Smith & Wesson has assembled an “Emergency Survival Tool Kit” that revolves around their 460PD or 500PD revolvers, it is available with either. S&W’s Herb Belin, who developed this kit, emphasizes the short and very powerful .460 S&W and .500 S&W Magnum handguns as defense against bears. The idea of the snub nose is that it allows easy use even if attacked while in your sleeping bag in a tent, according to Herb. A longer barrel would make it more difficult to use in such a confined place and at point blank range, accuracy isn’t that much of an issue. That’s not an unheard of occurance, so he has a point.

The revolvers is equipped with a 2.75 inch unported barrel and a bright yellow Hogue Recoil Reducing Grip. Unless they are truly magic, best be prepared for a very sore hand after firing this one on the range. Anyone with a weak grip need not apply.

S&W Survival Kit

The remainder of the kit includes: an Ultimate Survival Blastmatch firestarter and four packages of WetFire tinder, Ultimate Survival Saber Saw, Jet Scream whistle and 2 x 3 StarFlash signal mirror, a Silva Polaris baseplate compass, two MPI Mylar Space Emergency Blankets (Note to Herb, see above article) and a Smith & Wesson Extreme Ops liner lock folding knife. Also included is the book, “Bear Attacks of the Century - True Stories of Courage and Survival” by Larry Mueller and Marguerite Reiss; just in case you weren’t paranoid enough about bears. All this is packed into a fitted bright yellow Harddig Storm Case. A ballistic nylon holster for the revolver is included. MSRP is $1150.

S&W Survival Kit 02

How practical is this kit? Well, individually, the componets are generally very good and ought to be carried on your person for use if needed. If you are traveling into bear country, a powerful firearm is advisable. While a rifle or shotgun with slugs is preferred, most of those we know that travel in such areas also carry a powerful handgun and you’d be hard pressed to find one more powerful than these two.