Been looking at upgrading my carry gun (Glock 36) for a while now... I wanted more power and capacity.
I tried to like the G29, but its just too blocky for my tastes as a carry gun.
I've been enamored with the G19 I got for my wife every since she got it. No wonder that is the best selling pistol on the market, its the perfect size. But, I'm no 9mm fan... Don't much like 40 either... So I split the difference, and got a Glock 32 357 Sig.
Its the most power and capacity you can get in a slim compact pistol.
Also decided to go back to IWB carry, found a Milt Sparks Versa Max 2 on Amazon, I carried a 1911 in one of those for several years and really liked it a lot. I do plan on getting another Mitch Rosen 5JR later as well, for those OWB occasions.
Got a set of Trijicon sights on the way too, didn't get the HD's this time though, them damn things are just too sharp there on the rear sight, gets rough on forearms and elbows when carried OWB.
Undecided on ammo... Really wanted to try Underwood, but I just don't much like the idea of over 1,500 fps from a 4" barrel... If they'd offer a 125 grain Gold Dot load at an honest 1,400 fps I'd order a case.
So, I got some Speer LE 125 Gold Dot ammo on the way, and will also try some HST loads very soon.
Got a 20# RSA also, figured it couldn't hurt.
The 357 Sig is a one trick pony, for sure.... But that one trick is exactly what I want it for.
Nothing wrong with a 357 Sig for a carry gun. Solid choice. I recently added a Sig P229 with a 357 sig barrel to my stable as well. As soon as I verify performance it will get to ride along from time to time.
I've got a 357 Sig that is a Sig. It's a pain to load for. The biggest issue is finding a bullet short enough that the OAL isn't too long. You can't just stuff the bullet deeper due to the ogive. It takes a short stubby bullet. If you ever intend to load for it, I'd buy brass now. At one time brass was everywhere. Now it's starting to get hard to find. I look for it to go the way of the 45 GAP. Frankly, I'd stock up on ammo if you intend to shoot only factory ammo in it. Dandy round otherwise. I don't carry mine. Around here we have a saying that says In a gunfight, if your gun doesn't start with a 4, you didn't bring enough gun.
Brass is easy to find...
$171 per 1,000 direct from Starline... And free shipping.
That said, I don't plan to reload it much, if any.
I don't think the round is in danger of going away, much like the 10mm, it serves a specific purpose and will never be mainstream, but it does things no other semi auto can do.
Some say its just a hot rod 9mm +p+, but that doesn't quite cover it...357 Sig bullets are constructed different than 9mm bullets, very different.
Quote from: Ridgerunner665 on October 08 2017 11:37:55 AM MDT
Brass is easy to find...
$171 per 1,000 direct from Starline... And free shipping.
That said, I don't plan to reload it much, if any.
I don't think the round is in danger of going away, much like the 10mm, it serves a specific purpose and will never be mainstream, but it does things no other semi auto can do.
Some say its just a hot rod 9mm +p+, but that doesn't quite cover it...357 Sig bullets are constructed different than 9mm bullets, very different.
And bullets specifically made for .357 SIG are very common for handloading (and not that expensive either). Don't know where Trapper6L is getting his info but I just loaded another 1000 rounds yesterday for less than I can buy any 9mm factory practice loads. Inexpensive once fired brass is also available. Just run it through a .40 caliber bulge buster as first step and they load like butter. Outstanding caliber for SD and definitely not going away anytime soon. Although my duty gun is a .40 S&W (by choice not Dept policy), all my off duty pistols are .357 SIG...
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I like the 357 Sig but also like the 9x25 Dillon for the same reasons of uber fast and easily converted with barrel swaps on Glock 29 and 20SF, I was hoping that my friend could have completed the conversions he was making for the S&W 10xx series pistols.
Yes bullet selection is of concern and the Dillon die set & the RCBS 9mm expander plug helps tremendously getting the bullets to hold tight. I also like using bullets 0.356" and 0.357" in these cartridges. When using the 0.355" they need a long straight sides and less ogive. Truncated cone designs help like the Hornady XTP.
I do use a lot of my cast bullets successfully in both of these cartridges as well!
Now about the straying part, I'm carrying more with the Glock 30 45ACP these days in town where I may be in close quarters for a possible encounter. In the event of having to use my sidearm, and it possibly being held as evidence, I carry less with my 10mm guns.
The Underwood loads for .357 Sig are HOT. I shoot them in my G20 with a Lone Wolf conversion barrel. I can't imagine shooting them out of a G32.
Speer offers two loads in their Gold dot line for .357 Sig. You might want to try the hotter of the two (the 54234 load):
http://www.le.vistaoutdoor.com/ammunition/speer/handgun/default.aspx
I did get the 54234 load.
Those aren't just two different powder loads, the bullets are different... The 54234 load uses a 6 petal Gold Dot, the other load uses a 5 petal bullet.
Details are sketchy, but it appears one is supposed to expand more/penetrate less than the other.
Did you fire them both? The hotter load should have a more purpose designed bullet for .357 Sig.
Haven't fired anything yet, but both bullets are designed for the 357 Sig round.
At a glance, they look exactly the same... But looking into the nose and counting the petals, they're not.
The 357 sig and 45ACP are my other favorite rounds. Love shooting the 357sig.
What's not to like??
Pat
6 pedal Gold Dots are used in higher speed loads.
Nothing wrong with a G32, I had one myself and kind of wish I had it back.
But why oh why do people always get a new gun and start changing springs when it functions fine with the one it was designed with? It functions fine because it was designed to shoot that cartridge. Not ranting on ya, just wondering really.
Because the G19 uses the same springs, with pretty much the same weight slide...
The hotter rounds need a little more spring... The only reason Glock doesn't use different springs is economics. Its cheaper for them to consolidate springs... That doesn't mean that a 17 pound spring is ideal for everything from 9mm to 45 Super.
Its just physics... Nobody uses 17 pound springs in 45 Super conversions...
That said, most do overdo it when updating springs... Only the very hottest lage caliber rounds need 24 pound springs.
I did the math (literally).... The Sig round needs a 20 pound spring with a slide weight as light as the Glock slide.
That is not to say the G32 will beat itself to death with a stock spring, the early non captured springs were 19 pounds.
An eon ago I was a State cop here in MT. We shot a LOT of road injured game and livestock, mostly deer. When we carried the .357 mags it was a simple chore.
Then we switched to 9's and 147 gr subsonics . Killing injured animals become a bit tougher. The .357 mag REALLY put them down.
Several years later, we went to SIG 229's in .357 sig and WW 125 gr HP's. It was as if we had the old .357 mags again. Put down deer, elk, etc .....FAR quicker than the nines.
The .357 sig is a neat round. When I was a Firearms Instructor I was around tens of thousands of rds running through autos....I swear I never saw a .357 sig fail to feed, or eject.
The bottleneck case design serves a purpose.
Been loading it for years. All one has to do is make sure You have a .357 sig, specific slug and use a good taper crimp.
Quote from: Ridgerunner665 on October 10 2017 06:21:16 PM MDT
Because the G19 uses the same springs, with pretty much the same weight slide...
The hotter rounds need a little more spring... The only reason Glock doesn't use different springs is economics. Its cheaper for them to consolidate springs... That doesn't mean that a 17 pound spring is ideal for everything from 9mm to 45 Super.
Its just physics... Nobody uses 17 pound springs in 45 Super conversions...
That said, most do overdo it when updating springs... Only the very hottest lage caliber rounds need 24 pound springs.
I did the math (literally).... The Sig round needs a 20 pound spring with a slide weight as light as the Glock slide.
That is not to say the G32 will beat itself to death with a stock spring, the early non captured springs were 19 pounds.
That makes sense, like I said I was wondering.
I am adding a 21# spring to my 29, because 10mm ammo is all over the map in terms of power.
Well, I seemed to have strayed further than you. In addition to my three 10mm pistols, and two 10mm carbines, I have a SIG P229 with both the .40 cal S&W and 357 SIG barrels. Kind of nice to swap between two calibers with a mere barrel change that probably tokes me about 30 seconds or less to do. Uses the same slide, the same springs, and the same mags for either caliber. And better yet, at the 7 yards I practice with them at both calibers have to exact same POA. I don't have to apply any Kentucky windage to my shots when I change calibers.
Mission accomplished...
I'm packing the Glock 32 in the Versa Max 2, night sights installed, 40 rounds of 125 grain Gold Dot on board (the good loads, Speer part number 54234).
Range report in a couple of days.
Am observation...
The Glock 32 has full and complete case head support.
Quote from: Ridgerunner665 on October 13 2017 08:38:16 PM MDT
Am observation...
The Glock 32 has full and complete case head support.
I noticed that a long time back, I bought a .357 SIG factory barrel for one of my G23's. It's a great round, accurate, can't get any better reliability with feeding, and the 32 is a perfect size concealment/defense firearm.
Believe it or not, I considered swapping my 29SF for a Gen4 G33. I had a 33, but it went to the wife in the divorce.
Range day today.... My wife with her new Gen 4 G19, me with my G40 and the new G32.
100 rounds of Speer 125 Gold Dot (54234) through the G32, it ran like a Swiss watch... Not a single bobble of any kind.
Accurate!!! Very, very accurate!!! Glock triggers, as we all know, are like a box of chocolates... Never know what you're gonna get.... The G32 has the best out of the box Glock trigger I've ever came out with yet, I haven't touched it and may not (I generally do the 25 cent trigger job on all my Glocks).
The G32 has a very good wall before the break, and breaks clean.... Easy to stage.
Recoil... Not an issue, its easier to shoot than the G36 was with hot +P 230 grain ammo.
Muzzle blast.... Yeah, she's loud, but no worse than a snubby .357 would be.
Overall I'm extremely happy with my new carry pistol... Taking 2 years to do the research before switching pistols paid off.
No pics, the range was pretty busy today... Didn't wanna spend any more time down range than necessary.
A bit late to the fun here but my 2 cents. In NJ u have to apply for pistol permits so I did but put in for 4. First pistol collected
Glock 40 :)
Next was supposed to be the Glock 32 357 sig. Handled it and ugg didn't like the feel in my hand. I tried to like it for a bit but then figured look at what I am doing trying to like something. So no buy. Then went to my other desire HK VP 9SK LE. Fit like a freaking glove. It feels so good I can't put it down and walk home with my first HK.
But while I was there I did handle the Glock 31 much better feel to me and next month the 31 gen 4 will be coming home with me in 357 sig. Always wanted this round to be apart of my collection and it will be.
With my last permit I will be adding a 44 mag of some sort as I dearly miss one. Dan Wesson,. S&W performance center or something else. Will see. But I have time to figure this one out.
But can't wait to add a 357 sig to my collection. Loaded with Underwood's finest it will be my house gun for sure replacing my S&W SSR 357 mag.
I personally would get a Glock 22 (same frame as the 31) and then order a 357 sig barrel. Most barrel companies make a barrel for the Glock 22 to go to 357 sig, but seems like no one makes a barrel the other way.
Myself...
I just don't like the 40... The very first CCW pistol I ever bought was a 40 and frankly it was a letdown all the way around.
The 357 Sig does everything the 40 promised to do, but didn't.
More power, more penetration, better one shot stops... And does it with full and complete chamber support even with factory barrels, which was a major problem early on in the 40's life, and could still be considered a problem to this day, less of one now though.
I know the 357 Sig costs more... But when you compare the rounds based on performance the 357 beats the pants off the 40... Except maybe in competition, the 40 has its place there and for good reason.
All good.
If I had a limit, I would want the flexibility of changing between the two calibers with just a barrel change. But if you know you don't want the 40 barrel ever, the 31 seems likea good choice.
Quote from: sqlbullet on October 30 2017 10:45:49 AM MDT
All good.
If I had a limit, I would want the flexibility of changing between the two calibers with just a barrel change. But if you know you don't want the 40 barrel ever, the 31 seems likea good choice.
I didn't mean for that post to sound so directed at you, lol.... Sorry... It wasn't.
Your post did make me think of it, but I wasn't trying to say getting the 22 was a bad idea.
Not at all.
What Ok? You didn't get the springs? I have Wolfe non-captive 21# in my G29. Really tame them.
They are strong though, you need a good grip on the slide.
Another admirer of the .357 SIG...
Have a Glock 19 that I added a brand new take-off 23 slide and bought a Lone Wolf .357 SIG barrel. Couple of days ago bought a brand new 19/3 lower for $109 on Gunbroker so when it come in the 23 slide will have a permanent home.
Last year when I bought a Glock 40/4 picked up a Lone Wolf 6" barrel that really makes the SIG smoke. And laser accurate.
Picked up a Glock 29/3 a few weeks ago and today while on the Lone Wolf website saw where they are closing out the last of their LW barrels and picked up a ported .357 SIG conversion barrel for $75 delivered...
Guess one day I'll need to start loading for it...
Bob
Quote from: Ridgerunner665 on October 30 2017 09:32:36 AM MDT
Myself...
I just don't like the 40... The very first CCW pistol I ever bought was a 40 and frankly it was a letdown all the way around.
The 357 Sig does everything the 40 promised to do, but didn't.
More power, more penetration, better one shot stops... And does it with full and complete chamber support even with factory barrels, which was a major problem early on in the 40's life, and could still be considered a problem to this day, less of one now though
I know the 357 Sig costs more... But when you compare the rounds based on performance the 357 beats the pants off the 40... Except maybe in competition, the 40 has its place there and for good reason.
Pretty much how i feel. 357 sig all the way , so no need or desire for a 40. G 31 357 sig all the way for me..
Another 357 Sig fan here!! Have 357 sig barrels for all my Sigs!
Reloading, once you know the set-up is just as easy as any other round. And cost the same too (brass may cost more, BUT after first load, that is a wash).
Got to shoot the Glocks over the weekend.
The 29/3 with the extended ported .357 SIG barrel shot excellent groups with nominal recoil compared to shooting it with 10mm...and shot to the same POA as the 10mm barrel.
The 19/3 lower with the 23 slide likewise was accurate and shoots to POA at 35 yards with all three barrels, .357, .40 and a 9mm Conversion barrel.
Also picked up a .357 SIG barrel for my 20/3 off ebay for $100. It didn't come in till after I had left for shooting Saturday so it will be later in the week before get to shoot it.
There are some videos over on YouTube running tests of Underwood and Buffalo Bore ammo with 125 grain bullets well over 1500 fps from a Glock 32...that makes it even more powerful than a 4" .357 Magnum with a lot less recoil...
Bob