357 SIG

[Yes, 357_SIG]

 Yes - 357 SIG
 
Of course 357SIG ammo is more expensive than ball ammo in other calibers [except 380acp] because {almost} all 357SIG ammo is +P.
In the +P loads, 357SIG ammo is cheaper than the other calibers [9, 40, 45, &/or 380]  in the +P loads !
 
 ---------------------------------------------------------
 
Issue pistols for Texas DPS, Rangers, etc. are all 357SIG.
Only Rangers are allowed to carry 45acp (mostly for "historical" reasons).
 
Several other states and a lot of federal agencies issue 357SIG pistols.
Allegedly, ... Arizona (New Mexico {?}) State Police are going to 357 SIG M&Ps [unconfirmed rumor].
 
Ammo {357SIG} is actually easy to find … at prices comparable to +P 9mm;
{obviously, … at prices much higher than 9mm ball}
[at least in the Houston area: WalMart, Academy, Carter's, etc.]. 
 
Also the same situation applies to reloaded / remanufactured 357SIG ammo.
A few months ago, Georgia Arms had a lot of super bargain {cheaper than 9mm ball} Speer frangible 357SIG ammo ... and I snagged 1000 rounds.
 
Hopefully, there will be more deals like that again.
If not, I will practice primarily with 9mm pistols; ...
and pay the equivalent of +P 9mm prices, ...
for the 357SIG ammo that I need.

Of course, you can always drop a 40 cal barrel in most 357 SIG pistols.
The magazines are almost always identical / interchangeable.

 ---------------------------------------------------------

There are so many police, county, state, and federal  agencies using 357 SIG, and so few civilian 357 SIG shooters, that surplus 357 SIG brass and reloads are fairly easy to find at reasonable prices.

---------------------------------------------------------
 


I am fixated on 357, because that was what worked best back when I was a Deputy Sheriff.
There were basically 2 duty guns:  a Colt 45 [1911], and a 357 magnum [either S&W or Colt].
Off duty / backup was a 38 snub [either S&W or Colt], and / or a 380 [Colt or Walther].
One detective ["plain clothes"] carried both a M19 S&W [357 magnum] and a Browning High Power [9mm].
That was the only 9mm in the department ... that we ever knew about.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For most of my life, my true love was a 1911, ... but I carried a 357 magnum ... a lot.

We pretty much knew that a 1911 was a marvelous lead launcher, ...
but had no penetration.
It was a “BBQ gun” that we wore in the city, to the court house, and to picnics.

For most of us, if you can’t get to a rifle, the undisputed champion man stopper ...
even through a car door, window, or windshield ...
was … and still is … the 357 magnum.
 
Even in my prime, …
when they rarely called me “Tiny” [usually it was “big guy”] …
I couldn’t control a 50 BMG pistol.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Yes, cartridges, and even bullets, are much better today;
But, …  can we count on being able to get them ...
always and forever.

Even now, we can't always get the best bullets;
… for a specific situation;
… and there are still disputes over just how effective they really are.

Even today, the military is forced to carry FMJ "ball" 9mm.
 
If, God forbid, all that we can get … someday … is hard cast lead, …
nothing beats a  Keith swc [semi wad cutter with a sharp shoulder].
Back when jacketed “factory” ammo was just too danged expensive to shoot a lot, we all cast our own, or bought them.
Usually, we shot them in our 357 mag revolvers.
We worked for years getting them to run in our “jamomatics”.

Today, they would feed reliably in any 357SIG …or other bottlenecked pistol cartridges.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unfortunately, 357 [both Magnum and / or SIG] has always been a bear on both ends;
so, I am looking for something: reliable, durable, and rugged.
 
Yes, the 357 SIG has a very abrupt "spikey" pressure curve which generates not only a snappy recoil but also a sharp report.
It also is relatively abusive to pistols.

 However, it is still a pussycat compared to small frame 357 mag revolvers.
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It amazes me that many of the same folks who bash the 357SIG, salivate over the 10mm.

When they were the then current rage several years ago, …
I had a Delta Elite [10 mm Colt 1911], a Glock 20, and a case of the original Norma full power 10mm ammo.

I wish that I still had all of those.
Eventually, I needed the cash, and …
decided that I probably didn’t really need …
a brace of African elephant safari pistols, so I reluctantly sold them.

There are very few people who can really, honestly, effectively use a full house 10mm concealed carry pistol. I have never personally known one.

I sure can’t, and I could fit in a lot better with a pack of grizzly bears
… than at a ballerina convention.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What I really want is a 357SIG in one of the brand new P226 E2s
… as soon as they are available in the DAK fire control [trigger system].
 
Get a spare 40 cal barrel and the 22 cal SIG conversion unit, and you have the best of all worlds.

---------------------------------------------------------
 
Training + Practice =======>>> Safety ... for all.

 
 
Thanks,
            Chuck
 


 

[FN in MT]

The Montana Highway Patrol has carried the 229 in .357 SIG for several years now. All of the Troopers, EP  and brass, 229R's.

Can't recall  malfuntions with any of the guns the four years I did Range Officer duty. Clean, dirty, hot or forty below....they ALWAYS feed, fire and function. All you can ask for.

FN in MT

[Mikey]

The bottleneck design of the 357 Sig in conjunction with the functional reliability of the Sig and Glock pistols is a win-win combination.  These pistols do not jam or malfunction and are about the best all-around combination for LEO one can think of. 

When you consider that the 357 Sig is a +P cartridge to begin with you get all the terminal ballistics you can ask for from a 9mm bore.  I really like the 38 Super and I load it hot but the 357 Sig, necked down from a 40 bore case to the 9mm case gives you the added velocity that makes the 9mm effective. 

I usually carry a 45 now but have carried and used the 38 Super in the past and were I to forego the 38 Super for another 9mm bore it would most likely be the 357 Sig.  My choice for 40 bores is the current 10mm as there are no other heavy (hunting) 10mm rounds available.

However, that would be different if the cor-bon cartridge co. wasn't a design stealin' buncha thieves that had to modify the case design of their 400 to avoid possible trademark infringement and attendant lawsuits, not to mention payouts, as Sig just might have used the corbon design to go to a heavier bottleneck round and to introduce two proprietary Sig cartridges, the 357 and a 400.  The problem with the corbon 400 is that its neck is too long and its body to short and squat; it works but only because of the bottleneck and use of lightweight 40 cal slugs. The curent 400 design is the result of peter pi and dean grennel trying to figure out how to get away with bastardizing a already functional and reliable design of a bottlenecked 45 acp case which, under grennel's advice, cor-bon used to base their 400 case.

grennel tried to hot-rod the old mid-range 38/45 and blew up a couple of pistols doing so.  He also tried a hot loaded 38/45 in some of the Marlin Camp Carbines and blew them up too and finally shelved the project.  If he had lengthened the body, shortened the neck and sharpened the shoulder he would have designed a case that Sig would have gladly bought out for their pistols but, instead he went to cor-bon and the rest is history - and the basis for the 400 corbon.  Actually, for anyone with a corbon barrel, they can have the chamber opened up to allow for a case body .7" long, a 37 degree shoulder1/10" long and a neck 1/10" long and have a cartridge that ists right with the 41 mag when loaded with 170 or 180 gn slugs. 

Sorry, it's early and I have had too much coffee, so Happy Independence Day to all of you.

[wganz]

I like my Glock 33 which is .357 Sig as a CCW since it is my own personal 'shock & awe' campaign. I want the blast if I ever have to use it in the gravest extreme to help convince the other goblins that they too are going to die and wake up in a bad place. I want them to flinch and think that they're going to get a tremendous hole put in them too. So they had better head for better places and leave the others behind to face the music of a .357 Sig. 

[rockbilly]

I haven’t tried, but I have several Texas DPS Officer friends who swear they consistently keep ‘em on target at 75-100 yards shooting the Model 229 in .357 Sig.  I love mine, I acquired a .357 Sig barrel for my AMT backup (truck gun) so I could shoot the same ammo it both guns.  Ammo was hard to find for a while, but I stocked up and also bought 2000 once fired empty cases which I reloaded, both guns handle the reloads very well.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Everyone I know who really worked with the 357SIG loves it.

I love the P226 and the P229; but my hands are so crippled up that I got away from them.

Can't wait to get my paws on the new "E" series  P226 and P229 !
                                                                                                                     

With modifications, I like the Glock: 19, 17, 34, 32, and 33.
I still have a G32, and will probably add a G33; but will probably have the grips reworked [Robar, Hunnicutt, etc., etc.]

[Yes, 357_SIG]

AAAaaarrrrggghhhhhhhhhh !

Another typo:                             

Instead of:

"With modifications, I like the Glock: 19, 17, 34, 32, and 33.
I still have a G32, and will probably add a G33;"


It should read:
With modifications, I like the Glock: 19, 17, 34, 32, and 31.
I still have a G32, and will probably add a G31;

[Empty Quiver]

That G17 will feed +P 9mm all day long. Why limit yourself in mag capacity to do about the same thing for about the same price?  Practice cheap without the barrel change. The performance advantages are a non starter for me. By the time a suitable bullet was built for the SIG it was available for the 9mm as well, and that is where I think the initial need came from, weak 9mm bullets.

By my very nature I'm contrary, I find the 357 SIG appealing. I like the idea of swapping barrels in either the SP2340, or the P239 and getting a hot penetrating 9mm or a nice heavy 40 cal slug.  Pistol rounds are anemic enough as a group that the shot placement will always trump. Shock and awe are a good enough reason I suppose. I'll have a .357 one day for the SP2340 simply for snob factor.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Study the history of the 38 Super ... the "G Men" needed a handgun that would shoot through car doors ... in the "Roaring 20s" [as in 1920s].
That will put this entire discussion in perspective ... and ... into ... conclusion.
Q.E.D.                                                                                                                    

If you spend some serious time with the 357SIG, you will NOT put it into the same category as a 9x19mm [Luger, Parabellum, etc.].
By that standard, a 9x17 [9mm Kurtz, 390acp, etc., etc.] is on a par with a 9x19.
In fact, heck, a 357Magnum has no more downrange "delivery" than a 9x19mm ... !
                                                                                                                                

Actually people aren't hard to stop with a 9x19 ... MP9 sub machinegun; ... if you can get a dozen or so well placed 9x19 bullets in them.

Try hog hunting with a G19 ... or comparable 9x19mm carry pistol!
                                                                                                           

A cylinder of well placed 357 Mags will stop a hog ... or ... a ... bear.
With a G19 ... or comparable 9x19mm carry pistol, you will run out of time ... LONG before you run out of ammo.

That's not all bad.                                                                              
Seasoned Hog Hunters really appreciate timely free delivery of free Hog Bait.

When things get really nasty ... up close and personal ... very close encounters of the worst kind ... there really is no comparison.

The 357SIG is on a very different level; ...
along with the 9x23, 9x25, and the 38 Super [without the disadvantages].
Most any pistol chambered for 9x19 can be chambered for 40cal & 357SIG.
The 9x23, 9x25, and the 38 Super require full size [45acp, 10mm] frames.

Also, you MUST change out 9mm springs and / or beef up the slide to handle real  +P++ 9x19 ammo.
Do close comparisons of G19 and G32 barrels, chambers, springs, and slides.
There are some very good reasons why G32s do not kaboom.
I don't dance;  ... I stick with G19, 17, 34, 32, & 31.

Additionally, you will find better availability of 357SIG ammo than +P++ 9x19 ammo that can seriously compare with 357SIG ballistics.
Furthermore, the 357SIG ammo will actually cost less than +P++ 9x19 ammo.

Try it, you will like it ... everyone else does.

[FN in MT]

That G17 will feed +P 9mm all day long. Why limit yourself in mag capacity to do about the same thing for about the same price?  Practice cheap without the barrel change. The performance advantages are a non starter for me. By the time a suitable bullet was built for the SIG it was available for the 9mm as well, and that is where I think the initial need came from, weak 9mm bullets.

By my very nature I'm contrary, I find the 357 SIG appealing. I like the idea of swapping barrels in either the SP2340, or the P239 and getting a hot penetrating 9mm or a nice heavy 40 cal slug.  Pistol rounds are anemic enough as a group that the shot placement will always trump. Shock and awe are a good enough reason I suppose. I'll have a .357 one day for the SP2340 simply for snob factor.

  You have apparently not shot or spent any field time with the .357 sig round to call it simply a +P 9mm.
   Basically 125 gr , 4"  .357 mag revolver ballistics in a 13 shot auto. Whats not to like?

FN in MT

[drdougrx]

Is the 1911 platform adequate for this cartridge???

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Yes, the 1911 can and has been set up for 357SIG ... with the appropriately matched barrel, springs, slide [weight], and magazines.
                                                   
A friend has one.
Everyone on the range knows when he pops a cap therefrom.         
                                                                                     
The 357SIG has very high chamber pressures, a characteristic signature: very abrupt and "peaky" recoil and report.   
Part of this is because factory ammo is loaded to burn [almost] completely in a 3" barrel;         
and, of course, most handloads replicate this.   
They [357SIG pistols] are extremely accurate and dependable.           
Yes, they have more "presence" than a 9x19; but are much easier to handle than a 357 mag revolver.               

In factory pistols:
SIG offers: P226, P229, P239, P250, and all variants of the "Pro" [aka SP2022];
Glock offers: G31, G32, and G33;
Smith [S&W] offers: M&Ps;
Springfield offers: XDs;
STI offers: 1911s;
etc., etc..
Also, they [357SIG pistols] are available from: H&K, Taurus, FNH, Mauser, and a slew of others.

They [357SIG pistols] are well suited for non metallic [polymer, glass fiber filled, composite, etc., etc.] frame pistols because of their inherent "shock absorbing" characteristics.                                
The 1911 is a versatile platform that has attracted more "tinkerers" than classic American automobiles.     
                                                          
In fact, the 1911 can and has been set up for some monster cartridges ... with the appropriately matched barrel, springs, slide [weight], and magazines.            

Be safe, ... and have fun !                       

[Empty Quiver]

I didn't exacty say I didn't like it. What I meant to convey was, that in my opinion, it wasn't enough better than a hot 9mm load. I am not LE, have no real reason to be shooting cars, or other hardened targets. If I do find myself needing to shoot through stuff, a genuine .357mag with a nice heavy bullet would be my choice.

I will likely own one of these 357SIG barrels. It will be for the same reason I'll be owning a GT Mustang, it's loud, it's fast and it's showy. For all practical purposes though it won't be doing anything my Explorer can't do though.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

A man should, at some point in his life, own, or at least drive a GT Mustang.   
Why ?
Because they are wonderful, fun, unique, a marvelous combination of performance, beauty, and craftsmanship.   
Because he wants one;         
Because he can have one;           
Because., this is America ... where men can dream .... and .... make their dreams come true.     

Now get off your butt and go do something important, ...   
good for the country, ...       
maybe even great.     

With luck, along the way, ...
you will also probably earn enough money ...
for not only the GT Mustang,... but also a good 357SIG !                  

Why ?
For exactly the same reasons.

Besides, ... God forbid, ... someday, ... you may actually need to shoot through a car door.
Kinda like first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and life insurance.
We all hope that we won't need them;       
but, ...       
we don't really want to go without them !            


good luck, God bless, work hard, be safe, dream on,
 ... and have fun;     
this is still America                               
 ... the promised land.                        

Q.E.D.

[Empty Quiver]

Oh, I've had me a Mustang or two. The kick myself in the head everytime I think about it '67GTA with the 390 (not exactly an engine to brag about but...). I keep seeing a used Bullitt at the local Ford lot and I find myself swooning. Just how important is college for the kids? The $160 barrel is a better idea financially, but if I go around flashing that thing people will get the wrong idea. I could take that Bullitt right down to the bank and show it to the pres himself.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

if your banker isn't impressed with your 357 SIG, ...           
you need to change banks !         

How much will the insurance [not to mention interest] on the Mustang cost you ?                   

With rampant inflation on the way, how much would a good 357 SIG appreciate?              
How much more will they cost in a year or two?                 

For the kids:     
Buy into one of the state prepaid guaranteed tuition plans;            
  ....  Get them into a local jc/cc for the first 2 years:                
   ...     MUCH cheaper,     
     ......    and you can protect them from the predators on campus these days;     
          ...........  I'd sooner have a daughter on the front lines in xxxxx than on a 4 yr college campus !     

Furthermore, your kids can get grants, scholarships, and extremely low interest loans that would boggle your mind.   

Call me old fashioned,                            
but I firmly believe that kids can learn as much working at a good job,   
as they can on most campi these days.                           

[Empty Quiver]

Well he may be impressed enough to call the local constabulary. Number two girl is pretty sharp and has managed to get about 75% of her education paid up front, that still leaves us short about 6 P226's a year, or about a quarter of that Mustang. +P in the P225 will do for now, if I need a little bullet to go faster. Insurrections will get some 5.56 if it comes to that.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

At this point, you really need to focus on spending as much time as possible with the kids and your wife.
You have only a small window of opportunity ... a blink of an eye;
before their lives get "cluttered" up.
When that time comes, it will also be very difficult for their mother.

There will be time later, when you can get back to "personal" stuff.
Toys can wait ... until you really have the time to "need"  and enjoy them.

Try to do memorable family and educational things together.
Create those lifetime "forever" memories

Try to understand "their world", but ...
Remember, you are the father, not a "friend".
They will have lots of "friends" ... but, only one father.

They will forever model their lives ...
and expectations
... on how they see you as a father and a husband.


God bless and good luck !

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Please:
If you haven't done so already, ...
try to get them involved in shooting.

Make sure that they are mentally and physically prepared ...
with and without firearms,
... to defend themselves ...
and their families
  ... if / when the time comes.

A good 22 rimfire double action revolver;
or,
a 38spcl double action revolver with Speer plastic cartridges [or "wax" bullets];
would be ideal.

---------------------------------------------------------
Si vis pacem, para bellum ...
“If you wish for peace, prepare for war.”
 
Semper Preparatus:
Training + Practice =======>>> Safety ... for all.

Thanks,
            Chuck
 

[Empty Quiver]

They all shoot, the youngest really enjoys it. She got her first deer last season as a matter of fact.

The good Lord smited me with four women in this house. I do try to make the best of it. Occasionally estrogen poisoning drives me out of the house but I'm getting better or assimalating I'm not sure. I do sit down to pee once in awhile... is that something I should worry about?

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Naahh!       

Sometimes you just have to go along to get along.         

The good Lord knew that you were up to the challenge.   

You have been truly blessed.         

All are healthy, smart, spunky, and a lot of fun.         

Enjoy your role as the Lion of the pack.         
Of course they will nip your ears and pull your tail ...       
for that is they way that they are.           
It is the way of the world to challenge Fathers ... and Fatherhood.         

Keep a stiff upper lip and set the example.       

Hey, most guys are so bored and deprived that they have to escape to television and alcohol.         

You will never be bored ...       
or, lack for entertainment ...   
... or love.       
 
Cheers !                           

[Yes, 357_SIG]

I have a K9 rescue and foster home ... down to 8 now ...everything from Chihuahuas to a 98# Lab .... BIG girl ... the Queen of the pack.
The King is a 9# Chihuahua ...
what a circus !

By default, my addled brain always thinks in terms of packs.

Instead of:

.......... "the Lion of the pack.
it should read:

............   the Lion of the pride."

[Squib]

have you tried h-110 handloads for .357 using 125gr bullets?  in a ten inch barrel they're supposed to pump out about 2k fps- look it up on hodgdon's website.
357 cannot do that, and never will.  last I heard it's not good with really heavy bullets at intermediate velocity either.  ps- look up bolt thrust/gun abuse before you commit, .357 mag doesn't have that problem but 357 SIG does.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

The 357Mag can be loaded hotter and with heavier bullets than the 357SIG and is a better choice for hunting.
Also, instead of the standard 125 grain 357Mag load which has always topped the list of effective bad people stoppers;
...  for hunting, you would want the heavy 158 grain or even 180 grain loads.
For self defense, those heavy bullets are NOT suitable because of extreme over penetration.
You certainly would want to carry the 125 grain load that has been long proven to work best.

"last I heard it's not good with really heavy bullets at intermediate velocity either."

For self defense, especially concealed carry, the 357SIG is a much better choice.

Only a truly accomplished WORLD CLASS expert can really control a J frame sized 357Mag revolver in rapid fire, and they are limited to 5 rounds followed by agonizingly slow reloads ... if you can figure out how to carry a half dozen bulky speed loaders.
Of course, most of those J frame sized 357Mag revolvers won't hold up to a steady diet of even standard 357Mag  loads [which were developed 75 years ago and are tailored for a 6" barrel]... which will literally plasma cut through the top strap of a J frame sized 357Mag revolver.

"look up bolt thrust/gun abuse before you commit, .357 mag doesn't have that problem but 357 SIG does."

Current generation quality pistols designed for 357SIG will hold up just fine ... at least as long as your ammo budget will.  Because it is a very modern round [in fact, by far the youngest of all popular pistol cartridges] 357SIG ammo is all +P+ equivalent and specifically tailored for the 3.6" P239 barrels & 3.9"  P229 barrels ... that it was specifically designed for.

A P250 Compact or a Glock 32 + 2 easy to conceal and carry spare mags provide the same amount of ammo with incomparably more accurate and rapid firepower with identical ballistics to the standard 125 grain 357Mag load which has always topped the list of effective bad people stoppers.

Even smaller, a P239 or a Glock 33 + 3 easy to conceal and carry spare mags provide the same amount of ammo with incomparably more accurate and rapid firepower with identical ballistics to the standard 125 grain 357Mag load which has always topped the list of effective bad people stoppers.

Most shooters cannot really control a double action 357Mag revolver in rapid fire even in a a huge heavy full size duty gear revolver.

A full size P226 or a Glock 31, or even a compact P229 are fairly easy for most shooters to master; and they provide enormously more accurate and rapid firepower with far more rounds [52] in a couple of spare mags than you could ever carry in speed loaders on a duty belt.

For hunting, get a 6 1/2" barreled 357Mag Blackkhawk, and have a ball.
Even better, get a 10 1/2" barreled 44Mg Super Blackhawk; or ...
... best of all, get a 7 1/2" barreled 44Mg Super Blackhawk Hunter with Ruger scope rings.
[suitable for something larger than rabbits].

Of course, if you just must have a 357Mag [for coyotes ?], get a very long barreled Contender.
"in a ten inch barrel they're supposed to pump out about 2k fps- look it up on hodgdon's website."
Do not try this at home ... this is in a TEST BARREL under highly controlled conditions.

For self defense, get a P226 or a Glock 31.
For concealed carry, get a P250 Compact or a Glock 32.

Q.E.D.

The .357 Magnum

By Chuck Hawks
[courtesy of Hornady Mfg. Co.]

"The famous .357 Magnum, the original magnum pistol cartridge, was introduced in 1935 by Smith & Wesson as the world's most powerful handgun cartridge. For over 20 years it was simply known as "the Magnum," as there was no other. Newer magnum cartridges eventually surpassed it in power, but not in popularity or usefulness.

Factory ballistics tables call for a muzzle velocity of 1450 fps for the 125 grain JHP with 583 ft. lbs. of muzzle energy. For the 140 grain JHP the MV is 1360 fps and the ME is 575 ft. lbs. For the 158 grain JHP the MV is 1235 fps and the ME is 535 ft. lbs. These figures are all for a 4" revolver barrel.

I have been reloading the .357 Magnum since the middle 1960's. I have found Winchester W231 and Hodgdon HS-6 powders excellent for low and medium velocity loads and H-110, W296, and Hercules 2400 powders excellent for maximum loads with bullets from 125-158 grains.

The 110 and 125 grain bullets are the top choices for personal defense (against "bad guys"), but have not provided top accuracy in my .357 handguns. I have found the 140-146 grain bullets to be a good all-around choice for use in the field, and very accurate. The heavy 158-160 grain bullets are the ticket for many big game hunting applications and for defense in the field (against large predators).

The Handgun Reloading section of the Speer Reloading Manual Number 13 shows that 7.6 grains of W231 powder will drive their 125 grain bullets to a MV of 1129 fps, and 8.3 grains of W231 will drive the same bullets to a MV of 1168 fps.

The 140 grain bullet can be driven to a MV of 1005 fps by 8.8 grains of HS6 powder, or 978 fps by 6.3 grains of W231 powder. I have found these to be useful practice and small game loads.

On the other hand, 13.1 grains of 2400 powder will drive the 140 grain bullet to a MV of 1219 fps, and a maximum load of 15.1 grains of 2400 will drive the same bullet to a MV of 1298 fps. These are good full power loads.

For heavy loads the Speer Reloading Manual Number 13 shows that 13.9 grains of H110 will drive their 158 grain bullets to a MV of 1151 fps, and 15.5 grains of H110 will drive those bullets to a MV of 1217 fps. These Speer velocities were measured in a 6" S&W revolver barrel using Speer cases and CCI primers."

[SHOOTALL]

I spent time with the 357sig and it is not close to the 4inch bbl 357 mag. The shape of the bullet alone adds to the terminal effect of the mag. And it is not just another 9mm its a loud 9mm.
 

[Squib]

I didn't say it might not be good for ccw and such, I said that the sig does NOT have the power of the mag, maybe the gap is shortened substantially in a snub that cannot burn all the powder to produce the ballistic edge, but it's still not the same.  just like the .327 mag- it ain't that great up against the .357 mag either.  sure we can talk about 2-3'' barrels and 1400fps projectiles, but when is 1400fps really the norm for a top end load for a .357 using comparable bullets to a SIG?  I'm thinking under 130 grs.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

                           

Actually, I would prefer an M109 [self propelled 155mm howitzer]
Unfortunately, I am just too old and feeble to pack one on my gunbelt.

Even if I could, it really won't help you in a gunfight, ... especially against multiple threats.

It all depends on what you need for a specific task.

                                           
A 357mag is just a 38spcl with the case stretched 1/10 "
                               
A 44mag is just a stretched 44spcl.

The bullets available for pistols today perform as well as revolver bullets.

They [38spcl, 357mag, 357SIG, 9mm, 44spcl, 44mag] are all great for specific purposes;
none do everything well.

As a Deputy Sheriff, I usually carried a 357mag [or a 45acp 1911] ... many years ago.
Today, almost no one carries a revolver on their Sam Brown [duty gunbelt].
They are still great for truck guns, hunting, and house guns.


That is why we have to buy all of them.
                                                           

[Squib]

now that I absolutely agree with.... I have every niche I need covered, and yet still want maybe a dozen more handguns.  I could probably get another five rifles too.

sorry, I just hate it when I hear about the new zip round(s) being better than the 357 mag yet with less case capacity and smaller diameter, blah blah.  everytime I see a 327 I end up ranting someone's ear off in the breakroom at work.  sigs get me worked up to a lesser degree too 
if it works for you great, and honestly I cannot control full power loads in 125gr hornady xtp bullet, 21-22grs H-110 powder, .357 mag loads well enough to group tight at 25 anyways (even in a full sized gun, not snub).  I still load them up to demolish small objects like water bottles and bricks though    As for the feeding reliability and such due to the shape I believe it, headspacing off the shoulder for reliable ignition... all good things, I discount or doubt none of them.  I do believe it is better than 9mm Luger in all regards except logistic ease of manufacture, RE-loading, and gun-abuse but who wants brass with sloppy tolerances or a brittle gun anyways?

[Yes, 357_SIG]

There are way more currently available gun designs than my feeble brain can keep track of.
People have many different specific needs and tasks which require different firearms.
Also, people have wildly different abilities and very different levels of motivation, time and $$$.
In addition, over the course of their lives, there are profound changes not only in those many different specific needs and tasks; but also in those same wildly different abilities and very different levels of motivation, time and $$$.

In short, we all tend to have somewhat different requirements in firearms, and those requirements change over the course of our lives.

There really is no "right" or "wrong".
Instead, there is a range of possible solutions from horrible / very bad to very good / great for specific needs for specific requirements for individuals at various times in their lives.

We go through all of this brain racking in order to try to learn how to make good decisions and wise choices; and
... we must constantly and continually reformulate those decisions and choices;
as our needs change, as our situations change, and as we change.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

I just hate it when I hear about the new zip round(s) being better than the 357 mag yet with less case capacity and smaller diameter, blah blah. 
if it works for you great, and honestly I cannot control full power loads in 125gr hornady xtp bullet, 21-22grs H-110 powder, .357 mag loads well enough to group tight at 25 anyways (even in a full sized gun, not snub).  I still load them up to demolish small objects like water bottles and bricks though. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
For most shooters, the 357mag is the pinnacle of concealed carry handguns that they are capable of mastering.

The terminal ballistics of the 357mag are superb; ... king amongst concealed carry handguns.
Nothing else offers the versatility, penetration, velocity, "knock down", and documented empirical real world results, etc., etc.

The 357mag is far more potent than the 38spcl.
On the other hand, a well placed hit with a 38spcl is far more effective than a miss with a 357mag … or a 300 WinMag.

Especially in concealed carry revolvers, the question is whether the shooter is willing and able to spend the time and $$$ to master the weapon.

Frankly, very few are.
The 357mag SP101 and the LCR are available for those few who are...
and those willing to try.

Aim high;
even if you fall short, you are still farther ahead than those who never try.