Cost of operation .357 vs. 9mm

I own both

.357 is 2 guns in one (38 everything and 357) so it is always a good choice.
9mm ammo is on every country with guns so ammo is every where and just as cheap as 38 or cheaper.
38 should be paper popper with the kids.
.357 is brick busters.
9mm is semi auto multi target fast fire.
 
IMO you'll shoot less of the 357/38 just because it takes more time to fire and load a revolver. You'll rip through a lot of 9, trust me.
 
You should start out with a .22 revolver. Its cheap to shoot and easy to maintain. It's also a good gun for kids to learn on. You can always buy a .38/.357 or 9MM later on.
 
Get the best of all worlds....start off with a Single-Six or Bearcat in .22lr to learn the basics. .22lr ammo is far cheaper than any centerfire round and a lot of fun....

Then you can get one of the Ruger Blackhawk Convertibles in .357Mag/9mm and use .38SPL, .357Mag, or 9mm....solving your problem entirely... :D
 
why not a 9mm revolver

Hello and welcome to the forum. As some members have mentioned, 9mm ammo is going to be much cheaper than .38 or .357 If revolver is your choice why not a 9mm revolver. Taurus makes them, seems like Ruger has a Blackhwak model that can be converted between .357, .38 and 9mm. There is always used gun market (Smith & Wesson 547 comes to mind)
 
i would suggest going with the .357, and if you are unsatisfied with the prices still, you can get into reloading.

It is easy to collect shell casings with a revolver to reuse them (the auto just spits them out everywhere).
 
You might also check out a local gun show for bulk (like 500 round) reloads in an ammo can. Sure, the initial investment is a hit, but then you will have the brass for reloading later.
 
I bought a Ruger Blackhawk .357/9mm Convertible for this reason. I can usually pickup cheap .38 reloads at some ranges or elsewhere for a cheap plinking session, but sometimes 9mm is just so much cheaper...and it's normally around 40% less than shooting 357. It’s accuracy isn’t as good using 9mm, but it’s not bad…about 1” at 25 yards.
 
If the S&W is a good deal go for it.

A 357 revolver is great gun. I shoot mine mostly with 38spcl bought in bulk from GA Arms. I shoot slower and more deliberate -focusing on trigger and aim. When my HiPower (9mm) goes to the range, I go with all mags loaded and they go pretty quick.

I recently sold my two 38/357 revolvers as one was a snubby and the other a 4" 7 shot beast. I ordered a higher quality, 5 shot 3" barreled 357. Not to big, not too small, just right. Revolvers to me are more utilitarian. You can shoot from snakeshot and wadcutters to full power 357. I keep my brass and also find 38/357 easy to reload.

Also get a 22 as they are inexpensive, fun and are great to practice with.
 
.38's go for $15-16 a box, you can use that ammo in a .357 they're shorter bullets but can still be fired in the .357 and there cheaper, and dont have as much recoil. easier and cheaper for target shooting
 
When I saw the price of 357 mag ammo recently I used a two word phrase that related to the Creator.

Even 38 special is a premium ammo now.

I never thought I would see that.

But 38 special ammo is still around 33% cheaper than 357 mag and that's what you should probably shoot for the majority of the time out of a 357 mag revolver anyway.

But 9mm is the king of the hill in centerfire ammo for price.

There just is'nt a bunch of revolvers that shoot that and those that do have had their issues.

Unlike the 45 ACP revolvers.

So,to heck with it,enjoy your 357 mag and don't let the price of the ammo ruin it for you.

Just enjoy every shot as you can.
 
Cost of Operation

zxcvbob/et al: With the 9mm's reputation for over-penetration, and the .38's chore in a single-shot knock-down, would you share your thoughts on relative costs for .40/10mm/.45? Others welcome to enlighten, confuse, of course, and apologies if I stray from the original "?". Experience re. the EEA compact .45 also welcome.
 
llama said:
zxcvbob/et al: With the 9mm's reputation for over-penetration, and the .38's chore in a single-shot knock-down, would you share your thoughts on relative costs for .40/10mm/.45? Others welcome to enlighten, confuse, of course, and apologies if I stray from the original "?". Experience re. the EEA compact .45 also welcome.
Click to expand...

All of these will be more expensive to shoot than the 9mm, but the 45ACP is comparable to .38 special in terms of price. .40 is a bit more, 10mm is very expensive and best left to reloading for cost-based shooting. All are sufficient for defensive purposes.

Rather than worry about price (though I do respect a budget,) I would consider what all you want from the firearm. Are you interested in mere target shooting? Do you plan on using the firearm for home defense, perhaps even concealed carry? Do you like the nature of a revolver or an auto?

Based on what I have read here, I would reccomend a revolver for you. They are slower to operate, meaning you will go through less ammo in the same time frame, saving some money.

Also, I reccomend learning to shoot on a Double-Action, as I find it helps people learn trigger control and avoid jerking. Single actions offer a nice, generally light, pull to avoid pulling off target, but often lead to jerking and flinching in inexperienced shooters. If you can learn to control the longer, heavier pull of a DA, you will have better control when it comes to firing in SA. A DA/SA revolver is a great platform for learning aiming and fire control because you can shoot either type of action. That being said, there are plenty of good DAO and DA/SA auto's out there.

Also, Auto's require a bit more knowledge and familiarity to operate. While uncommon in many models, feeding problems and failures to eject can occur in an auto, and the shooter must be able to clear them safely. Consider, too, the safties found on an auto; is there a thumb lever saftey, grip safety, perhaps a magazine disconnect? All of this may seem minor, but one needs to be familiar with their particular firearm before loading it up. Revolvers are simpler by nature to the casual shooter. Open the cylinder, load, close, fire.

Having said all this, my ultimate advice is to look around, see what YOU like and have fun with it. I myself have several auto's and as many revolvers. I like both for different reasons, and different models of each for different reasons.

For reference, my favorite calibers for the ones stated are:
  • 45 ACP
  • 45 colt
  • .357 / .38
  • 10mm
  • 22
  • .40
  • 9mm
 
Would a Walther or Czech handgun be just as reliable as a Glock?
Which type of 9mm ammo is the easiest to find, i.e. Parabellum or Kurz?

How about 380 ACP availability, and price comparison with both 9mm types?

I know nothing about handguns but might consider one on the future.
 
Would a Walther or Czech handgun be just as reliable as a Glock?
Which type of 9mm ammo is the easiest to find, i.e. Parabellum or Kurz?

How about 380 ACP availability, and price comparison with both 9mm types?

I know nothing about handguns but might consider one on the future
Click to expand...

Yes, Walthers and CZ's are very reliable guns. Glocks are very reliable as well but lack a manual safety.

9mm Parabellum (aka 9mm Luger, 9x19) is the cheapest centerfire autoloader ammunition and is widely available. 9mm Kurz is another name for .380 ACP and it is much less powerful than 9mm Parabellum and also about 50% more expensive.
 
9mm is NATO caliber, which means you get the surplus runs from military production. The way to buy 9mm ammo is in case lots of 1000 rds. -- generally sold loose in a bag, packed in a box.

The down side is that currently there's a war on, and the gun-grabbers just won all the seats in Wash. DC. 9mm ammo is getting in short supply.

Reloading 38 spl. is cheap, easy. 22 cal. is super cheap compared to centerfire ammo. But I can't warm up to 22 cal. anything -- not even match target rifles/pistols.

The simple truth is that shooting tends to attact people who don't have to "budget" for ammo. Have a look on the range or in the shops. The buyers are middle class, middle aged, and financially comfortable.
 
I think some folks are looking at it all wrong. I don't think there's that much compromise in practising .22LR while planning to protect with (e.g.) 9MM. The act of sighting down a barrel and working an action (DAO, SA, DA) to make a "bang" is a much bigger deal than the difference between this caliber and that. No substitute for the chambered round, of course, but I'd much rather have lots of live-fire experience with a practice round that is affordable than very little live-fire practice because a round is expensive.

Shoot shoot shoot. The rest is details.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top