The .357 Magnum vs the .45 ACP

[Poohgyrr]

Real Accurate? out to about how far for the average shooter, not some hot shot "expert" shooter who makes mega bucks shooting every other day? I'm thinking that the Coonan might be ideal for the wanderer in the backcountry, .....

I should have said my old Coonan Model B was my most often, most accurate, pistol for me, two handed and standing. Now, I am not a Bullseye shooter by any means! But that 357 auto would easily empty mags into one hole at 30' for me with modern "full power" loads. I expect Doc's new Coonan would shoot just as well. A lot less recoil too. I should have kept it, but didn't expect Dan to bring it back into production. A great 357 Magnum 1911 style pistol, although my 8 shot 357 these days is a Smith M27. FWIW, my 8 shot auto most often carried is a P220 or 1911 - both 45ACP's.


Here is an old pic;

[phonejack]

amen and amen!

[Bob K]

A long time ago I made the decision that a .357 would better suit my needs than a .45ACP. Both are available in revolvers, which I prefer. The versatility and cost factor to shoot .38 Specials and 158 gr. .357 cartridges, the smaller size and weight of a
M-66 2 1/2", and it's primary use as a 'woods gun', made up my mind.

That doesn't mean that I wouldn't get a 1911 or some 'plastic' .45 APC. Maybe someday! Bob

[azmick]

Years ago I saw a 'worth mentioning' comparison. There were a bunch of left over tags for javelina up around Wikieup and a friend and two nephews picked up the over the counter tags for the hunt. I'm not big on javelina but it promised to be a fun hunt as we had been quail hunting together for years and an over night hunt seemed like a good idea at the time. It was a spring hunt so we were limited to handguns, muzzle loaders and archery. The area is pretty rough (West side of Highway 93 for you Az guys) and walking that mess was not something I cared to do but there are some big washes, lots of food for javelina and lots of javelina. All of us filled our tags at ranges from about 15 yards to about 50 yards. There guns used were a Ruger semi-auto in 45 ACP, a Sig in 40 S&W and my choice, a S&W .357. All the critters were killed with one shot, all the stinking animals were dead within 20 yards of where they were shot and all four were certainly dead. However, the longest shot and the heaviest pig was taken with a bow, just as dead as the .40, .45 and .357 shot animals.
Yes, I have a PSE bow and a bunch of carbon fiber arrows, no, I'm sticking with the 45 ACP and a S&W loaded with .357s, some times I carry both, sometimes just one, mood decideds which, the bow hardly ever gets out

[1 old 0311]

Good read!

[Bob K]

Mick, I guess you could say.....they're all good .....for Javalina, at least. 'Course maybe a .44 Mag would have stopped 'em in their tracks!!!! Bob

[EXNJCOP56]

.45 acp for me a .357 is just a .38 special on Five Hour Energy....I re-load and will tell you that " Velocity does not buy us power, it buys Trajectory ...and Range" and in a hand gun distance is not the issue.. bullet weight does the Job 158.grain vs 230 grain is all you need to know....go GIANTS.......I've seen 9mm bounce off a windshield the baby .38.....Broom stick or BAT????

[Triplelock]

I should have said my old Coonan Model B was my most often, most accurate, pistol for me, two handed and standing. Now, I am not a Bullseye shooter by any means! But that 357 auto would easily empty mags into one hole at 30' for me with modern "full power" loads. I expect Doc's new Coonan would shoot just as well. A lot less recoil too. I should have kept it, but didn't expect Dan to bring it back into production. A great 357 Magnum 1911 style pistol, although my 8 shot 357 these days is a Smith M27. FWIW, my 8 shot auto most often carried is a P220 or 1911 - both 45ACP's.


Here is an old pic;

Well lookin at the Coonan, it looks like a lot of heavy iron to me, a bit cumbersome for packin.


No Siree-Bob, give me a nice less cumbersome and lighter revolver to pack.
Hank

[Donaldjr1969]

David, you did a great job on that. But what really stands out in my mind is how you summarized the article by saying in choosing the best round, you applied your intended usage. That says a lot. Many writers say this caliber is better across the board; end of discussion.

For home defense, I like the 45Auto. I have noticed that, out of my P90 compared to a 4" revolver, the 45 is somewhat less loud, even with the Ranger T-series 230g +P loads I feed it. But again, we all have different usages.

If there is one omission from the article, it is in the section about round capacity. If one carries an 8rnd 627, they are not at a capacity disadvantage.

[Bob K]

.45 acp for me a .357 is just a .38 special on Five Hour Energy....I re-load and will tell you that " Velocity does not buy us power, it buys Trajectory ...and Range" and in a hand gun distance is not the issue.. bullet weight does the Job 158.grain vs 230 grain is all you need to know....go GIANTS.......I've seen 9mm bounce off a windshield the baby .38.....Broom stick or BAT????

Well....you better explain that to some BG that took one in the chest. (.357's that is) It's nothing to sneeze at......better at one shot stops......than the .45ACP. Check out some of the tests! Bob