my bf wants to know .357 magnum better than a 9 milimeter pistol?

Answer 1

.357 is more powerful, and 9MM holds more rounds.

So, which would you prefer? It's all personal preference.

Answer 2

If it is for self defense I would go with the nine. Multiple assailants are becoming the norm. This is to say if you are going to need a gun you are going to be shooting several people. Thus extra capacity (17 rounds vs 6) is a bigger deal than it once was.

I shoot tactical matches and they always try to create scenarios where you have to shoot in a way you are not used to. Real life does that on its own. Thus you really may need to "spray and pray". You could have a bad grab on your pistol, you may be using your weak hand, it may be dark, you may need to hit a moving target. Some will say if you can't do it in 6 you can't do it with 17. While you can challenge a person's manliness with a cute saying like that these sayings are otherwise useless. Here is a better saying "if you can't do it with 6 you better have 17."

There is no doubt that if you are going hunting you shouldn't use a nine. Also, if I had to choose between getting hit with a nine or a 357 I would choose the nine.

Oh yeah the nine is cheaper to shoot. I would rather go against a guy with no experience and a 357 than a guy with alot of experience and a 9

Answer 3

It really depends on the use. A 9mm is much cheaper to shoot, because the ammo is less. Reliable Ruger and other 9mm are relatively inexpensive. Most 9mm are automatic style pistols and hold between 10 and 15 rounds.

.357 magnums are usually revolvers (5-7 rounds) and are easier for non-shooters to use. The ammo is more expensive and it is more powerful.

If you boyfriend is looking for a home defense weapon for himself (and you) I would go with the .357 magnum. You can shoot .38 specials out of it (less kick, easier to shoot). You or other women/men who don't shoot much can learn to shoot a .357 magnum loaded with .38s for self-defense. Be aware that you can shoot .38 specials out of a .357 but not vice versa.

Good luck.

Answer 4

A 357 has more kinetic energy-knock down power but most 357's are revolvers which hold six, a 9mm. is going to hold alot more ammunition. It all depends on what you want the weapon for. Some say having a 9mm. in a gun fight is like pulling teeth from a pit bull. I personally would go with a 45 ca. weapon.

Answer 5

Like most firearms, the caliber depends on who is going to be using the weapon and what they're going to be using it for. A .357 magnum revolver will shoot .38 caliber rounds as well as the .357 cartrige which means that the choice of rounds is a lot greater than if you just have a 9mm pistol. Also, keep in mind that the .38 caliber round is the largest round that the average person can shoot effectively without a lot of practice. The .357 magnum round is more powerful than the 9mm so, with all things being equal as far as the bullet itself goes, the .357 mag. will have greater penetrating power. However, penetrating power does not equate to "knock down" power. Think of it this way, somebody could stick you with a pencil in chest and while it would penetrate your body, chances are it won't knock you down. Now, if the same person hit you in the chest with a baseball bat you're likely 'goin down" even though the bat never penetrated your body. However, to become and remain proficient with the .357 magnum requires reqular practice.
The 9mm is almost universelly a semi-automatic pistol design.
It is more powerful than the .38 cal. but not as powerful as the .357 mag.. This means that it will require a bit of practice to
remain proficient with the firearm but not as much as with the .357 mag.. Also, the general school of thought when using the 9mm is "tap tap". In other words, one fires two rounds into the target to ensure adequate "knock down" damage.The semi-automatic pistol is flatter than a revolver and generally holds more rounds of ammunition but requires cleaning at least twice a year, whether it's used or not, to ensure it's functioning properly. The revolver, on the other hand usually only requires a good cleaning after every use to keep it functioning properly (even if you leave it sit in a shoe box in the closet for a few years(this is never recommended but it happens all the time)).
So, if you want a good reliable weapon for home protection and that can be taken on camping trip with the knowledge that it will stop a black bear if neccessary, get the .357 magnum. Take it to the shooting range and aquaint yourself with the weapon using .38 caliber rounds with a few .357's thrown in so that you know what they feel like. If on the other hand, you want a weapon to carry for personal protection opt for the 9mm semi-auto. Put in some adequate range time to aquaint yourself with the gun and go back to the range at least three times a year to keep your skills up. And, most important, keep your weapons clean.
While I have numerous weapons and enjoy shooting them as often as possible my main line of home defense is a dead bolt on my bedroom door and a Louisville Slugger by my bed. Talk about "stoppin power" and all I need is one "tap" on the "noggin" to halt any intruder.

Answer 6

I am a fan of .357 no doubt in my mind go with the magnum, while those with the high capacity 9's go pop pop pop pop a .357 goes Ka-BOOM and scares the crap out of who ever, believe me you hit someone with a .357 Winchester silver tip they are going down with massive tissue damage and there are now 8 shot revolvers if your worried about shots i am not 686 S&W combat magnum 4'' and i also have one in 6'' and have become very good with speed loaders.

Answer 7

Bound's hubby here:

"Better" is a relative term, and is totally dependent upon what you want the pistol/cartridge combination for! Each is "better" in its own realm!

If you are looking at a purely defensive sidearm, the 9mm is a better cartridge than the .357 because the 9mm carries more rounds, provides a quicker reload, and has a quicker capacity for accurate rapid fire!

If you are looking at a multi-purpose sidearm that will not only provide a defensive capacity, but also a recreational element and perhaps a hunting role, the .357 is a much "better" selection over the 9mm. In a revolver, the .357 is not limited to basically one round (like the 9mm) but the vast aray of .38 Special and .357 Magnum loads. Your .357 Magnum could function like a collection of several handguns.

An added plus any revolver serves over a pistol, such as the 9mm, is that your empties can fall into hand and be more easily collected for reloading ... this is an important consideration if you are reloading your ammo either because of the cost savings or limited ammo availability.

Unless I knew I would have a greater chance of engaging multiple threat targets, I would lean toward the .357 in a high quality revolver. But, if I felt a had a good chance of engaging multiple dangerous threats, I would select a Browning (P35) Hi-Power and carry 2 spare clips of either 115 or 124 grain jacketed hollow points ... that would give me 40 rounds of 9mm, more than enough to deter your typical urban threats!

Good luck!

Answer 8

While you are getting some good answers, you're also getting some misinformation.
There ARE 9mm revolvers.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=905B&category=Revolver

http://ruger.com/Firearms/FAFamily?type=Revolver&subtype=Single+Action&famlst=19&variation=Blued

There ARE .357 semi-auto pistols.
http://www.magnumresearch.com/desert_eagle_techdata.asp

And there ARE .357 revolvers that hold more than 5 or 6 rounds.
http://adjunct.diodon349.com/Attack_on_USA/model_386_revolver__hiviz.htm

http://www.gunsworld.com/smith/sw686plus_us.html

If 7 rounds of .357 in a revolver aren't enough, then 8 should do the job.
http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/aug96highcap.html

Answer 9

Well Susan, the .357 Magnum is a better stopper. It is more versatile in that it can also shoot .38 Special ammo. The only downside is that it is bulkier for concealed carry, it is limited to 5 or 6 rounds per loading and it is slightly slower to reload. Upside is that it is easier to learn to use, and fires more potent rounds and requires less maintenance.

H

Answer 10

the 357 is bigger then the 9mm. the 357 has alot more take down power. the 9mm is a weak gun. so for me i would go with the 357, but i like the 44mag a lot better.

Answer 11

What will gun be used for? 357 is more powerful,better for hunting or when confrontation with dangerous animal is possible,such as a bear or wild boar. 9 millimeter usually holds more cartridges and is better for home defense or when used in law enforcement work. 9 millimeter comes in automatic pistols and can be fired faster if need be and has less recoil therefore enabling faster follow-up shots if necessary. Hope this info helps you out.