XDS 45 or Model 60 357

[hd28cw]

Just trying to take a poll and get some thoughts,
Today at the LGS i looked at a springfield 45 xds 5 shot, ok 5 plus 1.... and a Smith and wesson model 60 in the venerable 357standard 5 shot snubbie. I looked up the weight on springfields website apprx 21 oz weight of the j frame was apprx 22...In this scenario price, size, length, weight, and capacity are negligble....
So which would you wrather have 5 shots of 45 or 5 shots of 357, the springfield or the smith?

Thanks

[Kanewpadle]

You're on a Smith and Wesson forum, what do you think?

Kidding.

Which can you conceal better based on your dress? Which can you shoot better? Which can you find or have ammo for?

I'd say it's a push but considering the above questions might give you your answer.

[bluegrassarms]

Would you carry 5+1? If so it is an extra round, which has to be considered IMO. Doesn't win out for me necessarily, but I wouldn't dismiss even 1 extra round.

I view it as 1 extra round of 45 versus the extra reliability of the revolver. Given that choice, I take the revolver and give up the extra round. Don't overlook the form factor though, even for the same weight. The XDS is thin versus even the smallest revolver.

Those would be my variables, and I carry a 357, but it's such a personal choice and I will admit the XDS form factor has caught my eye. I'd like to try it with both the 5+1 configuration and with the extended mag, but more out of curiosity than need. I'm very comfortable with a 357.

[Fishinfool]

Two totally different beasts. Personally, I would take the XDS as a carry piece. They are each very close in stopping power with the right loads. The XDS is a little slimmer to carry, has less muzzle blast, and is quicker in recovery for subsequent shots if needed, and can carry one extra round. A little faster to reload for most people as well. I own several compact 45 auto's in the 24 ounce range, and they are a lot more user friendly compared to the several J frame .357's I have shot when using magnum loads. Larger grips on the J frames help, but then you are further compromising concealability.

Reliability MIGHT favor the revolver, but I have seen enough revolver failures to know that nothing is guaranteed, and usually an auto failure is easier to clear than a revolver malfunction.

Best bet is to handle and shoot an example of each if possible, then decided from there.

Larry

[mstuhr]

Howdy,
I can't say enough good things about the XDS.
I have one and carry it. I shoot it quite a bit and the more I use it the more I like it.
It is a far more shootable gun for me than a 357 snub.
Thanks and good luck.
Mike

[bluegrassarms]

It's true if a revolver fails, it's kaput. Still, they are statistically more reliable. It's rare that either gun itself fails, it's just that ammo can sometimes do weird things and revolvers gloss over some of those failures better. I wouldn't consider either of these "unreliable", can't go wrong with either option, just comes down to gut feel more than anything else.

If I did carry additional ammo regularly I'd strongly favor the semiauto over a revolver. I do sometimes, but not as often as I should.

don't get me wrong, the XDS is impressive, so much so I've considered ordering one just to try as a carry piece. I shot a full size XD 45 for a while and really liked it, and it's crazy thin for a 45. But for now I settled on the 357 and it was just my feel for the revolver versus the extra round.

I consider the 45 and 357 largely equivalent, agree with you there for sure. The 357 does have more flash and bang, but that's not always a bad thing. In a self defense situation the best thing that can happen is the bad guy takes off in the other direction, and it's hard to doubt if you're being shot at when a 357 goes off in your direction. Such things are so scenario dependent it can be a plus or minus, no way to know in advance.

I agree 100000000% that the broader carry decision is really what you a) will carry reliably and b) can shoot effectively. I carry a bigger caliber but I'm no snob about it. The key is what you can use well, whether that is a 357 or a 22. No doubt anyone looking to carry needs to shoot the gun in question if possible, and definitely shoot the caliber and load in question in as similar a gun as possible.

I shoot 357 J frame with about the same control as I do small frame 45s (tried a Glock 36 and 30), but everyone's mileage varies. Definitely why you go to the range if at all possible before making a final decision.

[mc5aw]

I own both, and could never put them barrel to barrel as they are completely different animals.

Semi-auto in .45 ACP that conceals well, has very manageable recoil, and has proven thus far to be extremely reliable.

VS.

J-frame in .38/.357 that conceals well, has manageable recoil, and has proven over time to be a flawless revolver.

Flip a coin, and go with whatever is more comfortable to shoot and carry, and whatever you can shoot and carry best.