# Tried out a super-powerful handgun today **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 9, 2009, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361 "2009-09-09T00:59:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/21 "2009-09-09T13:55:01Z")
> [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](#): > > I suppose it was fun to try that, but the Colt .45 model 1911A that I inherited is about all the handgun power I can imagine needing. > > Are you considering buying the 500? If someone gave me one free, I don’t think I could afford to put bullets in it… ☹ > [@Boyo Jim](#): > > Doesn’t that gun unfurl a sign that says BANG when you pull the trigger? No, the sign says **BOOM** 😛 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/22 "2009-09-09T15:05:04Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Doesn’t that gun unfurl a sign that says BANG when you pull the trigger? > [@Lumpy](#): > > If someone gave me one free, I don’t think I could afford to put bullets in it… ☹ > > No, the sign says **BOOM** 😛 Actually, it unfurls a billboard that says BOOM. And the original use for a gun this big is hunting anything. I believe all five of Africa’s big game animals have been taken with this gun. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/23 "2009-09-09T17:30:50Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > I believe all five of Africa’s big game animals have been taken with this gun. As well as a couple of contributors to this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/24 "2009-09-09T17:55:06Z")
My buddy let me shoot his .500, it was a kick in the ass! It really doesn’t kick or try to jump out of your hands, there’s just an incredible push back and that deep, reverberating **BOOM.** I could not wipe the grin off my face to save my life. His is the 8 3/8" model, it was brand new so we were shooting factory loads. I put every shot into a Nestle’s Quick can at 30yds, probably a 5" group. I’ve always been curious about the .500ES, it has a 2 3/4" barrel, now that would be tough to shoot. Do you guys see an advantage to having the .500 over the .460? Last I heard the .460 still shot flatter. Also, you have the option of shooting .45 long colt or .454 Casull. I figure if I get into handgun hunting, I’ll pick up a .460 despite the cool factor of the .500. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/25 "2009-09-09T18:27:35Z")
> [@thirdname](#): > > Now, that’s just wrong. A gun like that should have a longer barrel to make the most of the cartridge, reduce the blast and also reduce recoil through the additional weight. I’m thinking of the pistol that Jack Nicholson pulled out of his pants in the first Batman movie. 🆒 [sub]He shot down the batplane with it…[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/26 "2009-09-09T23:37:36Z")
A guy I work with bought one, and we were at the range last week. I fired five hand loads (much lighter than spec) and just one from the factory. Boom goes the dynamite. Big difference. ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/27 "2009-09-10T01:40:34Z")
I had the opportunity to fire a .50 cal handgun several years ago at a party. I don’t remember what it was anymore but, like as gun’s owner said, “It’s not even fun to shoot”. Frankly, the recoil felt like hitting a baseball with a piece of rebar. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/28 "2009-09-10T02:41:53Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > Stunt shooting and _very close_ bears. A guy I know from another message board used it for just this. He was bow hunting for bear and used the .500 for a backup. A bear he shot with the bow turned on him and he had just enough time to get off one shot with the handgun. It was enough to kill the bear, but the bear still managed to maul him badly as it fell on him. Although a .44 mag might have done the job, he has no intention for repeating the experience. Getting mauled, that is. He still hunts. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/29 "2009-09-10T04:28:31Z")
With that barrel, I wouldn’t want to try to use it on a bear much further than mauling distance. Which, uhm… well. There you go. I wasn’t really kidding when I said that, it’s just about the only use I can think of. I’m glad it worked for your friend. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/30 "2009-09-10T10:37:25Z")
I shot a .500 a few years ago. Just one shot. BOOM! That was enough for me. Last weekend my buddy brought over a 12 gage shotgun with a pistol grip. Looked like [this](http://www.autoburst.net/graphics/Rifles/Moss500.jpg). I shot it with with one hand. Yow, did that sting!!! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/31 "2009-09-10T11:59:08Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > I believe all five of Africa’s big game animals have been taken with this gun. That would include elephant, hippo, rhino and cape buffalo, but what’s the fifth? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/32 "2009-09-10T12:13:58Z")
No hippo… Leopard, Lion, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/33 "2009-09-10T13:31:25Z")
And tigers. In Kenya… Kenya believe it? … who the hell would shoot at a Rhino with a pistol with that short a barrel? ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/34 "2009-09-10T13:50:33Z")
There is a point at which handgun calibres stop being “Useful” and start being Silly. The .500 S&W round is, IMHO, Very Silly. But you can guarantee that anything you manage to hit with it is going to have a bad day, so that means it does have a legitimate use for hunting some types of game. It’s not the biggest handgun cartridge ever, either… the British used to have Howdah Pistols chambered in .577 Snider rifle cartridges in the 19th Century, and a number of .577 calibre revolvers in various cartridges that haven’t been made since Cecil Rhodes was rubbing his hands with glee over a Map of Africa. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/35 "2009-09-10T13:55:27Z")
There is at least one russian 40mm grenade launcher that is essentially an oversized six-shooter, and can… theoretically… be fired one handed. I forget the name. Looks like a skeletonized Nerf Maverick. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/36 "2009-09-10T15:10:41Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > No hippo… Leopard, Lion, Buffalo, Elephant and Rhino. Hippos aren’t considered big game, but leopards are? Why is that? And what about giraffes? If they aren’t “big” game, I’m really confused. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/37 "2009-09-10T16:56:12Z")
> [@InvisibleWombat](#): > > Hippos aren’t considered big game, but leopards are? Why is that? And what about giraffes? If they aren’t “big” game, I’m really confused. Giraffes are “tall” game, duh. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/38 "2009-09-10T18:32:27Z")
> [@InvisibleWombat](#): > > Hippos aren’t considered big game, but leopards are? Why is that? They’re supposed to be the 5 most difficult to hunt on foot. Here, “Big” means something other than size alone, kinda like the Big 10 Conference. I guess hippos, crocodiles too for that matter, aren’t really hunted on foot. Plus, with as little as they sometimes offer above the water to shoot at, I’d hate to have to keep plugging away until they die of a nosebleed. You do bring up a valid point in that it’s a term that’s probably frequently misinterpreted. ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/39 "2009-09-10T19:20:37Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > There is a point at which handgun calibres stop being “Useful” and start being Silly. > > The .500 S&W round is, IMHO, Very Silly. But you can guarantee that anything you manage to hit with it is going to have a bad day, so that means it does have a legitimate use for hunting some types of game. > > It’s not the biggest handgun cartridge ever, either… the British used to have Howdah Pistols chambered in .577 Snider rifle cartridges in the 19th Century, and a number of .577 calibre revolvers in various cartridges that haven’t been made since Cecil Rhodes was rubbing his hands with glee over a Map of Africa. I didn’t mention the Pfeifer-Zeliska 600 Nitro Express revolver because it uses what’s considered rilfe ammo rather than handgun ammo, and because it’s a specialty gun not in general production. ---
**Author:** ![Woeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Woeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Woeg)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361/40 "2009-09-11T17:51:59Z")
Speaking of freakishly large guns, has anyone tried the [Taurus Judge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurus_Judge) yet? I have to admit, it has my curiosity peeked, if only because the long cylinder reminds me of something steampunk. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tried-out-a-super-powerful-handgun-today/509361.md?page=3)