SIG P226 IN .357 SIG VS. COLT 1991a1 .38 SUPER?

[CHARLIEWALLERFAN]

The Guns:
Colt 1991a1 .38 Super - will have to order a new one and it’s expensive. I like the weight and feel of a 1911 (owned a .45), but the price .... wow.
Sig P226 - Stainless slide, alloy frame. Used police trade-in in VG-EXC. condition. Will order from CDNN. Almost $300 cheaper than the Colt, but will muzzle flip be excessive?

Intent:
farm gun, capable of taking a deer or a coyote at short ranges. Occasional CCW, but mostly just target shooting and carrying on my property.

What I would like:
Something that doesn’t kick as bad or have as much muzzle flip as a .45, but has more power than a 9mm. I just can’t shoot a .45 quickly.

The Cartridges:
Neither is locally available, but I reload and will need to buy the dies either way. Can buy .357 Sig onc-fired brass, but not the .38 Super.

Why Not a .357 Mag.:
Done that, but find automatics more fun and easier to shoot fast. I used to have a Coonan .357 that was ideal for my purposes, but would jam on every 3rd round.

What would you guys do?

[MoW]

No question the SIG. As for more power then a 9mm doesn't make much sense. If you really need "more" just get a +P or +P+ in 9mm that a P 226 can handle all day. The muzzle flip on the .357 isn't that bad but is slightly more then the 9mm. You could get a P226 in SS and have virtually no recoil to speak of--in fact this is the way to go if you don't plan to carry the P226 all day. :D

[MoW]

BTW, I'd recommend the Black Hills for ammo but not to just practice all the time with--too expensive for that.

[jonathon]

Well, havn't shot a 226 and a 1911 side by side, but have shot a Glock 17 and a 226 side by side... both in 9mm.

The 226 DOES have more flip in it, due to the higher bore axis.

Besides, the .38 Super in a Colt is a classic :D

[Wildalaska]

Who needs a .38 Super and whose saying its too expnsive :)

WildinstockandcheapAlaska

[CHARLIEWALLERFAN]

Keep 'em coming guys.

As for the 9mm ... I've thought about it but figured the other calibers would have more room for error in handloading to get the velocities I want. I've seen 9mm brass give way near the base enough times already.

And besides, a 9mm is just as a expensive as a .357 Sig.

[CHARLIEWALLERFAN]

Well I guess nobody on here has any firsthand experience with these guns.

Come on guys, help keep me from wasting $$$!

[Velocity226]

What I would like:
Something that doesn’t kick as bad or have as much muzzle flip as a .45, but has more power than a 9mm. I just can’t shoot a .45 quickly.


The 357 Sig is notorious for muzzle flip. The kick is not bad, but the muzzle flip is snappy.

The 38 Super will give 9mm +P performance on a 1911 platform which will minimize recoil.

I believe the 38 Super is better suited than the 357 Sig.

[spacemanspiff]

how quick do you want to be shooting for the .45acp to not be quick enough for you?

[Wildalaska]

Cahrlie if you call me on a 38 super you wont waste money :)


Guaranteed

WildlovesthesuperAlaska

[CHARLIEWALLERFAN]

Spacemanspiff,

No offense, but what are you talking about?

[spacemanspiff]

your first post on this thread said:
Something that doesn’t kick as bad or have as much muzzle flip as a .45, but has more power than a 9mm. I just can’t shoot a .45 quickly.
i was wondering if this is for like a race-gun in competitions, that you want something with less flip than a .45acp. because its been my experience that a full size 1911 type pistol doesnt have a whole lot of muzzle flip, provided your grip and shooting stance are what they should be.

[CHARLIEWALLERFAN]

Sounds like the Colt may not be as flippy ... guess I was just hoping to save on all that once-fired brass in .357.

In researching this, it seems most people hate the .357 Sig cartridge.

[CHARLIEWALLERFAN]

Spiff, no competition, just a farm gun to wear around my property.

I guess there's something wrong with my stance b/c to me the .45 has more muzzle rise than a 9mm.

The less "flip", the faster my sights are back on a running target.

[MoW]

First hand experience---go with the P226 in SS and you will have virtually no muzzle flip :D

[cje1980]

From my experience, and this is usually a subjective thing, light faster loads have had more flip, while heavier slower loads have more recoil just kind of push back into my palm with less overall flip.

[CobrayCommando]

Can you really hunt deer with either? We've all heard stories of gun writers taking deer at 700 yards with a Springfield 9mm XD, but...

[CougarRed]

I have a Sig P226-40 for which I bought a 357SIG barrel. The gun works fine in either mode. I prefer the 40 only because the terminal ballistics are superior in the brand I prefer to carry (Ranger).

[REELZARUBA]

Have Both 357sig And 45 Both Sig Guns, The 357 Will Surely Have More Muzzle Flip, But Plenty Ft/lbs And Longer Reach For The Farm. Like Any Thing Use It And You Will Get Use It. Also Carries More Rounds, No Need For Magazine Holster While On The Tractor. Carry My On The Farm For The Same Reason, Having PROBLEM With Cyotes In The Spring.

[xXStarScreamXx]

Get the .357 SIG. with double tap ammo youll be pushing 1600 FPS. Perfect for whacking a coyote and they shoot dead flat.

[CHARLIEWALLERFAN]

Thanks guys.

I'm probably just going to go with a .357 Sig in either a Cougar, a used P226, or G31, all realistically priced guns.

I would like the Super better but it isn't worth $300 more to me just so I can then take that nice gun and constantly hit the grip frame against my John Deere.

I really want to whack a coyote more than anything with it.

[RsqVet]

Either the all steel 226 or the new 229 would by way of their greater weight be more controllable in the 357 sig caliber, plus you can drop in a 40 cal barrel any time if you like (or even a 9mm if you ant to get into shooting 9mm with a 40 cal slide / breach face, some claim it's fine some claim no so much.) I own all steel 220, 226 and 229 and they are all a joy to shoot and somewhat easier for quick follow up shots. They honestly are not all that bad to carry either compared with other steel framed guns, compared with polymer frame, yeah they are heavier but not a compleate deal breaker for carry.

If you want to get way exotic the 220 was at one point made in 38 super, I have only seem mags and such for them localy however they do turn up on the internet sometimes, don't know the value but woudl guess they go high as they are rare.