Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-13-2011, 08:26 AM
Centurian77 Centurian77 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Default Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?

I have this posted in this section because I wouldn't try some of the hotter ammo in the older guns.

I'm trying to figure out overall which is the more powerful round. I carry both often. Now I know that some have been able to manufacturer .45ACP 185gr at 616 FT/Lbs of energy out of a 5" 1911- which is reaching 10mm ballistics. The same company however produces a .357 magnum 125gr round that yields 728 Ft/lbs out of a 5" barreled revolver, 710 Ft/lbs out of a 4" barreled revolver, and a lowly 563 ft/lbs out of a measly 1 7/8" barreled revolver. The last one being so low that it's hardly worth noting but it does produce over TWICE the energy of most .38 +P rounds.

Those numbers seem pretty impressive and one would wonder why then carry the .45ACP 1911 over say a nice 686? Most gun fights are three rounds, three seconds, at three yards. If you need to reload your magnum- I've found moonclips to be pretty fast with enough practice. Now I'm looking at some of the offerings from Smith for a Lightweight carry magnum with a feasible barrel lengths and full length extractor as there really isn't much in that offering. I would in all honesty rather carry a lightweight full size revolver over a 1911. I do have a 586 L Comp and a 686+ but both are a little heavy.


C77
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-13-2011, 08:55 AM
Ed45's Avatar
Ed45 Ed45 is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Vienna, Virginia, USA
Posts: 218
Likes: 38
Liked 135 Times in 31 Posts
Default

I carry the same calibers. While muzzle energy is a good measure of "power", there are other factors. I can remember when the 357 was introduced and FMJ pointed rounds carried by the NY State Police for their ability to disable a car by penetrating the engine block. We all know both rounds will get the job done. If I knew I was to be in a close range 3 round shootout, I would probably pick my 45acp Colt Defender. On the other hand, some situations could favor the flatter shooting, higher penetrating 357 round. In the day as they say, I favored the 357 for rural settings and the 45 for urban and indoor application. Many opinions here I am sure.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-13-2011, 09:00 AM
bsms bsms is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 6
Liked 9 Times in 7 Posts
Default

In terms of 'which is better at killing a human', I don't think you will find a measurable difference between a .45 acp & .357. The 45 makes a somewhat larger diameter hole, although there is dispute about how much larger. The 357 penetrates deeper, but humans are normally shot in a location that doesn't require 20" of penetration. Remember, ballistic charts and ft-lbs don't kill. Wounds that hit something vital do.

What is enough? I prefer to carry my 7-shot 686 3", but that is because I can shoot it better than I can my 60LS. Arizona doesn't have strict laws on carry - quite the contrary - so I don't have to worry about deep concealment. I tend to think of 'discrete carry' rather than concealed. Also, most of my carry is done for 1-2 hours, with a lot of it in a car. Other states and other needs would drive me to use the 60LS...with 38+p since I find the 60LS with small grips a pain to shoot well with full power 357 loads. A pain to shoot, period, unless I go to 38+p. With modern ammo, a 38+p will give 12-14" of penetration with OK expansion. 45 acp would give about the same amount of penetration with a slightly bigger hole.

In some environments, more rounds may be good. If so, the semi-automatics are great. I just hate semi-autos, so I don't practice with them and so I don't carry them.

The only time I pulled a gun was 30 years ago. I was returning from a hike, and 8 guys started to fan out around me at my car. I had a 6 shot 22 with me, and they decided that was enough...and no one was shot. But I had fired a lot of rounds with that 22, and was confident the closest attacker would take a shot in the face - and maybe that confidence showed. And no one wanted to try a shot in the face, even with a 22...

My perspective? Find a gun that fits you well, that is instinctive to use, and that you love to shoot. Find a rig that allows you to carry it, and do so. If I was a bad guy, a fellow who knew, loved, and practiced with a 5 shot 38 would scare me far more than someone with ANY gun they had to think about how to use.

Oh...and most gunfights involve panic. The more one practices, and the more scenarios one has thought out in advance, the less one will panic. I plan on my gunfights - which hopefully will never happen - involving a string of one shots. The other guy gets to shoot back, so I figure shoot & move. When ready, shoot & move again. If we're too close to shoot & move, shove the barrel in his belly pointed up and shoot until empty.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-13-2011, 10:17 AM
Centurian77 Centurian77 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Default

What I figured would be the ultimate carry would be a 7 shot, L Frame, Scandium with a 4" barrel, full length extractor rod and cut for moon clips. The steel/stainless guns in similar size (I have two) are great for house duty or run around in the car duty but not everyday carry. I don't mind packing a large frame pistol or revolver except during the summer. The shorter length barreled revolvers generally are more difficult to reload quickly given the shorter extractor rod and ballistically don't offer that much more over a much easier to reload small framed auto using +P's. Be it say an MP360 versus a Kahr PM9 etc.

My main carry for now seems to be a Wiley Clapp commander with extra power springs and some hot loaded 185gr. A decent compromise of lightweight, capacity, and power. However I would feel much more confident with a wheel gun in .357 given the slightly flatter shooting capability and better accuracy. Again, seeking one if offered with a little additional capacity over a standard six, alloy lightweight L-Frame, and full length extractor rod, most importantly- a barrel length over 3" to get the full potential of the round. The TRR8 is an impressive piece but a little large for carry as is the older version of the MPR8. The mountlight 386SC was a great design but the extractor is to short for fast reloads and with a titanium cylinder- limited in my estimation. Same as the limits on the Night Guard series that would have had real potential but they dropped the ball with the shorty barrels and extractors. Maybe we can expect something in the coming years; mid L frame lightweight alloy "high capacity" revolver with a true combat length barrel. Maybe a NightGuard with an SSR barrel?


C77
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-13-2011, 10:22 AM
Kavinsky's Avatar
Kavinsky Kavinsky is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
Liked 33 Times in 29 Posts
Default

A heavier bullet at low velocity is what does the job, not just the velocity so either the standard pressure 158 gr 357 magnum or a standard pressure 230 gr .45 should do the job just fine.


overpowered ammo like +p is a surefired way to destroy a gun regarless of the construction of the frame and probably would wreck the hell out of your hand and one of those wonderframe .357 magnums they make nowadays so dont use that for god sakes.

if your looking for a good .45 or a .357 for carry go for a colt alloy framed commander or the old model 19 but only use 158 gr bullets in it.

and if your still worried about it just use hollowpoints or semi wadcutters or something close to the semi's with the .45, basically anything but pure ball ammo and actually they used to say everything falls to ball with the .45 but I think thats probably what also led to the failure to stops with the 9mm and .38 special that I've read about from the past.

as for stopping power wise, either would do the job but I'm weary of anything under a 147 gr period or anything that's about the same diameter as a 9mm like the .38 special or the .357.

but thats probably more this stopping power BS wars wearing me down more than anything else, along with the actual factual report of the .38 failing to stop some mean mother hubber on drugs that was coming after the cop Elmer Keith was hanging around with in his book Six Guns


and I'm very weary of the 686, never liked the looks of it, I dont trust it and will never trust it after learning thats the one that locked up on my father in 82' or 83 with the first 6 rounds out of a brand new gun he put through it at a range.

I'd go for a 27, 19 or the stainless variants of them the 627 and the 66 over it instead of that one anyday.

Last edited by Kavinsky; 10-13-2011 at 10:53 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-13-2011, 10:37 AM
cochise's Avatar
cochise cochise is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Florida
Posts: 312
Likes: 32
Liked 96 Times in 53 Posts
Default

Marshall and Sanow wrote a book on the subject of one shot stops among other things. The 125 grn .357 mag had the highest rating / score. The 185 grn +P a close second in .45 acp.

The .357 is usaully used in a revolver, the .45 acp usaully in an automatic. You can decide for yourself what platform you prefer, they both have advantages and disadvantages of coures.

They both work. How good are YOU?

I used to depend on the .45 auto but now I am disabled and depend on a Colt Detective in .38 spcl. I think it'll suffice. :-)
__________________
JIM
NRA Pistol Instr
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-13-2011, 10:57 AM
4inch357 4inch357 is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 5 Posts
Default

And there are those in the wounding/ballistics world that have major issues with that book.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-13-2011, 11:09 AM
M1911-66 M1911-66 is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wayland, MA
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Centurian77 View Post
Those numbers seem pretty impressive and one would wonder why then carry the .45ACP 1911 over say a nice 686?
Because the 1911 has a larger capacity, is faster to reload, is easier to shoot quickly (due to the short trigger stroke), and is thinner and easier to conceal.

Of course, 1911s have some disadvantages as well, in particular being less reliable than a good revolver.

I carry my model 66 occasionally and feel well-armed when I do so. But I compete with both my 66 and 1911 and am still quite a bit faster all around with my 1911s. YMMV.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-13-2011, 11:11 AM
dwever dwever is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Matsu Valley, Alaska
Posts: 881
Likes: 146
Liked 1,003 Times in 349 Posts
Default

In an informative article at Personal Defense Ammunition | Ballistics 101 the author says that there are .357 rounds that are good for both personal defense and hunting, but I'd like to know what those specifically are.

I live on a little bit of land next to pastures and fields, we've had coyote issues since my German Shepherd died this Spring, and I like Federal Premium Personal Defense Ammunition 357 Magnum 158 Grain Hydra-Shok Jacketed Hollow Point as a rural all purpose. But it's hard to find, and so in my .357 8 shot I have Federal Premium Vital-Shok Ammunition .357 180 Grain. However, the last time I used the weapon on our land, it was .38 cci no. 9 shot against a skunk :-).
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-13-2011, 11:24 AM
badguybuster badguybuster is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WV
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 7
Liked 244 Times in 74 Posts
Default

I used both and love the 1911 but there is a lot less to go wrong with a revolver. No feed jams or stove pipes to worry about. "no bang" then just pull the trigger again. A good 627 (8 shot 357) is hard to beat.
__________________
Dyin ain't much of a livin
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-13-2011, 11:25 AM
bsms bsms is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 6
Liked 9 Times in 7 Posts
Default

IMHO: Marshall and Sanow are bogus. There are too many variables involved for anyone to look at street records and say, "This caliber in this weight is tops!"

Book Review: Handgun Stopping Power - The Definitive Study

Nor is looking at 100 year records worth much. The ammo available now is vastly superior to what what available 100 years ago.

The 45 vs 38 thing came from the Moro war. That pitted a .38 Long Colt against the 45 acp. It used a 150 grain bullet moving at 770 fps with roughly 200 ft lbs of energy. Also, "Colt retained the single-diameter charge hole, so the bullet was grossly undersize as it traveled through the chamber throat. It was supposed to expand in the throat and be "swaged down," or reduced again in diameter, as it entered the barrel, but expanded unevenly producing poor accuracy."

.38 Long Colt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So a low quality bullet from a poorly designed gun with 200 ft/lbs of energy is not comparable to a very well designed bullet like Buffalo Bore uses in 38+P, with a 158 grain bullet moving at 1000 fps and 350 ft lbs of energy. Buffalo Bore says "This bullet will mushroom violently on impact and will penetrate roughly 14 inches in human flesh." I don't doubt them. Their regular .38, non +p ammo gives 14 inches, with smaller diameter:

Buffalo Bore 158gr (non +P) SWC-HC

Buffalo Bore 125gr Speer Low Velocity JHC

And 14 inches of penetration (and 350 ft/lbs) is a couple of inches greater penetration than a .45ACP Speer Gold Dot 200gr + provided:

200 grain Speer Gold Dot +P

while providing almost as much energy.

Would I prefer a 45 acp over a regular pressure 38? Yes. The 38 ammo above gave 235 ft lbs vs 350 for +p, and is at the bottom end of what I would consider acceptable self defense ammo - all other things being equal.

Also, manufacturers now do a much better job of matching bullet construction to power. They don't use hard bullets with low power, or soft bullets with high power. Their ammo is tested in normal sized guns (no 8" standard), and will perform more consistently than 38 ammo from Elmer Keith's day.

If anyone knows of any scientific data that shows a 45 acp outperforms a 38+P at self defense, I'd love to see it. Hunters are probably the best source of information on caliber effectiveness, and I'm sure most would prefer 45 acp to 38+P - but I'd love to see some side by side comparisons!

If I limit myself to the 60LS, I use Buffalo Bore's 38+P. For my 686+, I use 357 ammo at medium power. If I carry my Ruger Alaskan, it has 44 mag ammo in it - but I've seen no evidence it will stop anyone any better than a good 38+P. My guess is that it would, IF I shoot it with equal accuracy and hit the same spot. Big if, in my case.

And no, using +P ammo in modern guns won't hurt them. With modern guns and modern ammo, a good rule of thumb is that if your hand can handle it, so will the gun. Of course, if you carry an 1890 production .38 Long Colt...well, then it is time to switch to a .45!

Also, I'm not in any way slamming the 45 acp. It has a big bullet giving good penetration with moderate recoil - what is not to like? But in a revolver, it comes at the cost of size. I'd LOVE for someone to make a 686/Ruger GP100 5 shot in 45 acp...but I'm still waiting.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-13-2011, 12:17 PM
DonD DonD is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Central TX
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 431
Liked 877 Times in 447 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kavinsky View Post
overpowered ammo like +p is a surefired way to destroy a gun regarless of the construction of the frame and probably would wreck the hell out of your hand and one of those wonderframe .357 magnums they make nowadays so dont use that for god sakes.
Geeze, are you really serious? .357s wrecking your hand? Lots of people in addition to me shoot .500 Mags w/o issues. Ruger GP100s will shoot so much +P, you'll grow old before you loosen one up.

On to the original topic. Both .45ACP and .357 Mag are excellent rounds. The .357 has a flatter trajectory, more energy and better barrier penetration. You're well armed with either. Don
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-13-2011, 01:07 PM
Centurian77 Centurian77 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Default

This is an excellent read on the subject as I imagine it's been posted here before. Discussing various rounds on they perform once they enter the body. The author states flat out that he loves .45acp and .357 magnum as the best all around body droppers.

http://www.commonfolkusingcommonsens...n_a_morgue.pdf


Now as far as the subject at hand, which to use- specifically, which revolver or which .45. We can all agree it comes down to preference. I already have my preferred .45, an alloy framed commander, however I'm still looking for a seven shot alloy framed revolver with a combat length barrel and full length extractor. My suggestions to S&W went over like a ton of bricks as they do not offer, nor ever have offered a something as outlined earlier. The reps were suggesting the TRR8 but again for my preference, L frame alloy seven shot with full length extractor and combat length barrel would be max for carry.

Finally, I understand feeding any auto or revolver a steady diet of +P ammo isn't good. I just prefer to carry +P ammo when I can.


C77

Last edited by Centurian77; 10-13-2011 at 01:09 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-13-2011, 02:27 PM
Titegroups Titegroups is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 65
Liked 247 Times in 166 Posts
Default

You can analyze it to no end, either one placed properly will easily kill a human. The 357 has more case capacity so more powder means more power. The bullets don't care if they come out of a revolver or autoloader. There is no correct answer just personal preference.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-13-2011, 02:33 PM
cgt4570's Avatar
cgt4570 cgt4570 is offline
SWCA Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Mount Carmel, TN USA
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 1,620
Liked 3,176 Times in 932 Posts
Default

It all boils down to whether you would prefer to step out in front of a Corvette doing 120mph or a Mack truck doing 60. Neither one is going to be able to stop. End result will be the same.
__________________
Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #16  
Old 10-13-2011, 03:13 PM
jhvaughan2's Avatar
jhvaughan2 jhvaughan2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 358
Likes: 2
Liked 111 Times in 41 Posts
Default

I was under the impression, this question was answered about 45 years ago -- with the .41 magnum -- but we just did not listen.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 10-13-2011, 03:37 PM
Pisgah Pisgah is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Upstate SC
Posts: 3,439
Likes: 37
Liked 5,413 Times in 1,756 Posts
Default

.357 and .45 represent two ways of skinning a cat. Either way, you'll get the cat skint.
__________________
Pisgah
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 10-13-2011, 04:34 PM
dwever dwever is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Matsu Valley, Alaska
Posts: 881
Likes: 146
Liked 1,003 Times in 349 Posts
Default

CGT4570:
What a great analogy! :-)
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 10-13-2011, 04:45 PM
M3Stuart's Avatar
M3Stuart M3Stuart is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Northeast Texas
Posts: 2,861
Likes: 921
Liked 1,326 Times in 723 Posts
Default

+1 to those who said 'preference'.

You have yours. I have mine.
__________________
But then, what do I know?
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 10-13-2011, 05:02 PM
ScottJ's Avatar
ScottJ ScottJ is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Vandiver, Alabama
Posts: 628
Likes: 3
Liked 19 Times in 10 Posts
Default

I carry both frequently. Most typically my SP101 but last year I bought Taurus Mil Pro .45 that almost fits in the same envelope so I can pocket carry it if my pants are loose enough.

I tend to the .357 when I'm out somewhere the shots might get long (or just in a revolver mood which is most of the time).

I lean to the .45 when I'll be in close quarters and/or low light. Situations where the .357s flash and blast are negatives. I can also reload the bottom feeder faster than the revolver (rarely a concern in a typical self defense situation). I also lean to the mass=penetration theory and prefer the .45 when the weather gets cold and clothing gets thick. You also have the bonus of it being a big hole should clothing cause a failure to expand.

These are not hard and fast rules and I'll swap either in to the other's situation out of convienience or necessity.

I'm very blessed to have a wide and diverse set of carry options. I have a pocket .380 for when I need to be really discrete or the weather here in the South gets really sticky. I also own several high-cap 9s now and carry them from time to time. I even own full size service .45s and .357s that might get carried from time to time.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 10-13-2011, 06:12 PM
FloridaFlier FloridaFlier is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Naples, Florida
Posts: 324
Likes: 163
Liked 190 Times in 89 Posts
Default

If you put the shot where you wanted it to go the fight is over. You won. If a second shot is required, a .45 ACP is probably a faster, easier second shot than a short barrel .357.
Which gun will you like to shoot and practice with. Get that one.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 10-13-2011, 06:28 PM
NE450No2 NE450No2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 7
Liked 469 Times in 278 Posts
Default

Comparing apples to apples, I would pick a 45 ACP revolver over a 357 Mag revolver for city or woods use.

And when I had that choice back in revolver days I chose a 25-2 for my duty gun instead of a 357 Mag.

I carried the Mod 25 in 45 ACP for several years.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 10-13-2011, 06:32 PM
Biginge Biginge is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: East of San Antone
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 3,408
Liked 4,680 Times in 1,158 Posts
Default

Boys, I would say to use the gun you shoot the most. Your muscle memory will take over in a crisis situation. The gun you practice with the most (.357 or .45), IMHO, is the gun one should carry. When I say practice, I am not just talking about poking holes in paper. I talking running and gunning in all sorts of situations. Simulation work. Then go with the one that your muscles will remember.

regards

Bill
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 10-13-2011, 06:42 PM
Culina's Avatar
Culina Culina is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: DPRK (CA)
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 367
Liked 1,273 Times in 466 Posts
Default

I think either one would be a top choice, that being said, the .357 Magnum in a revolver has a lot more versatility that an auto loading 45 ACP, that fact and the better "power" numbers on paper makes me lean towards the .357 Magnum, preferably with a 140-145 grain bullet, I like the Winchester Silver tips but thats just me. For woods use, you can step it up to 180gr projectiles.


I guess I should add that when I go camping or fishing, I don't carry either. My go to gun for the last 6 years has been a Glock 23 in 40 S&W. The .357 Mag has a lot of energy and also a lot of muzzle blast which I could not see dealing with in an enclosed space.

Last edited by Culina; 10-13-2011 at 06:46 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 10-13-2011, 06:53 PM
David Sinko David Sinko is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,089
Likes: 0
Liked 375 Times in 217 Posts
Default

I also prefer the .45 ACP revolver over the .357 Magnum. There's no question that the bigger bullet cuts the bigger hole, especially if large bones are struck. I have always felt that the .45 ACP lacks velocity but this problem is easily solved by shooting .45 Super out of the modern 625 revolver. I can easily exceed 900 FPS with both cast and jacketed 250 gr. bullets in my 3" barrel. This easily duplicates the ballistics of the old black powder .45 Colt, which had an excellent reputation even with the less efficient pointed bullets. I have six and eight shot .357 revolvers that see no concealed carry use because I believe the 625 is the better choice.

If on the other hand I had to choose between ANY .45 ACP semiautomatic pistol or a .357 revolver, I'd choose the .357 every time. Revolver is priority one, large caliber bullet is priority two.

Dave Sinko
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 10-13-2011, 06:58 PM
Wayne M Wayne M is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts
Default

357 Magnum and 45 ACP are considered to be two of the best of the heavy hitters for self defense. Using good bullets I don't think you will be able to get enought data to really say which is better.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 10-13-2011, 07:05 PM
NE450No2 NE450No2 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 7
Liked 469 Times in 278 Posts
Default

For field use with the S&W 45 ACP check out Buffalo Bores 45 Auto Rim loads, or if you prefer to use moon clips in the field their 45 ACP loads.

If you want to laod your won take a look at the older Speer loading manuals, the No6, No7 or No8.

They show loads fired in a S&W Mod 25 with a 240 gr cast SWC at 1192fps.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 10-13-2011, 07:29 PM
M1911-66 M1911-66 is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wayland, MA
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

I got some Buffalo Bore for my Delta Elite - 220gr hardcast at 1175 fps.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 10-13-2011, 07:35 PM
ikor ikor is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Florida
Posts: 693
Likes: 122
Liked 187 Times in 114 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by NE450No2 View Post
Comparing apples to apples, I would pick a 45 ACP revolver over a 357 Mag revolver for city or woods use.

And when I had that choice back in revolver days I chose a 25-2 for my duty gun instead of a 357 Mag.

I carried the Mod 25 in 45 ACP for several years.

And I preferred tha .357 over the .45...but that is personal preference...right up until today
__________________
Run Fast, Bite Hard!
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 10-13-2011, 08:22 PM
paco04 paco04 is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 9
Liked 8 Times in 4 Posts
Default

Shiny, intimidating, nickel 2 1/2" model 19, and lots of noise to boot. Even if you miss. My vote goes to the .357
Reply With Quote
  #31  
Old 10-13-2011, 08:32 PM
goldenbb goldenbb is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times in 7 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Centurian77 View Post
This is an excellent read on the subject as I imagine it's been posted here before. Discussing various rounds on they perform once they enter the body. The author states flat out that he loves .45acp and .357 magnum as the best all around body droppers.

http://www.commonfolkusingcommonsens...n_a_morgue.pdf


C77
As much as common folk using common sense is a good thing, I would caution everyone from drawing too many conclusions from that pdf. First of all, it was very poorly written, it was just hodge-podge of repetitive information. I'm not a medical examiner nor a cop, so I don't have that kind of experience to pull from, but the problem with talking to someone like a medical examiner about bullet performance is that his sample is pretty skewed--he only sees the dead guys. He lacks any sort of balanced overview of victims of gunshot wounds. Also, the callous attitude on display by someone in the "medical" profession is pretty atrocious, too, which makes me question his objectivity. He reminds me of all the medical examiners who despise motorcycles because they are such death machines, all the while missing the fact that millions of people ride motorcycles without getting killed on them and he just never sees those examples.

So whatever. Hollowpoints or hardball, or whatever. There's nothing scientific there, it's all anectdotal. Interesting, but not really that useful.
Reply With Quote
  #32  
Old 10-13-2011, 10:31 PM
Centurian77 Centurian77 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by goldenbb View Post
As much as common folk using common sense is a good thing, I would caution everyone from drawing too many conclusions from that pdf. First of all, it was very poorly written, it was just hodge-podge of repetitive information. I'm not a medical examiner nor a cop, so I don't have that kind of experience to pull from, but the problem with talking to someone like a medical examiner about bullet performance is that his sample is pretty skewed--he only sees the dead guys. He lacks any sort of balanced overview of victims of gunshot wounds. Also, the callous attitude on display by someone in the "medical" profession is pretty atrocious, too, which makes me question his objectivity. He reminds me of all the medical examiners who despise motorcycles because they are such death machines, all the while missing the fact that millions of people ride motorcycles without getting killed on them and he just never sees those examples.

So whatever. Hollowpoints or hardball, or whatever. There's nothing scientific there, it's all anectdotal. Interesting, but not really that useful.

I disagree, ballistics gelatin only shows one side of the equation- depth and expansion. However it doesn't factor in that it takes solid mass to break bones- which is what he is pointing out. JHP's form nice little stars in gelatin, which is a selling feature because we've been told that is a feature that causes someone to bleed quickly. However it can also take a while for someone to bleed out, which is why he is stating that breaking bones; hits to the femur, hips, spine will stop a fight much faster than a gut shot that fragmented but failed to break the spine. Anyway, I wouldn't feel undergunned with either a magnum revolver or an auto in either caliber.
Reply With Quote
  #33  
Old 10-14-2011, 12:01 AM
bsms bsms is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 6
Liked 9 Times in 7 Posts
Default

Does it take mass to break bones? If so, how much? Will a 158 grain 357 do it?

I doubt it is as much mass as it is sectional density and enough energy. A .45 acp 230 grain bullet has a sectional density of .162, while the 357 has a 146 grain bullet has a sectional density of .163. The 158 grain 38+P or 357 has a sectional density of .177. So if it hits the bone with equal velocity, in a bullet constructed of equal hardness, I'd bet a 158 grain .357 would break the bone better than a .45. Even the Buffalo Bore 38+P in 158 grain bullet would hit with near the ft-lbs of energy and have greater sectional density.

Want penetration, and bone breaking ability? Try the Buffalo Bore 180 grain hard cast bullet (SD .202) moving at 1375 ft/sec from a 4" barrel (about 750 ft-lbs of energy). Of course, odds are it would pass thru a person without expanding, slowing down much or caring about bones.
Reply With Quote
  #34  
Old 10-14-2011, 09:50 PM
RobC2 RobC2 is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 74
Likes: 8
Liked 20 Times in 6 Posts
Default

What is that saying; People like to talk .45, shoot 9, and carry .38?

The .357 magnum has more "power". I don't think that is in question. As far as which one would be better for carry depends on a lot of factors. I tend to prefer smaller and lighter calibers only because they can be found in platforms that I can shoot and/or carry more easily. For example, I can carry my Glock 26 or SP101 .357 easier than one of my 5" 1911s. Even so, exact same platform, say a 9mm 1911 vs. a .45 1911 or a Model 27 vs. a Model 25 .45 ACP, I would take the .45 every time.

Everything is a compromise. Those loads quoted in the original post sound like they would be a handful in a self defense scenario. Also, bullets are only designed for a certain velocity threshold. If you push them faster than designed, then you just get a lot of recoil and blast, they won't perform any better. The human body is only so deep. Even if you do have some super bullet that expands fully and perfectly on impact and penetrates the entire body, at some point it will exit and whatever energy is expended after that to keep the bullet moving cost you something in terms of recoil and shot recovery and got you nothing in return.

Having said all this, if you are looking for the maximum in a handgun, I think a full house 10mm is the one to beat. If you are going for extremes, why settle for light and fast or slow and heavy when you can have fast and heavy? In the right platform, like a Glock 20, it is very easy to shoot. The G20 is also fairly light, has great capacity, and is reliable and relatively inexpensive. Check it out.
Reply With Quote
  #35  
Old 10-14-2011, 10:12 PM
Joni_Lynn Joni_Lynn is offline
US Veteran
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: I'm here, you're not
Posts: 2,955
Likes: 143
Liked 647 Times in 224 Posts
Default

Both are good choices however if you have to fire it without hearing protection, especially in an enclosed space or in a car use the 45.
__________________
Lynnie, Professional Pest
Reply With Quote
  #36  
Old 10-15-2011, 10:23 AM
MajorD MajorD is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 34
Liked 952 Times in 494 Posts
Default

I'd say it all comes down to personal prefrence on what you carry and what ammo you carry in the gun. I'd feel just fine with any reasonable JHP in any caliber starting at 9mm on up- more power can have it's downsides with more recoil muzzle blast etc too. at some point the caliber and power level of the ammo becomes irrelevant and the key to the whole business will come down to shot placement.
Some people like to carry autos,some wheel guns. I'll carry either one (have about 15 of each) and don't feel ill equipped regardless.
Reply With Quote
  #37  
Old 10-15-2011, 02:51 PM
williamlayton's Avatar
williamlayton williamlayton is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Deer Park, Texas
Posts: 3,357
Likes: 1,057
Liked 2,608 Times in 1,104 Posts
Default

Carry both and shoot the BG with both at the same time---be sure to carry a recorder so that you can ask him which hurt the most---well, er---before he dies.
The .45 is going to thump him harder and exert more shock.
Blessings
__________________
TEXAS, by GOD
Reply With Quote
  #38  
Old 10-15-2011, 07:46 PM
Tracer_Bullet Tracer_Bullet is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 631
Likes: 10
Liked 192 Times in 84 Posts
Default

One problem with the article by the medical examiner is that it doesn't tell how quickly the bad guys were actually stopped. The objective is to stop an attack, and it may not do you any good if the bad guy expires an hour later. The medical examiner is assuming that a round is good because he has a dead guy with said round in his body laying on the table, but that doesn't actually tell anyone what happened on the "street" when the bad guy was shot. Even with all the data in the world on a given shooting, you can only draw general conclusions because no two shootings are exactly alike (unless you are shooting blocks of jell-o in a lab, and even then there will be very minor variations as no two bullets are exactly alike).
That being said, either .357 or .45 should do a fine job if you put it where it will do some good (as will several other calibers, provided that they can reach something vital). Strictly between the two, I like .45 for indoors, and either is fine for outdoors.
__________________
Ban lunatics and criminals

Last edited by Tracer_Bullet; 10-15-2011 at 07:54 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #39  
Old 10-18-2011, 07:51 PM
357 guy 357 guy is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Its shot placement. Plain and simple. And you have to be comfortable with what you shoot. And shoot it a lot. And shoot it again. Run 50 yards and fast bullseye. Run 100 yards and fast bullseye. Do 30 pushups and bullseye.
.45 acp is awesome if you can hit with it. .357 mag 125gr hollow point is just as bad.
How can you shoot determines.
Reply With Quote
  #40  
Old 10-19-2011, 12:07 AM
Poohgyrr's Avatar
Poohgyrr Poohgyrr is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Retired to South Carolina
Posts: 868
Likes: 2,548
Liked 231 Times in 119 Posts
Thumbs up Both are tools....

Sometimes you need 8 rounds of 45:





And sometimes you need eight rounds of 357:

__________________
July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909

Last edited by Poohgyrr; 10-19-2011 at 12:14 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #41  
Old 10-19-2011, 08:10 AM
Chrisj357's Avatar
Chrisj357 Chrisj357 is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Florida Panhandle
Posts: 333
Likes: 13
Liked 266 Times in 103 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kavinsky View Post
A heavier bullet at low velocity is what does the job, not just the velocity so either the standard pressure 158 gr 357 magnum or a standard pressure 230 gr .45 should do the job just fine.


overpowered ammo like +p is a surefired way to destroy a gun regarless of the construction of the frame and probably would wreck the hell out of your hand and one of those wonderframe .357 magnums they make nowadays so dont use that for god sakes.

if your looking for a good .45 or a .357 for carry go for a colt alloy framed commander or the old model 19 but only use 158 gr bullets in it.

and if your still worried about it just use hollowpoints or semi wadcutters or something close to the semi's with the .45, basically anything but pure ball ammo and actually they used to say everything falls to ball with the .45 but I think thats probably what also led to the failure to stops with the 9mm and .38 special that I've read about from the past.

as for stopping power wise, either would do the job but I'm weary of anything under a 147 gr period or anything that's about the same diameter as a 9mm like the .38 special or the .357.

but thats probably more this stopping power BS wars wearing me down more than anything else, along with the actual factual report of the .38 failing to stop some mean mother hubber on drugs that was coming after the cop Elmer Keith was hanging around with in his book Six Guns


and I'm very weary of the 686, never liked the looks of it, I dont trust it and will never trust it after learning thats the one that locked up on my father in 82' or 83 with the first 6 rounds out of a brand new gun he put through it at a range.

I'd go for a 27, 19 or the stainless variants of them the 627 and the 66 over it instead of that one anyday.
+p ammo will destroy a .357 and hurt my hand........what kind of fairy tale is this?

Maybe you are joking, if so....sorry bout picking on you, I didnt "get it"

I have two .357 handguns. Both S&W...one is a 19-3 (4")and I have many many factory and hot hand loads through it....ALL MAGNUM .357 loads. +P rounds are hot .38 rounds somewhat less than a .357

I also shoot a 6.5" 500 magnum. Now that gun can wear your hand out. After getting used to that recoil, a full power .357 feels like a pop gun. I could probably shoot a couple hundred rounds of 110g .357 factory loads and not even feel it. My other .357 is a 686-6 (4") and it kicks even less

Oh and BTW my model 19-3 with many 110g down the barrel is pristine, no damage.


All this to set the record straight. +P ammo will not hurt a .357 gun and .357 recoil is not going to hurt your hand. Go have fun, don't worry, be happy BE SAFE

Last edited by Chrisj357; 10-19-2011 at 08:16 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #42  
Old 10-19-2011, 08:56 AM
6mmman 6mmman is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
Liked 25 Times in 5 Posts
Default

I have been watching this post for a while and thought I would weight in. I use both 357 mag and 45 acp and feel they both have their strong points. For hiking and outdoors I go with the 357. For defence I prefer my 45. Not much difference in power between the two but I can run a 1911 faster while moving than I can a revolver. Once I dropped my 1911 overboard while getting out of a kayak. I retrieved it out of river mud and washed it out in the river. It still worked before a detailed cleaning. Not sure my revolvers would do as well but they do shoot flatter and are easier the hit with at a distance. Guns are like golf clubs. You can play the whole game with one but there is a handicap for it!!!!!
Reply With Quote
  #43  
Old 10-19-2011, 09:59 AM
Ziptar Ziptar is offline
Member
Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP? Which is more powerful .357 Magnum or .45ACP?  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by MOONDAWG View Post
Well, the .45 ACP is the 100 year old man stopper all other contenders compare themselves too....
Aside from the .45 Colt, the 138 year old man and horse stopper that little brother ACP looks up to.


Sorry, couldn't resist.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
1911, 357 magnum, 45acp, 586, 627, 686, bullseye, colt, commander, concealed, detective, extractor, glock, hydra-shok, kahr, l frame, model 25, model 27, model 625, nightguard, projectiles, ruger, scandium, titanium, winchester

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Most Powerful ? walkinghorse The Lounge 21 01-09-2017 02:46 PM
38s&w more powerful than a .380? donniedee Ammo 41 06-03-2016 04:47 AM
357 magnum=45acp? circa1981 Ammo 25 01-31-2013 04:41 PM
Which is more powerful? .45 or .357 kbm6893 Ammo 64 05-14-2012 10:59 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:44 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)