Smith & Wesson has unveiled the monster of all monster handguns at the recent “Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show” in Las Vegas: A .460 caliber beast with a 3-inch barrel, high-visibility sights and a synthetic shock absorber on the handle — a likely necessary addition for so much firepower.
The manufacturing company is billing it as “great for a back-up gun, or for hunting,” and has dubbed it the “Backpack Cannon,” The Daily Mail reported.
About 60,000 gun enthusiasts attend the trade show each year, one of the biggest in the nation.
“It’s a very comfortable gun to shoot,” said Paul Pluff, a Smith & Wesson employee, in The Daily Mail. “It’s great for a back-up gun in the back-country, or even for hunting if you’re going after some pigs or hogs or anything like that.”
The company is hoping the “Backpack Cannon” will reignite interest in the revolver, which has been largely replaced by high-capacity, semi-automatic rifles.
It sells for about $1,200, and the company is primarily marketing it to police and other law-enforcement agencies.
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Though it holds .460 caliber bullets, the handgun is still compatible with .454 Casull rounds and .45 Long Colt ammo, the company said in a statement.
“There is still a place for weapons like this, especially if you like camping where the critters are big enough to eat you,” Smith & Wesson said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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