In 2003 the gunsmiths and engineers at Smith & Wesson wanted to deliver maximum power for serious handgun hunters. The power they sought required an entirely new frame"" the massive ""X-Frame(TM)"""" and was the basis for the new Model S&W 500(TM)"" the most powerful production revolver in the world. Performance Center guns originate from standard designs or are created from the ground up. From hand-cutting and fitting to fine tuning for precision"" these firearms are top performers. Products from the Performance Center are the ultimate expression of old-world craftsmanship blended with modern technology.