.50 caliber handguns
A .50 caliber handgun is a handgun firing a bullet measuring approximately .5 inches in diameter. Historically, many black powder pistols fire rounds with diameters well above ½ inch. However, following the development of smokeless powder, the focus shifted to smaller-diameter bullets propelled at higher velocities, and the development of .50 and larger calibers in handguns became uncommon.
In the twentieth century, several new cartridges of half-inch diameter were developed, with the .50 Action Express (1988) being the first to achieve wide popularity.[1] The diameter was further popularized by the development of the .500 S&W Magnum in 2003.[2]
There are automatic, revolver, single-shot, and bolt-action .50 caliber handgun designs. Handguns of this caliber tend to be larger and heavier than most others of their type, for both structural integrity and absorbing the recoil associated with firing these rounds.[2]
Despite being featured in many video games and action films as the weapon of choice for some members of elite military and law enforcement units, these guns are used primarily for hunting, target shooting, and silhouette shooting.[3][4]
Contents |
[edit] Partial list
(Left : .50 Alaskan / Right : .50-110 Winchester)
[edit] .50 GI
- Guncrafter Industries Model No. 1
- Guncrafter Industries Model No. 2
- Guncrafter Industries Model No. 3
[edit] .50 Action Express
[edit] 500 SGNR
[edit] .500 S&W Magnum
- Ultimate 500
- BFR .500 S&W Magnum
- John Ross/Performance Center 5" .500 S&W Magnum
- Raging Bull Model 500
- Smith & Wesson Model 500
- JTL-E .500 S&W Magnum 12"
[edit] .500 Maximum
[edit] Other
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Shideler, Dan (2011). Gun Digest 2011. Krause. p. 368. ISBN 978-1-4402-1337-3.
- ^ a b Van Zwoll, Wayne (2006). Hunter's Guide to Long-Range Shooting. Stackpole Books. pp. 335–339. ISBN 978-0-8117-3314-4.
- ^ Hartink, A.E. (2002). The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, Inc. pp. 165–167. ISBN 978-0-7858-1519-8.
- ^ Taffin, John (2005). "The Desert Eagle of Magnum Research". Guns Magazine 30 (8). http://www.magnumresearch.com/news_detail.asp?story=gunsmagaug2005.asp.
- ^ Hartink, A.E. (2003). The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, Inc. pp. 132–134. ISBN 9780785818717.
