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Wheelgun Wednesday: The Evolution of Magnum Revolvers

 

Wheelgun Wednesday: The Evolution of Magnum Revolvers – From .357 to .350 Legend

This week on Wheelgun Wednesday, we’re tracing the fascinating journey of magnum revolvers, from the groundbreaking .357 Magnum of 1935 to Smith & Wesson’s latest innovation – the Model 350. While most are familiar with the progression of traditional magnum cartridges, the story takes an interesting turn when we look at how rifle cartridges found their way into revolver frames.

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The Rise of Magnum Power

The term “magnum revolver” was born in 1935 when Smith & Wesson introduced the .357 Magnum, setting a new standard for handgun power. This milestone opened the door for increasingly powerful revolvers, leading to the legendary .44 Magnum in 1955. Elmer Keith’s influence on these developments can’t be understated – his experiments with heavy .44 Special loads eventually led to the .44 Magnum, which changed hunting handguns forever.

The quest for power continued through the decades, eventually reaching new heights with cartridges like the .454 Casull, pushing the limits of what shooters could practically handle. When Smith & Wesson introduced the .460 and .500 S&W Magnums in the early 2000s, many thought we’d reached the practical limits of revolver power.

When Rifles Met Revolvers

While magnum cartridges were pushing the boundaries of revolver power, some manufacturers took a different approach – adapting rifle cartridges for revolver use. Early examples like the Ruger Blackhawk in .30 Carbine proved that revolvers could successfully handle cartridges originally designed for rifles. This concept, while remaining somewhat niche, demonstrated the versatility of revolver design and set the stage for future innovations. The challenge wasn’t just about handling pressure – it was about adapting semi-rimmed and rimless cartridges to function reliably in a revolver platform.

Photo courtesy of Rock Island Auction Company

The X-Frame Revolution

When Smith & Wesson introduced their X-Frame in 2003, it represented more than just a bigger revolver – it was a platform designed for evolution. The frame’s massive size and robust construction weren’t just about containing the enormous pressures of the .500 S&W Magnum; they provided a foundation for future development. The addition of the .460 S&W Magnum showed the platform’s versatility, but few could have predicted its latest iteration would take advantage of this overbuilt nature in such an interesting way.

Enter the Model 350

Released in 2022, the Model 350 takes the massive X-Frame in an unexpected direction. Rather than chasing maximum power, it chambers the straight-wall .350 Legend cartridge – a round introduced by Winchester in 2019 to meet modern hunting regulations. This marriage of rifle cartridge and revolver platform yields some fascinating results in testing.

With its significant size and weight – actually heavier than its magnum siblings due to less cylinder material removal – the Model 350 delivers surprisingly mild recoil. Testing with Federal Power-Shok 180gr, Hornady Custom FTX 165gr, Winchester Target 145gr, and other loads shows it’s more comparable to shooting a .38 Special than its magnum X-Frame brethren. The seven-shot cylinder (a first for the X-Frame) and 7.5-inch barrel contribute to both practical accuracy and enjoyable shooting characteristics.

The adaptation of the .350 Legend cartridge presents unique challenges. Being a straight-wall rifle cartridge, its headspace is different from that of traditional revolver rounds. Smith & Wesson’s solution involves moon clips that, while not necessary for loading and shooting, prove essential for reliable extraction. The front-heavy balance of the 7.5-inch barrel actually aids in practical accuracy, while the X-Frame’s substantial grip provides excellent control despite being sized for much more powerful cartridges.

Modern Innovation Meets Traditional Design

The Model 350 represents more than just another caliber option – it showcases how traditional revolver design can adapt to modern hunting needs. At $1,679, it actually costs more than its more powerful siblings, reflecting the engineering required to adapt a rifle cartridge to this platform. The X-Frame’s robust lockup and substantial grip design prove as relevant for this application as they do for maximum-power loads.

The integration of modern features like the pressure-relief gas port and the maintenance of traditional elements like the adjustable rear sight demonstrates a thoughtful balance. Even the cylinder’s design required careful consideration – while most X-Frames feature five chambers, the reduced case diameter of the .350 Legend allows for seven rounds without compromising strength.

The Future of Magnum Revolvers

As hunting regulations continue to evolve and new cartridges emerge, the line between rifle and revolver cartridges may continue to blur. The success of the .350 Legend cartridge in both rifles and now revolvers suggests we might see more crossover development. The Model 350’s introduction shows that there’s still room for innovation in revolver design, even if that innovation takes unexpected directions.

The story of magnum revolvers isn’t just about increasing power – it’s about adapting to changing needs while maintaining the fundamental reliability and simplicity that made revolvers legendary in the first place. The Model 350 might not be the most powerful X-Frame, but it might be one of the most interesting, pointing toward a future where revolvers continue to evolve in unexpected ways.

Would Smith & Wesson’s original magnum creators recognize today’s X-Frame revolvers? Perhaps not at first glance. But they’d likely appreciate how their fundamental principles of robust design and practical innovation continue to guide revolver development, even as it explores new territory with cartridges they never imagined in handguns.