Description
The .460 S&W Magnum holds the title for the highest muzzle velocity of any production revolver cartridge, and the 460XVR is the gun that was built around it. This Performance Center version, model 170350, trims the platform down to a 3.5 inch barrel so all that horsepower fits in a chest rig or pack instead of hanging off your hip like a boat anchor. At 59.5 ounces of solid stainless steel with a glass bead finish, it has the mass to tame stout loads while staying compact enough for backcountry carry, which is exactly why guides and handgun hunters gravitate toward this configuration for protection in big animal country.
Performance Center Touches on the 460XVR
This is not a standard production gun with a fancy label. The Performance Center crew fits and tunes each one, and it shows in the details: a chrome teardrop hammer, a chrome trigger with an overtravel stop, and a tuned double action and single action pull that feels smoother than you would expect from an X-Frame. The unfluted cylinder holds five rounds and gives the gun a clean, purposeful look while keeping maximum steel around each charge hole. Up top you get a HiViz green fiber optic front sight paired with a fully adjustable rear, so dialing in your preferred load takes minutes, not range sessions.
Versatility Built Into the Chambering
One of the best parts of owning a 460XVR is ammo flexibility. The .460 S&W Magnum case is a stretched .454 Casull, which itself grew out of the .45 Colt, so this revolver digests all three. That means you can run mild .45 Colt for cheap, pleasant range days, step up to .454 Casull for hunting, and load full-house .460 when you want everything the platform offers. Synthetic rubber grips help manage recoil with the heavy stuff, and the DA/SA action gives you a fast double action pull or a crisp single action break for precise shots. For a woods gun that pulls double duty as a range day showstopper, this one is tough to top.
Key Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number: 170350
- UPC: 022188703504
- Model: Performance Center 460XVR
- Caliber: .460 S&W Magnum (also fires .454 Casull and .45 Colt)
- Action: Double/Single Action, PC Tuned
- Capacity: 5 Rounds
- Barrel Length: 3.5 in
- Overall Length: 10 in
- Weight: 59.5 oz
- Frame: Stainless Steel X-Frame
- Finish: Glass Bead Stainless
- Cylinder: Unfluted Stainless Steel
- Front Sight: HiViz Green Fiber Optic
- Rear Sight: Fully Adjustable
- Grips: Synthetic Rubber
- Hammer/Trigger: Chrome Teardrop Hammer, Chrome Trigger with Stop
What’s Included
- Smith & Wesson Performance Center 460XVR revolver
- Owner's manual and factory documentation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the 460XVR shoot ammo other than .460 S&W Magnum?
Yes, and that is one of its biggest selling points. The .460 S&W Magnum is a lengthened .454 Casull, which is a lengthened .45 Colt, so this revolver will chamber and fire all three. Running .45 Colt turns it into a mild, fun range gun, while .454 Casull and full .460 loads cover hunting and defense against large animals.
How bad is the recoil with a 3.5 inch barrel?
Full-power .460 loads are stout, no way around it, but the gun weighs nearly 60 ounces and that mass soaks up a lot of the punch. The rubber grips help too, and recoil is more of a heavy push than a sharp snap. If you want easier practice sessions, load up .45 Colt and it shoots like a completely different gun.
What makes this a Performance Center model instead of a standard 460XVR?
Performance Center guns get extra hand fitting and tuning at the factory. This one features a PC tuned action, a chrome teardrop hammer, and a chrome trigger with an overtravel stop, plus the distinctive unfluted cylinder. The result is a noticeably smoother double action pull and a cleaner single action break than a standard production revolver.
Is the Smith & Wesson 460XVR 3.5 inch a good bear defense gun?
This configuration was practically made for it, which is why folks call it the backpack cannon. The short barrel keeps it packable in a chest holster while the .460 S&W Magnum delivers energy levels well beyond typical defensive handgun rounds. The HiViz fiber optic front sight also picks up fast under stress, which matters when seconds count.





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