Smith & Wesson Model 500

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 This article needs additional citations for verification.
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2007)
Smith & Wesson Model 500

Type Revolver
Place of origin Flag of the United States United States
Production history
Manufacturer Smith & Wesson
Produced 2003
Variants See Variants
Specifications
Weight varies
Barrel length
  • 4 in (102 mm) (500S)
  • 8 3/4 in (222 mm)
  • 10.5 in (267 mm)
Cartridge .500 S&W Magnum
Action Double action
S&W Model 500 being fired at night
S&W Model 500 being fired at night

The Model 500 Revolver is a five-shot, double-action revolver produced by Smith & Wesson, firing the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge.

It is built on S&W's largest frame, the X-Frame. The manufacturer claims it is the "most powerful production revolver in the world today".[1] The Pfeifer Zeliska .600 Nitro Express revolver is more powerful but it is not a "production" revolver. The Model 500 can fire a bullet weighing 440 grains (28.5 g) with a muzzle energy of more than 2,600 foot-pounds force (3.5 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.

Contents

[edit] Variants

  • Model 500ES: 2 3/4" barrel, stainless steel emergency survival revolver.[2]
  • Model 500: 4" barrel, stainless steel.[3]
  • Model 500: 8 3/8" barrel, stainless steel with standard csompensator.[1]
  • Model 500 HIVIZ®: 8 3/8" barrel, stainless steel with interchangeable compensator.[4]
  • Model 500: 10" Lothar-Walther custom German rifle barrel, matte finish stainless steel.[5]

Other variants are available through the Smith & Wesson's Performance Center. Like all Smith & Wesson revolvers other "custom" variants are available on special production runs with a minimum order of 500 units. An example is the John Ross performance center 5" which features a 5" barrel with an external muzzle nut and a millet dovetail front sight.

As seen in the above picture, the recoil from the large .500 S&W caliber cartridge is very strong.
As seen in the above picture, the recoil from the large .500 S&W caliber cartridge is very strong.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Smith & Wesson Model 500 - 8 3/8"" barrel. Smith & Wesson. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
  2. ^ Smith & Wesson Model 500ES - 2 3/4" barrel. Smith & Wesson. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
  3. ^ Smith & Wesson Model 500 4 barrel". Smith & Wesson. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
  4. ^ Smith & Wesson Model 500 HIVIZ®: 8 3/8" barrel. Smith & Wesson. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
  5. ^ Smith & Wesson Model 500 10" barrel. Smith & Wesson. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.

[edit] External links

Smith & Wesson poduct page. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.