by Andy Ninja Is Wicked Back To Work on June 28th, 2004
http://popularmechanics.com/outdoors/firearms/2003/9/top_gun/
MODEL 500 S&W MAGNUM REVOLVER
In the 1971 movie "Dirty Harry," actor Clint Eastwood introduced the world to the double-action Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44-cal. Magnum revolver--"the most powerful handgun in the world."
It was a crown S&W wore proudly, albeit briefly.
The rising popularity of handgun hunting for big game (spurred largely by the .44 Magnum itself) prompted the introduction of newer and significantly more powerful revolver cartridges. Many powerful enough that they had to be chambered in single-action handguns because existing double-action designs could not contain the recoil forces and pressures they produced.
Since S&W does not make single-action revolvers, and no double-action frame at its disposal could handle the new loads, S&W was effectively dethroned.
At the 2003 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, the manufacturer regained its crown. And, most significantly, it did it by introducing a new massive double-action revolver that is chambered for an equally new .50-cal. cartridge.
The S&W X-frame Model 500 is a brawny handgun designed to master the most rigorous hunting fields in the world. It is not a revolver one would, or likely could, tuck into a waistband. In fact, to call it massive is an understatement.
With its 8-3/8-in. barrel, the overall length of the Model 500 is 15 in. and the empty weight is 4.5 pounds. The cylinder alone is almost 2 in. in diameter and approaches 2.25 in. in length. Thumb the cylinder open and five charge holes await. Each is 1/2 in. in diameter, and the .50-cal. cartridges they hold are almost 2 in. long. Load five of them and the total weight of the handgun climbs to 5 pounds.
You don't just casually pick up a Model 500. You have to lift it.
Fire even one of those big cartridges and you'll appreciate why the weight and mass are there.
When the .44 Magnum laid claim to being the most powerful handgun in the world, its standard load produced about 900 ft.-lb. of muzzle energy. Several new loads have since eclipsed that, but the handgun most commonly used by big game hunters is the .454 Casull, which will generate about 1900 ft.-lb.
The 500 S&W Magnum will produce almost 2600 ft.-lb. with its heaviest load, and more powerful loads may well be on the way.
If Dirty Harry felt that the .44 Magnum would make his day, the new 500 S&W Magnum would certainly make his decade. It is the largest double-action revolver available, and there is no production revolver in the world--single or double action--capable of matching, or even approaching, the level of power it produces.
Harnessing that power in a double-action revolver, however, required some departures from traditional designs.
Rethinking Double-Action Design
No frame in the S&W line was capable of containing the 500 Magnum, so the new X-frame was designed specifically for the 500's .50-cal. cartridge. It is massive. But, just making a bigger double-action revolver was not the solution. A major concern was the barrel-to-frame connection. This is traditionally done by simply screwing the barrel into the front of the frame, but this design places all firing stress at that one point. To increase strength throughout the 500's barrel assembly, S&W opted for a composite barrel/shroud system.
A stainless steel barrel tube is torqued into the frame to form a solid rear attachment point. A separate, heavy stainless steel shroud is then slipped over the barrel and braced against the forward portion of the frame. The muzzle end of the barrel bears against the forward end of the shroud, and a separate compensator/muzzle brake is then rotated into place under torque at the muzzle end of the shroud.
This arrangement compresses the shroud and places the barrel tube under tension for its entire length. In effect, the barrel and shroud act as linear springs to distribute the stress of firing across the entire barrel/shroud component instead of focusing it all at the single junction of the barrel and frame.
Maintaining precise cylinder alignment was another concern. Traditional designs utilize a front- and rear-cylinder lockup, with the forward end of the ejector rod bearing against a ball-detent fixture on the barrel to provide the front lockup. Given the power of the 500 Magnum, the potential for flex in the ejector rod had to be addressed. The solution was to dispense with that design and install a massive ball-detent lock on the frame itself, directly below the barrel forcing cone. This mates with the yoke to provide a solid front lockup directly at the front of the cylinder. Combined with the traditional rear lockup, this is the strongest cylinder alignment design possible.
While the 500 S&W Magnum answers the question of "where's the beef?" the company wisely decided to incorporate the same grip dimensions found on its much smaller K-frame handguns. Experienced handgunners regard this as one of the best handgun grips ever made.
Thus, the 500 Magnum is a big revolver that's strong where it needs to be, but is comfortable to handle. That was borne out during firing tests.
On The Firing Line
Despite the power of the cartridge, the 500 S&W Magnum is surprisingly controllable. Due largely to the sheer mass of the revolver (combined with the muzzle-heavy balance and an excellent muzzle brake), the violent wrist-wrenching muzzle whip associated with single-action revolvers firing such powerful loads as the .454 Casull and the .475 Linebaugh has been tamed considerably.
In those guns, muzzle rise on recoil can reach 90° and present a hazard to the shooter. With even the heaviest 500 Magnum load tested, muzzle rise was confined to the 50° range and there was never any concern about the shooter wearing an imprint of the front sight in his forehead. That does not mean it's a pussycat. Make no mistake about it, this is not a handgun for the timid or the inexperienced. In comparison tests, the lightest 500 load--the 275-grain jacketed hollowpoint at 1665-ft.-per-second (fps) velocity--produced a modest, but noticeable, increase in recoil levels over a S&W Model 629 .44 Magnum. Anyone who is uncomfortable with the .44 Magnum will be decidedly uncomfortable with the 500 Magnum. The 440 cast-lead load at 1625 fps raised the recoil bar significantly. Muzzle rise still remained under 50° and placed little or no stress on the wrists, but the rearward thrust absorbed by the shooting hand began to become uncomfortable after 10 to 15 rounds. A shooting glove would have mitigated some of that.
Still, considering that the projectile weight and velocity of this load is virtually identical to a 1-ounce 12-ga. rifled lead shotgun slug--and that the 500 Magnum operates at over four times the pressure level of the slug--the recoil was less than expected. We'd say that Dirty Harry would certainly approve.
**There are 4 more articles from Popular Mechanics related to this handgun. They can be linked to by using the link I provided at the beginning of this answer.**
by Ankhorite on March 31st, 2007
The one that is aimed at you.
by Pustic on October 27th, 2007
This IS the most powerful handgun in the world. This shoots the elephant round.
The Pfeifer Zeliska Revolver
Forget everything you’ve heared about magnum revolvers, this is the ultimate gun.
Measured by muzzle energy, it is the most powerful in the world.
Cal. .600 Nirto Magnum
Every single part is made by hand and is matched individually for each Zeliska revolver.
The Zeliska revolver is unique and a masterpiece of the art of gunsmithing.
Due to the weight of the gun, shooting the Zeliska is no problem for a skilled marksman.
There won’t be any permanent damage inflicted to your wrist.
The Zeliska is also available in cal. .458 Win. Mag., take into consideration that the price for this ammunition is much lower than for .600 Nitro Magnum.
Price VAT incl. 13.840,- EUR
Technical data:
Calibre: .600 Nitro Express or .458 Win Mag.
Muzzle velocity: 462 m/s,Full metal jacket 900 grain
Muzzle energy: 6.230 joule
Weight: 13.23 lbs
Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel length: 13 inch
Overall length: 21.65 inch
Features: browned special steel. As every revolver is an individual product we can satisfy every customer wish.
http://www.pfeifer-waffen.at/cms/html/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=32
by CannedHam on March 29th, 2007
The most powerful handgun is now the Smith & Wesson .500 Magnum, delivering 2600 ft·lb of energy compared to the paltry 900 ft·lbf oozing from the teeny-tiny .44 "Magnum".
by Dog_Star on March 26th, 2007
by 46270 Weapons Loader on November 9th, 2004
It's ironic that when Dirty Harry advertised the .44 Magnum as "The most powerful handgun in the world" (in 1971), it was in reality, not. Designed nearly 13 years earlier was the 454 Casull cartridge designed by Dick Casull and Jack Fullmer. Though the bullet weight is roughly the same as the .44 Magnum, the velocity it traveled was nearly double.
by Pustic on February 23rd, 2008
Now, here is the worlds largest revolver. Also manufactured by Pfeifer Waffen.
by Pustic on February 23rd, 2008
This is the most powerful handgun in the world. This shoots the elephant round.
The Pfeifer Zeliska Revolver
Forget everything you’ve heared about magnum revolvers, this is the ultimate gun.
Measured by muzzle energy, it is the most powerful in the world.
Cal. .600 Nirto Magnum
Every single part is made by hand and is matched individually for each Zeliska revolver.
The Zeliska revolver is unique and a masterpiece of the art of gunsmithing.
Due to the weight of the gun, shooting the Zeliska is no problem for a skilled marksman.
There won’t be any permanent damage inflicted to your wrist.
Technical data:
Calibre: .600 Nitro Express or .458 Win Mag.
Muzzle velocity: 462 m/s,Full metal jacket 900 grain
Muzzle energy: 6.230 joule
Weight: 13.23 lbs
Capacity: 5 rounds
Barrel length: 13 inch
Overall length: 21.65 inch
Features: browned special steel. As every revolver is an individual product we can satisfy every customer wish.
The Zeliska somes with an exclusive case.
http://www.pfeifer-waffen.at/cms/html/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=32
by Jimmyp on February 23rd, 2008
The .357 Magnum. It can blow your head clean off. Do you feel lucky? Well do ya...punk?
by Chris says AYBABTU on August 3rd, 2007
500 magnum by far
by Eponymous on July 5th, 2007
Megatron
by Gonzo on May 29th, 2007
The .500 magnum.
"Make my day, punk."- It'll blast your head clean off.
by hellfire on May 29th, 2007
if you said 44. mangnum your wrong theres a gun called 50.cal Desert Eagle it has higher velocity and a bigger cartridge and way more stoping power.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on May 25th, 2007
My money is on the Maadi-Griffin .50 BMG handgun. Is you think that a .50AE is even a pale impersonation of a full BMG round, you are mistaken.
The Maadi-Griffin packs more powder in one round than the S&W Model 500 does in the entire fully-loaded cylinder. Even if most of that energy is wasted due to the shorter-than-optimal barrel, it still can put a hurt on that a little pea-shooter S&W can't match.
by SouthKnoxvillian on April 26th, 2007
The Smith and Wesson .500 magnum is the current most powerful. It makes other .50 cals seem like rimfires. S&W makes a revolver in this chamber as does Taurus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.500_S%26W_Magnum
Now there are handloaders out there that can make a .44 magnum more powerful than the .500 mag but that's pretty hard on your weapon.
by younghusstla101 on April 2nd, 2007
The dessert eagle is pretty powerfull.
by wobalome on March 26th, 2007
44 magnum of course, was it six shots or was it five, the question you have to ask yourself is "do you feel lucky........PUNK"
by sppb76 on March 22nd, 2007
A loaded one!
by xwrench on January 7th, 2007
Well, I have a .45-70 Contender and a .30'06 SSP.
both are technically handguns though I don't know the ballistic data for them, I know they seem a lot more powerfull that either of my .44 mags.
by qualityassurance on July 2nd, 2005
I measure pressure and velocity of ammo for a living and I can tell you that a 454 Cassull has has a higher velocity and higher pressure coming out of the barrell of a gun than a .50 caliber, a .480 Ruger or a .44 Magnum.
by tOnY mOnTaNa on June 27th, 2004
The strongest handgun in the world is the .44 magnum revolver.
by The Chief on October 26th, 2008
The Smith & Wesson Model 500.
http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/monster_1103/
by .44 mag man on February 2nd, 2009
well the .44 mag avg isnt 900 its in somewhere in the area of 1100 to 1300 fps and the energy at 50 yards is 1010 ft-lbs untill u get to the .454 no other handgun comes close Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
180 gr (12 g) JSP 1,610 ft/s (490 m/s) 1,036 ft·lbf (1,405 J)
240 gr (16 g) SP 1,180 ft/s (360 m/s) 741 ft·lbf (1,005 J)
240 gr (16 g) JHP 1,542 ft/s (470 m/s) 1,267 ft·lbf (1,718 J)
300 gr (19 g) JHP 1,500 ft/s (460 m/s) 1,499 ft·lbf (2,032 J)
by isaiah on August 5th, 2008
this one
by maddock on April 5th, 2007
Without any question, the Maadi-Griffin .50BMG Thunder
http://airbornecombatengineer.typepad.com/airborne_combat_engineer/2005/01/the_thunder_50_.html
It does push the boundary of 'handgun', but I have seen it fired and it handles well.
by Smart_Alec on May 7th, 2009
The most powerful handgun is the one that is loaded and pointing at your head! Caliber doesn't matter.
Never point a gun at someone unless you are willing to shoot.
by NateAllen on December 20th, 2007
the most powerful handgun in the world is the Allard 892. its a 60 cal handgun that weighs 7 pounds and will penitrate 2 feet of cement in one shot. it is accurate up to 3000 feet it has an electronic sniper scope on it i should know i invented it and manufactered it. for more info contact me at iresistible_101@yahoo.com
by dannykay on April 8th, 2007
yea i like the 50 calliber desert eagle
by whatworks on May 4th, 2007
http://www.answerbag.com/images/answers/temp/6516/tmb_bullets.jpg
http://www.answerbag.com/images/answers/temp/6516/tmb_bullets.jpg
This GunWeek photo shows a .499 LWR (far right) next to a .500 S&W
For equivalent bullet weights, the .499 LWR can achieve higher velocities (as high as 2200 vs. 1900fps) and higher muzzle energy (as high as 3000 ft-lbs. vs. 2600 ft-lbs.) than the new .500 S&W pistol round. (The longer 18" barrel, vs. 12" for the S&W .500 pistol, helps, by allowing full powder burning in the barrel.)
by Dark Detail on July 5th, 2007
Apparently the .500 but before I would have gone for the Isreal Military Industires Desert Eagle .50 Action Express. I hear they have made them in full auto? Hopefully with an extended mag because the capacity is 7 so the soldier would be reloading alot on full auto! The .50 DE looks so COOL it's my favorite handgun I have 2 airmodels, someday a real one.
by simone on March 22nd, 2007
The 740 Howda,74cal african tiger stopper.you can't buy one thoe.
by 4beerun on August 17th, 2006
LAR's .45 win mag,hence the Grizzly Win Mag
by xdragoox on April 2nd, 2007
.50 caliber Desert Eagle.
by jdmkao on November 14th, 2005
Magnum Research, Inc. makes a .50AE pistol called the Desert Eagle. This is a semi-automatic pistol.
Magnum Research also makes a BFR revolver that is chambered for the 500S&W.
http://www.magnumresearch.com
by luke stares on January 5th, 2006
The most powerful handgun in the world is infact the 44.magnum desert eagle not the 44.magnum revolver.from luke in Tockwith
by The King of Awesome on July 5th, 2007
a lot of people are saying that its the Dessert Eagle and stuff...im positive there are handguns that actually fire rifle rounds, but i dont know the brand
by Seraphim - Angel of Ninja on August 3rd, 2007
the .60 cal
by Chosun One on March 26th, 2007
Thats a tough call, the 44 Magnum has a kick back and fire like a donkey kicking you in the chest and the .45 Ruger is just as crazy..
by dragon on February 24th, 2008
ok all i can do is laugh. People keep calling it a .50cal eagle sorry its not a .50cal eagle it is a .50ae..Its like comparing a .45acp to a .45 long colt it shots the same bullet but it is not the same round..The most powerful handgun produced is the .500ae smith and wesson..Before that round was made the title to the most powerful revolver was to the freedom arms .454...I own this handgun not a cheap taurus or a ruger but the real freedom arms. It is a monster and if I recall correctly it is still the only revolver to take the big 5 out of aficia..so for all the people who think it is the ".50cal" eagle sorry your wrong....
by Chemosabe on February 24th, 2008
I would say it is the Thunder .BMG. Despite the fact that it never made it past the prototype stages.
http://airbornecombatengineer.typepad.com/airborne_combat_engineer/2006/07/more_on_the_50_.html
Stats:
Caliber: 50 caliber Browning Machine Gun (BMG)
Type: Handgun/ Single Shot
Practical Purpose: Sporting, Big Game Hunting (Tyrannosaurs?), Collecting
Action: Scissor breach/separate cocking lever/separate case ejector
Empty Weight: 12lbs
Barrel Length:13.2" (9.8" to bullet base)
Overall Length: 16.9"
Standard Options: High efficiency muzzle brake, "Nitrogen recoil controller"
Trigger pull: 1 to 12 lbs - Factory set to specifications
With 647gr FMJ ammo, using iron sights, the posted data says they gun is capable of a 1.8" group at 25 yards (from kneeling/supported position). This bullet comes out at 2188 fps, and delivers 6875 fpe!
With a 750 bullet (showing a ballistic coefficient of .82), the gun prints as follows:
Muzzle: 2160 fps and 7767 fpe
100 yards: 2070 fps and 7133 fpe
200 yards: 1980 fps and 6526 fpe
500 yards: 1700 fps and 4811 fpe
1000 yards: 1350 fps and 3033 fpe
This has got to be the most powerful handgun ever devised, despite it's impractical use.
by Pustic on October 27th, 2007
by Anonymous on October 27th, 2007
i heard that some idiot broke his' wrists firing a custom pistol in 600 nitro express.There is supposed to be a video of this on the internet but i haven't tried to look it up.600 nitro makes elephants sit down involuntarily.I'm sure that that handgun is now sitting in a safe somewhere daring some moron to fire it.The 454 and 44 mag are the most popular big handguns.The 44 mag can also fire 44 special and the 454 can fire 45 colt,the reverse is not true.Remington makes a 180gr 44 mag at 1000+ FP energy,other companies have more robust loads at 1200 and over.My favorite big bore load is the 454 240 gr Hornady,it is twice as powerful as the 44 mag 180 grain.A 44 mag shooting 45 colts is a PLINKER,no kick.A 44 mag shooting 44 special,same thing.450 marlin is top dawg for repeating handguns.
by Anonymous on October 27th, 2007
the most powerful production handgun in the world ( that is NOT a singleshot ) is the magnum research BFI revolver chambered for the 450 Marlin cartridge.Yes,the 450 is more powerful than the 500S&W magnum.Jimmy the gunnut
by Anonymous on October 27th, 2007
Of course the most powerful is not really the best. I would rather be carrying a glock 20 10mm loaded with 15 200 grain bullets from double tap or corbon than a 500 S&W.The most powerful handgun is the one that you hit the target with.Misses or slower repeat shots mean nothing when you face a dangerous animal or a human killer.The 450 marlin is tops in power,the ammo is cheaper than 500 mag,the 450 is a belted magnum with like 3500 pounds of kinetic energy.POW!
by t money on June 19th, 2008
desert eagle .50 semi
What hand gun has the most bullets possible in its mag/clip without using an extended clip?
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is license required to purchase full auto guns
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Comments
For mass-produced handguns; I believe there's ONE custom, single-shot handgun that fires a .50 Browning.
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on June 30th, 2004
The 500 S&W Magnum will produce almost 2600 ft.-lb. with its heaviest load, and more powerful loads may well be on the way. From andersen. This is a high velocity cartridge, comparable to a hi-cal rifle. this answer is a bit dated and would like to see some up to date reports.....5 points for substantiation.
by Mirage V2.0 AWOL on January 7th, 2007
This gun is rediculous! Here is what happens when you try to shoot this beast: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/555132/new_shooter_with_huge_handgun/
by andrewman327 on May 25th, 2007
Nope, this is no the most powerful. This is, The Pfeifer Zeliska Revolver. See my answer on this.
by Pustic on February 23rd, 2008
I saw it, but note the date on my answer--a lot has happened since 2004 :)
by Andy Ninja Is Wicked Back To Work on February 23rd, 2008