Smith & Wesson Model 460 is a large bore five-shot, single-action/double-action revolver by Smith & Wesson chambered for the .460 S&W Magnum cartridge. It was designed as a hunting and dangerous game defensive revolver for use in Africa and Alaska. The revolver is built on the company's largest and strongest frame, known as the X-Frame, and represents a joint effort among Smith & Wesson, Hornady, and Cor-Bon.[3]
| Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR | |
|---|---|
 Customized Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR showing factory sights and barrel detail. | |
| Type | Revolver |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Produced | 2005[1][2] to present |
| Specifications | |
| Barrel length | 2.75–8.375 inches (69.9–212.7 mm) |
| Cartridge | .454 Casull .45 Colt .45 Schofield .460 S&W Magnum |
| Action | Double-action/single-action |
| Muzzle velocity | 200 grains (13 grams) at 2,330 feet per second (710 metres per second) |
| Feed system | 5-round cylinder |
| Sights | Open with provision for a scope |
Design
editThe basic design of the Model 460 is based on another X-frame revolver, its counterpart, the Smith & Wesson Model 500, a .50 caliber revolver.[2][4]
Aside from the .460 S&W Magnum cartridge, the revolver can also chamber .454 Casull, .45 Colt, and .45 Schofield ammunition.[3][5][6][2] Smith & Wesson states that Model 460 XVR (XVR stands for X-treme Velocity Revolver) is the highest velocity production revolver, while being the most powerful .45 caliber production revolver in the world, launching a 200-grain (13-gram) bullet at 2,330 feet per second (710 meters per second), generating 2,416 foot-pounds force (3,276 joules) of muzzle energy.[3][2][7][8][9]
This revolver uses gain-twist rifling, starting with a slow twist rate of one turn in 100 in and gradually increasing up to one turn in 20 in to accommodate the combination of a heavy bullet and high pressure and velocity typical for the round.[3]
The S&W Model 460 won the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Handgun of the year Award when it debuted in 2005.[10]
Variants
editSmith & Wesson offers several variants of this revolver. Some with short barrels like the Model 460 ES are intended for use in survival kits in small planes should they crash land in Alaskan Bear Country[11] while others with barrels as long as 14" are intended as a primary hunting arm.[12][13]
- Model 460 ES 2.75" Barrel, Emergency Survival snubnosed revolver with neon yellow Hogue grips (no longer manufactured)[14]
- Model 460 XVR Performance Center 3.5" Barrel, HI-VIZ® Fiber Optic Green front sight[15]
- Model 460 V 5" Barrel, Muzzle Brake (the V stands for 5 referring to the length of the barrel)[16]
- Model 460 V 5" Barrel, Muzzle Brake "OD Green Carry Combo" (OD green Hogue grips, DeSantis green digital camo holster, DeSantis green digital belt ammo carrier; Custom OD green S&W gun case)[17]
- Model 460 XVR 8.38" Barrel, Muzzle Brake[18]
- Model 460 XVR Performance Center 10.5" Barrel, Muzzle Brake, Sling Swivels, Picatinny rail top[19]
- Model 460 XVR Performance Center 12" Barrel, Sling Swivels, Picatinny rail top and bottom[20]
- Model 460 XVR Performance Center 14" Barrel, Muzzle Brake, Sling Swivels, Picatinny rail top and bottom, bipod[21]
References
edit- ^ Huntington, Roy (2005). "Academy of excellence honors industry's best". Shooting Industry. 20 (5). FMG Publications: 98.
- ^ a b c d "Gun Review: Smith & Wesson's 460XVR Revolver". Outdoor Life. 18 September 2007.
- ^ a b c d Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (20 December 2006). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 353. ISBN 1-4402-2700-4.
- ^ Ramage, Ken; Taffin, John (16 November 2006). Handguns 2007. Gun Digest Books. p. 47. ISBN 0-89689-415-0.
- ^ Chumley, Cheryl K. (January 21, 2014). "Smith & Wesson unveils monster .460 caliber gun: The 'Backpack Cannon'". The Washington Times.
- ^ "New Smith & Wesson 460XVR & Model 929 Performance Center Revolvers". Guns & Ammo. January 22, 2014. Archived from the original on November 10, 2014.
- ^ Barnes, Frank C.; Mann, Richard A. (5 October 2012). Cartridges of the World: A Complete Illustrated Reference for More Than 1,500 Cartridges. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 362. ISBN 1-4402-3059-5.
- ^ Cunningham, Grant (2012). Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to Handguns. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 84. ISBN 1-4402-3276-8.
- ^ Hutchinson, Gordon. "Beauty of the beast: S&W .460 XVR". Louisiana Sportsman.
- ^ Huntington, Roy (2005). "Academy of excellence honors industry's best". Shooting Industry. 20 (5). FMG Publications: 98.
- ^ Radielovic, Marko; Prasac, Max (31 August 2012). "Survival Tools". Big-Bore Revolvers. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 225. ISBN 1-4402-2856-6.
- ^ Schoby, Mike (8 July 2008). Do-It-Yourself Dream Hunts: Plan Like An Outfitter And Hunt For Less. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. p. 60. ISBN 0-89689-641-2.
- ^ Thurman, Russ (2005). "The Battle Of The Hand Cannons". Shooting Industry. 20 (2). FMG Publications: 35.
- ^ "Model 460ES 2.75" Barrel". Smith & Wesson.
- ^ "Model 460XVR 3.5" Barrel". Smith & Wesson.
- ^ "Model 460V 5" Barrel". Smith & Wesson.
- ^ "Model 460V 5" Barrel OD Green Carry Combo". Smith & Wesson.
- ^ "Model 460XVR 8.38" Barrel". Smith & Wesson.
- ^ "Model 460XVR 10.5" Barrel". Smith & Wesson. Archived from the original on 2016-05-21.
- ^ "Model 460XVR 12" Barrel". Smith & Wesson. Archived from the original on 2016-05-28.
- ^ "Model 460XVR 14" Barrel". Smith & Wesson.