2007-10-06 17:00:45 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
Hi Tennie. This is a difficult question to answer. When Inspector Dirty Harry proclaimed in the Seventies film by the same name that the .44 Magnum was the most powerful handgun in the world he was either uninformed or simply exaggerating. The .454 Casull, a more powerful handgun, had already been around for at least a decade when he spoke those words. Problem is most people knew nothing about the Casull. So if today I tell you that the .500 S & W is the most powerful handgun in the world my statement would not be all together accurate because there is a single shot pistol out there somewhere that is chambered for .600 Nitro Express. And if there one in .600 NE, then someone has to be working on one in .700 Nitro Express and .50 BMG, and so on. So you see, it is a difficult question to answer.
Commercially available one could say that the .500 S & W is the most powerful handgun out today.
Best.
H
2007-10-07 01:22:23 · answer #1 · answered by H 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Though the argument for the .500 S&W is a very valid one, I would like to point out that the .460 S&W Magnum has a higher chamber pressure (higher than some rifles!!) than the 500. The 460 S&W fires a round at TWICE THE SPEED OF SOUND!!! (+/-2600 fps). This tremendus pressure allows the 460 to travel further than any other production handgun. So, the .500 would be more powerful from the muzzle, but the 460 spanks it from about 100 yards on. ; )
2007-10-07 00:39:13 · answer #2 · answered by yaheiner 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Most think it's the .500 S&W but thats only the most common big round. The real most powerful handgun out today would be one chambering the .600 Nitro Express Cartridge. Look it up on google and you'll se what I mean.
2007-10-07 01:11:28 · answer #3 · answered by auburnfootball 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The S&W .500 is more powerful than the .50 AE used by the Desert Eagle, and any magnum is much much more powerful than the .40 that one user quoted. There are specialty loads and guns custom made, but the most powerful standard production handgun is the .500 S&W.
2007-10-07 00:08:53 · answer #4 · answered by theseeker4 5 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Although the .500S&W Magnum can be loaded up to about 2500ft-lbs of muzzle energy, with proper loadings a .45-70 is capable of over 3800ft-lbs.
Therefore, the BFR in .45-70 GOVT with hot handloads would be as much power as you're going to get from a pistol, other than a TC or similar singleshot. You're going to hurt yourself pretty badly trying to fire something that strong without a stock, though.
So now everyone will hate me for not claiming the 500S&W is teh ultimit uber pwn gunz.
2007-10-07 14:18:26 · answer #5 · answered by fishtrembleatmyname 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Smith & Wesson Model 500 .500 S&W Magnum Revolver.
2007-10-07 02:46:56 · answer #6 · answered by super682003 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Smith & Wesson Model 500
2007-10-07 21:16:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is the Smith & Wesson .500. It's literally a hand-cannon. Before it's invention the .50 Action Express- I.M.I. Desert Eagle was the largest most powerful.
2007-10-07 00:14:40 · answer #8 · answered by Paul B 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Smith&Wesson 500 magnum
There is no debate about it. S&W built it to be the most powerfull production handgun in the world and it is the most powerfull production handgun in the world. The new "X" frame s&w designed for this round is absolutely massive.
Below me... that is not a production firearm. You cant buy one anywere
2007-10-07 03:23:26 · answer #9 · answered by evo741hpr3 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
S&W 500 Magnum
2007-10-07 01:18:59 · answer #10 · answered by Steel Rain 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋