The .357 Magnum for Survival: You Can’t Do Better

alloutdoor.com ^ | 5/13/2015 | Pat Cascio

[rktman]

As a martial arts/firearms’ instructor, I’m often asked what constitutes the “best” gun for a survival situation. My stock answer is, “A good .357 Magnum stainless steel revolver with a 4-inch barrel.” However, when asked this question at other times, I’ll simply tell the person that the gun they are carrying is the “best” because it’s what they are carrying at the time they might need it.

But really, when it comes to the .357 Magnum, there isn’t a better gun/ammo combination anyone could ask for in an all-around “best” gun set-up. I don’t make this statement lightly, either. The .357 Magnum round in a good, solid, stainless steel revolver can put meat on the table or save your bacon if need be.

[advertising guy]

self ping

[Thud]

I've had a stainless 4"barrel Ruger 100 for almost year. It's my first and only handgun. My wife has small hands and chose a 101 with a 3" barrel They've been great fun with .38 only. I've fired about 900 rounds and she has fired about 400. She had a problem with a heavy trigger pull on her 101, which was definitely more than mine, and the gun shop fixed it right away. She's much more accurate than I am, but takes a lot more time to get any shot off.

We have them only for target shooting fun.

All the rounds we've fired have been Magtech 158gr. Those were only FMJ until recently when I got some semi-jacketed hollow-point which gave us both _jamming_ problems. Revolvers are not supposed to jam. Ever. I think the cartridge casing of the SJHP is very susceptible to overheating when firing more than 15-20 rounds.

I got some more FMJ and we'll try out a mix of the two types of rounds at an indoor range today. If the SJHP still gives us problems, I'll sell it for whatever I can get, and replace it with some .357 for self-defense purposes.

[Herosmith]

I own a SW .357. Have you ever shot that sucker WITHOUT ear protection? My idiot son did once and almost dropped the weapon from the pain.

[M Kehoe]

Good afternoon. I have some comments, fwiw...

She had a problem with a heavy trigger pull

The First lady also. Me, not so much. She adapted with much range time. Now, we can't get to the range as often...

Revolvers are not supposed to jam.

True. We have never had a problem with the GP 100 jamming. My best guess is 400 rounds no problem...although rough on the hand of the First lady.

Your are doing good. For example a .25 might be right for the lady to carry in her purse, but if its holstered, you want a .357.

Each to his own I guess.

5.56mm

[SampleMan]

When you start with a rifle, not many people with a pistol will be taking it away from you.

[SampleMan]

I can at this very moment walk in and purchase more .22 LR for $100 than you can buy .357 for the same amount. I can also easily carry 1,000 rds in my pack and all my gear. How much .357 can you do the same with? If I have to defend from a bear, a .357 pistol outperforms a .22 rifle. I’m had pressed to identify another such situation.

[painter]

I know they have gotten EXPENSIVE. Maybe because Rick on the show "Walking Dead" uses one.

I have heard they are one of the finest revolvers ever made.

[Parley Baer]

Well, I have close at hand a Ruger GP100 .357 with a 4” barrel. A Para Ordinance 45acp with a 13 round magazine and a S&W Model 1917 in 45ACP.

[Yardstick]

I hear him saying Smith & Wesson model 66. Or maybe 686 but the 66 is better looking IMO.

[semaj]

"Ruger GP 100 (6") is an excellent revolver"

Yes it is. I dropped a running coyote at 60 yards with a single shot from mine. Yeah I know, lucky shot.

[M Kehoe]

I dropped a running coyote at 60 yards with a single shot from mine. Yeah I know, lucky shot.

Awesome, can I see the carcass?

I don't have to say j/k.

Very accurate weapon.

5.56mm

[Delta 21]

This guy will fix you up.

[Lurker]

I recently acquired a 4” nickel plated Python from that period. What a fantastic gun it is.

L

[semaj]

"Awesome, can I see the carcass?"

Sorry, don't have any pics, but my huntin' buddyv was there to verify the shot with a GP100 4"

[rktman]

Nice. Thanks.

[FreedomPoster]

Fair enough, I guess I need to start looking harder. I will admit I gave up for a while there, and only take a glance in the case at Wal-Mart if I’m there. Mine hasn’t had it.

[yarddog]

I once killed a coyote at 110 paces with a Redhawk in .44 mag. I hit him right between the eyes. That is exactly where I was aiming too. This was when I lived in Western, KS.

It was out the window of a pickup. Although I knew it was a coyote when I fired, for just an instance I thought “what if I killed some farmer’s pet German Shepherd”?.

Yes it was a lucky shot.

[circlecity]

"I will admit I gave up for a while there, and only take a glance in the case at Wal-Mart if I’m there. Mine hasn’t had it."

Neither has mine, but .357 and .38 is becoming plentiful Wal-Mart and that hasn't been the case for a few years.

[Big Red Badger]

You got .22 ?

Or you just shooting off you’re mouth?

[jy8z]

I picked up a S&W 686 with a 6" barrel in stainless at my local gun shop just to see how it felt in my hand. I had to have it. I really could not afford it at the time but lucky for me they have lay-a-way there. A few sacrifices and three months later I brought it home. It is a fun gun to shoot. There's just something about a S&W revolver in stainless that I cannot resist.