.500 S&W Special
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.[2]
.500 S&W Special | ||||||||||||
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Type | Handgun | |||||||||||
Place of origin | United States | |||||||||||
Production history | ||||||||||||
Designer | Cor-Bon/Glaser | |||||||||||
Designed | 2004 | |||||||||||
Specifications | ||||||||||||
Parent case | 500 S&W Magnum | |||||||||||
Case type | Semi-rimmed, straight | |||||||||||
Case length | 1.274 in (32.4 mm) | |||||||||||
Overall length | 1.733 in (44.0 mm) | |||||||||||
Ballistic performance | ||||||||||||
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Test barrel length: 8.375 in Source(s): Cor-Bon[1] |
Description
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 only the .500 S&W Special will be developed.[3] Smith & Wesson has been urged by author and gun rights activist John Ross to produce their largest "X-Frame" in a shorter version to handle this cartridge.[4] Ballistics are slightly superior to the .480 Ruger.[3]
See also
References
- "Cor-Bon/Glaser". Archived from the original on 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2007-08-24.
- .500 S&W Special, 2007-01-07, retrieved 2007-08-23
- Christian, Chris (2007-05-01), "New loads for '04", Outdoor Life, archived from the original on 2004-12-04, retrieved 2007-08-23
- "The Development of the Powerful Big-Bore Revolver in General and the .500 S&W Magnum in Particular and the Development of the John Ross/Performance Center 5" .500 S&W Magnum" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-07-19. Retrieved 2008-01-26.