The BIGGEST Iron - The Real Marty Robbins Gun

Published on September 23, 2025
Duration: 15:48

This video explores the real-life firearm that inspired Marty Robbins' 'Big Iron' song and compares it to a modern powerhouse, the Magnum Research BFR in .500 S&W Magnum. The custom 'Big Iron' recreation features a 10-inch Winchester barrel on a Great Western frame, chambered in .44-40. The BFR, a massive single-action revolver, demonstrates extreme recoil and terminal ballistics with the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge, far surpassing the .44-40 in destructive power during penetration and ballistic gel tests.

Quick Summary

The 'Big Iron' firearm that inspired Marty Robbins' song was a custom .44-40 revolver with a 10-inch Winchester barrel. The video compares this historical piece to the Magnum Research BFR in .500 S&W Magnum, showcasing the extreme power difference through recoil and ballistic testing.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Marty Robbins' Big Iron & Modern Power
  2. 00:59Shooting the .44-40 Big Iron Recreation
  3. 01:37Shooting the Magnum Research BFR (.500 S&W)
  4. 04:00BFR Technical Overview
  5. 05:18Guest Shooter Reaction (.500 S&W)
  6. 08:50History of the Original 'Big Iron'
  7. 10:10White Claw Penetration Test: .44-40 vs .500 S&W
  8. 12:36Ballistic Skull Test: .44-40 vs .500 S&W

Frequently Asked Questions

What firearm inspired Marty Robbins' song 'Big Iron'?

The song 'Big Iron' was inspired by a custom revolver owned by holster maker Andy Anderson. It featured a 10-inch Winchester rifle barrel on a Great Western frame, incorporating parts from an 1860 Colt Army, and was chambered in .44-40.

What is the Magnum Research BFR chambered in?

The Magnum Research BFR featured in the video is chambered in the powerful .500 Smith & Wesson Magnum cartridge. This makes it one of the most potent handguns available, known for its significant recoil and stopping power.

How does the .500 S&W Magnum compare to the .44-40 in terminal ballistics?

The .500 S&W Magnum demonstrates vastly superior terminal ballistics. In tests, it completely obliterated targets like White Claw cans and caused catastrophic structural failure to ballistic gel skulls, while the .44-40 showed significant but less destructive effects.

What are the key features of the Magnum Research BFR?

The Magnum Research BFR is a single-action revolver known for its robust stainless steel construction, high-quality finish, and exceptionally smooth cylinder rotation. It is designed to handle extremely powerful cartridges like the .500 S&W Magnum.

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