Smith & Wesson Model 500
| 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 |
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|
| |
| Cartridge | .500 S&W Magnum |
| Action | Double action |
| Muzzle velocity | Approx. 2075 ft/sec. (632 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 50 m |
| Maximum firing range | 100 m |
| Feed system | 5-round cylinder |
| Sights | Iron sights, night sights |
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. 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.
Variants
- Model 500ES: 2¾" barrel, stainless steel emergency survival revolver.[7](No longer offered as of December 2009)
- Model 500: 4" barrel, stainless steel.[8]
- Model 500: 6.5" barrel, half lug, stainless steel with porting.
- Model 500: 8⅜" barrel, stainless steel with standard compensator.[3]
- Model 500 HIVIZ: 8⅜" barrel, stainless steel with interchangeable compensator.[9]
- Model 500: 10" Lothar-Walther custom German rifle barrel, matte finish stainless steel.[10]
- Model 460: version chambered in .460 S&W Magnum
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.
Gallery
See also
References
- ↑ "All Smith & Wesson 500 revolvers". Smith & Wesson. Retrieved 2009-12-08.
- ↑ "Smith & Wesson Model 500 .50-Cal. Magnum Is The King Of Handguns", Popular Mechanics, 1 September 2003
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Smith & Wesson Model 500 - 8⅜"" barrel". Smith & Wesson. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ↑ Africa Hunts with Smith & Wesson 500. Hampton, Mark (2004). "To Africa with a .500 S&W". American Handgunner. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- ↑ Video Novice Shooter & Smith & Wesson 500. "Video Novice Shooter & Smith & Wesson 500". YouTube. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- ↑ Video Novice Shooter2 & Smith & Wesson 500. "Video Novice Shooter & Smith & Wesson 500". YouTube. Retrieved 2009-01-20.
- ↑ "Smith & Wesson Model 500ES - 2¾" barrel". Smith & Wesson. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ↑ "Smith & Wesson Model 500 4 barrel". Smith & Wesson. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ↑ "Smith & Wesson Model 500 HIVIZ: 8⅜" barrel". Smith & Wesson. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ↑ "Smith & Wesson Model 500 10" barrel". Smith & Wesson. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
External links
- "Smith & Wesson product page". Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- Video
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