If someone is shooting at you with a .357 Magnum...where is the best cover? - Page 2

auberg · February 9, 2006, 07:26 PM

many years ago, I read someplace that US postal service mailboxes usually make good cover. I don't know if that's true or not, but its a thought.

BillCA · February 11, 2006, 02:26 AM

The standard round-topped blue USPS mailboxes make for adequate cover against typical handgun ammunition. They're built out of sturdy steel that will certainly impede a bullet's flight. Not so good against .357 Mag or .357 Sig, 10mm, .41/.44 mags and the little 7.62x25mm at under 25 yards. But even these rounds are slowed up quite a bit by that steel.

Mailboxes shouldn't be considered cover against a rifle or shotgun slugs however.

Speaking of cover -- dumpsters make pretty good cover, especially if they're more than 1/2 full!

Para Bellum · February 11, 2006, 03:39 AM

...behind any accurate firearm you had practiced enough with.

Pinky Carruthers · February 11, 2006, 04:13 AM

The Fortress of Solitude.

Psycho Magnet · February 11, 2006, 04:38 AM

I'm with texdawg. Hell, she's big enough to stop a Panzer.

Ghost Rider · February 11, 2006, 07:31 AM

Behind a wheel of a motor vehicle maybe. Seems like it could be enough. Mailbox I doubt but take whatever is closest I guess.

m14nut · February 11, 2006, 08:18 AM

Hide behind a shrubbery!

And call in the Killer Rabbit!

erh · February 11, 2006, 09:22 AM

I'd like to "hide" far behind the giving end of a Claymore Mine; but thats just me... (erh)

OneInTheChamber · February 11, 2006, 04:25 PM

Behind the wall of lead I will be putting out....

Just kidding of course.

If there is no suitable cover in the area I'll just start running while thinking "There's no place like home, there's no place like home!"

I think if for the first time you take incoming fire, it's not going to matter what to you what caliber it is. I don't want to get shot by a .22 and more or less than I want to get shot by a .50.

Or maybe Rosie O'Donnel could be on scene to provide a "great wall" for me to hide behind.

pickpocket · February 11, 2006, 10:42 PM

Behind one of the other poor bastards that already got shot.

Double Naught Spy · February 12, 2006, 03:34 PM

If someone is shooting at you with a .357 mag, where is the best cover?

This is a trick question, isn't it? The answer is the same no matter the caliber. The unequivocal best cover regardless of caliber is behind the breech face. D'uh. It is the best cover because the bullets can't penetrate it when fired. In fact, they won't even be able to travel the short distance to contact the breech face.

atlctyslkr · June 25, 2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Speaking of cover -- dumpsters make pretty good cover, especially if they're more than 1/2 full!

It always seems to work in the movies (hiding behind dumpsters). I would take any cover I could get for starters and then maybe try to "trade up" to better cover after I assessed the situation. I carry a 357 so maybe this BG should start looking for cover from me!

tINY · June 26, 2006, 04:02 AM

I'd make sure to stay out of his path - He'll be running away coming out of a bank (just creating confusion for his escape).

Barring that, Go to ground. It's quick to get to and makes you pretty small. Use other cover if available....

-tINY

snolden · June 26, 2006, 08:54 PM

Remember once you hit that first cover: look for the next piece of cover, then the next and so on.

It really helps if you keep cover in mind as you walk around everyday, cause you never know when this is gonna happen. That is called condition yellow.

profshadow · June 26, 2006, 09:07 PM

Simple, BEHIND the end of the .357 that has the hole in it

Time to be a chameleon and just blend into the grass?

5whiskey · June 26, 2006, 09:53 PM

No matter what anyone says, a .357 will not go clean through an engine block. Very few rifles, even shooting FMJ, will go through an engine block. 50BMG will, anything under that and you'll be safe (MAYBE A .338 Lapula with FMJ, MAYBE). As far as that goes, you're pretty safe from .357 (or any other pistol cartridge) behind anything concrete or double coursed brick or block. A normal sheetrock wall won't help much, but a decent sized tree or anything pretty solid and thick and you'll be safe. Solid and thick as in a car door or two won't work.

Now, a rifle is different. Pray... Hard. And do what makes sense by at least seeking what cover you can and fleeing. Concrete should still do the job. Concrete 6" thick or so should stop most small to medium rifle rounds (.30-06 or smaller). The problem is that repeated hits will eventually eat through your cover pretty quick. Anyhoo, the rest should be common sense.

Raptor5191 · June 29, 2006, 05:48 PM

Try to place your upper body inline with an engine block while protecting your legs and feet with one of the wheels.

U.S.SFC_RET · July 1, 2006, 06:31 PM

I doubt if Dumpsters will probably stop a 357 magnum. I have seen AKs go through better steel than that. I know a 357 isn't an AK but it's food for thought.

Double Naught Spy · July 3, 2006, 04:33 AM

Actually, we have fired quite a feW rounds through, er, at an engine block, including .50 bmg ball, tracer, AP, and API at distances where the AP penetates 500 Brinnel steel targets. Engine blocks are good cover as the rounds have trouble penetrating multiple compartments of the cylinders, valves, oil, coolant, etc.

brj · July 3, 2006, 07:50 AM

I think using a mailbox for cover would be a great plan because everyone knows that it's a federal offense to damage one. So you would be safe there..

tony pasley · July 3, 2006, 07:39 PM

best covor is behind the armored car that just dropped off the money

taybri · July 8, 2006, 01:31 PM

Just a few inches of earth will stop a .357, or most anything else. The best cover is behind some earth, ie. in a ditch, behind a mound, etc. Use some micro-terrain. There is a reason people who prepare defenses use sand bags. Masonry fractures, steel can be penetrated and sends fragments flying. Dirt and sand soak up rounds and stop them fast.

foodchainking · July 8, 2006, 03:21 PM

Best place to hide is behing a 1911 .45 ACP

orionengnr · July 8, 2006, 05:59 PM

As has been well documented...

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...hlight=shovels

wolfdog45 · July 8, 2006, 07:17 PM

Hide behind the car engine and tire. If you are packing a firearm yourself wait till the suspect is at hitting distance and nail him.
Or just keep your head down and pray.

February 9, 2006, 07:26 PM	#26
auberg Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2005 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 243	many years ago, I read someplace that US postal service mailboxes usually make good cover. I don't know if that's true or not, but its a thought. __________________ "I don't have to like it, I just have to do it."

February 11, 2006, 02:26 AM	#27
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	The standard round-topped blue USPS mailboxes make for adequate cover against typical handgun ammunition. They're built out of sturdy steel that will certainly impede a bullet's flight. Not so good against .357 Mag or .357 Sig, 10mm, .41/.44 mags and the little 7.62x25mm at under 25 yards. But even these rounds are slowed up quite a bit by that steel. Mailboxes shouldn't be considered cover against a rifle or shotgun slugs however. Speaking of cover -- dumpsters make pretty good cover, especially if they're more than 1/2 full! __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)

February 11, 2006, 03:39 AM	#28
Para Bellum Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2005 Location: right there Posts: 1,882	...behind any accurate firearm you had practiced enough with. __________________ Si vis pacem - para bellum If you want peace - prepare for war

February 11, 2006, 04:13 AM	#29
Pinky Carruthers Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2004 Location: Rocky Mountains Posts: 649	The Fortress of Solitude. __________________ "Love lost, fire at will Dum Dum bullets and shoot to kill I hear dive bombers, and Empire down." SOM

February 11, 2006, 08:18 AM	#32
m14nut Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2002 Location: United States Posts: 375	Hide behind a shrubbery! And call in the Killer Rabbit! __________________ Support Our Troops -o\[[[[[[[/o-

February 11, 2006, 04:38 AM	#30
Psycho Magnet Junior Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Location: Palm Bay, Florida Posts: 7	I'm with texdawg. Hell, she's big enough to stop a Panzer.

February 11, 2006, 07:31 AM	#31
Ghost Rider Junior Member Join Date: December 16, 2005 Posts: 8	Behind a wheel of a motor vehicle maybe. Seems like it could be enough. Mailbox I doubt but take whatever is closest I guess.

February 11, 2006, 09:22 AM	#33
erh Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2005 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 158	I'd like to "hide" far behind the giving end of a Claymore Mine; but thats just me... (erh)

February 11, 2006, 04:25 PM	#34
OneInTheChamber Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2005 Posts: 789	Behind the wall of lead I will be putting out.... Just kidding of course. If there is no suitable cover in the area I'll just start running while thinking "There's no place like home, there's no place like home!" I think if for the first time you take incoming fire, it's not going to matter what to you what caliber it is. I don't want to get shot by a .22 and more or less than I want to get shot by a .50. Or maybe Rosie O'Donnel could be on scene to provide a "great wall" for me to hide behind. __________________ Insert witty, comical, and/or significant quote here.

February 11, 2006, 10:42 PM	#35
pickpocket Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 570	Behind one of the other poor bastards that already got shot. __________________ Semper Fi- David Williams "Sabah al khair -- ismee Dave, ahnee al Shayṭān"

February 12, 2006, 03:34 PM	#36
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	If someone is shooting at you with a .357 mag, where is the best cover? This is a trick question, isn't it? The answer is the same no matter the caliber. The unequivocal best cover regardless of caliber is behind the breech face. D'uh. It is the best cover because the bullets can't penetrate it when fired. In fact, they won't even be able to travel the short distance to contact the breech face. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

June 26, 2006, 04:02 AM	#38
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	I'd make sure to stay out of his path - He'll be running away coming out of a bank (just creating confusion for his escape). Barring that, Go to ground. It's quick to get to and makes you pretty small. Use other cover if available.... -tINY

June 26, 2006, 08:54 PM	#39
snolden Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2006 Location: N. E. AZ Posts: 387	Remember once you hit that first cover: look for the next piece of cover, then the next and so on. It really helps if you keep cover in mind as you walk around everyday, cause you never know when this is gonna happen. That is called condition yellow.

June 26, 2006, 09:07 PM	#40
profshadow Junior Member Join Date: June 17, 2006 Posts: 11	Simple, BEHIND the end of the .357 that has the hole in it Time to be a chameleon and just blend into the grass?

June 26, 2006, 09:53 PM	#41
5whiskey Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2005 Location: US Posts: 3,652	Another thing. No matter what anyone says, a .357 will not go clean through an engine block. Very few rifles, even shooting FMJ, will go through an engine block. 50BMG will, anything under that and you'll be safe (MAYBE A .338 Lapula with FMJ, MAYBE). As far as that goes, you're pretty safe from .357 (or any other pistol cartridge) behind anything concrete or double coursed brick or block. A normal sheetrock wall won't help much, but a decent sized tree or anything pretty solid and thick and you'll be safe. Solid and thick as in a car door or two won't work. Now, a rifle is different. Pray... Hard. And do what makes sense by at least seeking what cover you can and fleeing. Concrete should still do the job. Concrete 6" thick or so should stop most small to medium rifle rounds (.30-06 or smaller). The problem is that repeated hits will eventually eat through your cover pretty quick. Anyhoo, the rest should be common sense.

June 29, 2006, 05:48 PM	#42
Raptor5191 Member Join Date: June 29, 2006 Location: Carrollton, TX Posts: 34	Try to place your upper body inline with an engine block while protecting your legs and feet with one of the wheels.

July 1, 2006, 06:31 PM	#43
U.S.SFC_RET Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2005 Location: The Old line State Posts: 282	I doubt if Dumpsters will probably stop a 357 magnum. I have seen AKs go through better steel than that. I know a 357 isn't an AK but it's food for thought. __________________ 1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded. 2. Never point a firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot. 3. Keep the finger off the trigger and firearm on safe until ready to shoot. 4. Know the target and what's beyond it.

July 3, 2006, 04:33 AM	#44
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	Actually, we have fired quite a feW rounds through, er, at an engine block, including .50 bmg ball, tracer, AP, and API at distances where the AP penetates 500 Brinnel steel targets. Engine blocks are good cover as the rounds have trouble penetrating multiple compartments of the cylinders, valves, oil, coolant, etc. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

July 3, 2006, 07:50 AM	#45
brj Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2004 Location: WV Posts: 113	I think using a mailbox for cover would be a great plan because everyone knows that it's a federal offense to damage one. So you would be safe there..

July 3, 2006, 07:39 PM	#46
tony pasley Senior Member Join Date: April 13, 2006 Location: western north carolina Posts: 1,641	best covor is behind the armored car that just dropped off the money

July 8, 2006, 01:31 PM	#47
taybri Member Join Date: July 7, 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 18	Best cover Just a few inches of earth will stop a .357, or most anything else. The best cover is behind some earth, ie. in a ditch, behind a mound, etc. Use some micro-terrain. There is a reason people who prepare defenses use sand bags. Masonry fractures, steel can be penetrated and sends fragments flying. Dirt and sand soak up rounds and stop them fast.

July 8, 2006, 03:21 PM	#48
foodchainking Junior member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Posts: 16	Best place to hide is behing a 1911 .45 ACP

July 8, 2006, 05:59 PM	#49
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,173	behind a shovel! As has been well documented... http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...hlight=shovels

July 8, 2006, 07:17 PM	#50
wolfdog45 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 324	Hide behind the car engine and tire. If you are packing a firearm yourself wait till the suspect is at hitting distance and nail him. Or just keep your head down and pray.