Which Caliber would you Use in a SHTF Scenario? 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 04/04/2018 5:51:13 PM PDT by w1n1
Which Caliber would you Use in a SHTF Scenario? 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?
357vs45acpMost of us gun enthusiasts understand the differences between the two ammo and how powerful it is. But sometimes its good to see the visual 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.
The other consideration that we’ll talk about is which one fits the SHTF scenario.
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 fpistol calibers. Read the rest of the story and see the full footage on 357 magnum vs 45 acp here.
Exactly
Hell, I cant see that far anymore so its the 45 always.
Drops the mike and walks off stage.
Been wanting a lever. Wish it was a side loader. May get one anyway.
“The TTC is almost as old as I am - 1953 -”
More than a few are to be found at C&R dealers.
L
Don’t forget if you’re shooting the .357 the same gun can also shoot .38 Cal, and plus P ammo.
They also seem to make some nice semi auto 357 handguns.
Don’t forget if you’re shooting the .357 the same gun can also shoot .38 Cal, and plus P ammo.
Yep. Got mine from J&G Sales. $239 including a $20 hand select fee. Mine mist have sat in an armory somewhere, as there were no use marks on it.
I had a python back in the 70’s, but I got desperately broke and had to sell it. It still hurts to think about it. What a wonderful piece.
“I prefer the Smith and Wesson Model 29 44 mag.
Hurts to fire sometimes. .....”
My buddy has the S&W 357, It hurts my long skinny guitar players fingers! I prefer my Ruger Redhawk 44 mag with the heavier frame.
Valdo said, “Easy. Don’t get excited,” and drew the .45 from its holster. He held it up for the driver to see. With his free hand, he pointed to the driver’s handgun and said, “I see you carry a .357, old school.”
The driver said, “Put your weapon down.”
Valdo said, “I’m old school, too.” He showed his pistol. “1911.”
“Put it down.”
Valdo kept talking, looking for an opportunity. “You know, people argue, which is better, a .357, or a .45. What do you think?”
“I think you should leave.”
Valdo said, “Every man has his preference. Me? I like the way the .45 feels in my hand.”
“You’re not going to like the feel of a slug in your chest.”
She took the revolver from Jonathan, set it down on the tailgate, and picked up a slender black pistol. “Papa wants you to learn how to use this.”
“Why that one?”
“His reasoning is if we run across Esposito, he’s going to be wearing his body armor, so if we can’t get away from him, we’re going to have to shoot him in the head. Papa doesn’t have confidence in your ability to do that. Although after watching what you just did …“
“I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
“Me, too. Anyway, Papa has opted for having you carry a penetrating round, something that has a chance to defeat his armor. This is a CZ52. It shoots Russian Tokarev rounds. Penetrating rounds.”
I have a Rossi carbine that is chambered for .357 (neat how the 16" barrel adds almost 50% to velocity)....it kicks a bit with the .357 rounds but is enjoyable for "plinking" with the .38 Special rounds.
I have a .357 revolver with 8" barrel that will reach out and touch something - can put 5 of 6 in a 5 gallon bucket at 100 yards and that's free form w/o bracing.
I laugh at these caliber arguments anymore. Gun fights rely a lot more on the person weilding the gun that the caliber of gun. A special forces guy with a .32 is going to clean my clock even if I had a .44 Magnum.
The answer is “anything more than a .380” will suit you just fine as long as you shoot it well, and a .380 would work in a pinch, as long as you shoot it well.
Just don’t get an unpopular caliber that is hard to find. Anything common you can buy anywhere out in the sticks is a must.
I love my Kimber .45.
I like .45 acp. It simply works for me. I can shoot for 8 hours straight. Good solid round.
I love .45 LC. That is what I carry.
Gun guys love this stuff, but either one will ruin your day.
“”Good hunting! Please drop one for me. I am going to miss the Spring hog hunt this year - family commitments.””
Thank you. It’s always a fun hunt but this one is special, my wife is going. Will be her first Javalina hunt. I was married to my first wife for 35 years and she never would hunt or show any interest in it. Second wife loves to hunt and fish, hell she had her own 4x4 truck and a bass boat when we met. Her father was an outfitter for elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep up in Wyoming. To top it off she’s a beautiful little redhead. The Lord does work in mysterious ways!
The 45 LC my all time favorite. Have a 24 inch Model 92 with the octagon barrel, 13 round capacity. It goes real well with my 5 1/2 inch Ruger Blackhawk convertable chambered in 45LC/45ACP. With proper loads the LC surpasses the 44 mag in ft-lbs of energy, or just swap the cylinder and plink with 45 ACP’s.
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