9mm, 40, or 357 Sig?

[ctr]

I'm contemplating my next purchase late this fall. Probably a Sig P239. The choices are 9mm, 40, or 357 Sig. Any thoughts on which calibar and why one is better than another? Also, what is the recoil like on the 357 Sig? Thanks!

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Reborn]

If ammo prices don't concern you, I'd go for the forty. 9mm will be the cheapest to feed and unless you have a gun store near you, you may be limited on .357 sig rounds.

[deadeye72]

I just bought an HK P2000 that came with the 357 Sig and 40 S&W barrels. I finally found a box of 357 Sig ammo to try it out, and was not very impressed with it. I think it is because it recoils different than the .40. For 50 rounds of WWB in 357 Sig, I paid $27. I buy the WWB in .40 to practice with and I can get it for about $15. I decided since I was already familiar with the .40, I would stick with that. I have not been able to find any good defensive ammo locally for the 357 Sig to compare prices.

[Shizzlemah]

I went the opposite way as deadeye. Abandoned 40 for 357.

My first 357 was a sig 239, runs great, very manageable. A little louder than .40 though.

I reload 357sig with 124JHPs for $8.50/box

[Rmac58]

I was in the market for a P229, the salesman talked me into a CZ P-6 .40, at nearly half the cost, I'm happy.

Edit, CZ doesn't make .357's, I've found those rounds to be relatively expensive.

[deadeye72]

I went the opposite way as deadeye. Abandoned 40 for 357.

My first 357 was a sig 239, runs great, very manageable. A little louder than .40 though.

I reload 357sig with 124JHPs for $8.50/box

If I had the ability to reload at this time, I might go with the 357 Sig. Right now though I will have to stick with what I can get over the counter. I am saving up to get everything I need for reloading.

[Cthulhu]

Went with 9mm, as I wanted to be able to put plenty of rounds downrange to get proficient with my carry pistol. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to afford that with a larger caliber.

-JT

[pgrass101]

I went with 9mm for ammo avalibility and price

[BikerRN]

I'd go with a 9mm if you can select good, "appropriate" ammo.

If your ammo selection or ability to get good ammo is in question I would select the 40 S&W. The 357 Sig is a "niche" round that isn't always easily available.

Biker

[CR2008]

I carry a Sig P239 in 9mm, never shot the .40cal/.357sig versions though, but the recoil feels like a regular 9mm... this gun is surgically accurate, it's stunning... it can shoot better than most larger guns all day.

What ever caliber you are thinking about, shoot a rental gun first and see how controllable the weapon is... if you can't make good follow up shots, then where would be advantage be?

[jackdog]

I carry .40, but practice with both .40 and 9mm for cost savings. I have also carried my 9mm on occasion. .357 sig is a good round for leo's that may need to shoot through wind shields car doors etc, but you risk over penetration problems when shooting at humans I.E bullet goes through bad guy and lodges in an innocent bystander. Whoops law suit time or worse. In self defense situations shot placement and multiple hits is the key to success, any of the rounds mentioned will do the job in this case.

[Snoop]

I think caliber choice is determined by the intended use of the firearm. I personally like the .40 for my every day carry. I shoot it well and it makes a bigger hole. That said, I own a 9mm pistol and would not hesitate and sometimes do carry it. Its where you place the shots that matters most. If the intended purpose of the firearm is range use or you plan on shooting it alot than 9mm. .357sig is expensive to shoot and sometimes hard to find.

As Cr2008 mentioned try to find a place that has both to shoot and see if you shoot(or like) one better than the other.

[ctr]

Thanks for the input folks! I've ruled out the 357 Sig after some further research. Its between a 9mm and a 40. I'm leaning toward the 40, but I've got several months to figure it out.

[Colin]

My 229 currently takes 40 & 9mm, hopefully soon I will have a .357 Sig barrel for it as well. The 229 is my first .40 and I wanted the abilty to get a 357sig gun as well.

[f8lranger4x4]

I like the 9mm +p, 40 cal, and .45 for personal defence