In my area, 9mm ammo is $8 a box, and .40 is $10 a box, and 357 Sig is $10 a box, comparing the same brands.
I don't know where people get the idea that .357 Sig ammo is so expensive, but that is not true where I am.
And, if you cannot get it cheaply where you live, then buy it over the internet by the case. It is only a couple dollars more per box than equivalent 9mm ammo, and the same price as .40.
The .357 Sig is growing in popularity, shown by its drop in price and it will be more available in the future (It has become easily and cheaply available where I am). Furthermore, you can always drop in a .40 (or 9mm) barrel if the .357 Sig goes the way of the dinosaur, which I highly doubt wil happen.
Also, I just started reloading .357 Sig today. It is quite easy. The only difference is lubing the case mouth before you start. And, it is CHEAP because 9mm bullets are cheap. Also, it is really easy to find my brass at the range
It is no lie that this is an extremely consitent, accurate, reliable round. My stock Glock 32 is among the most accurate guns I have ever owned. And, it puts out well over 550 foot pounds of energy from a very short barrel, with no lacking in penetration. A 125gr bullet moving at almost 1450fps does just about everything anyone wants in a defensive pistol.
Regarding the .357 Magnum comparison, this seems to be brought up over and over. The 125gr .357 Sig OUTPERFORMS all the factory .357 Mag loadings that were so well proven on the street. The goal of the .357 Sig was to match the velocity of the proven 125gr .357 Magnum loads that are known to work well in street shootings. The .357 Sig EXCEEDS this goal. Out of the same barrel length, using facory 125gr bullets, (even with the advantage going to the revolver due to the fact that it's cylindar is not included in the barrel length) the .357 Sig puts out HIGHER velocities than the .357 Magnum. Yes, the .357 Mag is a bit more versatile in the heavier bullet weights and yes you can handload it hot, but since I am not hunting with my .357 Sig, and it is only for defense, I only care about personal defense ammunition. The .357 Sig handles the light and medium/heavy (even up to 147gr) loads as well or better than the .357 Mag, and it has MUCH less felt recoi and more capacity, smaller platform etc.
.357 Sig:
Power, accuracy, reliability, versatility, consistency, and proven stopping power. What more could you want from a compact pistol?
[Edited by jdthaddeus on 01-06-2001 at 04:53 PM]