History Main / HandCannon

* In ''ComicBook/JonSableFreelance'', one of Sable's preferred weapons is a chrome .357 Magnum pepperbox. As a prototype that never made it into production, it also counts as an instance of RareGuns.

* In the ''ComicBook/TheWarlord'' comics, Travis Morgan carries a .44 [=AutoMag=] which was certainly never a standard issue sidearm for USAF officers. It also qualifies as an instance of RareGuns.

* In the VigilanteMan flick ''Film/DeathSentence'', Kevin Bacon needs to buy some guns for his RoaringRampageOfRevenge so he goes to a black market gun dealer (played by John Goodman). John Goodman then proceeds to use this sales pitch when referring to a [[RevolversAreJustBetter Colt Python]], a [[CoolGuns Colt M1911]], and a [[RareGuns Desert Eagle]] respectively:

* The sequel ''VideoGame/KillingFloor2'' takes it up a notch by introducing their own version [[RareGuns/{{Revolvers}} Smith & Wesson Model]] 500 called the [[http://www.imfdb.org/images/8/8f/KF2_Zed_Collector_render.jpg "T&W 500 Zed Collector"]] (though known as the "500 Magnum Revolver" in the actual game) and they can be dual-wielded, a feat that even surpasses the Desert Eagle's dual-wielding antics in sheer ridiculousness. It's very powerful in-game, even on hard and above.

** Hartigan's original pistol was a .44 Magnum, mirroring Film/DirtyHarry's WeaponOfChoice.

** In ''Film/Hellboy2019'', Hellboy still wields a ginormous custom-made revolver as his WeaponOfChoice, although this time around it doesn't get a name as the Samaritan did, at least not on-screen. It looks like a cross between a shotgun and a .50 Magnum revolver, with bullets that resemble .700 Nitro Express more than something you'd load into a real-life handgun.

* For the ''VideoGame/{{Uncharted}}'' series, typically the standard hand-sized hole-puncher is the "Wes-44", which is a Smith & Wesson Model 629 Classic and often seen in the hands of Victor Sullivan (possibly as a ShoutOut to ''Film/DirtyHarry'', although Harry's WeaponOfChoice is the non-stainless S&W Model 29). ''VideoGame/Uncharted3DrakesDeception'' also adds the Tau Sniper (the Taurus Raging Bull as a SniperPistol) and Mag 5 (Dan Wesson PPC) as additional Hand Cannons while ''VideoGame/Uncharted4AThiefsEnd'' drops all of these for the "Barok .44", which is a Mateba 6 Unica Autorevolver (and a {{Rare Gun|s}} at that).

* In ''Film/IntoTheGrizzlyMaze'', Rowan uses a Ruger Speed Six with a 2.75-inch barrel chambered in .357 Magnum.

* ''VideoGame/DeepRockGalactic:'' The [[GatlingGood Gunner]]'s sidearm, the "Bulldog" Heavy Revolver, is one of these. It has only four bullets at a time, but those bullets are the most individually damaging in the game. The description explicitly states they're 26mm; for reference, in reality the biggest available rifle bullet is around 24mm. Dwarves like their weapons ''big''. And the "Elephant Rounds" [[PowerAtAPrice Unstable Overclock]] lets you fire even ''bigger'' bullets, at the cost of only three bullets per reload, less ammo overal and absolutely brutal recoil; hefty price, but it'll blast [[EliteMook Praetorians]] open like nothing else. One of his other sidearms, the [=ArmsKore=] Coil Gun, is if anything even ''bigger'', sacrificing firing speed to just blast a ball of iron the size of a golf ball through ''everything'', including walls. Mission Control warns you to keep it very secured while aboard the Space Rig, because it could well punch a hole in the hull.

** Invoked in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamNarrative'' with the Silver Bullet which is a less powerful mecha that uses the Unicorn Gundam's Beam Magnum. The mobile suit has a rack of spare arms on its back since each time it fires the arm is essentially destroyed.

** invoked in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamNarrative'' with the Silver Bullet which is a less powerful mecha that uses the Unicorn Gundam's Beam Magnum. The mobile suit has a rack of spare arms on its back since each time it fires the arm is essentially destroyed.

** invoked in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamNarrative'' which is a less powerful mecha that uses the Unicorn Gundam's Beam Magnum. The mobile suit has a rack of spare arms on its back since each time it fires the arm is essentially destroyed.

** invoked in ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamNarrative'' which is a less powerful mecha that uses the Unicorn Gundam's Beam Magnum. The mobile suit has a rack of spare arms on its back since each times it fires the arm is essentially destroyed.

* In Mike Mignola's ''ComicBook/{{Hellboy}}'' series, the title character packs the Samaritan: a 20mm (.79'') hand-cannon. However, he is a superhumanly strong demon who fights supernatural menaces. Usually the gun isn't much use anyway, and Hellboy himself admits that he's a lousy shot with it, which is why he uses DepletedPhlebotinumShells and his [[RedRightHand Right Hand of Doom]].

* ''VideoGame/{{Carnivores}}'': The mobile version has recently introduced a powerful Revolver, a Smith & Wesson Model 500. It has the highest damage of any weapon in-game, capable of killing dinosaurs within 1-3 shots (depending on the species, and excludes the T-Rex which can only be killed via a shot in the eye). However, its damage decreases over range, restricting it as a close quarters weapon.

* The ''VideoGame/DarkForcesSaga'' features badass mercenary (and later badass Jedi battlemaster) Kyle Katarn. He's most known for being one of a very small number of Jedi who is a firm believer of SwordAndGun combat. His weapon of choice is the [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Bryar_pistol Bryar blaster pistol,]] which started life a full blown ''blaster rifle'' before his dad cut it down to look less old-fashioned. Just how huge is this thing? [[http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/eff/images/b/bb/Bryar_pistol.png Here]] is an image of Kyle holding the Bryar pistol, suggesting it's twice the size of his arm. Even this [[http://media.moddb.com/images/groups/1/10/9791/Kyle_Katarn_Art.jpg official art]] for the ''Dark Forces'' {{Novelization}} depicts a weapon that would probably be very heavy to carry for some time. Interestingly, while its single shots are of middling damage, the Bryar has a ChargeAttack that can [[BlownAcrossTheRoom send a stormtrooper flying in one charged shot]].

Back in TheSeventies, a Hand cannon was a [[RevolversAreJustBetter .357 or .44 Magnum revolver]], like the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Python Colt Python]] or the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_29 Smith & Wesson Model 29.]]
In modern times, more powerful revolver cartridges like the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.454_Casull .454 Casull]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_500 .500 Magnum]] reign supreme. Eventually, semi-automatics firing the same rounds were introduced. The modern successor to the crown of most ridiculously oversized handgun is the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Eagle Desert Eagle]] in .50 Action Express. Other Magnum semi-automatics also exist, but they are not as [[RuleOfCool cool]].

* ''LightNovel/AriaTheScarletAmmo'': While Kinji's Desert Eagle is certainly counts, the one who takes the cake is [[TheOjou Urara Takachiho]] from ''AA'' spinoff with her Ruger Super Redhawk chambered in .454 Casull. The gun is as long as a rifle, powerful enough to ''throw'' a bicycle out from its rack lock with just a single shot, and yet she has enough strength to [[FiringOneHanded firing it one-handed]] in an almost casual manner.

* The exact same thing occurs in the OVA ''Anime/BurnUp W'' as does in ''Anime/AngelCop'' (see above).

* {{Invoked|Trope}} in ''Manga/DeadDeadDemonsDedededeDestruction'' in theShowWithinAShow manga ''Isobeyan'' that starts and ends each ''tankobon''. At the start of vol. 6, Isobeyan whips out a gun for the lead character to use against her bullies and specifically refers to it as one.

Back in TheSeventies, a Hand cannon was a [[RevolversAreJustBetter .357 or .44 Magnum revolver]], like the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colt_Python Colt Python,]] the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_29 Smith & Wesson Model 29.]]
In modern times, more powerful revolver cartridges like the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.454_Casull .454 Casull]] and .500 [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_500 Magnum]] reign supreme. Eventually, semi-automatics firing the same rounds were introduced. The modern successor to the crown of most ridiculously oversized handgun is the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Eagle Desert Eagle]] in .50 Action Express. Other Magnum semi-automatics also exist, but they are not as [[RuleOfCool cool]].

You know you're dealing with this if a character says something along the lines of, "Wow, that's a really big gun," or "He's CompensatingForSomething". Sometimes, the user's hands are barely big enough to support the weapon. In particularly JustForFun/{{egregious}} cases they're fired [[FiringOneHanded one-handed]] or even [[GunsAkimbo dual-wielded]] -- try this in RealLife and you'll end up with a broken wrist/nose, a gun that’s probably on the floor after launching itself out of your hand, and [[ATeamFiring a bullet going nowhere near where it's supposed to]].

* ''LightNovel/AriaTheScarletAmmo'': While Kinji's Desert Eagle is certainly counts but the one who takes the cake is [[TheOjou Urara Takachiho]] from ''AA'' spinoff with her Ruger Super Redhawk chambered in .454 Casull. The gun is as long as a rifle, powerful enough to ''throws off'' a bicycle out from its rack lock with just a single shot and yet she has enough strength to [[FiringOneHanded firing it one-handed]] in almost casual manner.

* In the Franchise/DocSavage novels, Patricia Savage's signature weapon is an old six-shooter handed down from her grandfather - a Colt Frontier Single Action .44 with the trigger filed off and a fanning spur welded on the hammer, which she carries in her purse.

You know you're dealing with this if a character says something along the lines of, "Wow, that's a really big gun," or "He's CompensatingForSomething". Sometimes, the user's hands are barely big enough to support the weapon. In particularly JustForFun/{{egregious}} cases they're fired [[FiringOneHanded one-handed]] or even [[GunsAkimbo dual-wielded]] -- try this in RealLife and you'll end up with a broken wrist/nose and [[ATeamFiring a bullet going nowhere near where it's supposed to]].

* ''Webcomic/{{TREVOR}}'': Harkam is shocked Enid brought a desert eagle to work.

** Dante's signature pair of Ebony & Ivory pistols ''look'' like handcannons, but they're more like heavily customized Colt .45 M1911s. What gives them their Hand cannon status, however, is that the bullets fired by them are charged (and [[BottomlessMagazines somehow reloaded]]) by Dante's power.

** In ''Literature/RatedR'' Victor Hansen uses a .50 Desert Eagle.

In modern times, more powerful revolver cartridges like the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.454_Casull .454 Casull]] and [[UpToEleven .500]] [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_500 Magnum]] reign supreme. Eventually, semi-automatics firing the same rounds were introduced. The modern successor to the crown of most ridiculously oversized handgun is the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Eagle Desert Eagle]] in .50 Action Express. Other Magnum semi-automatics also exist, but they are not as [[RuleOfCool cool]].

* The oversized bolt pistols and [=SMGs=] of ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}''. .75 caliber rocket-assisted rounds. Don't forget the plasma pistols too. The space marine version even moreso, since it's designed for people who are at least eight feet tall and would require a tripod for a human to wield. The Primaris Marine bolt pistols bear special mention because they are Hand Cannons ''[[UpToEleven by Space Marine standards]]''.

** The military generally treated them as AwesomeButImpractical until the Russians decided to build a sidearm for the 12.7x55mm cartridge - a spitzer (sharp-pointed) military-grade counterpart to the .50 Alaskan, with [[RecursiveAmmo two bullets per cartridge]] in some versions, designed to be used by the VKSS Vykhlop '''[[HollywoodSilencer silenced]]''' SniperRifle. The result was the [[http://img-fotki.yandex.ru/get/9834/167229822.9c/0_da524_8fbe3029_XXL.jpg RSh-12,7]] (lit. ''[[ExactlyWhatItSaysontheTin assault revolver]]''), easily the meanest handgun and [[RevolversAreJustBetter revolver]] out there; or, if you wish, an aspiring [[{{TabletopGame/Warhammer40000}} bolt pistol]]. The Russians used some of their signature tricks to keep recoil down to the .44 level - namely, mounting the barrel to the ''lower'' chamber, and a [[GunAccessories detachable stock]]. And yes, [[UpToEleven it too can be fitted with a silencer]]. It's unclear whether the military or the [[StateSec Federal Security Service]] (who ordered the original sniper rifle) use these.

* Dr. Theophilus Algernon Tanner of the ''Literature/DeathLands'' adventure series and his always trusty [[=LeMat=]] revolver. He's blown away many a "mutie" with the .63 caliber "grapeshot" round fired from the gun's underbarrel. Jak Lauren packs a .357 Colt Python, which he uses when [[KnifeNut stabbing the problem to death]] isn't going to cut it.

* ''VideoGame/{{Fortnite}}'' has a high-caliber pistol that is indeed called the Hand Cannon. It has the highest damage per shot of all the handguns available, uses the heaviest and most difficult-to-find type of bullet, has the slowest fire rate of said handguns, and is ''extremely'' loud thus potentially alerting enemies to your position.

** While Snake's MK23 SOCOM is technically not a Hand Cannon due to it using low energy .45 ACP rounds, it is nonetheless a humongous pistol: almost having the same dimensions as a Desert Eagle(!). Even men of Snake's build find it too big and heavy, and in real life was abandoned by the US Navy SEALs for that reason. This is noted in some Codec sequences. Snake's conviction that Meryl would find the SOCOM more her style therefore isn't entirely insulting.

** In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'', Meryl stated that she picked up a [[SmallGirlBigGun Desert Eagle]] over the only fractionally more reasonable .45 SOCOM that Snake himself uses. Snake [[LampShadeHanging remarked]] that the gun is "a little big for a girl," and offered to trade guns.
** The SOCOM also qualifies - while not as silly as the Desert Eagle, it's still a huge, uncomfortable gun for even men of Snake's build to use, and in real life was basically abandoned for that reason. This is noted in some Codec sequences. Snake's conviction that Meryl would find the SOCOM more her style therefore isn't entirely insulting.

Magnum caliber handguns or pistols that use rifle cartridges comprise most of the Hand cannon trope, due to their superior ballistics. SawedOffShotguns & rifles, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M79_grenade_launcher grenade launchers]], and fictional pistols that fire [[EnergyWeapon powerful laser beams]] are also considered. A large pistol may not be a hand cannon if it's chambered for a weak caliber, or simply not that strong.

* ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'' has the Lex pistol which inflicts high Puncture damage and has good accuracy, making it effective against the Grineer. Its Prime variant does even greater damage and can OneHitKill all but the toughest Grineer mooks and bosses. They can effectively [[GunsAkimbo be wielded akimbo]] once you have acquired the necessary blueprints to construct them which allows for dealing even much greater damage in combat at the cost of reduced accuracy and slower reload times.

** Also from the ''Battletech'' universe comes the [[https://www.sarna.net/wiki/Sunbeam_Mark_XXI_Nova_Laser_Pistol Mark XXI Nova laser pistol]] by Sunbeam Corparation--designed to hunt PoweredArmor, has an AwesomeMccoolName, can [[OneHitKill kill a man in one shot]]...[[AwesomeButImpractical and drains it's battery in two.]]