Largest Handgun Caliber Manufactured in the US?

[God's Country]

What is the largest handgun caliber ever produced in the US?

Saw a video of a 600NE, but not sure if it was real.

The gun has to be functional (safe) and can be unique, more than likely is anyway.

The subject came up today in a round about way and haven't been able to find much.

I'm unaware of any federal law restricting it.

[Marcus99]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16SIvVKtuks

[God's Country]

Note i said in the US.

ETA: Also has to be a handgun IOW fit the legal definition of a handgun. Not sure if that would fit or not.

[Marcus99]

If you're talking purely caliber, I don't know if they were US or foreign made but I've seen some large caliber flintlock pistols, like dueling pistols. I think .64 or .68 caliber.

[God's Country]

Purely caliber, and preferably modern.

Wondering why there aren't more people attempting to make insanely large caliber handguns. Impractical as they may be, but people being people...you know.

[DucatiRon]

Im sure there is something over the 500 Smith but that puts you into the NFA zone for a modern non black powder cartridge. So even more limited sales. I think i seen a 600 Nitro Mag video out there somewhere.

But there are retatded single shot pistols with rifle cartridges. So define biggest and what qualifies as a pistol.

Is a T/C with a short barrel a pistol or must be a revolver.

[bortle]

I've seen a 30-06 single shot pistol. They say it was a bitch to shoot. As far as size it was a double barrel 20 ga. It was old. Some one makes a 45/70 revolver, it was huge.

[Delkal]

For all practical purposes the largest handgun caliber is .50. Any handgun larger needs to be registered as a destructive device with a $200 tax stamp.

If you consider a T/C Contender / encore a handgun (and I do!). I think the 620 JDJ is the largest caliber. It does not look that unreasonable.



He makes a lot of fun BIG stuff for an encore.

http://sskindustries.com/encore/

Edit: There was another post recently where someone was asking the best subsonic cartridge for deer (suppressed). I think the 620JDJ is it! A 1050 grain bullet going 1000 fps will take down anything.

[ExFlyinguy]

For all practical purposes the largest handgun caliber is .50. Any handgun larger needs to be registered as a destructive device with a $200 tax stamp.

I think Delkal is right

I don't know where to refer to but I once read that the largest permissible caliber for Title 1 firearms was .50 cal i.e. S&W 500

*ETA: I thought it applied to long guns too? Shrug

[God's Country]

Didn't know that. I thought maybe the size or design would get to a point where it may longer be considered a handgun or something along those lines.