As you know, two major schools of thought divide the campus of pistol cartridge performance analysis. Choose the one that makes you happy! My preference is the one characterized by smaller, lighter, high velocity projectiles.
Several outstanding pistol cartridges for defense applications are available within each of the schools. One worthy of close scrutiny is the .357 Sig.
It is easy to find pistols chambered for .357 Sig that are reasonably compact and eminently carryable. Featuring very respectable delivered energy, .357 Sig pistols fill the bill for a wide range of applications, including police duty, home defense, and personal protection.
http://www.greent.com/40Page/ammo/357/357SIG-advoc.htm
http://www.gunweek.com/2002/feature0210.html
http://www.glockmeister.com/357sig.shtml
http://www.real-guns.com/Commentary/comar66.htm
http://www.real-guns.com/Commentary/comar25.htm
http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_10_45/ai_55605825
http://handguninfo.com/Archive/www.Pete-357.com/40.357.compare.htm
.40 S&W is Good: (So is 10mm, .45 ACP, 9mm, and a few others)
http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/sept97s&w40.html
Stopping Power:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/beginners_stopping_power.htm
http://www.booktrail.com/Guns_Handguns/Handgun Stopping Power - The Definitive Study.asp
http://www.cpu.lu/handguns/database/reports/StoppingPower/Power.htm
For each person, the problem reduces to finding the proper balance of stopping power, ease of control, compactness and ease of handgun concealment, comfort of carry, and confidence in the weapon. To reach your individualized ideal solution, you must solve the equation yourself.
The .357 Sig exhibits relatively mild recoil and excellent accuracy and thus is a great choice for precise bullet placement. The need for proper bullet placement is a given.
Several outstanding pistol cartridges for defense applications are available within each of the schools. One worthy of close scrutiny is the .357 Sig.
It is easy to find pistols chambered for .357 Sig that are reasonably compact and eminently carryable. Featuring very respectable delivered energy, .357 Sig pistols fill the bill for a wide range of applications, including police duty, home defense, and personal protection.
http://www.greent.com/40Page/ammo/357/357SIG-advoc.htm
http://www.gunweek.com/2002/feature0210.html
http://www.glockmeister.com/357sig.shtml
http://www.real-guns.com/Commentary/comar66.htm
http://www.real-guns.com/Commentary/comar25.htm
http://articles.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_10_45/ai_55605825
http://handguninfo.com/Archive/www.Pete-357.com/40.357.compare.htm
.40 S&W is Good: (So is 10mm, .45 ACP, 9mm, and a few others)
http://www.gun-tests.com/performance/sept97s&w40.html
Stopping Power:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/beginners_stopping_power.htm
http://www.booktrail.com/Guns_Handguns/Handgun Stopping Power - The Definitive Study.asp
http://www.cpu.lu/handguns/database/reports/StoppingPower/Power.htm
For each person, the problem reduces to finding the proper balance of stopping power, ease of control, compactness and ease of handgun concealment, comfort of carry, and confidence in the weapon. To reach your individualized ideal solution, you must solve the equation yourself.
The .357 Sig exhibits relatively mild recoil and excellent accuracy and thus is a great choice for precise bullet placement. The need for proper bullet placement is a given.
Last edited: