while most 230 grain 45 jhps go 14 to 18 inches.
Both are very good.
PAT

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I intend to go into harms way.
 
.357 is a smaller, faster bullet. .45 is a bigger, slower one. Therefore, the .357 will penetrate further through clothing and lighter obstacles, but the .45 will hit harder. This is all my unfounded opinion, though!
 
RWK;Does "self defense" against animals count? My house gun is a Glock 21 stoked with 185 grain golden sabres. For the woods I pack a 357 maggie with federals 180 grain hunting load. For me they're used for different situations. Best, J. Parker
 
FUD, Mike and Parker got mine mostly said.
Both great. Both easy to shoot well with practice.

I think defensive 125 in .357 maby a little safer in the house but the .45 is pre-expanded. For serious harm without concern for over penetration the 180 grn area in .357 is gettin intto the bottom of the super gun class. When you can go through the fat part of a bowling pin, expand to well over half inch AND knock the pin 6 feet in the air behind the table, you have adequate penetration, adequate expansion, adequate energy transfer AND adequate recoil. Specially in a snubby L frame.

Sam
 
Not to sing a different song, but the .357Mag as the best street record from what I understand... but I think the best round is the .357Sig. It's got the same (or better) balistics than the .357Mag...

But I tend to agree with the consenses: Whatever you shoot best with is the best round.

Keep in mind that probably more people have been killed with a .22 than any other round, so again, it's where you are able to place the shot that ultimately matters.

A .22 in the eye socket is better than a missed .45 or .357.

Albert
 
I have a little problem equating the .357 sig with the .357 mag. Looks to me like the few bullet weights common to both, are hard driven from the sig at bottom levels for the mag. Seems that the .357mag can drive 180 or 200gr bullets at velocitys close to the 125 from a .357 sig. Or drive a 125gr at 1800 with very modest pressures.

My favorite 9mm is a 9X32

Sam

Sam
 
C.R.Sam

Were talking apples to oranges. YOu can't compare factory loads to reloads. No factory 357 mag is going 1800 fps. No one should carry reloads for defense. ALso the legendary stopping power of the 357 mag was built on a 125 grain bullet at about 1400 fps and the 357 sig will do that no problem.
PAT

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I intend to go into harms way.
 
I would go with a 45 primarily because of lower muzzle blast. Also, my choices are 686+ with seven rounds which cannot be fired off all that fast (muzzle flip) and Glock 21 with 14 rounds available more quickly.
 
CR Sam,

The 125-gr. .357 Sig. round was originally developed to emulate ONE .357 Mag. round, the Remington 125-gr. JHP that has proven itself so effective in police hands over the years...

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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
Once the bullet is fired, balistically, you can't a .357Mag from a .357Sig. The only way you might be able to is because the .357Sig will likely be travelling faster. The idea of the .357Sig is 357Mag power in a smaller package. Say a Glock or a Sig with 10 rounds.

Albert
 
Pat...Sorry bout the apples n oranges bit. We strayed from the original question which was comparing .45 to .357mag, defensive and non +P. Both great. And I fell into an already strayed line of thinkin.

In this litiginous age tis indeed difficult to buy factory ammo with spunk for the .357. As late as the 70s a popular factory LE load for the .357 was 158gr JSP at about 1550fps. Hottest factory .357mag I can put my hands on without leaving the house are 125gr at 1450 and 180gr at 1265. Both moderate pressure.

Yes I carry factory for defense, used to be more fun tho when I owned a properly papered plant. :) Then all my ammo was factory.

Sam

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Sam I am, grn egs n packin

Nikita Khrushchev predicted confidently in a speech in Bucharest, Rumania on June 19, 1962 that: " The United States will eventually fly the Communist Red Flag...the American people will hoist it themselves."
 
It would be nice to own your own ammo plant. The 357 sig is more versital than my 357 sig in applications other than defense. But thats ok I have my 357 sigs for one reason defense. I own a 10mm and a 45 colt 5 shot revolver for real power. I am tinkering with the Idea of using my 24 longslide with a 357 sig barrel for some limited hunting however on some small sitka dear (size of large dogs)
PAT

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I intend to go into harms way.
 
357 definatly! I really don't give a flying f--- about using my own reloads. I say step the load up enough and you wont have to worry about the perp filling a civil suit. :D

Now the 357 sig is a different animal. I am going to get a .40cal barrel conversion for my Beretta92 and THEN a .357sig barrel. :D Now THAT is a house gun.

DW
 
I'll break it down into simple terms...
The .357 is smaller but faster.
The .45 ACP is bigger but slower.

I'd look at light-medium weight .45 ACP. I'm sure they're better in general for SD purposes than .357 simply because you're guaranteed a .45 caliber hole from the outset. Most .357 revolvers only hold 6 rounds (I know all about the exceptions). There are very few semi-auto .357's.

Most .45's hold at LEAST 6 rounds in a similarly sized gun. And don't rule out +P ammo. Hornady and Proload both make some EXCELLENT +P .45ACP ammo.

Ben

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Almost Online IM: BenK911
ICQ # 53788523
"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"

[This message has been edited by Ben (edited June 20, 2000).]
 
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