it's not that it's even a little bigger, it's a whole lot bigger and in the typical guns ya shoot the 45 colt with moderate loads really doesn't kick more unless it's a FA which the 357 is lighter and the 357 can be run harder and is a very very viable hunting weapon but the 45 colt really doesn't kick harder until ya ramp it up significantly. you made that point nicely. heck, my 15 yo daughter that is 100lbs soaking wet shoots 45 colts just fine, that said she handles moderate 454 loads ok as well with shooting gloves of course, but nice point and made really well. the other guy didn't really give much to think about and it wasn't much of a debate imho.