.357 Magnum semi-auto?

[ChamberedRound]

All,

I've heard a lot of good things about the 357 Magnum, specifically that it has the best ballistic properties of any handgun round.

Does anyone know of a good semi-auto pistol that is chambered for 357 Magnum? I'm looking for something which would be acceptable for carry, so please don't say Desert Eagle; I don't want to carry that beast

The closest thing I found was Dan Coonan's "Coonan 357", (http://www.dancoonan.com/coonan_357.html) but this gun is no longer in production.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[dgg9]

The "best ballistic properties" claim is obsolete. It may have been true in the old days of mediocre HPs, where stupendous velocity was needed to make the HPs of the day reliably open.

But now, the terminal ballistics of ANY of the service calibers, for the premium HPs, are all about the same.

Still, if you want that in a semi-auto platform, you're better served by the 357Sig round. Rimmed casings simply do not do well in auto-feeders.

[billy870m9]

pretty sure the desert eagle is chambered for the 357, 44mag and 50.ae.....could be wrong but thats the only semi auto that might carry the 357 mag

[ChamberedRound]

Thanks for the info, guys. As much as I might like/want one, a more conventional 9mm/40S&W/45ACP is the more likely choice for my carry handgun.

[Smith10]

Hello,I had a coonan 357,great gun,big grip and finicky magazines.You answered your own question,I guess.Placement is everything with caliber and bullet secondary.Enjoying,believing in what you use is key.

[Biggfoot44]

If you wish .357 balisitcs, then look at a .357 Sig. Certain lots of 9mm +P+ 115 jhps not that far behind. Nothing wrong with .40's, .45's either, but if you feel confidence in .357, then by all means go for it. IF you can shoot it that accurately, and the phrase "75yd trajectory" has relavance to you it does have an. advantage over slower rounds . Rarely a factor for pure self defense, put if you anticipate a dual purpose SD/ field gun, then give it thought.

[fultonCoShooter]

just carry a 500 S&W revolver with a 2 inch barrel if you feel you need to CCW a hand cannon. but seriously any semi handgun that shoots a round that large isnt really gonna work for CCW The Coonan held 8 rounds you can get a S&W revolver in .357 and they hold 8 also

[VeryPrivate]

You can get similar ballistics from a 10mm or a 9X23mm. These rounds are more conducive to Semi-automatics since they are rimless cases and the .357 magnum is a rimmed case.

Although, I do wish I had the chance to shot a C

[looperrun]

Auto-Mag used to make a 357 that was sweet. Haven't seen any for awhile so not sure if they are still in business.

[Gary in Pennsylvania]

Originally Posted by Biggfoot44

If you wish .357 balisitcs, then look at a .357 Sig.

I agree.......But be careful, .357sig ammo is EXPENSIVE!