Biggles Wrote:My thoughts (which may be biased): The .357 is a hell of a revolver round, but aside from the Desert Eagle and the Coonan, has never been successfully converted to semi-auto. The .357 Sig (which I neither own nor have fired) is probably a decent alternative. The .45ACP was great as a ball alternative to ball ammo in lesser calibres (and is certainly superior to 9mm ball ammo in military apps), but for those of us unconstrained by the Hague Conventions, is second-rate. If expanding bullets are an option, speed, expansion, nominal calibre, sectional density, and bullet construction are all important factors. Size of the platform is also important (size efficiency, as I've heard it described). Thus, my favorite carry calibre depends upon my needs. If I have the option of carrying a Glock 21, the .400 CorBon barrel gives me an ultimate stopper (and the plus 2 mag bases give me 15+1 rounds!). In a Glock 17 or 19, I'll go with the 115 grain CorBon loads. In my KelTec P11 I'll go with the same round.
I carry the Sig P229 .357. It is an excellent gun. I have no complaints with it, and I have almost 15000 rounds through it with no malfunctions.
Also agree with you regarding ball vs. expanding rounds. Ball sucks. End of story.