.357 Magnum Revolver

The .357 magnum revolver is a weapon in Fallout: New Vegas.

Characteristics
The .357 magnum revolver is a single action, fixed-cylinder revolver that fires .357 magnum and .38 special rounds. It has an average firing rate, but makes up for it with a somewhat more powerful damage output. Its fixed cylinder is reloaded by hand one round at a time through the loading gate, and a complete reload takes significantly longer than with most other revolvers. However, the process can be interrupted after at least one round is loaded and the gun fired immediately. The rapid-reload perk does help somewhat, but will not eliminate the problem.

The iron sights are low to the gun with hardly any protrusion, and thus are suited more to close-range combat. The .357 cannot jam, making it a reliable weapon. It is considered an improved holdout weapon, and can be concealed and taken into weapon-free locations with 50 or greater Sneak skill. The .357 magnum revolver can be an effective weapon in earlier levels, as there is an abundance of both the weapon itself and its associated ammunition types. Its utility decreases once the player starts encountering tougher enemies that require multiple shots to bring down and he/she often finding him/herself retreating from enemies as they endure the long reload animation.

The .357 magnum revolver is visually represented as a somewhat worn, medium-gray revolver. While the action and barrel are constructed of steel or iron, the grip appears to be carved from an antler. Some two hundred years ago this was likely a fine, highly performing weapon, but years of elemental and human abuse have eroded the pistol, leaving it a weathered, though still serviceable revolver.

Durability
The .357 magnum revolver can fire a total of about 995 standard rounds, the equivalent of 166 reloads, from full condition before breaking. When modded with the heavy duty cylinder, it can fire a total of about 1495 standard rounds, the equivalent of 250 reloads, from full condition before breaking.

Weapon modifications

 * .357 magnum revolver long barrel - increases the weapon's damage by 3.
 * .357 revolver heavy duty cylinder - increases the weapon's durability by 50%.

Variants

 * Lucky - A unique .357 revolver that can be found in a hard locked safe in the Bison Steve Hotel in Primm.
 * Police pistol - A smaller revolver that can be repaired with .357 magnum revolvers.

Locations

 * Aerotech Office Park - in the locked (difficulty is level dependent) bathroom in Aerotech suite 300.
 * Black Mountain - on the body of a dead NCR trooper, located on the road leading up to the summit.
 * Goodsprings has an abundance of .357 magnums. Trudy, Chet, Easy Pete, Goodsprings settlers and Joe Cobb all carry one, and an additional one is sitting in a glass behind the bar in the Prospector Saloon.
 * Goodsprings Cemetery - one might spawn in one of the graves, a shovel is needed to dig it out.
 * Gun Runners - the Vendortron sells them.
 * HELIOS One - Lieutenant Haggerty carries one.
 * Klamath Bob's Liquor Store, Westside - behind the counter along with some ammunition.
 * Monte Carlo Suites - on the body of a dead gambler, located in the ruins to the east.
 * Nipton - One can be found on the bottom shelf of a workbench inside one of the houses.
 * During the quest Birds of a Feather, the suicide bomber carries one.
 * Kings members might carry one.
 * Powder Gangers might also carry one.
 * Sold by merchants at low levels.

Behind the scenes
The .357 magnum revolver is based on the Colt Single Action Army, with a few other guns used as a reference.

Bugs

 * If loading a saved game from the main menu in which you have the .357 magnum revolver equipped and drawn, the reload animation takes twice as long as normal. This can be solved by simply switching to another gun and then back again.
 * Occasionally when using the .357 magnum in V.A.T.S. you will stand still and do nothing.
 * If Ammo type is changed to a type of ammunition that you have less than 6 of and the ammunition type loaded before you changed had 6 loaded then the player will continue to play the reload animation forever.