The Handguns Of Navarone

[ArmaLube]

For some, there is a driving requirement to own, shoot, and enjoy the maximum in handgun performance. These are what I call The Handguns Of Navarone. Included handguns are typically chambered in calibers larger than .44, with muzzle energies beyond 1000 foot pounds. They are well suited to dangerous game back-up duty, large game hunting, engine block disintegration, and routine recreational shooting. Firearm examples in the Navarone category sometimes assume the form of custom conversions, limited production models, and often are representative of comparatively high volume manufacturing.

[Note: Some will recall the 1961 film entitled "The Guns Of Navarone". The film revolved around a spectacular German gun emplacement.]

http://www.dvdreview.com/fullreviews/the_guns_of_navarone.shtml
http://www.50footdvd.com/movies/g/guns-of-navarone.html
http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&cf=info&id=1800073763
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/TheGunsofNavarone-1009065/
http://www.celebhost.net/jamesdarren/navarone1.html

Prepare to venture into a dimension beyond that of ordinary striking power!

S&W's Model 500, announced on Jan 9, 2003, fires the S&W 500 Magnum cartridge. Big gun enthusiasts will find this huge revolver very compelling. Also, you will want to see the Magnum Research BFR http://www.magnumresearch.com/BFR.asp. It is available in some collossal chamberings, including the fabulous .500 S&W and the .454 Casull. $999.00 seems to be a bargain for such an awesome firearm. Some other notable high power builders include Freedom Arms, Wildey Guns, Ruger, and Taurus.

These loading selections illustrate the levels of handgun ballistic energy that are available:

.500 S&W:

275 gr---1662 fps---1685 ft-lbs
400 gr---1675 fps---2492 ft-lbs
440 gr---1625 fps---2578 ft-lbs

.475 Linebaugh:

370 gr--- 1495 fps---1840 ft-lbs
400 gr--- 1300 fps---1501 ft-lbs
440 gr--- 1360 fps---1800 ft-lbs

.500 Linebaugh:

400 gr--- 1608 fps---2297 ft-lbs
431 gr--- 1200 fps---1378 ft-lbs
465 gr----999 fps---1030 ft-lbs

.50 AE:

300 gr--- 1541 fps---1583 ft-lbs
325 gr--- 1431 fps---1478 ft-lbs

.480 Ruger:

325 gr---1350 fps---1315 ft-lbs

.475 Wildey Magnum:

300 gr---1610 fps---1727 ft-lbs

.440 Cor-Bon:
240 gr--- 1900 fps---1900 ft-lbs
260 gr--- 1700 fps---1600 ft-lbs
305 gr--- 1600 fps---1734 ft-lbs

.454 Casull Magnum:

240 gr---1875 fps---1884 ft-Lbs
260 gr--- 1895 fps---2073 ft-lbs
300 gr--- 1650 fps---1813 ft-lbs

Data listed above are offered for general information only and should not be used for reloading purposes. Some of the data may be inaccurate and reloading should only be based on known sources of safe and reliable information.

Energy (ft-lbs) = [Velocity (fps) Squared x Bullet Weight (grains)]/ 450,240

Reloading Data Sources:

http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/p454c.html
http://www.reloadbench.com/cartridges/w475lineb.html
http://www.freedomarms.com/loading.html
http://hodgdon.com/data/pistol/454casul.htm
http://www.huntingnut.com/cgi-bin/reloads/loads.pl
http://www.reloadammo.com/50loads.htm
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/?...&Weight=All&type=Handgun&Order=Powder&Source=
http://www.handloads.net/loaddata/loadlist.asp

Photos:

http://www.pistolwhipvideo.com/Wallpaper.htm
http://glocktalk.com/sitemap/topic/128068-1.html
http://www.martscustoms.com/big_boys_handguns_page.htm


Other References:

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/monster_1103/ (Check this article)
http://www.vampiregerbil.com/weapons/sw500.html
http://personales.jet.es/inigo/e_hard_casull.html
http://popularmechanics.com/outdoors/firearms/2003/9/top_gun/print.phtml
http://www.gunblast.com/BFR-50Beowulf.htm
http://www.magnumresearch.com/BFR.asp
http://www.magnumresearch.com/
http://www.zvis.com/dep/aevscorb.shtml
http://www.ammoguide.com/
http://www.remtek.com/arms/imi/desert/50/index.htm
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/894712/posts
http://www.gunblast.com/480_Ruger.htm
http://www.galleryofguns.com/Shootingtimes/Articles/DisplayArticles.asp?ID=696
http://www.wildeyguns.com/index.html
http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt475.htm
http://www.sixguns.com/range/Linebaugh.htm
http://www.sixgunner.com/linebaugh/services.htm
http://www.gunweek.com/2001/feature0401.html
http://www.world.guns.ru/handguns/hg16-e.htm
http://www.fishandhunttexas.com/454casull.htm

A Big Rifle:

http://www.accuratereloading.com/700ne.html (Energy up to 14,560 ft-lbs)

Are you ready to cross over to the universe of magnificent Navarone Guns?

 

[Tamara]

I have an embarassing confession to make. I... um... really have no interest in owning one of the various "Beyond .44 Magnum" super handguns. Really, I'm honestly still a gun nut! Don't lynch me! If someone else wants one, that's cool with me. I even like capping off the occasional round out of those belonging to friends. I just have no real desire to shell out the shekels for one myself, not to mention the fact that .41 and .44 Magnum ammo is plenty rich for my blood as it is; I get nosebleeds just reading the price tags on a box of .445 Super Mag or .500 S&W. My 3" 629 is wearing enough to shoot without me seeking some super carpal tunnel inducing monster. I guess I'm a wimp.

(They're fun to watch someone else shoot, too. I like that tingling "punched in the nose" sensation you get from the overpressure of a ported .454 Raging Bull going off. )

 

[priv8ter]

Cool

I had to read the post myself. For a minute I thought you were going to make fun of Alistair MacLean's handgun knowledge...I love reading his books, but the more I learn about guns, the more I have to shake my head as I read it.

greg

 

[CastleBravo]

I guess I'm a wimp.

Being a woman, you get off light here... nobody will call a "girl" a "sissy" for "only" shooting a ".44 Magnum." Me, I'm a "sissy" or a "sushi-eater" or something. Oh, the humanity...

 

[FirstFreedom]

Being a woman, you get off light here... nobody will call a "girl" a "sissy" for "only" shooting a ".44 Magnum." Me, I'm a "sissy" or a "sushi-eater" or something. Oh, the humanity...

LOL - yup.

Good info, Armalube; thanks. But it seems that those calibers are better in carbines to me also, though the .454 casull is somewhat interesting to me, as you can shoot pre-packaged light loads (.45 LC), and beef up to the monster if need be - appeals to the versatility-wanting side of me a little. Is the .445 supermag the same way? Can it shoot a .44mag also? (funny thinking of .44 mag as a "light" load). Even a Desert Eagle in .50AE is somewhat interesting to me as a bear defense or some such - the others are too much recoil and/or too much size to effectively/quickly employ in a multi-shot defense encounter scenario.

Out of curiosity - if you have a Magnum Research BFR in .45-70, which type load can it take? Trapdoor springfield, or 'standard' (lever), or Ruger#1?

 

[ArmaLube]

The monster handguns referenced are obviously not for everyone. They do; however, have many followers. Some of the guns, such as the Desert Eagles, just don't grip well in the smaller hands of many. In their glory, are the revolvers, since the size of cartridges doesn't necessarily reflect in grip dimensions.

Also, shooting reduced loads can render routine shooting more practical and less painful, while reserving the potential for big power anytime it might be needed. So far, my largest handguns have been S&W 629s, but the new S&W 500 Magnum has me thinking. I may have to acquire one. Logic doesn't rule here. It is simply the illogical joy and mystique of huge and well-made fireams. S&W has achieved a brilliant coup with this new model, its special engineering, and its monster X-frame. Happiness is what matters, not how practical one's thinking can be. As I like to say: "You only live once. (maybe)"

Once again, S&W is proudly perched in first place in the world of production handgun power. S&W has made some major mistakes in the past, but it has also positively shaped the world of handgun technology for many years. One could do worse than own an S&W 500 Magnum.

 

[Tamara]

FirstFreedom,

Is the .445 supermag the same way? Can it shoot a .44mag also?

Yup, and .44 Special, too...

 

[Lone Star]

I'm going to respond on a different tack. In the movie, did anyone notice that the German officer who captured the sabotage group had a Mauser M10 or M34 7.65mm pistol? Quite authentic enough, and not something I've seen in any other movie about WW II.

However, I personally have no need for a handgun beyond .44 Magnum.

Lone Star

 

[Hard Ball]

I h efeel that if there is any type of target a .44 Magnum cannot handle I will reach for a rifle. And I am not at all embarassedto say this. I will say with Tamara that I really have no interest in owning one of the various "Beyond .44 Magnum" super handguns

 

[ArmaLube]

Hard Ball,

This thread is strictly intended as an information source and entertainment for voluntary enthusiasts of big guns. There is no intent to belittle or criticize those who are satisfied with lighter weapons. In other words, there is no implied requirement for anyone to join the high power handgun bandwagon.

Rest easy with your own choices.