I have been putting together some grab n' go 72 hour survival kits. I am looking to purchase a stainless steel .357 magnum revolver in like-new or new condition for about $300. What options are available? What do you think of the Taurus Model 65 or the Ruger SP101 with a 3" barrel?
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.357 for Survival Kit
- Thread starter dkochan
- Start date
dkochan...
Any of the revolvers mentioned would be good choices. However, you may want to take a look at what you feel your most pressing need will be in a firearm for a 72 hr go bag. Since this is a very short term bag, you are probably more interested in an easily concealable firearm which would point towards the Ruger SP101 IMHO. I have one and it is a nice piece.
The S&W M66 (and all Smith K-frames for that matter) is one of my favorites but it is a little harder to conceal, and would be more suitable towards a slightly longer and perhaps more open carry.
For a quick and short-term response the Ruger should be quite adequate.
Any of the revolvers mentioned would be good choices. However, you may want to take a look at what you feel your most pressing need will be in a firearm for a 72 hr go bag. Since this is a very short term bag, you are probably more interested in an easily concealable firearm which would point towards the Ruger SP101 IMHO. I have one and it is a nice piece.
The S&W M66 (and all Smith K-frames for that matter) is one of my favorites but it is a little harder to conceal, and would be more suitable towards a slightly longer and perhaps more open carry.
For a quick and short-term response the Ruger should be quite adequate.
revolvergeek
New member
Of your original two I would go with the SP101 over the Taurus simply because i have seen some Taurus QC problems lately and am a little spooked by them.
Personaly, I would go with a used 3" S&W 65 or a 2.5" S&W 66. Easier to shoot than the SP101, not much harder to conceal, and gives you one more shot. These are basically the same size and weight as the Taurus 65, so if you are comfortable with the fit and finish on it, go for that. You might also look at a Taurus 617, 7 shots of .357 mag in roughly the same sized gun.
I would also suggest that you consider a decent .22lr to add to your kit as well. You may find in a survival situation that there are things that you will want to shoot without making as much noise and fuss about it as the .357mag would.
Personaly, I would go with a used 3" S&W 65 or a 2.5" S&W 66. Easier to shoot than the SP101, not much harder to conceal, and gives you one more shot. These are basically the same size and weight as the Taurus 65, so if you are comfortable with the fit and finish on it, go for that. You might also look at a Taurus 617, 7 shots of .357 mag in roughly the same sized gun.
I would also suggest that you consider a decent .22lr to add to your kit as well. You may find in a survival situation that there are things that you will want to shoot without making as much noise and fuss about it as the .357mag would.
I feel that a longer length barrel would do better, at least a 4" and preferable a 6" barrel.
Seriously consider that a Survival Kit may be all you will have access to again, for an unknown amount of time, including SHTF scenarios. How can you guarantee that you will only need this for 72 hours and that you will be able to get to your safe house?
Maybe your home/farm/land got blown away in a tornado/earthquake/explosion or whatever. If things got really bad, a snubby just does not have the same accuracy & intimidation factor as a full size.
I do agree that a .22LR would make a good addition for small game hunting.
Seriously consider that a Survival Kit may be all you will have access to again, for an unknown amount of time, including SHTF scenarios. How can you guarantee that you will only need this for 72 hours and that you will be able to get to your safe house?
Maybe your home/farm/land got blown away in a tornado/earthquake/explosion or whatever. If things got really bad, a snubby just does not have the same accuracy & intimidation factor as a full size.
I do agree that a .22LR would make a good addition for small game hunting.
Brian Williams
New member
My suggestion in the taurus line would be the tracker, in either 4 or 6 SS it has 7 shots and a mid sized frame with a ported barrel.
You can get speed loaders and a cheap nylon carry holster. mine shoots 158 gr LSWC to the same point of aim as my 158 gr JHP.
You can get speed loaders and a cheap nylon carry holster. mine shoots 158 gr LSWC to the same point of aim as my 158 gr JHP.
exilefromhell
New member
I didn't want to detract from what you were saying here, so I posted a question on something you said in general. I hope that you don't mind.
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=90548
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=90548
Ruger GP-100 (either blue or stainless) in 3, 4, or 6 inch barrel length is ideal. GP-100s are probably the most reliable and durable .357 available, with excellent quality, accuracy, design simplicity, and "bank vault" ruggedness.
The other revolvers mentioned are excellent -- no question about it -- but a SHTF situation by definition demands the utmost in reliability and endurance . . . that's the GP-100's competitive forte.
In addition, GP-100s meet you price range and you can opt for the three inch barrel (better concealment), the four inch barrel (best all around utility), or the six inch barrel (increased accuracy and velocity, perfect for .357 hunting).
The other revolvers mentioned are excellent -- no question about it -- but a SHTF situation by definition demands the utmost in reliability and endurance . . . that's the GP-100's competitive forte.
In addition, GP-100s meet you price range and you can opt for the three inch barrel (better concealment), the four inch barrel (best all around utility), or the six inch barrel (increased accuracy and velocity, perfect for .357 hunting).
Ben Shepherd
New member
4" GP100.
Built like a tank, shoots anything thats ever been built in 357mag/38 ammo.
Built like a tank, shoots anything thats ever been built in 357mag/38 ammo.