Smith & Wesson Model 460
The Smith & Wesson Model 460 XVR (Extreme Velocity Revolver) holds the distinction of being the most powerful production revolver ever made—chambered in .460 S&W Magnum, a cartridge that pushes a 200-grain bullet to over 2,300 fps and generates more muzzle energy than most rifle cartridges. Built on S&W’s X-frame, the largest revolver frame the company produces, the 460 XVR is designed specifically for big game hunting at handgun distances where maximum terminal performance is required. It also chambers .454 Casull and .45 Colt, providing a range of power levels for different applications and practice.
Read our full S&W Model 460 XVR Buying Guide ↓
.460 S&W Magnum: The Most Powerful Production Revolver Cartridge
The .460 S&W Magnum was developed by S&W and Cor-Bon specifically for the X-frame revolver to establish a new power ceiling for production revolvers. It operates at approximately 65,000 PSI—higher than the .454 Casull it was designed to surpass—and delivers muzzle energy exceeding 2,500 ft-lbs with heavy loads. To put this in context, a standard .30-06 rifle load produces approximately 2,900 ft-lbs; the .460 S&W Magnum approaches this from a handgun. For hunters who pursue large and dangerous game and want to do so with a handgun at distances where rifle-class energy is required, the 460 XVR provides capability that no other production revolver can match.
Three Calibers in One Revolver
The Model 460 XVR chambers .460 S&W Magnum, .454 Casull, and .45 Colt in the same cylinder—a practical range that covers the full spectrum from comfortable practice to maximum field performance. .45 Colt loads are the most comfortable to shoot and appropriate for small and medium game. .454 Casull provides exceptional stopping power for dangerous game at a more manageable recoil level than .460 S&W. The full-power .460 S&W Magnum is reserved for maximum field applications. This caliber versatility makes the 460 XVR more practical to own than a single-caliber maximum-power revolver—you can practice economically and still field the most powerful round when it matters.
X-Frame Construction and the Comp Port System
The X-frame is a purpose-built platform that S&W developed specifically for the .460 and .500 S&W Magnum cartridges—larger in every dimension than the N-frame that handles .44 Magnum. The 460 XVR also features a ported compensator system on the barrel that vents propellant gases upward to counteract muzzle rise. The combination of the X-frame’s mass and the comp port system makes the 460 XVR significantly more controllable than its power level would suggest. Experienced .44 Magnum shooters typically find the 460 XVR manageable with the comp port system doing its job.
Optics and Hunting Configuration
The 460 XVR ships with an integral Picatinny-style rail on the barrel for scope mounting, making it ready for handgun hunting scopes of 2x–4x magnification for extended range shots. Most big game handgun hunters use the 460 XVR at 50–150 yards where a quality handgun scope is essential. The adjustable rear sight and interchangeable front sight system also allow iron sight configuration for close-range dangerous game work. For hunters who take close shots at dangerous game, irons. For hunters who shoot at distance on open terrain, the Picatinny rail and a 2x–4x scope.
Related Pages
Compare the .500 S&W option on the S&W Model 500 page, see the lightweight carry option on the S&W Model 329 PD, or browse all Smith & Wesson revolvers.