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by tOnY mOnTaNa on June 27th, 2004

tOnY mOnTaNa

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What is the most powerful handgun in the world?

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  • by Ankhorite on March 31st, 2007

    Ankhorite

    The one that is aimed at you.

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  • by Dog_Star on March 26th, 2007

    Dog_Star

    .50cal, however my favourite most powerful and accurate hand gun is the .454 Cassul by Freedom Arms. This is a deadly accurate and powerful revolver and a fine display of American Craftmanship, I live in Australia and own one of these.

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  • by Zack on April 5th, 2010

    Zack

    Have a looksie: http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/sports/1277336.html

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  • by Old School on April 5th, 2010

    Old School

    Today's subject expert is Officer Callahan from the San Francisco Police Department....;-D...

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  • by 46270 Weapons Loader on November 9th, 2004

    46270 Weapons Loader

    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.

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  • by Jimmyp on February 23rd, 2008

    Jimmyp

    The .357 Magnum. It can blow your head clean off. Do you feel lucky? Well do ya...punk?

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  • by Anonymous on October 27th, 2007

    Anonymous

    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.

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  • by Chris says AYBABTU on August 3rd, 2007

    Chris says AYBABTU

    500 magnum by far

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  • by Eponymous on July 5th, 2007

    Eponymous

    Megatron

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  • by Gonzo on May 29th, 2007

    Gonzo

    The .500 magnum.
    "Make my day, punk."- It'll blast your head clean off.

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  • by hellfire on May 29th, 2007

    hellfire

    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.

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  • by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on May 25th, 2007

    8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009

    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.

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  • by SouthKnoxvillian on April 26th, 2007

    SouthKnoxvillian

    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.

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  • by dannykay on April 8th, 2007

    dannykay

    yea i like the 50 calliber desert eagle

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  • by maddock on April 5th, 2007

    maddock

    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.

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  • by younghusstla101 on April 2nd, 2007

    younghusstla101

    The dessert eagle is pretty powerfull.

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  • by wobalome on March 26th, 2007

    wobalome

    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"

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  • by sppb76 on March 22nd, 2007

    sppb76

    A loaded one!

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  • by xwrench on January 7th, 2007

    xwrench

    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.

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  • by qualityassurance on July 2nd, 2005

    qualityassurance

    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.

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  • by tOnY mOnTaNa on June 27th, 2004

    tOnY mOnTaNa

    The strongest handgun in the world is the .44 magnum revolver.

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  • by Dark Detail on July 5th, 2007

    Dark Detail

    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.

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  • by whatworks on May 4th, 2007

    whatworks

    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.)

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  • by The King of Awesome on July 5th, 2007

    The King of Awesome

    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

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  • by t money on June 19th, 2008

    t money

    desert eagle .50 semi

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  • by isaiah on August 5th, 2008

    isaiah

    this one

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  • by The Chief on October 26th, 2008

    The Chief

    The Smith & Wesson Model 500.

    http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/monster_1103/

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  • by .44 mag man on February 2nd, 2009

    .44 mag man

    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)

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  • by Smart_Alec on May 7th, 2009

    Smart_Alec

    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.

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  • by simone on March 22nd, 2007

    simone

    The 740 Howda,74cal african tiger stopper.you can't buy one thoe.

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  • by Chemosabe on February 24th, 2008

    Chemosabe

    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.

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  • by Anonymous on October 27th, 2007

    Anonymous

    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

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  • by Anonymous on October 27th, 2007

    Anonymous

    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!

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  • by NateAllen on December 20th, 2007

    NateAllen

    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

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  • by dragon on February 24th, 2008

    dragon

    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....

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  • by Seraphim Shinobi on August 3rd, 2007

    Seraphim Shinobi

    the .60 cal

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  • by jdmkao on November 14th, 2005

    jdmkao

    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

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  • by misomalu on July 27th, 2010

    misomalu

    Actually Andy Ninja is wrong the Pfeifer-Zeliska .600 Nitro Express magnum is the most powerful pistol in the world
    http://www.vincelewis.net/60magnum.html

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  • by motic on July 27th, 2010

    motic

    the ak47 and the ak74

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  • by Bill_T on September 24th, 2010

    Bill_T

    The Pfeifer-Zeliska-Revolver in .600 Nitro Express.

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  • by Eoghan_C on October 5th, 2010

    Eoghan_C

    Desert eagle .50 cal. Duh!

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  • by BabyMomma on October 7th, 2010

    BabyMomma

    One that is in the hands of an irresponsible, hot headed child.

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  • by johndetroit on October 7th, 2010

    johndetroit

    Specs are one thing but firing one of these monsters is something else. I have shot the .454 Casull twice. That was enough. The recoil twists your hand upwards with a forceful twist. The one I shot had the premier grips so the damage to the hand was broken blood vessels. There is also the noise and concussion to your body. The flinch factor is high just waiting for the blast. The Freedom Arms is a highly machined piece. But for everyday use just give me a .40 S&W.

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  • by Marke570 on May 23rd, 2010

    Marke570

    Im sure there some custom (non production) examples out there that no one will ever know about or see. If theres a catridge out there im sure someone has tried to make a hand gun to accomadate it. They built the A-10 Thunderbolt (WARTHOG) around the GAU-4 20mm Vulcan.
    Im sure some enthusiast has built something around that or even the .60 cal., or 27mm, from the 1950's. Those last two were never produced for anything other than testing but hey, you never know .)

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  • by daveHogan on May 22nd, 2010

    daveHogan

    .900 Nitro Express is the most powerful

    You can shoot a hole in a 23" steel plate

    :) just kidding... size does not matter, it is knowing what to do with it.

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  • by rabid on April 5th, 2010

    rabid

    Here you go. Think twice before pulling the trigger.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQyILdv-KZ8

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  • by rperry2415 on April 5th, 2010

    rperry2415

    I have heard of a 6gage they are mounted on the front of smal boats to shout ducks in large numbers.

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  • by AvtomatKalashnikov on April 5th, 2010

    AvtomatKalashnikov

    Smith and wesson 500 is the most powerful handgun on the market today. But idk what u mean by single shot handgun, do u mean like a black powder handgun?

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  • by canbfrisky on April 5th, 2010

    canbfrisky

    56K Modem version click here

    All images and technical information on this web page about the Pfeifer-Zeliska, by courtesy and permission of Pfeifer Arms Ltd

    The worlds most powerful pistol is the Austrian Pfeifer-Zeliska .600 Nitro Express Magnum. It is chambered to fire the British developed .600 caliber rifle bullet originally made by Holland and Holland. This revolver was not originally a full production model but a bespoke one off, built especially for a wealthy Swiss gentleman...Mr. Zeliska.

    But if you would like one and I am sure that a few of you 'gunslingers' with a bit of disposable income would, then contact Pfeifer arms ( url near bottom of page ) and they will actually make one for you. Priced at 13,840 Euro's, this equates as $17,316* or £11,722* including Tax ( *at Exchange rate as of 20 November 2008 )

    The Pfeifer Revolver is also available chambered for the .458 Winchester Magnum and this qualifies it as the second worlds most powerful handgun.

    The .600 Nitro Express Magnum revolver is a single action, 5 shot, old west style gun. A single action revolver style was chosen for this gun as it is stronger in construction than a double action revolver due to the solid stronger base frame that the cylinder sits in.

    The image below shows the colossal size of the revolver in the hands of a suitably impressed gun magazine photographer!

    This is not a joke or a photo-shopped image, this revolver really exists. It's the absolute ultimate Magnum revolver and one that Smith & Wesson would rather you didn't know about as their market researcher would need medication ! Rumors that Smith & Wesson were actually contemplating developing a .75 caliber pistol have never been truly substantiated, or have never left the drawing board. The possibility of such a gun coming from the Smith & Wesson stable though is remote to say the least.

    Because of its size, the Pfeifer-Zeliska .600 Nitro Express Magnum would really be required to be fired whilst resting on a bench clamp or small sand bags as shown in the image below. The gun weighs in at total of 13.23lbs and consequently is heavy enough to absorb most of the violent recoil, in fact, it is said to be on par to firing the Smith & Wesson .500 Magnum.

    The recoil is not violently uncontrollable, on the contrary it is tamed by the guns 13.23 lb's weight down to acceptable levels. A bi-pod and shoulder stock may be in order though as gravity would be the biggest issue, meaning that you would not be able to level this revolver at arms length for any great period of time.

    The bullet that if fires is then main reason why this revolver is so awesome...the .600 Nitro Express.

    The .600 Nitro Express cartridge was originally developed in 1899 for big game hunters who went to Africa with the intention of killing elephants, (something that I despise by the way) and was fired from a double barrelled rifle. Even though Holland & Holland no longer manufacture these cartridges, they can still be sought through the gun trade, small reloading companies or even over the internet.

    One company still actually make these rounds and they are Kynoch at www.kynochusa.com

    The images below shows almost actual size of the .600 Nitro Express round, the bullet of which can go clean through a 10mm steel plate at 12 meters like a hot knife through butter. The cartridge on the end is a .700 Nitro Express, this is currently the worlds most powerful rifle cartridge and its probably just a matter of time until a revolver is developed for it.



    Relatively actual size @17" and onwards monitor.

    These .600 Nitro Express cartridges are megga expensive and sell from about $40 onwards each ! So it would cost $200 every time you loaded the Zeliska.

    Of course the size of cartridge based ammunition can go on, up to an 88mm anti-tank round and beyond but as small arms go, these bullets/cartridges are colossal.

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  • by jamesb2987 on May 2nd, 2010

    jamesb2987

    the .44 remington magnum is the most powerfull hangun in the world

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