Also consider which ammo seems to be more well kept in stock wherever you are. And how much you can carry with easily.
Both have their places.
Matter of preference, I guess.
I still prefer the .45 for PDW, 'cause most encounters are going to be within 10 yards.
I do like the performance of my .357 Carbine, though.
Reach out and touch something, with 1800 fps.
To each his own, and I own several of each, so..., your mileage may differ.
.357 mag 125grn JHP, Muzzzle Velocity of 1500 (fps) and 1314 (fps) at 50yds. 624 Energy at Muzzle.
.45acp 230grn JHP, Muzzle Velocity of 900 (fps) and 859 (fps) at 50yds. 412 energy at Muzzle.
Different horses for different courses.
Ive killed all mannerof things with a 357 at range...
45 is awesome at what its made for but past 50 yards i would have concerns about its usefulness
Trump #45 — 45 it is.
The .357 is a lot more powerful.
The main difference is the guns which use them tho technically there have been .357 autos and .45 ACP revolvers.
One of the finest guns I ever owned was a S&W model 27. It had an 8-3/8ths inch barrel, target trigger, grips and hammer. It truly was accurate.
On the other hand, the 1911 is a really good defense pistol. 8 or 9 rounds are adequate for most any situation and a fast reload if they aren’t.
Own both and all I’ll say is this. I’m headed out for a hog and Javalina hunt in the AM. We’ll be bow hunting but it’s thick south Texas brush that I’m not a big fan of tracking in. I’ll be using a 7 shot 357 magnum for a back up loaded with 160 grain CORBON’s. I’ve shot hogs well over 200 lbs with this combo.
Have both, Like both. No reason to choose.
Both are great calibers.
I prefer the Smith and Wesson Model 29 44 mag.
Hurts to fire sometimes. .....
I have an odd story. When I was in high school or just after, I worked part time at a filling station. Late at night a guy would often stop by, get gas a visit for a while.
He was a former Belgian Paratrooper and had served in the Congo. He was the real deal and taught me a lot of tricks with firearms. He actually was often in combat. He was the first person I ever heard of who used an unknown gun, the Uzi. Of course it later became well known. Also an FAL.
They rescued and failed to rescue many Whites who had been taken hostage by Red sponsored terrorists. Most of them were women and children.
His favorite pistol was not as one would expect, the Hi-Power tho it was a Browning. He used a .32 auto FN. He said it was small, easy to handle and hit with and would put a native down easily.
When I lived in Virginia Beach and worked out of the Federal Building in Norfolk, I had some dealings with a Black guy. He was a bit of a criminal but I liked him. One day I saw in the paper that he had killed another Black guy who attacked him. He was determined to have fired in self defemse.
I later asked him what he had used to kill the guy instantly. It was a .32 Browning.
SHTF, I want a weapon that tolerates dirt and grit and won’t bind up, that is an auto. I also want something that will shoot through barriers and can take medium to large game if needed, that would be the .357. Now how do you pack the power of a .357 into a usable pistol? My friends, it’s called the 10mm.
Love both, have both. But they’re different tools for different uses. For personal defense where it’s up close, I prefer the .45.
From a ballistics perspective, IMHO, a better comparison would be the .357 mag versus the .357 SIG.
If you must shoot a life threatening burglar, the 45 will leave him dead so he cannot sue you.
Your life savings is worth the most.
It is really simple. Use 357 in revolvers and 45 ACP in autos. Carry based on the type of gun.
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.