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Author Topic: .357 revolver or .45 pistol?  (Read 1180 times)

Offline Halo

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« on: November 27, 2006, 12:24:26 PM »
We've touched on this in several threads, but focusing just on these two calibers in comparable handguns carrying about six rounds in 4- or -5-inch barrels, would you prefer a .357 Magnum revolver cartridge (not the .357 Sig) or .45 ACP pistol cartridge (not the .45 Glock) for:

a.  carrying in a woods or on a farm or on a wildnerhess hike?
b.  plinking outdoors?
c.  target shooting at a range (indoor or outdoor)?
d.  home defense?
e.  competition shooting?
f.   hunting?  

I think my answers are:

a.  .357
b.  .357
c.  .45
d.  .357
e.  .45
f.   .357

What are your choices?

You see where I'm going with this.  I have a .357 revolver and am trying to justify buying a .45 pistol.  

I use the six rounds as an example to avoid the separate issue of how many rounds are enough in various situations, i.e., in most of the above, I think six would be plenty.  

Likewise I know .38 is a relatively inexpensive bonus option for the .357, but I'm most interested in the .357 Magnum vs. .45 ACP choice.  

I'm especially curious if anyone prefers only the .357 Magnum or .45 ACP in every one of these six situations.
« Last Edit: November 27, 2006, 12:27:52 PM by Halo »
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Offline Tac

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2006, 12:38:22 PM »
get yourself an UZI or similar small sized full auto.

a. carrying in a woods or on a farm or on a wildnerhess hike?

- its lightweight. I assure you no mountain lion or snake will survive 100 rounds pumped into it in less than 3 seconds.

b. plinking outdoors?

- If you cant plink it with a UZI then you shouldnt be carrying a weapon.

c. target shooting at a range (indoor or outdoor)?

- Saturation fire > accuracy .

d. home defense?

- See all reasons stated above. Plus its not a heavy round so it wont be penetrating every single wall in your house and hitting the neighbor. You're guaranteed to hit the bad guy and minimize the danger of hitting somoene you care about thats in the other side of the wall. I think they sell a special kind of plastic round that can go through flesh but not wall material. Plus think of the psychological factor: If the bad guy hears 2 or 3 loud bangs he'll probably return fire and run... but if he hears a machine gun go off on him ill betcha hell be on the floor bleeding to death or on the floor with his cheeks on his own excrement wailing 'doooont keeel meeeee'

e. competition shooting?

- useless in this situation. Then again, weapons to compete with cannot be used to defend yourself in the real world.

f. hunting?

- If its for food.. yeah the UZI will down whatever. For sport... see answer to e.
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Offline Airscrew

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Re: .357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2006, 12:50:44 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Halo

a.  carrying in a woods or on a farm or on a wildnerhess hike?
b.  plinking outdoors?
c.  target shooting at a range (indoor or outdoor)?
d.  home defense?
e.  competition shooting?
f.   hunting?


a.  .357 (cause I can load snake shot, i dont think theres shot for 45 ACP)
b.  .357 (cause I can use 135gr for blinking and 175 or 180 gr for hunting)
c.  .357
d.  .357
e.  .357 (accuracy for me anyway, I only competed twice)
f.   .357 (same as a & b)
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Offline Maverick

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2006, 01:23:32 PM »
The only one of the 2 calibers you mentioned that will do it all is the .357. If you are serious about the hunting aspect you'd be better off in going with a 6" barrel instead of a 4" one. On the other hand if you really want to hunt with a handgun you're better off with a TC Contender as you have many options for cartidge / game combinations.
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Offline GtoRA2

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2006, 02:06:07 PM »
Both are fine rounds, why do you need a reason? It's not like the government limits how many guns we can own. Yet.
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Offline lazs2

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2006, 02:10:36 PM »
another thing to think about is the anoying habit that semi autos have of throwing the brass away and/or making you chase it all over the place.

I hate picking up brass..

Also.. not every .45 will shoot lead slugs well.  This is a big deal to me.  

lazs
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Offline NOT

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #6 on: November 27, 2006, 03:43:09 PM »
.44 magnum.:eek:
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Offline 2Slow

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #7 on: November 27, 2006, 04:22:28 PM »
I like the Model 1911 45 ACP.  However, one must shoot what one knows.

Example:  While a USAF Security Policeman I carried Smith & Wesson Model 15-4 Combat Masterpiece 38 Special revolver.  I was the 1979 8th Air Force regional top gun in competion.

Just last year I found one and bought it.  I still had my old web gear and holster.

The sight picture still came to me naturally.  First time firing it on a 25 yard range against a military silhouette ringed target I scored a 291 out of 300.  5 six round loads from standing crouch.  3 strong side, two weak side.

So my answer would be 38 Special for all events.  If I had to choose between 357 and 45 I would go with the 45.  The 357 was designed to penetrate vehicle glass and door panels way back before there was a 38 Special.
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Offline Masherbrum

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #8 on: November 27, 2006, 04:44:26 PM »
My HK USP 45 has no problem shooting anything, 200gr wadcutters (flying ashtray), 230 fmj, or 230 lead bullets.  

Either caliber is good for all of the choices listed.  The decision resides in YOU, not us.
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storch

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #9 on: November 27, 2006, 04:54:30 PM »
my carry around is a .357, I also have a .45

my answer would be as follows

a. shotgun
b. .22
c.  .45
d. shotgun
e.  .45
f.  depends on what I was hunting but most likely shotgun
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Offline rpm

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #10 on: November 27, 2006, 06:07:42 PM »
I prefer the .45 as my overall handgun. Knockdown, penetration, accuracy.
But there's nothing wrong with having one of each.
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Offline RAIDER14

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #11 on: November 27, 2006, 06:23:59 PM »
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Offline tedrbr

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #12 on: November 27, 2006, 07:13:51 PM »
a. carrying in a woods or on a farm or on a wildnerhess hike?
b. plinking outdoors?
c. target shooting at a range (indoor or outdoor)?
d. home defense?
e. competition shooting?
f. hunting?


a.  10mm Glock (think of it as a .40 cal Magnum)
b.  7.62 x 39  - almost as cheap as .22 when bought in case lots.... and noisier.
c.   Anything not requiring a forward observer
d.  10mm Glock although something to be said about 10 gage pump with flechettes
e.  don't partake
f.   Stopped hunting years ago after my first overseas tour.  Just not the same when they don't shoot back.  Closest I come to this is .68 cal paint ball or MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System) gear.
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Offline Dago

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #13 on: November 27, 2006, 07:23:59 PM »
Oh heck, just buy the 1911 then tell my buddy laz how much better it is than a revolver.  :D

I will chip in a dollar if you do.  :aok
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Offline rpm

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.357 revolver or .45 pistol?
« Reply #14 on: November 27, 2006, 07:48:51 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Dago
Oh heck, just buy the 1911 then tell my buddy laz how much better it is than a revolver.  :D

I will chip in a dollar if you do.  :aok
I'll thow a buck just for the entertainment value.
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