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.
Power, No question. .357 magnum.
Want to conpare? .357 magnum vs .357 sig or .38 super.
OR
9mm vs .38 special.
I love these articles. The truth is 99.9% of the time there wouldn’t be any real difference in the result on what it hits. Shoot whichever one you shoot well.
AGreed. The more relevant comparison is a 9mm with 38 special and 357 with 45 acp.
.357 Magnum by far. I also favor the .357 SIG.
.38 Super is a great round too.
It’s really a revolver vs. automatic argument.
Unless you are willing to do a LOT of shooting—live at the range and happily lose most or all that expen$ive Bra$$—be smart and get yourself a revolver.
Forget the concept of “firepower”. Revolvers don’t hold many bullets.
You are legally (and morally) responsible for EACH AND EVERY round you fire—unless you are a cop and allowed to spray and pray and shoot anybody you want. (Look up those court cases yourself.)
Just remember that your .357 is SO LOUD you will be deafened for a few days or so. On the other hand—use .38 reloads that are CHEAP and you can afford to shoot a lot.
Your choice.
When it comes to self-defense, I prefer the 9mm over the .357 and actually use one of my .380s for my carry weapon because of reduced size and enough oomph for one who is competent with the weapon. Bigger ain't always better for the intended purpose.
The often forgotten .41 Magnum is a great shooting round.
They’re about the same size so it comes down to velocity. .357 Magnum is about 25% faster. Thus it has more penetrating power and transfers more energy into the target. That said, it’s more expensive and less available. 9mm luger is a very capable round despite the complaints of some that it’s not powerful enough (nonsense IMO). This round has probably killed more people than any other in history so it’s plenty deadly.
I cleaned and put away my Colt Python since it was appreciating in value every year I didn’t shoot it. #1 son will get it eventually.
Bang versus BOOM!
I often thought of getting a .41 magnum in either a double or single action. A great mid power magnum between .357 and .44 (both of which I have)
Good move. My mom is getting very high offers for hers.
My Dad experienced exactly this effect. I won't go into the circumstances here, but he fired his .357 (intentionally) indoors - once. Forget everything you've seen in the movies where people pop off multiple rounds indoors without hearing protection and then hold normal conversations with each other.
I believe there are probably a lot of people who own handguns, maybe even shoot fairly regularly, that don't realize just how loud they are without hearing protection and in any kind of enclosed area.
Sure, the .357 may be louder than some other options, but I believe the same effect applies to other handguns. At my favorite shooting range the outdoor handgun range is about 50/50 - partially open and partially under an awning. I hate having to take one of the lanes under the roof. Even with all 4 sides open, and only a "ceiling" it is noticeably louder even with hearing protection. I do however bite the bullet (pun intended) and shoot from there once in a while - the extra noise and distraction helps me work on focus and concentration, hitting my targets in less than ideal circumstances.
A tactical instructor had me shoot at "contact range" - where if you put your arm straight out the target would be about at your elbow. We were practicing firearm retention, grips, arm positions, and stances when someone gets far too close. At that range, even with just paper targets, in the open, with hearing protection you get a lot of slap-back from the target - noise, blow-back from the target (my shirt smelled like powder the rest of the day, it was kind of neat)... The upshot is (again pun intended), a close-up encounter indoors is going to be startling and throw you off, even if you think you're prepared for it. It would be good for people to train in similar circumstances if/when they can safely.
Hits. It’s all about hits.
If you can hit the same circle, with multiple shots, under pressure and with a moving target, then .357 is superior to 9mm.
But don’t be a measurebator. A lot of people do not achieve under stress, on target performance equally with .357, 10mm, .40 or .45ACP as they do with 9mm (which is why its so popular).
Some scumbag was recently killed by a granny who hit him ten times with 40 grain .22LR.
It’s really about what any given shooter can do, on demand, under stress.
It’s the hits.
I bought the revolver from my uncle, a pharmacist who had an after hours gun shop in his basement. One day a pair of ATF agents paid him a visit, wanting to review all his sales records.
All was found in order but the following week, he packed up the paperwork and his license and sent the stuff to ATF in Kansas City.
The business was officially closed...
This comment is spot on. Seems like a more relevant measure may be, what can you easily buy if SHTF. Last time there was a shortage, I seem to remember .38 was rather plentiful.
“I cleaned and put away my Colt Python since it was appreciating in value every year I didn’t shoot it.“
My Python comes out about once a year or so. They were made to shoot. Then it gets a thorough cleaning and goes back in the box it came from the factory in.
Last time I had an insurance appraisal done it came in at a little over $2,000.00. It stays locked up in the safe.
Beautiful gun.
L
It amazes me how many people fail to realize this.
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