Smith & Wesson Model 500
Revolver From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
| Smith & Wesson Model 500 | |
|---|---|
A comparison of the Smith & Wesson Model 500 (above) and its .44 Magnum sibling, the Model 629 (below). The difference in size between the .44 Magnum and the .500 Magnum cartridges is also shown. | |
| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2002–2003 |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Produced | 2003–present |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 56 oz (1.59 kg) to 79.6 oz (2.26 kg)[1] |
| Barrel length |
|
| Cartridge | .500 S&W Magnum, .500 S&W Special |
| Action | Double/Single Action |
| Muzzle velocity | Approx. 2,075 feet per second (632 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 165 feet (50 m) |
| Maximum firing range | 330 feet (100 m) |
| Feed system | 5-round cylinder |
| Sights | Iron sights, night sights |
Design
Summarize
Perspective
The Model 500 was built on the entirely new X-Frame,[2] which was developed exclusively to handle the immense muzzle velocity and pressures generated by firing of the .500 Magnum cartridge.[3] 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.[4]
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 3,030 foot-pounds force (4.1 kJ), 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.[5] 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.[4]
Lockup is accomplished by a center-pin in the rear of the cylinder and a ball detent in the frame.[4][6]
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.[7] On certain S&W Performance Center models the compensator is replaced with a muzzle brake.[4]
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 200 yards (183 m), a feat matched by only a handful of other handguns.[8] The high energy of these rounds makes it possible to hunt extremely large African game successfully.[9]
Variants
- Model 500ES: 2.75″ barrel, stainless steel Emergency Survival snubnosed revolver with blaze orange Hogue grips (no longer manufactured as of December 2009).[6]
- Model 500: 3.5″ barrel, stainless steel with HI VIZ® fiber optic sight.[6]
- Model 500: 4″ barrel, stainless steel with two compensators.[6]
- Model 500: 6.5″ barrel, half lug, stainless steel with compensator (discontinued in 2020).[6]
- Model 500: 7.5″ barrel, stainless steel with muzzle brake.[6]
- Model 500: 8.38″ barrel, stainless steel with compensator.[6]
- Model 500 HI VIZ®: 8.38″ barrel, stainless steel with interchangeable compensators.[6]
- Model 500: 10.5″ Lothar-Walther custom German rifle barrel, matte finish stainless steel with muzzle brake.[6]
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.[10]
Gallery
S&W Model 500, 6.5" barrel variant
S&W 500 next to a NAA Mini-revolver
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See also
References
External links
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