Big Horn Armory
Model 89 Take Down .500 S&W
Big-Bore Fun
Every once in a while, a rifle shows up that makes me wonder what I did to deserve it. This time, the folks at Big Horn Armory sent me their Model 89 SpikeDriver Takedown, chambered in .500 S&W Magnum, and I wasn’t about to complain.
First things first — it’s not broken. The takedown design lets the rifle separate into two compact pieces, then go back together in seconds with a simple twist. It’s a slick setup if you need a powerful rifle that’s easy to transport.
Like everything Big Horn Armory builds, this one is beautifully made. It features an 18-inch barrel, stainless steel construction with a nitrided finish, handsome American walnut furniture and a recoil pad that’s definitely appreciated when you’re launching 500-grain bullets downrange.
Sure, the MSRP is around $3,999, but these rifles are handcrafted, and the quality shows everywhere you look. In today’s market, that’s not out of line for a premium firearm.
Naturally, I had to take it to the range. We rang some steel first — no surprises there; the rifle definitely announces itself. Then I set up what I like to call “charging rhinoceros” water jugs. Let’s just say things got entertaining in a hurry. I wasn’t running the hottest loads, either. At around 1,000 fps, they were tame by .500 S&W standards. The full-power stuff? I’ll save that for a day when I don’t mind getting soaked.
If you’ve been looking for a serious big-bore levergun that’s built to last generations, the Big Horn Armory Model 89 Takedown deserves a close look. It’s powerful, beautifully crafted and, most importantly, a whole lot of fun.
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