357 sig or 10mm auto

[agent00]

Hello there. I am interested in getting some opinions here. I want to get started Shooting some bigger bore handguns. So far I have only used 9mm handguns.

I want to get either a glock 20 in 10mm Auto or a glock 32 in 357 sig.

I will use it for target/fun Shooting and also as a short range self defense gun.

I am no reloader yet so I have to stick the factory ammo. Here in Austria the supply of ammo fort both caliber is quite difficult, but I am willing to deal with it.

I know that the smaller companies offer nice 10mm Auto rounds, but how about the 10mm offerings of the big ammo companies, like Federal, Winchester and Hornady? Are they close to the orginal ballistics of the 10mm Auto or are they watered down?

If I get a 10mm Auto I want to use the full pontential of the round and not the watered down Version. in that case I could get the 40 s&w and not the 10mm Auto.

In 357 sig the Situation seems to be a bit better. The Standard offerings in that caliber look promising judging the ballistic data.

What do you guys think about the 10mm offerings from the Main ammo companies? Are they any good ?

thanks for your help in advance

greetings from Austria

 

[jimintheburg]

357 sig or 10 mm

I would suggest that if you can get an extra barrel, buy a G-20 and a 357 sig barrel. That way you could have both

 

[Scorpion520AZ]

Both are great pistols. For right now, if you're not reloading and you're wanting maximum cartridge performance with typically available, out-of-the box, factory ammo, that'd be .357 Sig.

 

[moralem]

I would take a 10mm all day long.

 

[shocker]

I'd choose 10 mm myself as it's a definite step up from 9 mm or 40 S&W.
Checking commercial ammo, Hornady's 180 gr XTP 10 mm has an advertised MV of 1275. So there's at least one full power load by SAAMI specs.
Note: I'm a G29 owner and I usually load 180 gr to around 1100 fps. I'd say a G20 with the above load will get your attention and the attention of the shooters next to you.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Noting your comment about neither round being readily available .......

First; not a big fan of either caliber as I was deeply invested in 9mm,.45 and .357magnums before either was introduced..... just saw no need for another caliber to stock.
But felt the need to cover some bases after experience ammo shortages in 2008,

Something to think about.... and what I did......

I got (found a used gun at a LGS) a Sig 229 that came with two barrels.....357 Sig and .40 S&W. Magazines work with both rounds.... simple barrel switch.

In 2013 we again experience ammo shortages here in the US.....9mm and .45 disappeared from the shelves...... but .40 and .357Sig remained available in at least limited quantities.

So if you go with a .357sig you can add a .40S&W barrel down the road if needed.

 

[longaction]

10mm, especially a GLOCK 20

 

[colt_saa]

The last 4-5 years have seen more than a dozen ammunition choices added to the retail market for the 10MM Auto cartridge from major manufactures.

Most of these offerings have returned us to full power 10 MM Auto specifications.

Myself, I would probably go for the 10MM Auto. I happen to be a big fan of both cartridges.

But then I live in America and have good access to sources of ammunition

In your case, I think that you should find the ammunition source first and make your caliber choice based on what is available in your country.

 

[Bozz10mm]

My choice would be the Glock 20. Yes, most 10mm factory ammo is still pretty watered down. But there are a couple of big name brands that are close to full power. That would be Sig Sauer and Hornady. Both rated at 1250 fps for the 180 gr. rounds, IIRC..

 

[SuperMan]

If you are not worried about concealed carry and want to get the most out of the 10mm...look at a Glock 40. I had a 20, 29 and 40 and sold the shorter two...the 40 is MUCH more pleasant to shoot.

And if you want the most out of a .357 SIG...just add a barrel to the G40... Bought a now discontinued Wolf barrel and it is even more accurate than the 10mm...

If you decide against a large frame Glock and want to go .357 SIG, would suggest you get a .40 S&W G35 and add a .357 barrel to it. They are really nice shooting guns...

Bob

 

[chief38]

Here is my suggestion - you might not want to hear it but here goes......

I'd not buy either! Not because they are not good defensive calibers, but because they are sort of obscure calibers. IMO the 10mm Auto and .357 Sig are not, never have been and never will be as popular, readily available or inexpensive as calibers like .45 acp or 9mm which also make fine SD/HD hand guns. Just my opinion and YMMV of course.

 

[reddog81]

I'd guess 10mm will be cheaper and easier to find over there, but I could be wrong. Many new guns have come out in 10mm over the last couple of years and it has become moderately popular. .357 Sig is still very uncommon.

All of the .357 Sig ammo from Federal, Winchester and Hornady is watered down when compared to Buffalo Bore, Double Tap, and Underwood.

FWIW the .357 Sig has the same bore diameter as 9mm.

 

[CLASSIC12]

But the OP’s point is not to have a widely available caliber, but to shoot .357 Magnum like in a semi-auto pistol I think.

I have three 10 mm that I like a lot, found reasonably priced ammo in bulk from a guy that gave up his gun, and I reload too.

I also have a two tone SIG Sauer P229 in .357 SIG, great gun, 12 rounds in the mag with a lot of punch. For me here in Switzerland I find the 10 mm ammo is easier to find. But then I also reload the .357 SIG, and bullets are cheaper.

Whichever way you go you can’t go wrong IMO.

For self defense I think both are very powerful rounds, especially with full power. The flash and noise would be a handicap should you shoot in enclosed spaces without ear protection.

Does Austria have laws that facilitate the use of guns for self defense ?

 

[richbuff]

I want to get started Shooting some bigger bore handguns.

357 Sig is similar to 9mm. If you want to shoot big bore auto, go for the 10mm. I carry G29 10mm UW 775 ft-lbs m.e.

and also as a short range self defense gun.

If all of my shots were guaranteed to hit CNS, I would carry a 22. But, it is mostly the other way around. I have no guarantee of hitting CNS. I want adequate power to deliver a convincing psychological stop if my shots hit periphery of the threat.

I also carry upper end UW 40S&W. But, when I want to be above the 9, 357 Sig, 40 and 45 acp plane, I reach up to full house 10mm.

The 10mm cartridge is the largest cartridge, that when loaded to 40,000 units of pressure, is not too much for the standard pistol or shooter.

 

[agent00]

Thanks a lot for the further replies.

I am aware that neither the 10mm Auto nor the 357 sig are the most commmon catridges but that thats the Point somehow. To have ´ballistics similar to the Magnum catridges out of a Revolver like Classic already said. The 357 sig would be a good choice for these Needs because it offers similar Performance to the 357 Magnum out of a Revolver. And the 10mm is similar to the weaker loads of the obscure 41 Magnum.

I would not mind using the 357 mag out of a pistol, but the Desert Eagle is a bit too much gun for target /fun Shooting and also quite expensive. Same goes for the 357 mag Coonan pistol. I am not even sure if they found their way to Europe. If they did they should cost a fortune.

@Classic For handguns, and semi Auto rifles you Need a Special permission called Waffenbesitzkarte (WBK). Bolt Action rifles, single or double Action Shotguns and Lever Action games are free from the age of 18 years onwards if you have no criminal record.

 

[rwsmith]

And a..

greetings from Austria

And a Hound Dawg Howdy to you from South Carolina!

I'm not into either cartridge, but from what I see here the interchangable barrels sound like a real winner. Two guns in one.

Do they take different magazines???

 

[robertrwalsh]

I like JimInTheBurg's idea. Get the Glock and then a .357 barrel for it. I have a Glock 20 and like it very much. Just for the heck of it one day I ran a full box of .40 cal thru it (with the 10mm barrel) and it fed just fine from the 10mm magazines so I expect the same results for you with the .357 cartridge.

I would go with the 10mm first if that is the only choice, but I honestly think the Jim has it right.

 

[lkabug]

Take a look at the Smith 1006. Many out there at reasonable price. Most people don't care for the recoil and shoot them very little. Built like a tank (not black plastic) and extremely accurate.

 

[agent00]

Take a look at the Smith 1006. Many out there at reasonable price. Most people don't care for the recoil and shoot them very little. Built like a tank (not black plastic) and extremely accurate.

Thanks for the advice. I will do that. It is not that I am not interested in other 10mm handguns. I just mentioned the glock because it is the easiest gun to find.

But trying to get a s&w 1006 would be also a good idea. Another potential interesting 10mm Auto pistol would the colt Delta.

Already found a 1006 at a similar Price to the glocks. Not in my hometown do, but would be possible to visit the town where the gun is based.

 

[SuperMan]

If you are not set on a Glock, take a look at the 1911. Colt unfortunately is the only one without a fully supported chamber type barrel.

I have 1911s in 10mm from Kimber (Stainless Target II), PARA (Elite LS Hunter 6" that is now the Remington Hunter) and a RIA Combat Commander size. The RIA was half the price of the others, 100% reliable and just as accurate. They come with 4.25", 5" and 6" barrels with 8 and 16 round magazine size frames.

The Kimber is set up to run:
10mm
.40 S&W
.38 Super
9x19
9x23 Winchester
9mm Largo
Switch slides and can run:
.45 ACP
.45 Super
...and a .22 Conversion Unit.
One day I'll be adding .357 SIG and 7.62x25

Bob