.500 S&W Special

Type

Handgun

Place of origin

USA

Production history

Designer

Cor-Bon/Glaser

Designed

2004

Specifications

Parent case

500 S&W Magnum

Case type

Semi-Rimmed, Straight

Ballistic performance

Bullet mass/type	Velocity	Energy
350 gr (23 g) FMJ	1,100 ft/s (340 m/s)	941 ft·lbf (1,276 J)
350 gr (23 g) JHP	1,250 ft/s (380 m/s)	1,215 ft·lbf (1,647 J)

Test barrel length: 8.375 in
Source(s): Cor-Bon

The .500 S&W Special is a large high-powered revolver cartridge. It was designed and produced by Cor-Bon/Glaser (at Smith & Wesson’s request) in 2004. It is a shorter version of the .500 S&W Magnum with a drastically reduced load, much as the .38 Special is to the .357 Magnum. However, unlike the .38 Special and .357 Magnum, the .500 Special came after the .500 Magnum.

The purpose of the .500 Special is to be able to shoot less punishing loads, with a muzzle energy closer to that of the .44 Magnum cartridge, in firearms chambered for the .500 S&W Magnum. It is possible that firearms chambered for the .500 S&W Special only will be developed. Smith & Wesson has been urged by John Ross to produce their largest "X-Frame" in a shorter version to handle this cartridge. Ballistics are slightly superior to the .480 Ruger.

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Wikipedia