357 sig (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 7/29/2026 6:15:28 PM EDT
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Why is the 357 sig not a more popular round. With the HST ammunition, the 357 SIG has more muzzle energy than the 10 mm. |
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A combination of recoil, cost, capacity/size of gun, general effectiveness of any handgun cartridge regardless of muzzle energy, and overcoming the popularity of and trust in other well-established cartridges (namely .40 SW, 9mm, and .45 ACP at the time) more than likely is the answer to your question. It's the same reason .30 SC went nowhere fast. It offered better capacity than 9mm, met all of the FBI gel test performance recommendations, had the backing of a major ammo manufacturer with a relatively low introductory price, and was chambered in a few of a major handgun manufacturer's handguns (SW) on day one and yet still failed to gain traction. People often trust what they have and don't want to spend a bunch of money adopting a new cartridge. |
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It was my wife's favorite until she hurt her wrist breaking her shoulder. There was a lot to like about it, but the recoil is very snappy. Reminds me of .38 Super in a lot ways. Her first gun:  Her second:  The M&P was stolen out of her car because of the policies of her workplace. S/N DXW5180 if you happen to come across it, give the cops a ring. |
Vintage Ain't Retro.
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Ammo cost Similarity to other loads Absolute wrecking ball on the Glock frame. I think it would have done better on the large Glock frame. |
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I shot a SIG P2340 in 2/3 gun matches for years in .357 SIG. Always had good luck with it, always shot flat and accurate. I have a .40 barrel for it, but I rarely ever used it. Always liked the .357 better. But, as others have said, ammo got too expensive, and the round just sort of faded away. I still have the pistol, and with as many times as I've used it, I'll most likely never sell it. One of my grandkids can have it. |
Looking back I realize, nothing have I done
Left to die with only friend,
Alone I clench my gun
Left to die with only friend,
Alone I clench my gun
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I have Glock and SIG pistols that are .357 SIG, I have .40 S&W barrels for them. I have Glock and SIG pistols in .40 S&W, I have .357 SIG barrels for them. I even have a Glock 10mm with .40 S&W and .357 SIG barrels for it. I have .40 S&W Smith & Wesson pistols M&P .40 and SD40VE. Buying .357 SIG barrels for the SD40 is not worth the expense. They are house or truck guns. The M&P 40 are used LEO trade-ins and I bought them to burn through the .40 S&W ammo I have too much of! In the dark the muzzle flash of the .357 SIG is the size of a basketball. Not a good thing if shooting at bad guys in the dark. Shoot and move is a good thing to consider!! Both of my P229 .357 SIG have unique frames (sn and lower) This one has a Government overrun slide. I was told both of my P229 pistols were former Texas DPS issue. Attached File |
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| I picked up an Sig .357 barrel for my .40 cal Sig P226. I've got the brass, primers, and bullets. I'll start loading for it in another month. |
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| 95% of my handgun shooting these days is .357-Sig and .40-Super. I love the laser beam like speed and accuracy of these calibers. The lighter bullets for these calibers absolutely vaporize varmints. A 135 grain / 40 cal bullet going 1800 fps is a nuclear flying ashtray of death. |
| I love my Glock 32 that said, most 10mm is loaded to 40S&W standards, I had to roll my own to get decent FPS, with 180gr bullets. It's not popular because you can't make cases out of anything and it's expensive to buy laoded, I roll my own 357 Sig too. Rolling your own costs about as much 9mm does. Berry's Bullets makes a nice 357sig bullet for plinking. |
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Originally Posted By JoeDevola: Same reason novelty rifle calibers really don't sell that well. What we've got is already working for us. .357 Auto is a kick-ass round, but loud and snappy. Just not as "shootable", any way you slice it. All true. I think its qualities can only be truly appreciated after you’ve used it on a live target. Everything up to that point seems like a negative, but if I’d used it successfully in a self defense scenario, I might have a hard time going back to a 9 or 40. |
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Great round and well executed in its development. Provides essentially 357 ballistics from what was a popular (.40 cal) platform ubiquitous to Law Enforcement) for those agencies that feel they need the extra power as it is sometimes called for. The problem is it wasn't popular enough to overcome the status quo of .40 caliber performance, the re-popularization of 9mm and not really a fault of its own except muzzle blast. which is somewhat painful like a 357 mag is. Add to it Carbine proliferation, and Many cadets can't qualify and with a diverse population whose experience with firearms id video games, they can't do it . The rapid growth in AR carbines in nearly every patrol car diminished the need to have the power in the pistol - go to the Carbine. I know a lot of cadets these days still have trouble qualifying with pistols and its easier with 9mm which is a thing for departments to deal with. I knew a young woman who was a great cadet, but couldn't qualify (eventually she did qualify when she went to a department with red dots oddly enough) |
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Originally Posted By Princeton: I had a P229 in .357 Sig that I never shot and eventually sold but still have the ammunition sitting around. I wish I could find a reasonably priced .357 barrel for my Gen 5 Glock 20. It’s got an optic mounted on it and I think it would be a lot of fun to shoot. Depending on how much ammo you have you may enjoy going 9x25 Dillon instead. Sell off the 357 ammo and use the 10mm length to more potential. 125gr @ 1700fps. 95gr @ 1990fps. |
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Originally Posted By Z09SS: It was my wife's favorite until she hurt her wrist breaking her shoulder. There was a lot to like about it, but the recoil is very snappy. Reminds me of .38 Super in a lot ways. Her first gun: https://live.staticflickr.com/2907/14492100728_0dce5b9dc0_b.jpg Her second: https://live.staticflickr.com/2919/14744318984_e2348cce59_b.jpg The M&P was stolen out of her car because of the policies of her workplace. S/N DXW5180 if you happen to come across it, give the cops a ring. Expecting 1.0 PD trade in tomorrow. Can't wait. |
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I'd like to see a PCC chambered in .357 Sig. I had a Glock chambered in it years ago and it was a lot of fun. If I had a .40 can gun I'd definitely consider having a .357 Sig barrel to drop in once in a while. Also, during the Sandy Hook panic buying where EVERYTHING disappeared from the shelves .357 was the only round still available. If you're not an ammo hoarder it's probably a good chambering for that reason alone. |
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Originally Posted By zdenstk:… more muzzle energy than the 10 mm. Muzzle energy does not equal terminal performance. 10mm was an experiment with the knowledge and technology of the time. That knowledge and technology had mostly moved on by the time 357 Sig came out and it’s definitely not relevant now. |
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Originally Posted By -k-: Muzzle energy does not equal terminal performance. 10mm was an experiment with the knowledge and technology of the time. That knowledge and technology had mostly moved on by the time 357 Sig came out and it’s definitely not relevant now. Originally Posted By -k-: Originally Posted By zdenstk:… more muzzle energy than the 10 mm. Muzzle energy does not equal terminal performance. 10mm was an experiment with the knowledge and technology of the time. That knowledge and technology had mostly moved on by the time 357 Sig came out and it’s definitely not relevant now. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the main advantage of calibers with more "stopping power" than .380/9mm is barrier penetration, no? |
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Originally Posted By ken_mays: Less mag capacity than 9mm. More trouble to reload vs straight wall cases. Doesn’t get classified as major power factor in competition and even if it did, 38 Super beats it in mag capacity. It just wasn't legal for Limited Major which made no sense to me. I think IPSC actually allowed it because they had some places where you can't own 40. Johnny Lim of Limcat built himself a gun in a similar caliber just for fun. Thing seemed extra loud. As you mentioned nobody is going to run that over Super or similar where they can get that extra capacity. I think a 2011 would be a great platform for 357 Sig with the extra weight and barrel length vs most duty type guns. |
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Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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Originally Posted By NN300BLK: Correct me if I'm wrong, but the main advantage of calibers with more "stopping power" than .380/9mm is barrier penetration, no? Putting 380 and 9mm together is wrong. It may be a mistake or bias or you honestly just don’t know much about terminal ballistics. 380 does not do well in barrier testing. 9mm with good bullet designs do very well in FBI testing. Barrier penetration is one of the more recently cited reasons to choose heavier recoiling calibers. It’s somewhat true, but the latest generation of 9mm duty loads are designed for the higher end of FBI penetration specs. Most people who talk about penetration and barriers way overestimate their probability of needing that little bit extra, while underestimating how much worse they shoot those heavier recoiling calibers. |
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Originally Posted By -k-: Putting 380 and 9mm together is wrong. It may be a mistake or bias or you honestly just don’t know much about terminal ballistics. 380 does not do well in barrier testing. 9mm with good bullet designs do very well in FBI testing. Barrier penetration is one of the more recently cited reasons to choose heavier recoiling calibers. It’s somewhat true, but the latest generation of 9mm duty loads are designed for the higher end of FBI penetration specs. Most people who talk about penetration and barriers way overestimate their probability of needing that little bit extra, while underestimating how much worse they shoot those heavier recoiling calibers. Originally Posted By -k-: Originally Posted By NN300BLK: Correct me if I'm wrong, but the main advantage of calibers with more "stopping power" than .380/9mm is barrier penetration, no? Putting 380 and 9mm together is wrong. It may be a mistake or bias or you honestly just don’t know much about terminal ballistics. 380 does not do well in barrier testing. 9mm with good bullet designs do very well in FBI testing. Barrier penetration is one of the more recently cited reasons to choose heavier recoiling calibers. It’s somewhat true, but the latest generation of 9mm duty loads are designed for the higher end of FBI penetration specs. Most people who talk about penetration and barriers way overestimate their probability of needing that little bit extra, while underestimating how much worse they shoot those heavier recoiling calibers. Let me elaborate what I was trying to say. Here's what I was replying to: Originally Posted By -k-: Muzzle energy does not equal terminal performance. 10mm was an experiment with the knowledge and technology of the time. That knowledge and technology had mostly moved on by the time 357 Sig came out and it’s definitely not relevant now. 10mm was briefly chosen by the FBI and then .40 Cal became the dominant caliber for the next two and half decades because 1980's 9mm underperformed on barrier testing. That's the well-known history behind the adoption of .40 Cal. And, yeah, you're right, we aren't using the same 9mm bullet technology as the 1980's-- there's a good reason that 9mm has taken over the civilian and law enforcement markets. Nonetheless, 10mm, .357 Magnum, etc. still outperform 9mm when it comes to barrier penetration-- that's physics. Why did I lump .380/9mm together? Because they are popular carry calibers that many people seem to consider to be the somewhat minimum caliber that they are willing to carry. That's it. It does not mean that 9mm does not perform better than .380 or that they are interchangeable. Originally Posted By -k-: Most people who talk about penetration and barriers way overestimate their probability of needing that little bit extra, while underestimating how much worse they shoot those heavier recoiling calibers. So... why do people own 10mm or .357 Magnum handguns? Why do hunting guides, handgun hunters, outdoorsmen, etc. select 10mm autos or .357 Mag revolvers for their woods guns? People who prefer to conceal carry 10mm or .45 ACP for that matter don't realize how bad they are at handling the extra recoil? Should they just carry .380 ACP then? What about .32 ACP? |
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One of the more memorable conversations I got to have when I was selling guns was with a Hornady rep. He and I were talking about their Critical Duty and Defense as we had a bunch of people asking about the duty stuff. I think it was brand new at the time. He told me about the extensive testing they done for the Defense line and he felt like it was a superb choice for carry ammo. He explained that the Duty ammo was built for one purpose and that was meeting the FBI testing protocol. That's a huge market. He said that while they both work great he thought the Defense performed a bit better in some mediums because the Duty was made to the penetration standard. Originally Posted By NN300BLK: So... why do people own 10mm or .357 Magnum handguns? Why do hunting guides, handgun hunters, outdoorsmen, etc. select 10mm autos or .357 Mag revolvers for their woods guns? People who prefer to conceal carry 10mm or .45 ACP for that matter don't realize how bad they are at handling the extra recoil? Should they just carry .380 ACP then? What about .32 ACP? Stopping a big dangerous animal is a bit different than the normal threats one is preparing for with daily ccw. As to the other part Yes. People absolutely don't realize how shit they are shooting and frequently the people with big magnums don't ever practice with them. They stay alive because deadly encounters are rare not because they are Wyatt Earp. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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Originally Posted By ALASKANFIRE: One of the more memorable conversations I got to have when I was selling guns was with a Hornady rep. He and I were talking about their Critical Duty and Defense as we had a bunch of people asking about the duty stuff. I think it was brand new at the time. He told me about the extensive testing they done for the Defense line and he felt like it was a superb choice for carry ammo. He explained that the Duty ammo was built for one purpose and that was meeting the FBI testing protocol. That's a huge market. He said that while they both work great he thought the Defense performed a bit better in some mediums because the Duty was made to the penetration standard. Stopping a big dangerous animal is a bit different than the normal threats one is preparing for with daily ccw. As to the other part Yes. People absolutely don't realize how shit they are shooting and frequently the people with big magnums don't ever practice with them. They stay alive because deadly encounters are rare not because they are Wyatt Earp. Originally Posted By ALASKANFIRE: One of the more memorable conversations I got to have when I was selling guns was with a Hornady rep. He and I were talking about their Critical Duty and Defense as we had a bunch of people asking about the duty stuff. I think it was brand new at the time. He told me about the extensive testing they done for the Defense line and he felt like it was a superb choice for carry ammo. He explained that the Duty ammo was built for one purpose and that was meeting the FBI testing protocol. That's a huge market. He said that while they both work great he thought the Defense performed a bit better in some mediums because the Duty was made to the penetration standard. Originally Posted By NN300BLK: So... why do people own 10mm or .357 Magnum handguns? Why do hunting guides, handgun hunters, outdoorsmen, etc. select 10mm autos or .357 Mag revolvers for their woods guns? People who prefer to conceal carry 10mm or .45 ACP for that matter don't realize how bad they are at handling the extra recoil? Should they just carry .380 ACP then? What about .32 ACP? Stopping a big dangerous animal is a bit different than the normal threats one is preparing for with daily ccw. As to the other part Yes. People absolutely don't realize how shit they are shooting and frequently the people with big magnums don't ever practice with them. They stay alive because deadly encounters are rare not because they are Wyatt Earp. Fair enough, I guess my preference for Critical Defense over Duty isn't completely "feels" based.  But, Alaskan, that was really my point. I don't know why someone else is choosing to carry what they do-- that's their business and it's their responsibility to make sure they can handle that choice (ie practice and be proficient). And in some areas of the country or for some professions, the woods gun might be a logical go-to EDC choice. |
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Originally Posted By osprey21: I have a SIG P239 in .357 and didn't care for it, I converted it to 9mm and never looked back. I have a different view. I really like my P239 and it stays in .357 Sig. That said, don't often carry it. |
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Originally Posted By 50-140: I picked up an Sig .357 barrel for my .40 cal Sig P226. I've got the brass, primers, and bullets. I'll start loading for it in another month. I've seen a lot of comments over the years that it's a difficult round to reload. Being bottlenecked requires that the cases be lubed when sizing, so it is a little less convenient than loading straight walled cases in carbide dies. It also has a short neck so setback can be a problem. A good solution I found for that is to use a powder that fills the case resulting in a compressed load. My choice was always Accurate #9 somewhere close to or at maximum. Have fun with it. It's a great round., |
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Originally Posted By Daryl_Licht: I've seen a lot of comments over the years that it's a difficult round to reload. Being bottlenecked requires that the cases be lubed when sizing, so it is a little less convenient than loading straight walled cases in carbide dies. It also has a short neck so setback can be a problem. A good solution I found for that is to use a powder that fills the case resulting in a compressed load. My choice was always Accurate #9 somewhere close to or at maximum. Have fun with it. It's a great round., I've never had an issue loading for the Sig... I have no idea where the "difficult" aspects come from, been loading the Sig for over twenty years. I run my cased through a carbide .40 S&W die (no lube) then hit the necks with the Sig die (no lube), and extra step yes, but I'm not in a race to finish. I use the Lee Factory Crimp die and have no worries, my favorite powder is AA #7. |
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Originally Posted By Bowhntr6pt: I've never had an issue loading for the Sig... I have no idea where the "difficult" aspects come from, been loading the Sig for over twenty years. I run my cased through a carbide .40 S&W die (no lube) then hit the necks with the Sig die (no lube), and extra step yes, but I'm not in a race to finish. I use the Lee Factory Crimp die and have no worries, my favorite powder is AA #7. I have never had an issue loading it either to be honest. The only real issue is buying 357 Sig specific bullets, 9mm standard bullets just don't work that well. I also taper crimp all my 357sig with a Lee crimp die. |
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i've always been intrigued by the 357 Sig, but don't have anything chambered in it. But as I start dipping into handloading 38 Super, I wonder if i can get close to replicating it from a 1911. Component bullets are available from Speer, Sierra, Hornady, etc., and the diameter matches. Might be a fun experiment. |
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My favorite caliber. As I like to put it, for the extra bark, bite, and oomph. Which is why I have two Sig 1911's, and four Steyr's in the caliber. Finally got my grail .357 Sig gun in 2024. 
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Originally Posted By NonTypical361: Good priced 357Sig ammo can be found occasionally. My last purchase was a case for $250. I've seen a few places with police trade-in ammo at $20 a box. I'd say $12.50 a box is a darn good deal. |
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| I only own 1 gun chambered in 357 sig and I’ve never fired it. It’s my grail gun. I bought it years ago. I bought it used but it was never fired. It’s a P229 Live Free or Die. It’s 1 of 50 made. I would love to have a 357 sig barrel for my 2340 but every time this comes up I look for them again and end up frustrated. |
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Originally Posted By Lc17smp: I only own 1 gun chambered in 357 sig and I’ve never fired it. It’s my grail gun. I bought it years ago. I bought it used but it was never fired. It’s a P229 Live Free or Die. It’s 1 of 50 made. I would love to have a 357 sig barrel for my 2340 but every time this comes up I look for them again and end up frustrated. I’ve seen a few pop up for sale. Everyone wants a retarded amount of money for them. Shop around for a OEM 357sig barrel for a USP compact. $600 for a fucking barrel. |
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Originally Posted By NachoDip: I’ve seen a few pop up for sale. Everyone wants a retarded amount of money for them. Shop around for a OEM 357sig barrel for a USP compact. $600 for a fucking barrel. Originally Posted By NachoDip: Originally Posted By Lc17smp: I only own 1 gun chambered in 357 sig and I’ve never fired it. It’s my grail gun. I bought it years ago. I bought it used but it was never fired. It’s a P229 Live Free or Die. It’s 1 of 50 made. I would love to have a 357 sig barrel for my 2340 but every time this comes up I look for them again and end up frustrated. I’ve seen a few pop up for sale. Everyone wants a retarded amount of money for them. Shop around for a OEM 357sig barrel for a USP compact. $600 for a fucking barrel. Are the 9mm barrels the same dimensions? Could you just get one of those and ream the chamber? That’s what 1911 guys did. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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Originally Posted By Z09SS: It was my wife's favorite until she hurt her wrist breaking her shoulder. There was a lot to like about it, but the recoil is very snappy. Reminds me of .38 Super in a lot ways. Her first gun: https://live.staticflickr.com/2907/14492100728_0dce5b9dc0_b.jpg Her second: https://live.staticflickr.com/2919/14744318984_e2348cce59_b.jpg The M&P was stolen out of her car because of the policies of her workplace. S/N DXW5180 if you happen to come across it, give the cops a ring. I didn't know they made a Sigma in 357sig. I bought the Sigma 40f in 1995 and still have it in the safe. |