The Smith & Wesson Model 500 fires the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge, the most powerful production revolver cartridge in the world at the time of introduction. Purpose-built around the X-frame — a new, larger-than-N-frame platform developed specifically for this cartridge. Capable of taking any land animal on Earth, including dangerous game. The compensated barrel and aggressive recoil pad are necessary features, not options — uncushioned shooting is described as painful. A genuine engineering achievement as much as a firearm; the X-frame required new manufacturing tooling and new steel alloys. Type: Revolver Action: Double-Action Caliber: .500 S&W Magnum Capacity: 5 Year introduced: 2003, USA Weight: 272 oz Overall length: 15" Status: Active Intended use: hunting_big_game, collector