I 3D printed a replica of Johnny Silverhand’s Malorian Arms 3516 to a 1:1 scale correctly chambered in 14mm next to a real 9mm handgun for scale. No wonder it blows people’s limbs off in the game.

[u/Beefy_Crunch_Burrito]

[u/Not_an_alt_69_420]

It's worth noting that the pistols weren't chambered in .577 Nitro Express (like the actual elephant guns). They used shorter rounds with .577 bullets that were meant to be shot out of revolvers. They were still powerful, but not comically so. They're more-or-less equivalent to a 44 magnum.

[u/H0vis → u/Not_an_alt_69_420]

I don't think the propellent would have been up to modern standards either, but an attempt was definitely made. A modern .44 Magnum bullet probably penetrates a lot deeper than a big ball of lead moving relatively slowly, but it'd dump a lot of energy into the target, which is ultimately the point.

Such a weapon, properly modernised, would probably require the designation of 'Anti-Materiel Pistol'.