.357 revolver or .45 pistol?

[moneyguy]

my guns will only be taken from my cold dead hands

[Halo]

I started this thread with a revolver and .357 bias, but probably because I only plink and need home defense, I have switched to preferring .45 ACP, particularly the Springfield XD .45 ACP 4-inch tactical model I bought.

In fact, the XD has become my favorite gun.  Accurate, lightweight, reliable, affordable, versatile, it's perfect for my needs.

4-inch barrel, 13-round magazine, Glock tactical light with laser, less than 3 pounds loaded up, good accessories right out of the box, excellent ergonomics, I'm amazed how much I like the XD .45 ACP.

I was also surprised to realize that I really don't like firing .357s.  I respect the round, but don't like shooting it.  Nor do I like shooting revolvers; much prefer semiautomatics.  

I always thought I preferred revolvers, but I don't.  Hmmm.  Wonder what else I think I like but don't?  We never live too long to outgrow our surprises.

[john9001]

Dan Wesson 357, easily interchangeable barrels, 2" 4" 6" 8", can shoot cheap 38 wad cutters for plinking, and it looks and handles great.

bonus, i already own it.

[Xargos]

I carry a .357, but I like the .45 ACP as well.  I just prefer wheel guns.

[Makarov9]

I just bought my first wheel gun, a Taurus Tracker 627. It's a ported, 7-shot .357/.38 Special. I was surprised how mild the porting made the .357 rounds I was shooting feel. The .38's were even milder. Overall I really enjoyed shooting the revolver. It was also nice not having to chase .45 or 9mm brass...but I do enjoy shooting those as well. I also just got all the dies to start reloading .38 Special.

[lazs2]

like xargos... I own both semi autos and revolvers... I enjoy shooting revolvers a lot more but...  except for the low power of the .45 round and the annoying habit it has of throwing away the brass and making a big mess... I do enjoy shooting my Kimber and CZ75 clone in .45.

No match for my 44 mag revolvers tho..  the brass is much stronger and I can reload it many times.   It goes off every time.. it never jams.   I don't have to load magazines or chase brass or load my ammo to very narrow specs and with a narrow selection of bullet types.

My revolvers are powerful and accurate.  I realize that some people are not capable of shooting revolvers well and are afraid of recoil...   A .357 in a medium frame revolver feels like a 22 to me going off.  

For plinking and general use I would much rather have a .357 than a .45 auto..  certainly if you reload it is no contest... A 44 mag is even better..  a dan wesson in 445 might be even better with even more options but.. the 44 mag seems to be, for me, a perfect balance between power and weight and recoil.

oh... on ported guns..it is very important to wear good ear protection... a normal gunshot is a very short event.. the porting makes it longer and more damaging.

lazs

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Originally posted by lukster
Ya got two hands doncha? Why not pack both?

My thoughts exactly.