357sig vs 357 magnum

[David]

Since I’ve been on this kick lately, Sig vs Mag for your consideration.

[tom mac]

I'd go with 357 in my SW mod 66, but in my case the Sig ( with G20 conversion barrel ) as carried is more shots ( 6 vs 11 ) and to me more can be important too ( shot placement being first )

[Mac66]

I don't know if the video covered it (I don't hear very well) but one advantage of the 357 mag is the ability to use a wide range of ammo from very light weight to pretty heavy. Lots of bullets available and you can load it up or down to fit the situation. As far as I can tell bullet weight is generally in the 125 gr area with the highest being 150 gr @ 1200 fps. I was easily getting 1200-1300 fps in my 2.75" Security 6 with 158gr bullets and over 1400 with 125 gr. and much more than that in my 6" bbl Dan Wesson and 16" rifle.

On the other hand the 357 Sig has a lot going for it i.e, high velocity and high capacity in a semi auto. Given a choice as in a service weapon I would have to choose the Sig over the Mag I carried when I first started in police work. For everything else i would choose the Mag.

[David]

With it being as easy as a drop in barrel, it's hard not to get a 357sig barrel 'just because'. Looking at some of the penetration tests in the videos in the other threads I'm starting to re-evaluate between the 40 S&W and the 357sig for woods carry. Yes, the 40 is a bigger hole to begin with but I was fairly impressed with the penetration of the 357sig overall. Would it ever be needed? Probably not, at least probably not in my area but at least it is a viable option.

[Mac66]

Well, for protection against black bears I think you would want something heavier than what the Sig gives you. That means the Mag.

[tom mac]

With it being as easy as a drop in barrel

One of the features of the G20... 4 calipers by just a barrel change.
357 sig ( same case )
40 ( same case )
9 mm ( the other 9x25 ) (( some shoot reg 9mm 9x19 as it's cheap with an 11lb spring )) works 95% and much cheaper to shoot cause case a bit smaller

[David]

With it being as easy as a drop in barrel

One of the features of the G20... 4 calipers by just a barrel change.
357 sig ( same case )
40 ( same case )
9 mm ( the other 9x25 ) (( some shoot reg 9mm 9x19 as it's cheap with an 11lb spring )) works 95% and much cheaper to shoot cause case a bit smaller

Isn't 40 Super another option in a G20?

[tom mac]

Not to my knowledge... tho possible.
Isn't that a 45acp case necked down ? maybe for the G21.

[David]

Not to my knowledge... tho possible.
Isn't that a 45acp case necked down ? maybe for the G21.

You're right, it was the G21 platform. I was getting it confused with the G20. So if I am going to add some larger/more powerful calibers to what I have now, it would make sense to get a G21 (preferably Gen 4) so that I have access to caliber changes in 10mm, 45 Super, 40 Super and others. I doubt I'd go with all of that, but it's a nice option to have if I want to do so in the future. For now, it would be of interest to add the G21 platform for 45acp and get the G20 conversion barrel (and RSA, mags etc) necessary to shoot 10mm. That would cover a lot of bases in the overall prep inventory.

[tom mac]

You can always swap the G21 slide setup to the G20... same frame IIRC.
Here in NY, the frame is the reg'ed part.... slides are easily bought parts ( tho supposed to be reg'ed under same serial # as diff caliper )

Mags MAY work... they do in my Sig 220s with 45 and 10mm