The .500 S&W Special is a cartridge made by Smith & Wesson for use in handguns. It was designed by Cor-Bon/Glaser (at Smith & Wesson’s request) in 2004. It is a shorter version of the .500 S&W Magnum with a drastically reduced load, much as the .38 Special is to the .357 Magnum. However, unlike the .38 Special and .357 Magnum, the .500 Special came after the .500 Magnum.