First Shots: Big Horn Armory AR500 in .500 Auto Max

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posted on February 24, 2021
Big Horn Armory's AR500 pistol is chambered in .500 Auto Max, which is the most powerful handgun cartridge in the world. Not surprisingly, the AR500 delivers massive amounts of energy on target from a wide variety of loads. 

The cartridge was originally offered in a rifle format from Big Horn, but now it's available in the pistol variant. Weighing in at 8.1 pounds, the AR500 definitely punches above its weight class. While the pistol is well suited for reloaders, Big Horn also partnered with Steinel Ammunition and Buffalo Bore to offer custom loads ranging from 280 to 600 grains. 

The pistol features a beefy construction to handle what is a serious dose of recoil, while a bladed pistol brace provides a small bit of aid for stabilizing the shot as you rest it against your forearm. The pistol ships with a 5- and 9-round magazine and features a 10-inch barrel with muzzle brake. As Big Horn says, it's ideal for stopping everything from Peterbilts to pachyderms, so if that's your thing, game on.

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