Smith & Wesson Model 500
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The Smith & Wesson Model 500 is a five-shot, double/single action large-caliber revolver produced by Smith & Wesson, firing the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge.
Design
The Model 500 was built on the entirely new X-Frame,[1] which was developed exclusively to handle the immense muzzle velocity and pressures generated by firing of the .500 Magnum cartridge.[2] It is among the most powerful revolvers in the world since its original release in 2003, and is marketed as "the world's most powerful handgun" by the manufacturer.[3]
The Model 500 can fire a bullet weighing 350 gr (22.7 g; 0.8 oz) at 1,975 feet per second (602 m/s) generating a muzzle energy of over Template:Convert, roughly twice that of the .50 AE Desert Eagle, and a momentum of 13.7 Newton seconds. Commercial loadings are available in bullet weights ranging from 275 gr to 700 gr.[4] The Model 500 is capable of firing the shorter .500 S&W Special cartridge.
Instead of a traditional barrel, the S&W 500 uses a rifled tube inside a barrel shroud that is secured by tension from the front. This tensioning leads to stability, making barrels less expensive to produce and resulting in a more accurate revolver.[3]
Lockup is accomplished by a center-pin in the rear of the cylinder and a ball detent in the frame.[3][5]
The advanced design of the firearm helps in counteracting the recoil felt by the shooter. This includes the sheer weight of the firearm, including a full-length underlug contributing to a forward balance; use of rubber grips; and the use of a compensator. The compensator offers modest recoil reduction, but also increases muzzle blast.[6] On certain S&W Performance Center models the compensator is replaced with a muzzle brake.[3]
Like most large caliber handguns, the Model 500 is suitable for sport and hunting applications. Any of the available bullet weights can be relied on to take game at a range in excess of Template:Convert, a feat matched by only a handful of other handguns.[7] The high energy of these rounds makes it possible to hunt extremely large African game successfully.[8]
Variants
- Model 500ES: 2.75″ barrel, stainless steel Emergency Survival snubnosed revolver with blaze orange Hogue grips (no longer manufactured as of December 2009).[5]
- Model 500: 3.5″ barrel, stainless steel with HI VIZ® fiber optic sight.[5]
- Model 500: 4″ barrel, stainless steel with two compensators.[5]
- Model 500: 6.5″ barrel, half lug, stainless steel with compensator (discontinued in 2020).[5]
- Model 500: 7.5″ barrel, stainless steel with muzzle brake.[5]
- Model 500: 8.38″ barrel, stainless steel with compensator.[5]
- Model 500 HI VIZ®: 8.38″ barrel, stainless steel with interchangeable compensators.[5]
- Model 500: 10.5″ Lothar-Walther custom German rifle barrel, matte finish stainless steel with muzzle brake.[5]
Other variants are available through the Smith & Wesson's Performance Center. Like all Smith & Wesson revolvers, "custom" variants are available on special production runs with a minimum order of 500 units. An example is the John Ross Performance Center 5″ .500 S&W Magnum, which features a 5-inch barrel with an external muzzle nut instead of a muzzle brake or compensator and a Millet dovetail front sight.[9]
Gallery
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S&W Model 500, 6.5" barrel variant
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S&W 500 next to a NAA Mini-revolver
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See also
References
External links
- Model 500ES: 2.75" barrel, stainless steel
- Model 500: 3.5" barrel HI VIZ® Fiber Optic sight, stainless steel
- Model 500: 4" barrel, stainless steel with 2 compensators
- Model 500: 6.5" barrel, half lug, stainless steel with compensator
- Model 500: 7.5" barrel, stainless steel with muzzle brake
- Model 500: 8.38" barrel, stainless steel with compensator
- Model 500: 8.38" barrel HI VIZ® Fiber Optic sight, stainless steel with interchangeable compensators
- Model 500: 10.5" Lothar-Walther custom German rifle barrel, matte finish stainless steel with muzzle brake
- ↑ 'The .500 S&W Magnum: Most Powerful Handgun Round In The World, NRA American Rifleman, June 24, 2020 noting role of Herb Belin in developing the concept of the SW 500 Magnum
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
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