45 or 357

[amp713]

http://www.guns.com/2012/01/25/the-357-magnum-versus-the-45-acp/

So i came across this page and it really got me curious.... Ive always known the two rounds were highly debated but didnt think much of it until now. I just picked up a new 1911 and when we ran up to set up bear camp last days off I put that in my holster instead of my 357 and the guy with me gave me some weird looks. My revolver is a single action 357 super blackhawk with FMJ and hollowpoints alternating. That was my usual side arm while hiking but I threw the 1911 in this trip and am not sure which way im going to stick with. Granted the 1911 got the nod without a second thought just cuz it was new and i was hoping to have a good excuse to use a full clip. The 1911 is packing some nasty expandable hollow points alternating with some jacketed hollow points. The reason i think id pack the 45 consistently is the idea of 10 rounds as fast as you can squeeze vs my single action. I normally worry more about people than any animal but a 22 can kill a man, my concerns in this post are for hiking. Having a run in with a cougar or bear, i dont hunt grizzly or wolf country much.... I know the 357 is considered the better hunting caliber but im asking about the very rare and far spread Oh s**t moments.....

What are your guys thoughts? Im not a big gun guy, I like my bows. I know alot of people like the 10mm but im not looking to buy another gun. I already have more than I need or ever shoot. Hoping some gun nuts have some great info here!

 

[badkneesbro]

I think a reliable auto is fine, & plenty of folks, from what Ive read, have successfully defended themselves with both calibers from bears of even the big type. Not sure I understand the logic of loading hollow points of any kind for bear defense, but Ive never shot at a bear either.

 

[AZ Vince]

In the back country I prefer a good double action Revolver. In town I'll take the 1911. I personally would use the single action revolver over an autoloader but prefer the double action. My bear country gun is a Model 58, .41 Mag.

 

[amp713]

I have hollow points staggered in every pistol I own, they go alot of places with me and Id rather just have everything loaded to handle any situation i come to. Ya i think if the 357 was a double action it wouldnt be much of a question as im a better shot with it but if it came down to a dangerous situation i know i can unload the 1911 alot faster ha

 

[miller1]

I would get rid of the hollow points and stick with fmj or hard cast but the 45 isn't a match for the 357 for ballistics.

 

[tipsntails7]

I would get rid of the hollow points and stick with fmj or hard cast but the 45 isn't a match for the 357 for ballistics.

I agree with this, but also use whatever you are most comfertable with, and realize, most likely you will only get 1-2 shots so make them count.

 

[amp713]

Ha i try to make every shot count thats why i hunt with bows! hahahaa and maybe i will just stick to the 357 for hiking... Probably lighter too though i havent weighed it...

 

[Highcountry_Hellrazor]

I carry a 3 inch Kimber 1911. More for peace of mind then anything. I had a Ruger GP100 357, and hated dragging it with me. My 1911 is lighter and I'm much more confident with it.

 

[Browtine]

I love a nice 1911, but for backcountry use, I'd prefer a good striker fired auto or double action revolver over a cocked and locked single action auto. Too much crap gets down in my holster to trust a 1911 for me. Plus if you want to carry a pistol, it needs to be immediately accesible, so I don't really like the full coverage holsters.

However, whether we're talking backcountry travel or concealed carry on the street, the best advice is always to take the one you shoot the best.

Also, the gun nuts are going to tell you to call it a mag, not a clip!

 

[amp713]

Ha my friends bash on me for saying clip all the time, alot of ex military... Its became habit just to mess with them anymore! I havent said mag since theyve all made it back home haha

However Im generally a better shot with my revolver. Havent shot the 1911 enough yet to be sure where i stand with it......

 

[husky390]

I would get rid of the hollow points and stick with fmj or hard cast but the 45 isn't a match for the 357 for ballistics.

Agreed.

Be careful with that 1911. Slabsides are know to be addicting and you could wind up with a couple more. RIA is offering one in 10mm that looks tempting.

 

[mcseal2]

I haven't ever had to use one for anything more dangerous than sick skunks or raccoons, but I like the revolver.

Like others said, the 45 is great for urban use, but the flatter trajectory of the 357 is a bonus to me away from town. Shots may not be at longer range out in the backcountry and that can come in handy. Also the smaller diameter bullet and higher velocity of the 357 should aid penetration especially with the Buffalo Bore or other bullets designed for it. The Ruger will handle any factory loaded offering so you can use the hot ones, just shoot enough of them to be sure they hit where your sights are. The 45 ACP is great at what it is designed for, shutting down 2 legged threats without overpenetrating. On the ranch I tried euthanizing a bull who was injured and suffering, the 9mm I had didn't penetrate the skull from the front. I don't trust any auto round or the 38 special for this anymore, I want to be sure. The 357 with 158gr loads has worked for me every time I've had to use it to put something down. I don't want to rile all the 45 lovers, it is great for what it is designed for, just going from my experience.

I also shoot a revolver better. I have a couple double action 357's and a Blackhawk. While I love the Blackhawk for hunting, took my first handgun deer with it, it is a heavy gun. For hiking I prefer either my 3" S&W 60 pro series(23oz), or my 6" Ruger Security Six (40oz). Both are quite a bit lighter than the Blackhawk (49oz). If I was buying a new one today it would likely be a Ruger SP101 in the 4.2" barrel version. It has fiber optic sights that should be quick. My S&W has a tritium front site which I really like in low light also. Lasergrips aren't a bad idea either for any of them.

 

[pyroducksx3]

1911 with hollowpoints is foolish for bears. A few years ago I was bear hunting with friend and we shot a black bear. He was close 50 yards or less and went right down. We were already so close so we started walking up to him. My buddy has a h&k usp 45 and had it out. As we approached the bear it moved so he shot it once with the 45 and we backed off for a bit and waited 20 min. When ee came back it wad dead. While we were skinning it I found the bullet from the 45 in the hide. We never could find a bullet hole from it penetrating, the rifle shot was to the head. He tokd me he was using hollow points and I said what the hell for? Reguardless ive never takem my 1911 back out in the woods. It doesnt matter what caliber to be honest though you use the wrong bullet and its near useless. So I never take holliwpoint in the woods.

 

[2ski]

As said, you want penetration for shooting a bear. Think of the .45 ACP as a slow moving big rock and the .357 as a fast moving arrow. The big rock will hurt but the arrow will get better penetration. The hollow points don't get the same penetration as the fmj either. There's a reason self defense rounds are hollow point rounds. You want to control the bullet after impact and lesson damage to anything other than the person you shoot at. There's a reason that a lot of cops carry .45 ACP hollow point rounds.

 

[16Bore]

If you can shoot, it won't matter. If you can't, it still won't.

 

[Travis Bertrand]

I've seen a lot of bears killed with a 357 mag. None with a 45acp.

 

[Hunt'nFish]

Amp, welcome to the 1911 fan club. I pack custom 1911's, either my .45 Super or my 10mm.
I prefer the 45Super as it's kinda approaching on 44mag territory, well sort of. I handload 230gr XTP's at 1150 for my 45Super 1911, and I carry SXT's for urban defense, and bird shot for that occasional grouse. So far I've taken a blacktail doe w/ it at 25paces (clean lung pass through) and I got a round into a cougar but didn't recover it. (50yd shot)

SO I guess what I'm saying is just because you got a 1911 doesn't mean you have to take a backseat to the 357, look to the .45Super.
Hunt'nFish

 

[THellURider]

Ya, you're talking a serious drop in energy carrier going from your 357 to .45 ACP.

That said, bears you're likely to encounter in Utah aren't huge but do know you did give up a lot of energy with that move. Definitely take FMJ's or something like the Barnes pistol bullets over standard defense hollowpoints.

They day I move to lower 48 bear country I'm picking up a double-action, scandium-framed 44 mag and a Glock 29 (Subcompact 10mm) which will be fed something like the Buffalo Bore loads in the heaviest grainage I can get while shooting a Barnes X type bullet. My logic is that I shoot Glocks competitively so I'm very familiar with them; but I know that it's no match for some of the cartridges available in a revolver.

 

[husky390]

Ya, you're talking a serious drop in energy carrier going from your 357 to .45 ACP.

That said, bears you're likely to encounter in Utah aren't huge but do know you did give up a lot of energy with that move. Definitely take FMJ's or something like the Barnes pistol bullets over standard defense hollowpoints.

They day I move to lower 48 bear country I'm picking up a double-action, scandium-framed 44 mag and a Glock 29 (Subcompact 10mm) which will be fed something like the Buffalo Bore loads in the heaviest grainage I can get while shooting a Barnes X type bullet. My logic is that I shoot Glocks competitively so I'm very familiar with them; but I know that it's no match for some of the cartridges available in a revolver.

That's pretty much how I roll. Love my 329pd but I'm starting to love my G20 with a 6" barrel and I'm not much of a Glock fan. 220gr BB hardcast is pretty soft shooting.

 

[amp713]

Hadnt been back to check on this lately but i def hoped back to my 357. Im a better shot and have more time with it. With the stuff said here and some more research i did it def seemed the way to go. Im not much of a gun guy so im glad for all the input! I have been packing the 45 whenever Im away from home and off of a mountain though!