.50 caliber handguns

Historically, many black powder pistols fired bullets with diameters well above a half inch.

Handguns of this caliber tend to be larger and heavier than most others of their type with the exception of the Linebaugh line of revolvers.

The Linebaugh revolvers are based on the standard Ruger Blackhawk with Ruger Bisley grip frames, although the cylinders have been enlarged for both structural integrity and absorbing the recoil associated with firing these rounds as have the previously mentioned .500 handguns.

[2] Despite being featured in many video games and action films as the weapon of choice for some members of elite military and law enforcement units, these guns in reality are used primarily for hunting, target shooting, and silhouette shooting.

[3][4] Such military usage would be limited as a low-level anti-materiel weapon tasked with door breaching, shooting padlocks, or explosive ordinance disposal of unexploded ordnance, rather than combat.

Muzzle flash and cylinder blast from a Smith & Wesson Model 500 fired at night
A custom made .50 Alaskan five-shot single-action revolver built on a BFR frame. The cylinder can also accommodate the 0.3 inch longer .50-110 Winchester cartridge.
(Left: .50 Alaskan, Right: .50-110 Winchester)
The largest commercially produced revolver: Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 500 built on the company's X-Frame. This one has a 7.5 inch barrel. Bullet weights for commonly available ammunition vary from 275 to 500 grains; heavier custom cast bullets up to 700 grains for reloading are available.