Gents,

While I carry 9mm in my SIGs, most of the time, I do have a P226 Elite Carry in .357 SIG and a Colt Goverment Model in .38 Super. I'm drawn to the latter two rounds because of their superior performance (over that of most available 9mm loadings).

I like the .357 Sig round and would carry it exclusively IF it were more available (I buy it by the case), but see the .38 Super +P as an alternative to the .357 Sig round. Also, the P226 Elite is a beast of a handgun and weighs a lot for carry outside of a duty rig.

Living outside of the Military and LE community (now) I find the heavy, all stainless, P226 no longer acceptable, but the standard SIG offerings with the alloy frames are easy to carry. I'll probably buy a standard P226 in .357 Sig if/when I can find one. Enough about pistols...let's get back to cartridges.

I view the.38 Super and .357 Sig as being equal in performance IF top performing loads are selected. So, I'm stuck with my Colt or P226 Elite until such time as I can get a Sig in .38 Super or .357 Sig. SIG makes .38 Supers on a limited basis, it seems, and the .357 SIG looks easier to obtain. What are your recommendations for caliber and pistol...given my circumstances?

In the meantime I'm carrying my SIG 9mm's with Federal 9BPLE +P+ and trusting my marksmanship skills and placement to make up the difference. I also use Ranger 127 gr. LE loads.

Your thoughts and recommendations are solicited.

Wes
Behind the lines in Oregon

As an ex-user of the .357 Magnum revolver, I have always wanted to duplicate its ballistic performance in an auto pistol. 38 Super and 357 Sig are very close to that goal. But price and spotty availability have always put me off both calibers. If I see a good deal for a 38 Super 1911, I might jump on it, but only if its an exceptional deal.

YooperSigs,

My own feeling echo yours. I'm willing to go through the pain of ammo availability, etc., in order to get the performance I'm looking for...
Although, not ideal, I can handload "hot" ammo for my needs, although I prefer to use factory ammunition because of liability/court issues.
Thanks for your reply.

Wes

I've had several .38 Supers and a couple .357 SIGs. With similar bullet weights and barrel lengths, velocities of factory .357 SIG loads I tested exceeded any of the factory .38 Super I tested. The warmest .38 Super 124/125 grain I tested, CorBon and Underwood, approached 1350 FPS. The warmest .357 SIG, Speer Gold Dot, averaged 1485 FPS. To be fair, the Gold Dot was tested in a ~5.2" barrel, while the Super was tested in a 5" barrel. I still prefer the Super, and no longer have the .357 SIGs.

I think your "in the meantime" loads are good ones in their own right. I have carried both, and did not feel inadequately armed because those loads do not utilize the latest high tech bullet...

I have no experience with 38 Super and carry a P320 Carry in 357 SIG.

One advantage of the latter is that with nothing more than a barrel change it will also fire 40 S&W. That can help with both ammunition costs as well as availability for training/practice. The “shooting” characteristics of the 40 and 357 are slightly different in a side by side test, but I’ve never found that to be a practical issue.

And I still owe you a major favor. If you’d like a box of once-fired 357 SIG brass, drop me a line.

My most common carry gun is a 357 SIG P239 DAK. I see it as a very flat 8 shot revolver with a really good trigger.

I have enough ammo to carry me for awhile, as I shoot it sparingly now. At $1.00 a round for ball, I’m not buying any.

Though I have a .40 Barrel and magazines, and, .40’s a lot cheaper. My usual range gun is a P239. DAK. In 9mm. Commonality of training and all.

I think the .38 Super is a good round. But, I’m betting it’s expensive.

Gents,

Thanks for your kind and thoughtful replies.

I'm going to look for a P226 or maybe a P320 in .357 Sig. Frankly, I'm not nuts about polymer pistols...Sigs included. However, I will take a closer look at the P320. I DID like the P2022!

Sigfreund, don't worry about owing favors. I'm just glad I was able to help out on your M-14 project. Thanks for the brass offer, but I'm sitting on 5K of once fired Speer brass...so I'm good to go...

The search goes on...

Wes

FWIW...

The 320 in 357SIG is actually a very good pistol, seems to me to leach off a healthy amount of recoil, and is far more affordable than a 226 or a 220 in .38 Super. (I can't speak to SIG 1911s in .38 Super or 357SIG as I haven't shot them.)

The 2022 in 357SIG has very much more noticeable recoil than the 2022 in 9mm, but if you're working with fairly hot 9mm as it is then that may not be an issue for you.

If 220s in .38 Super (and the appropriate magazines!) were more available and affordable than they are, then I'd recommend getting one given that you do seem to like the 226. As it stands, I think the 320 in 357SIG is simply the more practical option.

Can't go wrong with a P226.

The 357 Sig allows for a smaller, easier to conceal grip.

The .38 Super allows for higher capacity with the same length grip.

Let us know your thoughts on the P320.

If you go 320 I would for sure look at a carry model... the standard P320 is as much a hoss as the p226. Since I'm not a fan of striker fired... I'll throw in what was mentioned above... find a p239 in 357 sig... that's assuming you beat me to it. I have 6 and would not mind another. You can actually get away with just putting a 9mm barrel in and it will function... helps with range time and practice.

I really can't weigh in on the two calibers... have never shot 38 super.

If I had to choose a Sig to carry and fit what you are looking for, I would find a P229 in .357Sig.

tigereye313 and all,

Back when I was "playing" with the .357 SIG I had a P229 Stainless Elite. I loved it, but sold it because it was to heavy for a carry pistol, IMHO.
A standard weight P229 might fit the bill a bit better...the Stainless Elite was just to damn heavy. I draw the line at about 30-32 ounces for a proper carry pistol. The standard P229 would probably fit the bill...

Age (71), physical condition, and body morphology may have something to do with it, too.

I will give the Stainless Elite one plus...it was PURTY.

Wes

Here is Paul Harrell's evaluation of the .38 Super vs. .357 SIG. Enjoy.

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Gents,

I have successfully posted a picture of my older P229 SIG SS Elite .357 SIG. A heavy beast...it turns out I didn't sell it. The customer backed out of the deal and I put it back in the safe(s). Dug it out this eve. While I was inventorying my Sigs. Imagine my surprise!

Now all I need is a lighter version, but for now this one is good to go...

I'm starting to think that whatever ails Joe Bidden is wearing off...;-)

Wes

Weshowe,
Nice P229 SSE! A heavy, blocky chunk of beautiful stainless steel, that I think is best looking pistol Sig has made. I own multiple example of this beefy beast. Hang onto it, not likely to be ever produced again.

Cool!

It is pretty in stainless!

It sounds like you are a reloader? The Super is far friendlier a round for handloading the the 357 SIG cartridge. Bullet setback is a major problem with 357 SIG. To avoid it you must use a bullet that fits a specific shape for the SIG round; not all 9MM bullets will work. The bullet shape plays against case neck retention and crimp, which are made more difficult by the SIG round's very short bottleneck. The Super round has none of these problems. The SIG round is faster with 124 grain and lighter bullets. You can get the Super close, but everything I've seen shows the speed advantage to SIG. Powders such as Vitavourhi will get the Super pretty close, but will not surpass the SIG. I believe the Super will outpace the SIG when you get into heavier bullets, 147 grain and above. Then there is the 9X23 Winchester round...

Neither the 9mm or 38 super can stack up to the .357 SIG but it boils down to preference, cost, and practicality. 9mm has come a long way in terms of terminal ballistics, is cheaper, more controllable for the average shooter, and let’s be honest, more than adequate for two legged threats which is the most common reason for EDC.

All three would do the job admirably on the average threat. The .357 SIG is an outstanding cartridge, but higher cost and less availability would make it less attractive to me personally. 38 Super lacks the capacity of the other two choices. Of the three, 9mm would get the nod for most shooters, unless .357 SIG were to increase in availability and decrease in cost.