357 mag vs 45acp for CCW and trail gun.

[DanWalker]

I'm currently packing a 2 1/2" model 66.
Thinking about a commander sized 1911 as well.
What are your opinions on the merits of these 2 cartridges for the purposes I've stated above?
By the way, I WILL be spending the summer in the wilderness areas of Wyoming, so this isn't just a mental exercise.

[DanWalker]

moderators please delete the duplicate posts.

[Bret4207]

The 357 develops more energy, the 45 has a bigger boolit. The revolver almost always goes bang, the auto usually goes bang. The auto can lose it's magazine and chasing brass is a pain.

I'd take a 357, but it'd have a 4" barrel.

[cajun shooter]

I would prefer a longer bbl on the 66 as Bret said. Own both guns and the reason for choosing the 66 is that to become good one needs practice and the 66 is the winner because of being able to shoot light 38's and all brass is kept in cylinder. I might even like to up the caliber to 45 Colt for wilderness packing.

[runfiverun]

s&w makes a dandy 45 acp revolver called the 625.
it's the only s&w i own, good house gun and trail gun too especially loaded up with 250 gr cast, matches the old 45 colt b/p loads pretty well.
it takes auto-rim brass and moon clips your choice or singles if you don't mind poking them out.

[Pepe Ray]

+1 for the SW-625

[ole 5 hole group]

I have both the 66 and 1911. Between the two, I much prefer the 1911 for CCW. As for a trail gun, either one is just fine for where you're going IMO but a nice step up is a 45LC with a 5" barrel.

[DanWalker]

I have a 45 blackhawk with a 5" barrel, but it's a bit much for CCW.
It's a superb trail gun that I have carried in bear country numerous times. Just always looking to shave weight when backpacking.

[9.3X62AL]

My back-country sideiron is a S&W Model 686 x 4", most of the time. I wouldn't feel undergunned at all with a Commander-sized 45 ACP, either--like a Colt Series 70 Commander or a SIG P-220. My own view is that reliability between self-loader and revo is pretty much a "push", and that both 357 Magnum and 45 ACP are pretty close in terms of WHOMP Factor. I wouldn't dismiss a 45 ACP revolver, either.

[Catshooter]

Forty-five ACP is quieter than a .357. An auto (any caliber) will cause most of your brass that is fired on the trail to vanish into the 5th dimension, never to be recovered.

For me, when I add it all up I pick .45, either auto or sixgun.


Cat

[targetshootr]

A 45 wheelgun would probably be a lot lighter than a 357, all else being equal. 357s are noisy and troublesome to load for stubby middle aged fingers. I have no use for em.

[Gray Fox]

I have the 4" 66 and two 4" 625 mountain guns, one in .45 ACP the other in .45 Colt. I agree about the noise and recoil of full house .357 loads.

Rather than trying to push the ACP over the edge, I like the .45 Colt with the RCBS 45-275-SAA bullet that drops at 285 grains of WCWW. That bullet at about 900 fps should handle about anything other than a grizzly. I carry two spare speed loaders, but if I need more than the first six I'm probably in trouble 12 more won't handle. In the .45 ACP I like fast 185 HPs, usually the Lyman Devastator HP of ACWW. Shot to shot recovery is a lot faster than with the heavy Colt loads. YMMV

[captaint]

Concealed carry aside, everybody should have a 1911. I like full size myself. I've had wheelguns for a lot longer and they're great. But there is something about that 1911 chunking them big boolets!!. Mike

[HeavyMetal]

First lets discuss the guns 2 1/2 inch Model 66 Nice gun, barrels to d.... short to make real power! If you buy the gun with a six inch barrel ( remember the original ballistics for this "magic" round came from an 8 3/8's inch barrel!) you can get the "magnum" effect but loose portablity.

Commander 45 auto. good round but not what I would want to bet my A... on if I ran into a bear! Lossing brass when it's fired? Dude your being acosted by a 600 Lb bear and your gonna take time to chase brass? Nervy!

Better choice's are available. As a trail gun were talking carry a lot shoot a little. Any Ruger balck hawk in a caliber 41 or bigger with a 5 inch barrel will do all you need and more!

Want a DA gun? Any model 29 with a 4 inch or better barrel will get the job done!

If your absolutely sure you will not have bear trouble the Commander in 45 is an excellent choice and, as a lefty, The 45 would be my choice.

[crabo]

A commander loaded near max with BD45 boolits would be my choice. I hate shooting a 357 without hearing protection.

[Bret4207]

Aw, you guys altered the question! How about a Charter Bull Dog in 44 Special or a nice Smith M-24 in the same caliber? Or my old favorite Smiff M-1917? That one can even have a lanyard ring and with the Wonder Sight I can put them where I want them.

[MT Gianni]

Owning both a 2.5" 66 and a 5 " kimber the 66 is the easiest to pack and carry.

[Firebricker]

357 or 45 would be good choices but I think a S&W mountain gun in 44mag or 45lc would be ideal IMHO FB

[softpoint]

Hard choice, I have 2 625's that have digested hundreds of .45 Super loads along with target loads. See Sierra's loading manual for .45 revolver loads. Most things that people need a revolver for, 240-250grains of bullet at 1000-1100fps. will do.
And the 625 will do that. You can modify a 1911 for the Super also. Nothing wrong with the .357 either, Easier on lead, smaller frame, I sort of lean towards the .45, though. Maybe a Kimber Target II or a Dan Wesson in 10mm.? Most folks aren't looking for brown bear protection, so there are a lot of choices that should fill the bill:Fire:

[DanWalker]

I'd LOVE a 625, unfortunately I don't have the money to buy one.
Unless I find someone with an extra 625 that wants to swap for a minty 2.5" model 66, I'm stuck with what I have.

[HeavyMetal]

I can certainly understand making due with what you have.

If you have a bear issue I'd consider a re barrel of the 66. If it's a two legger issue than either pistol will work and work well.

Again I'd lean heavy on the commander! More shots, faster reload, flatter profile.

However you can't discount the "Bar-B-Q Factor" of a 2.5 inch 357 shooting full house loads!

Tough choice, good luck.

[softpoint]

Does Dan Wesson (CZ) offer thier commander size 1911 in 10mm? I was thinking they did. That would be a good choice, IMHO, for a combo "woodswalking " gun and conceal carry. True, youd probably lose most of your brass in the woods, and you don't want to lose any more 10mm brass than you have to, you probably won't shoot that many rounds while there.:drinks:

[Kuato]

My trail gun is either a 4" mod 19 or a 6" Taurus 669 in 357. I use my Sig p220 .45 for 2 legged critters in the city...

[MT Gianni]

I believe that even if you are with in known Grizzley country the chance of bear conflict is remote at best. Cougar a little higher and cow Moose with calf is probably the biggest 4 legged risk. I would not like to stop a moose with either the 45 acp or 357. Carry what serves you best. Good luck in your decisions.

[DanWalker]

I have my 45 blackhawk, stoked with hammer boolits loaded over stiff charges of 2400, for my forays in the bear woods.
I'm just always interested in other people's opinions on the subject.
I doubt I'll find anything that fit's my wilderness needs better than that combination.
Just looking at other crossover CCW/trail guns.
I don't backpack in the bear woods much anymore. It's just too much of a pain, trying to keep from running afoul of them.

[Thumbcocker]

I would go with the 66 because of the different loads it will chamber. Light wc's for plinking or squirrel sized critters, snake shot, 125 grn jhp's to repel boarders, and heavy stuff for whatever. One thing no one has mentioned is that ammo for the 66 weighs less than .45 ammo.

I really like the mtm ammo wallets. 18 rounds of ammo in a dust and water resistant container that won't rattle. Two ammo wallets and 6 in the gun takes up little room.

My experince with m66 snubbies is that they can be quite accurate if you can hang onto the little suckers. Ross Seifried wrote about one that he carried for many years that he made long shots with.

I had good results in .357's with cast wc's. They will penetrate.

FWIW