Cheap 357 sig ammo doesn't exist.
These days, nothing is "cheap".
The only thing really cheaper is 9mm, and its cheaper than everything else anyway. 357SIG and .40 are basically the same price, and .45 has always been more expensive.
I dont know of any people who own one that dont like it. Most of the negative comments about it are flat out wrong, or very over blown.
The round is readily available, pretty much everywhere, and in many places these days, its one of the few left on the shelves.
Price wise, its about the same as .40S&W. The last time I bought either in bulk, I bought a case of each at the same time, and they were the exact same price by the case.
Reloading wise, they are not as cheap as most others to reload for. They pretty much use a caliber specific bullet for the basic loading, and they are about twice what 9mm bullets will cost you. As far as actually reloading them, if you use a .40 carbide sizer, its one extra step. Horror stories aside, which is a pretty good clue that the story teller doesnt have a clue, its very easy to load for.
Shooting wise, when shot from the same model gun, standard 357SIG acts like a 9mm loaded with +P+. Recoil, while slightly snappier than the +P+, its less than most .40's or .45's, and its very easy to shoot well with.
I have yet to see the often touted muzzle blast or flash, even when shot indoors. I dont know what kind of ammo was being used, but I have yet to come across any. They do have a bit of a bark, but its really noting I'd call bad, and nothing like a 357MAG.
I've heard a number of negative comments from the boys behind the counters at gun shops. Most of what I've heard, sounds like they were reading all the negatives posted on the web, and pretty much verbatim. When I've asked them what kind of gun they have in the caliber and how much have they shot one, the answer has always been, dont own one, and never shot one. Usually followed by never will, because...... all of the above, based on no experience.
I have .40 barrels for most of my 357SIG's. Other than shooting them for function when I got them, they sit on top of the couple of cases of .40 I bought to go with them. Dont be surprised if thats what happens if you get a 357SIG barrel for your .40.
Going the other direction, if you have a Glock, for $100 you can have a Lone Wolf barrel in 9mm, for either the .40/357SIG. Same barrel for the same "size" model in either caliber. The 22 or 31 both use the same barrel for the 9mm conversion, and will swap factory barrels in .40/357SIG. The Glocks are a little cheaper in this respect compared to the SIG's.
