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. 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. 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 3030 ft·lbf.

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 yd, a feat matched by only a handful of other handguns. The advanced design of the firearm helps in counteracting the 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 makes it possible to hunt extremely large African game successfully.

Variants

 * Model 500ES: 2¾" barrel, stainless steel emergency survival revolver. (No longer offered as of December 2009)
 * Model 500: 4" barrel, stainless steel.
 * Model 500: 6.5" barrel, half lug, stainless steel with porting.
 * Model 500: 7.5" barrel, stainless steel with standard compensator.
 * Model 500: 8.38" barrel, stainless steel with standard compensator.
 * Model 500 HI-VIZ 8.38" barrel, stainless steel with interchangeable compensator.
 * Model 500: 10.5" Lothar-Walther custom German rifle barrel, matte finish stainless steel.
 * 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-inch barrel with an external muzzle nut and a millet dovetail front sight.