Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

World at War .357 Magnum

PistolsUnlocked at Level 49No weapon camos
Pistols.357 Magnum — Call of Duty: World at War (2008) weapon render

How do you unlock the .357 Magnum?

The .357 Magnum unlocks at Level 49 in Call of Duty: World at War (2008). It is the only multiplayer pistol with a higher damage profile than the four standard semi-automatics. Its six-round cylinder and slower reload make missed shots expensive, but deliberate hits give it the best pistol reach and finishing power. World at War multiplayer has no selectable weapon camos; Expert headshot challenges award XP only.

UnlockLevel 49
Weapon camosNot in this game

Reviewed July 26, 2026. Weapon ranks and Marksman requirements were checked against original World at War multiplayer rank and challenge tables plus contemporaneous platform guides; historical models were cross-checked against museum and firearm-reference records. Loadout advice is editorial. Multiplayer only — not Campaign, Zombies, Call of Duty: WWII (2017), or later games.

Sources: Official World at War manual · Prima official game guide sample · Contemporaneous multiplayer guide · World at War challenge reference · Weapon camouflage reference

How does the .357 Magnum play in World at War?

RoleHigh-damage precision sidearm
Real-world basisSmith & Wesson .357 revolver with Model 27 and Registered Magnum traits
StrengthsHighest damage and best minimum damage in the pistol group; Medium penetration and useful reach beyond the standard sidearms
TradeoffsSix-round cylinder leaves little room for misses; Slow reload and demanding sight picture
Setup notesNone. World at War pistols do not have individual attachment tracks
Challenge noteClass-wide Pistol Marksman requires 25, 50 and 100 kills; Pistol Expert requires 5, 15 and 35 headshots. These challenges award XP only, with no attachments or camos.
Use tipFire deliberately and reload behind cover. The power advantage disappears when two rounds are wasted before contact.
Compared withChoose it for power and reach; choose a standard semi-automatic for eight rounds and faster recovery after a reload.

No multiplayer weapon camos — Expert headshot challenges award XP, not skins. See the camo, perk and Pack-a-Punch distinctions.

Read the camo explainer

.357 Magnum — common questions

What level does the .357 Magnum unlock at in World at War?

The .357 Magnum unlocks at Level 49 in Call of Duty: World at War (2008) multiplayer. The level cap is 65, and prestige is up to 10 on all main multiplayer platforms.

Does the .357 Magnum take camos?

No — the .357 Magnum cannot equip weapon camouflage in Call of Duty: World at War (2008). It has no individual attachment unlock track. Class-wide Pistol Marksman requires 25, 50 and 100 kills; Pistol Expert requires 5, 15 and 35 headshots. These challenges award XP only, with no attachments or camos.

Can you unlock the .357 Magnum for me?

Yes — our World at War Unlock All service covers prestige 1-10, max level 65, every weapon, attachment, perk and challenge unlocked, plus colored classes (Xbox 360), from $9.99. See the service.

More Pistols

All Call of Duty: World at War (2008) weapons →
Nambu — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)NambuLevel 1 · PistolsWalther P38 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)Walther P38Level 2 · PistolsColt M1911 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)Colt M1911Level 3 · PistolsTokarev TT-33 — Call of Duty: World at War (2008)Tokarev TT-33Level 21 · Pistols

Skip the grind

Our World at War Unlock All service includes prestige 1-10, max level 65, every weapon, attachment, perk and challenge unlocked, plus colored classes (Xbox 360), from $9.99.

See World at War servicesSee exact inclusions on the service page