Smith & Wesson Model 500
The Smith & Wesson Model 500 is a five-shot, single action/double-action large caliber revolver produced by Smith & Wesson, firing the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge, a .50 caliber bullet.
It is built on S&W's largest frame, the X-Frame, which was developed because none of S&W's existing double-action frame designs could handle the muzzle energy and pressures generated by the .500 S&W cartridge.[2] It is the most powerful production revolver in the world today, and it is being marketed as being "the world's most powerful handgun" by the manufacturer.[3] There are a few larger revolvers, like the Pfeifer Zeliska .600 Nitro Express revolver, however none of them are a "production" revolver. The Model 500 can fire a bullet weighing 350 gr ( 22.7 g; 0.8 oz) at 1975 feet per second (602 m/s) generating a muzzle energy of over 3,030 foot-pounds force (4.1 kJ).
Articles, statements, and opinions vary widely on this firearm. Any of the available bullet weights can be relied on to take game at a range in excess of 200 yards (183 m), a feat matched by only a handful of other handguns.[citation needed] The advanced design of the firearm helps in counteracting recoil felt by the shooter. This includes the sheer weight of the firearm, use of rubber grips, the forward balance, and the use of a compensator. On certain S&W Performance Center models the compensator is replaced with a full muzzle brake.
Like most big caliber handguns the Model 500 is suitable for sport and hunting applications. The high energy of these rounds make it possible to hunt extremely large African game successfully.[4]
Like any gun, proper supervision is required for novice shooters; however, due to the extremely high recoil, novice shooters should be especially coached while shooting this gun.[5][6] Another hazard is the gasses generated as they escape the cylinder which can present a risk of injury to a shooter using an improper grip, as demonstrated in an episode of the Discovery Channel series MythBusters-Wikipedia.
| Smith & Wesson Model 500 | |
|---|---|
A comparison of the Smith & Wesson Model 500 (above) and its .44 magnum sibling, the Model 629 (below). The difference in size between the .44 magnum and the .500 magnum cartridges is also shown.
| |
| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2002–2003 |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Produced | 2003–present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 56 oz (1.59 kg) to 82 oz (2.32 kg)[1] |
| Barrel length |
|
| Cartridge | .500 S&W Magnum |
| Action | Double action |
| Muzzle velocity | Approx. 2075 ft/sec. (632 m/s) |
| Effective range | 50 m |
| Maximum range | 100 m |
| Feed system | 5-round cylinder |
| Sights | Iron sights, night sights |
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