There are always debates on which is the better carry handgun and we get down to the ballistics, which is better?, a .357 Magnum or a 45ACP? Posted on 01/06/2017 9:45:11 AM PST by w1n1
There are always debates on which is the better carry handgun and we get down to the ballistics, which is better?, a .357 Magnum or a 45ACP?
Most of us gun enthusiasts have an idea between the two ammo which is the more powerful. But even for the advanced and novice, sometimes its good to see the effects of the ballistics. The following is a penetration comparison of the two ammo and it is the un-scientific approach. Basically shoot at different type of objects and observe the effects.
Results It's always a great match up that clearly defines the legendary stopping power of .45 ACP at shorter ranges, with .357 performing better for penetration at longer distances.
Historically, the .45 ACP was specifically designed for the US Army to be a knock down round at short distances; intended to put a man down with just a couple of shots and the impact on the masonry that you see in the video clearly shows this.
The .357 is more rifle-like and longer casing keeps a higher velocity at farther distances so this round out performed on the hardwood at longer ranges. Currently, it is a popular caliber, even hunters use it in carbines for that very good performance over longer ranges when compared to other pistol calibers. See the test footage here. What about you all, which one do you pack with?
Do you have Laser Grips added on to your snub? They make a world of difference especially at night. I’ve added them to all my revolvers. I don’t own any semi autos.
yeah, but it seemed like an appropriate joke at the time :)
I like both, I prefer My 45 because the hole hollow points make coming out and the bullet won’t kill someone else the next block over.
Do you have a source for the FBI statistics?
Quote:
“I believe that is a direct correlation with rules #1 and #2. I also believe that far too many people carry too much gun.”
Agree 100%.
Glock 19 loaded with Speer 9mm 124 gr. +P JHP here.
As for 357 mag. vs. 45 ACP:
I wouldn’t want to get hit by either one.
That sure is a pretty gun.
Good Graphic for those who have Clip / Magazine confusion.
I typically carry a .40 S&W. In the Montana woods I carry a 454 or a 10mm depending upon time of year.
Answer: 15 rounds of 9mm.
The several "ACP" designated cartridges were obsoleted by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufactures Institute (SAAMI) prior to WWII and replaced with the nomenclature "AUTO" Where have these people been for the last seven decades?
The basic problem is that most gun writers obtained their entire education about guns and ammo from reading other gun writer's tripe.
It is no more appropriate to use obsolete cartridge designations than to address a married woman by her maiden name.
And don't be fooled by the charlatans that the .45 ACP and .45 Auto cartridges are the same. They are not! They are built to entirely different technical data packages and different pressure testing systems and different pressure specifications. The fact that they looks similar is meaningless with respect to safety considerations. Same with .223 Rem vs. 5.56mm, Plus P vs. standard pressure loads, etc.
Please don't waste your and others time be seeking out and posting a list of other people or off-shore companies that are also ignorant of proper cartridge designations.
If you have a computer, you can Google saami.org and learn the proper and abbreviated names of all SAAMI approved cartridges. Or go to the American National Standards Institute for the same information.
It's the head stamp, stupid!
If I’m going after bears, I’ll take my 45-70 over either.
.32 ACP is interesting.
This was the world standard ‘self defense’ cartridge from 1903 to maybe 1939, the vast majority of auto pistols sold to the public were chambered in .32 ACP. It was the European standard police cartridge, in nearly all countries.
Little known fact, Gavrilo Princip kicked off WWI with two shots from a .32 ACP, both fatal. He used an FN Browning 1910.
Lots of very nice, small flat pistols with 6-10 round magazines were made for it.
Even military use was typical. The French Army depended on it, or on their very similar low powered revolver cartridge. The German Army too used vast numbers of them, in spite of all those Parabellum Lugers.
“I also believe that far too many people carry too much gun.”
Probably true.
“Where have these people been for the last seven decades?”
Reading history books. No term is EVER obsolete.
“It is no more appropriate to use obsolete cartridge designations than to address a married woman by her maiden name.”
Unless you live in France, or are Catalan, or several other places.
Have S&W .357 (circa 1953) and a .357 Marlin. I love being able to shoot the same ammo through both. That being said I am building a 1911 because no self respecting collection is complete without a 1911. So, I’ll do some side by side when done to see which is better because I live by the Gun Collectors golden rule; “the best gun for you is the one you like best”. :)
Kind of bulky though, compared to a semi-auto.
I clicked on the link and was greeted with a picture of a .357 Mag and a cartridge which in probably .45 caliber but is not a .45 ACP. Looks like maybe a .45 Long Colt (A caliber I don’t shoot)
My S&W 1917 revolver in .45 ACP gives the best of both worlds, IMO.
;^)
(((yawn)))
If you can’t decide, then you should own at least one of each.
When that revolver is empty, I’ll still have 6 more rounds in my XD-45. And I’ll be able to swap magazines way faster than someone can reload a wheel gun. I’ll put 40 rounds down range before the average person can reload a wheel gun and put the ninth round down range.
First, I mis spoke. The data below is not based on the FBI statistics as I assumed. My bad.
Here is the supporting article for my comments:
https://www.buckeyefirearms.org/alternate-look-handgun-stopping-power
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