S&W Model 500

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
Weight	56 oz (1.59 kg) to 79.6 oz (2.26 kg)
Barrel length	2.75 in (69.8 mm) 4 in (102 mm) 6.5 in (165 mm) 7.5 in (191 mm) 8.38 in (213 mm) 10.5 in (267 mm)
Cartridge	.500 S&W Magnum, .500 S&W Special
Action	Double/Single Action
Muzzle velocity	Approx. 2,075 ft/sec (~632 m/s)
Effective firing range	165 ft (~50 m)
Maximum firing range	330 ft (~100 m)
Feed system	5-round cylinder
Sights	Iron sights, night sights

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, a .50 caliber bullet.

The S&W 500 is built on Smith and Wesson's largest frame, the X-Frame, which was developed because none of S&W's existing double-action frame designs could handle the muzzle energy and pressures generated by the .500 S&W cartridge. It is one of the most powerful production revolvers in the world today and is marketed as "the world's most powerful handgun" by the manufacturer.

There are a few larger caliber revolvers, like the Pfeifer Zeliska .600 Nitro Express revolver, however this is a custom made firearm from Austria and is not widely available. 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) and a momentum of 13.7 Newton second. Commercial loadings are available in bullet weights ranging from 275 gr to 700 gr. The Smith & Wesson .500 Special is a shorter cartridge that is fully compatible with this pistol.

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 cheaper to produce and resulting in a more accurate revolver.

Lockup is accomplished by a centerpin in the rear of the cylinder and a ball detent in the frame.

The advanced design of the firearm helps in counteracting the recoil felt by the shooter. This includes the sheer weight of the firearm, use of rubber grips, the forward balance, and the use of a compensator. On certain S&W Performance Center models the compensator is replaced with a muzzle brake.

Articles, statements, and opinions vary widely on this firearm. 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.