Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting looking for a new hand cannon

[Kissfan113]

I've been kicking around a big bore handgun for some time, I'm limiting myself to a few choices now, and can't decide what would be the best choice, so I'm now asking for you guys to chime in. Here's what I've come up with.



1. Magnum Research Desert Eagle in Brushed Chrome chambered in . 50AE



2. Smith and Wesson X Frame chambered in . 500 Smith and Wesson



3. Magnum Research BFR in 45/70 with spare chamber in 450 Marlin



Let me know what you guys think.

 

[GHarman]

S&W Performance Center, .500 S&W

This is a upgraded and IMHO a really good version of this revolver. I have fired the over the counter version of the . 500 and find it manageable. However, The custom shop version has a more efficient muzzle brake. Check out this link. GregH



Product: Model 500 Revolver

 

[JCyrbok]

I'd go with the . 500S&W also. They have a great rep for making very nice large frame high power handguns. I have a snubby . 357 that I carry in my pocket and it is very nice.



J-

 

[cksh8me]

You're lucky you don't live in Glendale, California otherwise you might have to get the Desert Anchor, with polished flats and gold plated controls, wear valour work out suits without ever working out, need a weed wacker for a razor and buy cologne by the gallon because you're afraid of water and can't stand soap.



I've shot the BFR's and the 500's the Smith is a much better shooter. If you want something that is art and still will hammer what is coming at you the the Freedom Arms single action in 454. Really well put together and tight. Not as nice to shoot as the 500.

 

[GHarman]

You're lucky you don't live in Glendale, California otherwise you might have to get the Desert Anchor, with polished flats and gold plated controls, wear valour work out suits without ever working out, need a weed wacker for a razor and buy cologne by the gallon because you're afraid of water and can't stand soap.



I've shot the BFR's and the 500's the Smith is a much better shooter. If you want something that is art and still will hammer what is coming at you the the Freedom Arms single action in 454. Really well put together and tight. Not as nice to shoot as the 500.

I have a FA . 454 and find that for the money, it is an excellent and practical revolver. The ability to use the . 45 LC and . 45ACP rounds help alot. However, for raw horsepower, brass availability, and quality I prefer the . 500S&W Performance Center Revolver. MOF, I'd trade my . 454 for one in a NEW YORK MINUTE:-laf, (with the spare . 45LC Cylinder)! The Desert Eagle, I'll leave to others and the BFR hasn't proven itself, IMHO. GregH

 

[JA1]

Dont want to affend but,

#1 Pimp gun, too big, ammo cost to much,reloading nightmare.

#3 The guns about 3 feet long. I am a 45/70 fan, but in a rifle.



#2 This is as big as it gets. ammo cost is high, but easy to reload. You can down load it to shot dirt clods or up load it for anything on the planet. If your going to handgun hunt the 8in is good. Backup for bear the 4in is good. Have shot both and recoil is managable. Just limit the amount of shooting you do in a session or you will get the flinchies.



My . 02 cents

 

[GHarman]

Dont want to affend but,

#1 Pimp gun, too big, ammo cost to much,reloading nightmare.

#3 The guns about 3 feet long. I am a 45/70 fan, but in a rifle.



#2 This is as big as it gets. ammo cost is high, but easy to reload. You can down load it to shot dirt clods or up load it for anything on the planet. If your going to handgun hunt the 8in is good. Backup for bear the 4in is good. Have shot both and recoil is managable. Just limit the amount of shooting you do in a session or you will get the flinchies.



My . 02 cents

I am a . 45/70 rifle/carbine fan also. I have had a . 45/70 rifle, of one configuration or two since 1967. The BFR does not allow that cartridge to be loaded to its full potential. No one makes a decent . 45-70 leveraction. I have had two Marlins and did not care for them! Single Shot rifles are the only decent choice for the . 45/70. As far as a revolver is concerned, the Freedom Arms is about as large as I can comfortably carry in a hip holster. The . 500 is a specialty revolver that would be fine for sling carry across the chest in heavy timber. You gotta have strong wrists and hands to handle it in a competent manner. Handloading is no big deal. A Bullet mold will take the place of expensive projectiles. Brass should last quite a while. Just buy 500 pieces and you would be set fer a spell! Greg

 

[catdsl]

i dont know what is available in factory loads but my hornady reloading manual lists a 500 grain load for the 500 s&w.

 

[BK]

I shot a BFR SA chambered for the 500s&w, real nice... .

Now I want one, but the wallet says no.

 

[BILLVO]

For all around versatility I will be trading in my Ruger Super red hawk . 454 casull on a S&W . 460 as It is capable of shooting . 45 lc . 454 casull and . 460 rounds through it. I am already set up for . 45 LC and Casull but the s&w has a muzzle break so the . 454 will be more manageable to shoot through it.

 

[SWCook]

Out of the choices you posted I would say the S&W in the X Frame but don't limit yourself to the 500 unless its just what you have your heart set on, the caliber is a great one and handloading will open lots of possibilities for range and hunting sessions.



I am looking into the X Frame as well but believe I will go with the 460 as I can utilize factory rounds or reloads in the 45LC, 454 or 460 fodder plus the amount of reloading data on the above 3 will provide an incredible base to work off of when deciding the direction I will take.



My collection already includes a Freedom Arms 454 in the Model 83 and I am very happy with its performance so far.



Good luck with your final choice as they are all very interesting and potent platforms for an enthusiast to begin with.

 

[Drewhenry]

Freedom Model 83

Hey SW!



I too have a Freedom mod 83-454. Mine is a custom Premier grade. Hardened replaceable forcing cone bushing, action job, trigger job-3lbs, 10 inch, inverted muzzle crown. I love it!!

How is your's spec'd out?



Andy B

 

[SWCook]

Hey SW!



I too have a Freedom mod 83-454. Mine is a custom Premier grade. Hardened replaceable forcing cone bushing, action job, trigger job-3lbs, 10 inch, inverted muzzle crown. I love it!!

How is your's spec'd out?



Andy B

Nice Roscoe ya got there Drewhenry, mine is the Field Grade but has a hand polished exterior finish by none other than me, it has the action job ala Freedom Wyoming and was sent back for Micarta grips. I do have a matching 45LC cylinder and to be honest I shoot more of them from it than I do the 454 boomers.



These FA revolvers are works of art and I still cant see how they don't charge more for them, bank vault action with the timing of a Swiss watch!



Mine will be handed down to my son when they put me down.



Current affliction is an itch for a model 97 in 45LC with a 4. 25 tube.



Back to the OP's question on door number 1,2 or 3, there are so many big caliber revolvers out there and some have previously been discussed regarding one brand or another. Make sure you also check revolvers from the likes of Gary Reeder, Linebaugh, John Ross or the like, this will keep you shopping and pacing back and forth for weeks.



If you are like me you will probably decide on one to get then several weeks later another will catch your eye and becon your call. I always seem to find myself in a circular world of which one to buy next.

 

[GHarman]

Quote{Make sure you also check revolvers from the likes of Gary Reeder, Linebaugh, John Ross or the like, this will keep you shopping and pacing back and forth for weeks. }Quote



Dont ferget Hamilton Bowen! Bowen Classic Arms. GregH



+ B O W E N + Bowen Classic Arms - Custom Revolvers, Pistols and Guns Repair and Pistolsmithing

 

[SWCook]

Quote{Make sure you also check revolvers from the likes of Gary Reeder, Linebaugh, John Ross or the like, this will keep you shopping and pacing back and forth for weeks. }Quote



Dont ferget Hamilton Bowen! Bowen Classic Arms. GregH



+ B O W E N + Bowen Classic Arms - Custom Revolvers, Pistols and Guns Repair and Pistolsmithing

Thanks for the Bowen reminder, I don't know why I forgot him on that list as every other big bore custom revolver list has him included.

 

[DWordinger]

If you are considering a Desert Eagle auto, forget it. Go for a Wildey. Adjustable gas operated rotating bolt semi-auto. I love mine. I've had it for about two decades and the only drawback is adjusting the gas operator when changing from light to medium to high power loads. Find a load you like and don't tough the adjustment. If you do change ammo, adjusting the gas is a lot easier than changing recoil springs and buffers.



I've owned and shot some S&Ws and they are good guns, but I've sold most of mine and kept my Freedom Arms 454 Casull. As others have already written, it's a work of art and I enjoy it much more than any S&W I've ever fired. In my opinion, Rugers are a bit less quality then the S&Ws, but a better value for the price. The Freedom Arms is more expensive than the S&W and well worth it.



A friend of mine had an unported TC Contender in 45/70 and I thought the recoil was comparable to my Mag-na-ported 454. The 45/70 was shooting factory (low pressure) loads and I use standard (high pressure) loads in my Casull. Whatever you get in this "hand cannon" field of guns, I recommend getting it ported.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

In the 80s, I had a Remington XP-100 in . 458x2". It gave the 400 Speer 2175 fps, and the 500 gr. cast bullet 1844 fps. I wrote it up in Handloader about 1987. THAT was a hand cannon.

 

[DWordinger]

If you are willing to settle for a single shot, check out this one. Photo.