Posted on 06/15/2018 4:44:33 AM PDT by w1n1
Any time we talk about handgun cartridge comparisons, the .357 magnum vs 9mm comes up and is a good talk.
These two cartridges are very popular for personal defense. However, when debates are in motion within the two school of thoughts, objectivity isn’t always clear.
In this segment we'll compare the ballistics and performance of these two cartridges next to each other with an unbiased approach not on implying on one cartridge is better than the other.
When it comes time for you to choose which is the better, it's all about picking the cartridge that is going to work for your and prepare for potential shooting scenarios.
One thing about looking at cartridges/ballistics numbers is that there's more to it than just numbers. Its like saying my gun is bigger than yours. Between the .357 magnum and 9mm, unfortunately its more like comparing apples and oranges. The cartridge information gives us a general look at stopping power and the ability to get a bullet on target, but it is missing an essential component which is terminal performance.
Also known as “terminal ballistics” which means seeing how a projectile behaves when it hit its target and transfer its kinetic energy to the target. This type of test is usually done on a ballistic gel. Read the complete comparisons of .357 Magnum vs 9mm here.
I suppose that mid-point between the .357 and .44 magnums made it rather an enthusiast. The ballistics of the .41 overlap the high end of the .357 and the low end of the .44. So, as a practical matter the round is nearly superfluous. Either of the other guns could fill the need that the .41 was designed to do.
But that does not negate the fact that the .41 Magnum is a pleasure to shoot.
The .41 magnum is near the top on my wish list, probably in Ruger Blackhawk. If I get this pistol, I'll probably add a Henry carbine in a .41 magnum as well.
My understanding is the .41 is a whole lot closer to the .44 than the .357 in terms of performance.
Back to the original question, either caliber will work on people but if what I'm defending against has fur, I'd prefer the .357 (all the while wishing I had my .45-70 carbine).
Like the saying goes...the ATF should be a convenience store, not a FedGov agency lol
It’s a balance. I would often slip a little .380 in my pocket because a full size pistol is out of the question to carry. I have just switched to an ultra light 9. It is what you have when things go bad that counts.
Now, when I go hunting and I’m looking for a primary hand weapon it starts with .357 and 45acp for deer and goes up to .44 magnum .45 Colt (loaded for Ruger) and .475 linebaugh and some of the .500s for bigger more dangerous game.
Remember that up to WW II, the .32acp was considered a perfectly acceptable carry round.
After firing my moms, I now know why the Python is so coveted. My first handgun was a Smith 586...talk about night and day.
LOL she also has an early 80’s Mustang that is, much to my suprise, one of the most accurate semis I’ve ever handled.
I bought my brother’s .38-55 last year and have yet to shoot the thing.
I have to buy some ammo first. Any suggestions on the cowboy caliber ammo makers?
I love Henry. I just wish they’d install ‘Kings Improvement’ like winchester did in 1873. Loading rounds into the front of the magazine is for rimfires.
I talked to Mr Tony Imperato once when we were taking donations for the family of Hero 9-11 Firefighter Peter Martin back in 2001. Henry made generous donations At that time he was only selling .22s. If I talked to him today I’d ask him to put receiver loading gates in his otherwise fine rifles.
The comparison is NOT about ballistics or other typical measurements.
The comparison IS about YOUR ability to get the SECOND SHOT on target inside 2 seconds!
If you’re carrying a .357 for CCW you are likely carrying a short barrel and/or lightweight weapon.
MOST people aren’t capable of dealing with the recoil from the lighter weapon in time to get a second shot on target inside 2 seconds.
Obama or Clinton?
Yeah I collect WWII sidearms. The Germans hoovered up all the pistols they could get their hands on from all over Europe to feed their war machine. A ton of them are 7.65 browning. We call that .32 cap but it’s really not. It’s a bit “hotter” than a standard .32acp round.
Many police sidearms in the US in the early part of the 20th century were .32 caliber too. I’ve wondered what was with this love affair with what we now consider tiny underpowered pistols. But doing some further reading and taking into account the technology of the time....ie no antibiotics, blood plasma not being readily available, etc it makes more sense. Some even called these “shoot you on Monday and kill you on Friday” guns - which gives you a good idea what often happened.
It was a revelation to the Europeans when US troops showed up in WWI with the 1911 which was practically a hand cannon compared to what most of them had.
Concur!
Nothing says trench warfare like 12 ga. shotguns and .45 autos.
“LOL she also has an early 80’s Mustang that is, much to my suprise, one of the most accurate semis I’ve ever handled.”
Nice little gun that one. I wanted one for my first EDC piece. But the price tag! I settled on a CZ-82 I found on the C&R list for $200.00.
Best $200.00 pistol ever.
L
No kidding on the price...IIRC hers is a circa mid 80’s example...I was taking snap shots to the head on a K5 at about 25 yrds and was stacking them in the nose/eyes triangle well beyond my (or what though was) ability at the time. I was astounded considering how crude the sights are.
You ain't kiddin' bro! My midnight home defense piece is a trusty old S&W Model 66 .357 Magnum, and I really hope I never have to shoot this bad boy in the house.
My bro and I were out in a dry creek bed with his 357. He handed it to me. I shot into the dirt bank. 35 years later my ears are still ringing.
Clinton.
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