Best Outdoor Handguns · #10
Model 500 Performance Center
Smith & Wesson
Reader rating
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The heaviest hitter available in a production revolver. Buy it only if you will practice with it.
Pros
- Unparalleled stopping power in a handgun
- Robust, overbuilt construction for extreme loads
- Performance Center tuning enhances action and ergonomics
- Effective deterrent against large, dangerous game
- Excellent for handgun hunting of very large animals
Cons
- Extreme recoil and muzzle blast
- Very heavy and bulky, challenging to carry
- Significant practice required for proficiency
- Limited capacity (5 rounds)
- Expensive ammunition
Best uses
- Dangerous game defense
- Big game handgun hunting
- Extreme power enthusiasts
- Backcountry bear protection
Specifications
- Caliber
- .500 S&W Magnum
- Capacity
- 5 rounds
- Barrel Length
- Varies by model, typically 7.5" to 10.5"
- Frame Size
- X-Frame (Large)
- Materials
- Stainless Steel
- Action
- Single/Double Action
Pricing
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Best for
Dangerous game defense, Big game handgun hunting, Extreme power enthusiasts, Backcountry bear protection
Where to buy the Model 500 Performance Center
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The Smith & Wesson Model 500 Performance Center is less a firearm and more a hand cannon. Chambered in the monstrous .500 S&W Magnum, this revolver is designed for situations where absolute stopping power is paramount. While its ranking at number 10 on our list might suggest it's an afterthought, the reality is that its specialized nature and extreme power band it from being a more general-purpose outdoor handgun. This isn't a sidearm you casually carry; it's a deliberate choice for serious encounters with large, dangerous game, or for those who simply want to experience the pinnacle of handgun power. Its sheer size and weight are immediate indicators of its purpose, signaling that this tool means business, but also demands respect and significant training from its operator. Performance Center models are S&W's way of offering enhanced features, and the Model 500 is no exception. These refinements typically include things like tuned actions, specialized barrels, and improved ergonomics, all aimed at maximizing the platform's potential. However, even with these enhancements, the fundamental challenge of managing the .500 S&W Magnum remains. It's a firearm that pushes the limits of what's practical in a handgun, offering unparalleled power at the cost of significant recoil, weight, and a steep learning curve. This isn't a beginner's gun, nor is it a casual plinker. It's a serious piece of equipment for serious applications.
Who It's Really For
This revolver is for the experienced outdoorsman who regularly operates in regions with large, dangerous game, such as grizzly bears, moose, or large cats. It's also suitable for those who participate in handgun hunting for large animals or enthusiasts who appreciate the engineering behind extreme power. This is not a self-defense weapon for urban environments or for casual range plinking. Its immense power and recoil require a high degree of proficiency, and a casual shooter will find it overwhelming and potentially unsafe. If you don't anticipate needing to stop something truly massive, there are more practical and enjoyable options available.
Materials and Construction
The Model 500 Performance Center is built like a tank, and it needs to be. The frame, cylinder, and barrel are all crafted from robust stainless steel, designed to withstand the immense pressures generated by the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge. The Performance Center treatment often includes a ported barrel to help manage muzzle rise, and a finely tuned action for a smoother trigger pull in both single and double action. Grips are typically synthetic, designed for maximum recoil absorption and a secure hold. Every component is overbuilt to ensure reliability and safety under extreme stress, reflecting its role as a last-resort deterrent or a serious hunting tool.
Real-World Performance
In the field, the Model 500 Performance Center delivers exactly what it promises: devastating power. A well-placed shot from this revolver can stop just about anything on four legs. However, managing this power is the real challenge. Recoil is substantial, even with porting and heavy construction. Follow-up shots are slow, and accuracy at distance requires considerable practice. This is not a precision target gun, but rather a close-range, high-impact tool. Reliability is generally excellent, as S&W's X-frame platform is engineered for these extreme loads. Expect significant muzzle flash and a thunderous report with every shot.
Weight and Packability
This is a heavy handgun, typically weighing in at over 4.5 pounds unloaded, depending on barrel length. Its large X-frame makes it bulky, and it's not something you'll forget is on your hip. Carrying it comfortably usually requires a specialized chest or sturdy hip holster designed for its weight and size. It's certainly not a discreet carry option, nor is it designed to be. Its significant mass is a necessary evil, helping to absorb some of the brutal recoil. Packability is an afterthought; this revolver is carried for its raw capability, not its convenience.
Durability and Alternatives
Durability is outstanding. The heavy-duty stainless steel construction ensures it can handle years of use, even with punishing .500 Magnum loads. Components are built to last. For comparable alternatives at this extreme power level, you're looking at a very short list, primarily other large-bore revolvers like the Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan in .454 Casull or .480 Ruger, or potentially custom big-bore revolvers. None quite match the sheer energy of the .500 S&W Magnum in a production handgun. Some might consider powerful lever-action rifles as an alternative, offering similar stopping power in a more manageable platform.
How we chose
We started with a long list of best outdoor handguns that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
- Value at its price point
- Compared against the closest competitors in the same tier, not against cheaper gear in a different class.
- Repairability and support
- Field-fixable design, available parts, and a warranty the maker actually honors.
Model 500 Performance Center — frequently asked questions
- Is the Model 500 Performance Center worth it?
- We rank it #10 in Best Outdoor Handguns. The heaviest hitter available in a production revolver. Buy it only if you will practice with it.
- What is the Model 500 Performance Center best for?
- Best for dangerous game defense, big game handgun hunting, extreme power enthusiasts and backcountry bear protection. Standouts: unparalleled stopping power in a handgun and robust, overbuilt construction for extreme loads.
- What are the downsides of the Model 500 Performance Center?
- Extreme recoil and muzzle blast, Very heavy and bulky, challenging to carry and Significant practice required for proficiency.
- What are the key specs of the Model 500 Performance Center?
- Caliber: .500 S&W Magnum · Capacity: 5 rounds · Barrel Length: Varies by model, typically 7.5" to 10.5" · Frame Size: X-Frame (Large) · Materials: Stainless Steel
- Who It's Really For?
- This revolver is for the experienced outdoorsman who regularly operates in regions with large, dangerous game, such as grizzly bears, moose, or large cats. It's also suitable for those who participate in handgun hunting for large animals or enthusiasts who appreciate the engineering behind extreme power.
- Materials and Construction — what should I know about the Model 500 Performance Center?
- The Model 500 Performance Center is built like a tank, and it needs to be. 500 S&W Magnum cartridge.
Compare side by side
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