skeeter51 Posted: September 17, 2008 The Smith & Wesson Model 500 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". 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. 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.
Variants
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* Model 500ES : 2 3/4" barrel, stainless steel emergency survival revolver.
* Model 500 : 4" barrel, stainless steel.
* Model 500 : 8 3/8" barrel, stainless steel with standard compensator.
* Model 500 HIVIZ® : 8 3/8" barrel, stainless steel with interchangeable compensator.
* Model 500 : 10" Lothar-Walther custom German rifle barrel, matte finish stainless steel.
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.
* Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 500 Hunter : The most powerful S&W variant of this caliber. 12" barrel (10.5" plus a muzzle brake).
6 Comments
akaodie
My boss has a .500 and was recovering an Elk he had downed the night before when he discovered that a 9 ft Kodiak brown bear had recovered it first. He came up over a ridge only to be faced with the bear charging him. He stumbled, recovered, drew his revolver and dropped the bear 20 feet in front of him. That day his hunting partner returned home went to the gun shop and bought a S&W .500, I told my wife this story and I got one for Christmas.
runawaygun762
I was on orders to Ft Wainwright outside Fairbanks, but decided to request Arizona instead. Not much chance of getting a S&W from the wife with that story down here. Maybe i can get a minigun if I tell her about all the rabid jackabbits here.
akaodie
I was born and raised in Alaska. If I had a choice for weather Arizona would be nice it is 5 degrees below with the wind chill right now on Kodiak i guess that is why I'm on the computer. As far as being able to walk out my door and shooting my guns in less than 5 min, I wouldn't trade that for the world.
samD
How you been man? Hope all is well. getting ready for Opie season? or do you just fish? Man that weather sucks. It is 70 here today. I have to go 20 minutes or so to shoot. But I wouldn't trade our weather any day for being closer to shooting.
samD
runawaygun762
When i was home on leave during my last deployment, I looked at yahoo weather and it said the temp in Fairbanks was 20 below, and that was in October. That pretty much sealed it for me, and I'm glad I chose Arizona. Alaska will be one of those places to visit.
spcCooper
I shoot whenever i want also open up the front or back door an fire away at anything squirels rabbits coons deer i love the country no one to bother me next closest person 2 1/2 miles down the road.... i dont know if i would like to visit alaska way to cold for me i would prolly die there i need humidity that thin cold air is not for me haha sorry to but in