Smith & Wesson Model 460

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
Specifications
Barrel length	2.75" to 8.375"
Cartridge	.460 S&W Magnum, .454 Casull, .45 Colt, .45 Schofield
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

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 platform known as the X-Frame and represents a joint effort between Smith & Wesson, Hornady, and Cor-Bon.^[1]

Design

The basic design of the Model 460 is based on the other X-frame revolver, its counterpart, the Smith & Wesson Model 500, a .50 caliber revolver.^[2][3]

Aside from the .460 S&W Magnum cartridge, the revolver can chamber .454 Casull and .45 Colt ammunition.^[1][4][5][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.^{[1][2][6][7][8]}

This revolver uses gain-twist rifling - it starts with a slow twist of 1 turn in 100 in and gradually speeds up to 1 turn in 20 in to accommodate the high pressure of the round.^[1]

The S&W Model 460 won the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence Handgun of the year Award when it debuted in 2005.^[9]

Variants

Smith & 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^[10] while others with barrels as long as 14" are intended as a primary hunting arm.^[11][12]

• Model 460 ES 2.75" Barrel, Emergency Survival Kit (no longer manufactured)^[13]
• Model 460 XVR Performance Center 3.5" Barrel, HI-VIZ® Fiber Optic Green front site^[14]
• Model 460 V 5" Barrel, Muzzle Brake (the V stands for 5 referring to the length of the barrel)^[15]
• 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)^[16]
• Model 460 XVR 8.38" Barrel, Muzzle Brake^[17]
• Model 460 XVR Performance Center 10.5" Barrel, Muzzle Brake, Sling Swivels, Picatinny rail top^[18]
• Model 460 XVR Performance Center 12" Barrel, Sling Swivels, Picatinny rail top and bottom^[19]
• Model 460 XVR Performance Center 14" Barrel, Muzzle Brake, Sling Swivels, Picatinny rail top and bottom, bipod^[20]

References

1. Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (20 December 2006). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 353. ISBN 1-4402-2700-4.
2. "Gun Review: Smith & Wesson's 460XVR Revolver". Outdoor Life. 2007.
3. Ramage, Ken; Taffin, John (16 November 2006). Handguns 2007. Gun Digest Books. p. 47. ISBN 0-89689-415-0.
4. Chumley, Cheryl K (January 21, 2014). "Smith & Wesson unveils monster .460 caliber gun: The 'Backpack Cannon'". The Washington Times.
5. http://www.gunsandammo.com/video/new-smith-wesson-460xvr-model-929-performance-center-revolvers/ New Smith & Wesson 460XVR & Model 929 Performance Center Revolvers. January 22nd, 2014.
6. 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.
7. Cunningham, Grant (2012). Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to Handguns. Iola, wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 84. ISBN 1-4402-3276-8.
8. Hutchinson, Gordon. "Beauty of the beast: S&W .460 XVR".
9. Huntington, Roy (2005). "Academy of excellence honors industry's best". Shooting Industry. FMG Publications. 20 (5): 98.
10. Radielovic, Marko; Prasac, Max (31 August 2012). "Survival Tools". Big-Bore Revolvers. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 225. ISBN 1-4402-2856-6.
11. 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.
12. Thurman, Russ (2005). "The Battle Of The Hand Cannons". Shooting Industry. FMG Publications. 20 (2): 35.
13. "Smith & Wesson Model 460ES 2.75" Barrel".
14. "Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR 3.5" Barrel".
15. "Smith & Wesson Model 460V 5" Barrel".
16. "Smith & Wesson Model 460V 5" Barrel OD Green Carry Combo".
17. "Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR 8.38" Barrel".
18. "Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR 10.5" Barrel".
19. "Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR 12" Barrel".
20. "Smith & Wesson Model 460XVR 14" Barrel".

• Smith & Wesson "X" frame revolvers