If you could have only one, price not being a factor which would you pick? Those who have fired both, what are your experiences? I am wanting to buy a .357sig caliber weapon , what am I in for? Should I just go with the 9mm

It all depends on what you are going to use it for. I can tell you that a 357 sig has quite a bit more power than a regular 9mm. I have a Beretta 92F and a Sig 229. The beretta holds 15 rounds of 9 while the Sig 12 of 357. Both are totally reliable guns. Both are very accurate. The 9mm ammo is much cheaper to plink than the 357 sig. Recoil between the rounds are not too different. Both are a pleasure to shoot. Both make an excellent self defense gun/round. If you want a bit more punch, then 357 sig is the way to go if you do not mind the extra cost.

I'm planning on getting a P229 in 357, but my P228 9mm will most likely remain my carry gun.  The P229 will be nice to carry in the woods though.  I've been near an angry adolescent black bear once, and at that point I really wished that I'd had something a bit more potent than 9mm.  Cost not an issue, I'd get the 357 every time.  It's like 9mm on meth and roids

9mm guns I've shot: P228, P239, P225, G17, G19, 92FS

40 guns I've shot: SP2022, G22, G27, USP40

357 guns I've shot:  P226, P229, P239.

I'm pretty much immune to pistol recoil, but my perception is that the 357 kicks just slightly less than the 40's, and the 9's have very little recoil at all.  

If self defense from people is your concern, a higher capacity 9mm loaded with Speer Gold Dots is damn hard to beat.  But 357 definetly wins out on power, penetration, and accuracy at longer ranges.  And its COOL.

Quoted: It all depends on what you are going to use it for. I can tell you that a 357 sig has quite a bit more power than a regular 9mm. I have a Beretta 92F and a Sig 229. The beretta holds 15 rounds of 9 while the Sig 12 of 357. Both are totally reliable guns. Both are very accurate. The 9mm ammo is much cheaper to plink than the 357 sig. Recoil between the rounds are not too different. Both are a pleasure to shoot. Both make an excellent self defense gun/round. If you want a bit more punch, then 357 sig is the way to go if you do not mind the extra cost.

+1 Very Good..

drew5337,
I Love Sigs but for carry in the woods I use a 10mm G29 (or G20). The 10mm has much more power in the Corbon or Double Tap loads than a 357 Sig or 40.
Corbon 180gr BCSP at 1320fps
Double Tap 200gr XTP at 1250fps.

Quoted: Quoted: It all depends on what you are going to use it for. I can tell you that a 357 sig has quite a bit more power than a regular 9mm. I have a Beretta 92F and a Sig 229. The beretta holds 15 rounds of 9 while the Sig 12 of 357. Both are totally reliable guns. Both are very accurate. The 9mm ammo is much cheaper to plink than the 357 sig. Recoil between the rounds are not too different. Both are a pleasure to shoot. Both make an excellent self defense gun/round. If you want a bit more punch, then 357 sig is the way to go if you do not mind the extra cost. +1 Very Good.. drew5337, I Love Sigs but for carry in the woods I use a 10mm G29 (or G20). The 10mm has much more power in the Corbon or Double Tap loads than a 357 Sig or 40. Corbon 180gr BCSP at 1320fps Double Tap 200gr XTP at 1250fps.

Yeah, centimeter is the shit, I agree.  If Sig would make a P220ST in 10mm, I'd own one in a heartbeat.

a .357 Sig is the auto pistol equal to the .357mag.
if your butt is on the line wouldn't you rather have the most powerful cartridge you can effectively shoot? I'll take the .357Sig round every time.
get yourself a Glock 32 or 33 (.357Sig) and get a spare barrel in .40 S&W
a 115gr.Cor Bon .357Sig cartridge was chronographed @ 1600 FPS!! thats over 600 foot pounds of energy!  the most powerful 9mm cartridge is around 1350FPS and 450 foot pounds of energy.
the only advantage i can think of for the 9mm is availability and price.
my butt is worth more than saving a few bucks on a box of rounds

Quoted: a .357 Sig is the auto pistol equal to the .357mag. if your butt is on the line wouldn't you rather have the most powerful cartridge you can effectively shoot? I'll take the .357Sig round every time. get yourself a Glock 32 or 33 (.357Sig) and get a spare barrel in .40 S&W a 115gr.Cor Bon .357Sig cartridge was chronographed @ 1600 FPS!! thats over 600 foot pounds of energy!  the most powerful 9mm cartridge is around 1350FPS and 450 foot pounds of energy. the only advantage i can think of for the 9mm is availability and price. my butt is worth more than saving a few bucks on a box of rounds

..saving a few bucks....

WWB at walmart for .357 (when they even have it) is about $13.50 for 50rds.  Its about $11.50 for 100 rds of 9mm.  And about $16.50 for 100 rds of .40SW.  So after the first couple of range trips with my new .357, I've realized that I NEED a .40 barrel for this thing if I am going to keep shooting it!

I just got a glock 33, and looking back i wish i woulda gotten the 40 cal equivalent (glock 27)  I dont think comparing 357 to 9 is apples to oranges, but the 357 is definitely better for self defense.  It wont kick much more than 9, but is a lot louder and more expensive.  the Glock 33 is one fast little gun though and a boom that shakes squirrels out of trees is fun if it doesnt intimidate you.

Compareing 357 to 40....they will be identical in every way except the 180gr 40s will kick a lil more than 147 gr 357's, but 40 will be a lot cheaper.

For a plinker go 9 whether you think cost is a factor or not.  its just suited for range practice

for defensive just go to a 40

I've looked around at this and some of the 124gr 9mm +p loads are almost as hot as the 125gr .357.......... Not gaining a lot with the .357 in my opinion, just loosing a large selection of ammo.....

And I don't know why the hech you'd even say you want the .357 sig over a .40?

I think the .357sig is a reinvention of the wheel, considering how hot some of the 9mm loads are now day.

Quoted: a .357 Sig is the auto pistol equal to the .357mag. if your butt is on the line wouldn't you rather have the most powerful cartridge you can effectively shoot? I'll take the .357Sig round every time. get yourself a Glock 32 or 33 (.357Sig) and get a spare barrel in .40 S&W a 115gr.Cor Bon .357Sig cartridge was chronographed @ 1600 FPS!! thats over 600 foot pounds of energy!  the most powerful 9mm cartridge is around 1350FPS and 450 foot pounds of energy. the only advantage i can think of for the 9mm is availability and price. my butt is worth more than saving a few bucks on a box of rounds

+1

The 357 sig is a great caliber. I shoot competitions with it, I carry everyday of my life. The test results have shown it to be a great and reliable caliber. So why buy a tricked out 9mm load when you can buy a normal 357sig load and get better results.

A .22LR is a great defensive pistol for many people becase they can hit the target.
I don't want to carry a .22 but I would if I could not carry anything bigger.
I went with a 9mm in 1988. I like shooting it. I hit well and and don't feel 450+ ft-lbs is a love tap.
If you really want to have some power don't they make a 50BMG pistol? 650 grains at what 3000ft per sec.
I handgun is a terrible weapon, but the best gun is the one you have with you, and can hit a target with.
for me I still recomend the 9mm to friends due to the ammo being cheap enough that everyone I know can aford to pratice (and then hit)
HP open to .50 inches .45 HP if they open=.50inch
FMJ goes through a lot
solid steel goes through vest.
there is a 9mm for what ever you feel you need a bullet to do. is it the best......no!!!!
I like .308 or 50BMG
but for CCW it gets the job done there will always be fads and there will always be 9mm, .357 mag and .45ACP
buy a reliable gun that fits your hand and shoot it, shoot it, shoot it, shoot it, shoot it, shoot it, shoot it, shoot it, shoot it, a lot.

The choice is:

9mm

or 9mm that hits even harder.

Go with the .357 SIG.  The loss in capacity is nominal.