# So, uh, is this Dirty Harry's new sidearm? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 14, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972 "2003-02-14T01:42:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![SC\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/21 "2003-02-14T13:00:19Z")
Then of course, there’s the pistol that the Joker had in 89’s _Batman_. ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/22 "2003-02-14T13:26:41Z")
I want it. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/23 "2003-02-14T14:31:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CalMeacham \* > \*\*The joke was (this was a Blake Edwards film) that Burt Reynolds pulled out a Magnum, and Clint Eastwood pulls out an even _bigger_ piece. \*\* Barrel envy. 😃 That last one must’ve had a 24" at least! ---
**Author:** ![robertliguori](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/46a35a/32.png) [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/24 "2003-02-14T14:34:32Z")
So shiny… ---
**Author:** ![Balle\_M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/25 "2003-02-14T15:42:09Z")
Yeah, it’s big, but I don’t think it beats Danny Vermin’s .88 Magnum. I mean, can it shoot through schools? ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/26 "2003-02-14T17:01:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 2trew \* > \*\*Where does this fall in the “Godawful overpowered” spectrum with the Automag and the Cassul .454 and all of those other non-production handguns? \*\* Well, the .454 IS a production handgun. The .50 blows it away. Muzzle Energy: 2600lbs - New Smith .50 1900lbs - .454 Casull 1315lbs - .480 Ruger 900lbs - .44 Magnum and .44 Automag 650lbs - 10mm Auto (my round of choice) 500lbs - .357 Magnum 410lbs - .45 ACP 370lbs - 9mm Luger For comparison with several rifles: 2800lbs - .30-06 Springfield 2700lbs - .270 Winchester 1800lbs - .30-30 190lbs - .22LR Stinger 2500lbs - 12 gauge slug gun 1800lbs - 20 gauge slug gun ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/27 "2003-02-14T17:13:38Z")
Fuck me. ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/28 "2003-02-14T17:26:36Z")
I think they need to modify that “any game animal walking” statement. Suitable For Any Game Animal Walking, As Long As It’s Mule-Deer Size or Larger If You Expect There To Be Any Meat Left. Maybe that’s too long. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/29 "2003-02-14T17:32:57Z")
I’m thinking maybe I’d like one of these with a 2-inch barrel. Ya know, so it fits in an ankle holster. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/30 "2003-02-14T17:33:43Z")
This is an excellent tool to end the tragic and chronic problem of big-city muggings by finback whales and Cape buffalo. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![Anaximenes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e99b99/32.png) [@Anaximenes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaximenes)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/31 "2003-02-14T17:53:49Z")
I. Want. One. …oh look, my mastercard… ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/32 "2003-02-14T18:28:56Z")
I wonder how long it’ll be before somebody’s sitting around with their new S&W and lamenting the fact that it’s less powerful than a .30/06 and decides to buy up some 20mm. anti-aircraft ammunition and see what they can build around that. ---
**Author:** ![Exgineer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Exgineer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exgineer)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/33 "2003-02-14T18:40:58Z")
Come to think of it, didn’t some wingnut develop a revolver that fired the .45-70 Govt. cartridge? I’ve got little girly wrists, so I don’t even care for the .44 Magnum. I fired a .454 Casul _once_ and swore never to do it again. The rest of these things are just crazy. I’d have to put it in a vehicle mount before I even thought about shooting it. Thank God for rifles. ---
**Author:** ![Anaximenes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e99b99/32.png) [@Anaximenes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaximenes)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/34 "2003-02-14T18:41:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 2trew \* > \*\*I wonder how long it’ll be before somebody’s sitting around with their new S&W and lamenting the fact that it’s less powerful than a .30/06 and decides to buy up some 20mm. anti-aircraft ammunition and see what they can build around that. \*\* I have a friend to whom I would not suggest such things… ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/35 "2003-02-14T18:47:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Anaximenes \* > \*\*I have a friend to whom I would not suggest such things… \*\* Might want to keep that friend away from _Tremors II_. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/36 "2003-02-14T19:03:48Z")
In all seriousness, I owned a .50 AE Desert Eagle, and that thing would leave some serious hurting on my wrists after just one box. I can only imagine shooting a couple of boxes with this monster. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/37 "2003-02-14T19:46:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I wonder how long it’ll be before somebody’s sitting around with their new S&W and lamenting the fact that it’s less powerful than a .30/06 and decides to buy up some 20mm. anti-aircraft ammunition and see what they can build around that. I own a book called _Cartridges of the World_, or something like that. In it, there was a section on wildcat cartridges. If I’m not mistaken, some lunatic did indeed take 20mm shells, trim them back a bit and then neck 'em down to .223. He called it the Fat Boy (I think). My friend has the book right now. Lemme see if I can him to dig up the numbers and send them to me. They were ungodly. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/38 "2003-02-14T19:51:36Z")
> [@](#): > > Come to think of it, didn’t some wingnut develop a revolver that fired the .45-70 Govt. cartridge? Indeed they did. Magnum Research’s 45/70 BFR. [http://www.magnumresearch.com/old/bfr\_specs.html](http://www.magnumresearch.com/old/bfr_specs.html) I’d bet dollars to donuts that BFR stands for Big Fucking Revolver. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/39 "2003-02-14T20:08:16Z")
:::Scene in _Dirty Harry V: The Retirement Years_::: Harry: I know what you’re thinking. Did he fire five shots or only four? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I’ve kinda lost track myself. But being as this is a Smith & Wesson .50, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off your waist, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk? Pimply Faced Kid: I’m sorry Mr. Callahan, I’ll get off your lawn. ---
**Author:** ![3trew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/13edae/32.png) [@3trew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3trew)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972/40 "2003-02-14T20:13:03Z")
Oh, sweet Jeebus! Thanks, **UncleBeer** for once again proving to me that reality is far stranger than anything I could make up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-uh-is-this-dirty-harrys-new-sidearm/154972.md?page=3)