Which one is better to have a .45 or a .357?

Question

I would like to get a newer model of the two and I'm trying to find out which would be the better buy.

I'm looking for a nice personal hand gun to protected my family.

.45ACP and .357 mag snub nose

Answer 1

For family protection I would use a twelve gauge.

Answer 2

You've asked a loaded question. Both are good manstoppers, but the .357 Magnum 4" barrel w/125 grain hollowpoints is still the leader.

With the snubnose its anybody's guess. You've cut down on the efficiency of the high speed round, increased the muzzle blast and flash. I shoot my 2 n 3/4" S/S Ruger .357 Mag as well as my 6" Python at 15 yards, but the Python will have more 'umph' because of the longer barrel. Then again, the increased blast from the shorter barrel may stun or scare off you adversary. Who knows? LOL!

The .45 acp would definitely be my 'third' choice. After both the .10mm and the .357 Magnum.

H

Answer 3

If I may ask which 45 are we comparing?
At just a glance at one of my books I came up with 29 variations of 45, if I had of researched it I could add more then I really wont to type out of the long list of 45 caliber available, and that is not including wild cats list of 45.
45 Schofield, 45 Super, 45 Long Colt, 45 Short Colt, 45 Webley, 45 Brown, 45 Boxer-Henry Long, 45 ACP

Which 357 are we comparing?
357 Auto Mag, 357 Herrett, 357 Mag, 357 Maximum, 357 Sig.


House gun I would go 45 ACP

Answer 4

If those are both revolvers, I would vote for the 45 with lead wad cutters bullets. If the 45 is an auto, I would recommend the 357 revolver with 38 special rounds. You wouldn't want to hurt an innocent bystander 2 rooms away with the 357 magnum rounds. You'll find everyone has a different opinion on what constitutes a good home defense weapon, if you'll check out this website, you'll find some of the best info on this subject: http://www.firearmstactical.com/tactical.htm
Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Unless you are willing to spend a lot of time at the range with the 1911 I'd go with the .357. I have 4, 1911 format pistols and they are great but due to the nature of the single action on the 1911 I feel they take more familiarization and range time than any revolver. Under stress the lighter trigger of the 1911 could cause you to fire a round without intending to. This is something that can be addressed with training but you really do need to put in the range time. I shoot a lot of rounds in practice and competition and since I live out in the country I and have some land I have my own shooting range. But if you can't commit to the range time, get a good .357. There is nothing wrong with that gun in that role at all.

Good luck

Answer 6

A revolver is usually considered to be easier to use and more reliable... so in a panic situation, it might be preferred by someone who doesn't possess nerves of steel.

That, combined with the better stopping power, would make me recommend the .357 Magnum.

This is assuming you're talking about the .357 Magnum and the .45 ACP, not the .357 SIG and the .45 Colt.

Answer 7

The .45 is the prime choice due to its cost (cheaper the the .357 Sig) and the lower velocity. The .357 Sig is a high velocity round and is known to over penetrate, unlike the .45 which is a slower bullet but expands dransticlly in the body cavity.

I find there ar many more .45 handguns to select from in the marketplace so you're boud to get a good deal on one.

Answer 8

A .357 or a .45 are both great calibers when using for home defense I would prefer a revolver over an auto because revolvers are less likely to jam. Besides if you cant hit something with 6 shots 100 more isn't going to do you any good.

Answer 9

The .357 magnum is far more versatile (targtet=.38/everything else=.357) and less prone to a jam (YES, REVOLVERS WILL JAM-BEEN THERE DONE THAT). But now or days the cost of .38/.357 actually is more than .45acp (Wal-Mart is a my reference point) due to the decline in revolvers. I prefer the 1911 because it is simple to clean, ammo is cheaper, makes big holes, and parts are so easy to get should you need them. Revolvers like the SW 586/Colt Python/Ruger Vaquero are a sight to behold (very handsome), but cleaning is a pain in my opinion and they look nicer oiled up in a cloth-lined case. A part of me wants a late model SW Model 14 .38 (the one with the underlugged barrel and bright blue steel).

Answer 10

The .357 mag is a revolver which makes it more durable. I know people that deer hunt with .357 mags and most of the time it's a one shot drop at close range. Deer are harder to kill than humans so if a .357 will work on deer it ought to work on humans. I also prefer a six shooter they don't JAM like autoloading pistols. You were talking about a .45 ACP right?

Answer 11

I am a revolver person and have a S&W 686 combat magnum i have learned to master the recoil over the years what a stopper. You can also shoot .38spl. also wich i recomend for in home defence, less likely to go through walls. .45 is a proven stopper but if it's your only handgun it limits you some either is good and you should go with a colt govt.