[johnny blaze]

My cousin came to visit, and he brought his new Smith and Wesson 500 with him. We went to shoot, and we were firing 45's, 9 mm and 357's. We were consistant on the targets, doing really well.
My cousin brought out his 500, and said that this was the first time that he brought it out since he bought it. I had been wanting to shoot the 500 for a long time.
He fired the first round (after all it was his gun) and hit the center of the target just high and to the right about 4 inches. He fired again, and we could not find where it hit.
Then it was my turn. I fired the first round and it blew the center out of the target, I fired again and could not find where the bullet hit. When I fired, I had to take a step backwards, and my had had a really funny feeling. My favorite round is the 44 magnum, so I can handle recoil very good. This gun was another story completely. My cousin did not want to fire it again, and neither did I. We went back to shooting the other guns, but we could not hit anything. I hated to admit it, but I finally let myself except the fact that my hand was shaking really badly, and I had a dull pain in the palm of my hand.
The gun was just too much.
I have only fired one other gun that really bothered me and that was a 458 rifle.
I have fired M60's and a wide range of rifles and pistols, but this one really got too me. I am back to shooting pretty good again.
Any one else have this experience.
It sure made me a believer in test driving a gun before you buy it.

[Smith357]

I had roughly the same experience with the 500. After 3 shots I was done with it. I have no desire to ever shoot one again. I'm no recoil sissy, I love my T/C with the 14 inch .45-70 barrel, but the 500 is just too much for me.

[Iggy]

6 months from now there are gonna be a lot of those around cheap:cool:

[tc300mag1]

Thats what they said almost 2 years ago .. havent seen the market flooded with them

Besides i love my 500 4" fun plinker

[454c]

Considering most people find the 44 mag to be borderline or too much in recoil,I think we'll find very few shooters will honestly enjoy these big bores.If you like them,great but,don't be surprised that others don't.

I agree with Iggy.Right now the big bores are rideing on the "newness" factor.I predict most will go back to the old 44.

[Kramer Krazy]

I've never shot anything over a .44 mag with 240 gr magnum loads, so I have no idea what it is like to shoot the .500 S&W. Your story reminds me a little bit about when I bought my very first revolver, my Colt Anaconda....

I'd only shot 22LR and my Colt 1911 45ACP when, at the age of 24, I decided to buy a revolver. I wanted a Colt, but liked the "idea" of a 44 magnum, so the Anaconda was the gun for me....eventhough I'd never even held a 44 magnum in my hands before. I found a great deal on a new one and really liked the gun.....but really didn't care to shoot it. The recoil didn't really "hurt", but it was NOT a fun gun to shoot. I bet I didn't put 200 rounds through the gun the first 11 years I owned it.

About a year and a half ago, I pulled it out of the safe and shot it some more. I haven't fired it much since then, either, but I really like shooting it, now. It's actually a "fun" gun to shoot. The $17-$20 per box of 50 keeps me from shooting it much, these days.....until a couple of days ago.....when my dies and first box of 500, 240 gr L-SWC arrived in the mail. Looks like it's time to start cleaning some brass......I'll knock the price of ammo down to about $12 per 100 rounds. I'm expecting to shoot it quite a bit, now......my favorite caliber is still 45ACP, though.

[cmidkiff]

I've shot .500 from both a 6" and a 3" (yeah, it was cut down), both with the compensators removed. Ammo was loaded down somewhat from full power. The 3" 'er even has boot grips on it.

They are a handfull, but I like it :)

I wouldn't want to put 100 rounds through it in a session, but then again, who could afford to? The guns I shot were _very_ accurate.

Did the .500 you were shooting have the 'decelerator' grip on it, or did somebody put wood grips on the thing? That soft rubber around the frame helps a lot.

I can't wait for them to start showing up cheap... I'll take 2 :) Can't wait to show up at a bowling pin match with one :D

[johnny blaze]

The one that we were shooting had the rubber grips, so that did help somewhat.
I am glad that alot of you agreed with me, I thought that maybe I was getting soft.
I was at a gun show a couple of weeks ago, and there seemed to be alot of people carrying around the 500's for sale. The only thing that I saw more of being carried around for sale were 7mm rifles by any manufacturer, but that is another story.

[longhorngunman]

Think that's bad try the Ruger SRH .454 Casull with "hot" loads;) . Yeah, the 500 might have overall bigger ballistics but the S&W X-frame soaks up a lot of recoil, the Ruger, not very much. Of course there was that one guy who made a.600 Nitro Express pistol:what: . I think he shot it once.

[Redhawk1]

Iggy, far from the truth. The 500 Mag has been out for over 2 years and you don't see a lot of them for sale on the used market. Sure there are a few guys that don't like the recoil and sell them, they do the same with there 44 Mags. I got a BFR in 500 Mag before S&W hit the market. I have well over 3000 rounds fired in both of my 500 Mags. I sit down to 50 to 100 rounds in one secession. I also shoot my 4 inch 500 Mag a lot. The 500 Mag is for the serious hand gunner that has had a lot of trigger time with big boomers. :D

[Redhawk1]

johnny blaze, where do you see a lot of them for sale. I go to gun shops and the range a lot, I hardly ever see a used 500 Mag. Sure you can find them, you can also find used 22's, 9mm, 45L/C's and 44 Mags.

[Iggy]

I've got no argument with the guys that shoot the big boomers. In fact, I have a lot of respect for them.. We have guys that come out to the ranch and hunt Antelope with them.. A well know grip maker shot his goat at 435 yards with a pistol, and the other guys with him, one a major pistol maker, and the other, one of the head honchos for a powder manufacturer made very similar shots.

Paint me duly impressed. These guys are some real fine pistoleros and that's no kidding.
After they all got their goats out of the way, they spent the rest of the week doing what they really came for, shooting prairie dogs.
They brought a Suburban full of guns, mostly pistols and a U-Haul trailer full of ammunition.
They spend the rest of the year collaborating on guns, grips, and ammo to play with during hunting season. I can tell you they had some spectacular guns and some awsome loads and ammunition.
Let's just say they killed more prairie dogs than the coyotes and eagles could clean up all summer.

I fired a few of those pistols, ranging from .17 to .338 ***. I had a good time, but I wouldn't want a steady diet of those things.

That said, I am like some of the other posters. I am seeing some of the big blasters showing up at gun shows and in the papers around here, usually accompanied by a partial box of shells.

These are the guys like me that can only stand so much fun at one time, and in small doses.:o

Until I can afford one of those .50 1911's, I reckon I'll just stick to my pipsqueak 10mm's and .41s.;)

[Helstrm]

Fired 2 rounds out of a 4" 500. I never want to do that again. I am not a little guy but it hurt.... I am 6'1" 200 lbs and it hurt.

[tc300mag1]

Longhorngunman Thats what i have been Saying Shooting my SRH 454 is worse with factory laod than the 500 4" with factory loads

[trbon8r]

I went to a gun store after having a few brewskies with the boys. Not loaded mind you but feeling good. I plopped down a hundred bucks to order one of the new S&W 500s.

After the brews wore off I realized I'd made a poor decision and never even went back to pick it up so I was out the hundred bucks. Dumb mistake I know, but I've had more costlier lapses in judgement than that. :neener:

Could be worse, one of my buddies bought a brand new motorcycle after a day at the bar!

[Black Majik]

1 shot from the 500 S&W Mag was good enough for me too. Especially at $3 per round! :what:

I remember having to take a step back so that I wouldn't fall flat on my butt. It was a fun experience though.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d194/RChang824/500SWmag.jpg

[tc300mag1]

Were you guys shooting the original 500 with the crappy comp?

[454c]

Speaking of 500's on the used market,there's one on GB.Only fired 5 times.:D

[MountainPeak]

I'm starting to see some of them, very much like new, on the gun show circuit. It's a little early for some guys to unload their "safe queens". It's a little embarrassing for them! Sorry guys, but it is true! I have a buddy with one. Damn, he just keeps forgetting to bring it with him on our outings :)

[280PLUS]

I shot Cortez Kid's 500 x 8" a few times. The last time I did he filled it with 400 gr Corbons and MAN them things make a "CRACK!!" when they go off. I was duly imopressed. After I shot it two handed the first round, I shot the other 4 one handed. I thought it was quite tolerable, forget about a quick follow up though. Holding the gun up and on target with one hand was the difficult part. I'll wait for a nice used 4" to come my way. :evil:

[klover]

The 8 3/8 barrel seemed to work the recoil just fine. Hit dead on center first shot, all others grouped as tight as any of the 44 magnums--hand sized at 25 yds. I'm only 175 #, and have come to love the Smith big bores. They were full house Cor Bons by the way.:)

[280PLUS]

They were full house Cor Bons by the way

Weren't them FUN!!

:D

[Redhawk1]

MountainPeak, yea there might be some people that don't like the recoil and sell them, but I don't think that it would be embarrassing. I had 4 of them and sold two of them, I still have 2 of them. Not that I can't handle the recoil, but I did not need all 4 of them, and I replaced them with two 460 Mags.

I don't know why you would think it would be embarrassing for someone to sell there 500 Mag, if they can't handle it. People sell there 454 Casulls and 44 Mags because they don't like the recoil. I just don't understand the big deal. So what if someone can't handle the recoil, does it make you a big shot by posting your comments. It seems like you get off on seeing people sell there 500 mags because they can't handle the recoil. :cuss:

280PLUS, I have a 4 inch 500 Mag and love the gun. It is my backup gun for my tent and hunting. I just ordered the compensator with no holes, to cut down on the noise. The recoil is not an issue, I shoot my BFR 500 Mag without a compensator. :D

[chipp]

Sounds like you blew your one chance to hit the bad guy.

[280PLUS]

Some day when the bills are all caught up...

:D

[MountainPeak]

Redhawk1, I've went to 3 gun shows in the last two months. Saw, 6 of those big boys marked down, big time. My point was simply, I know there is always a crowd for the biggest, and baddest, and some of them find it hard to admit when they can't handle it. No offense meant to the big bore guys that can. Normally, those that bought the biggest/baddest don't unload them for a while. IT IS EMBARRASSING TO "THEM"!

[dragongoddess]

About a month ago I came agross a Colt Anaconda and a King Cobra at the local gun shop. I bought both right away. As far as the Anaconda goes it caused pain in my hand,wrist and right elbow but it does have a non-ported 4 inch barrel so that may be the cause of the recoil.. The recoil was a bit much for me that first time. So I'm going to wait a little while longer before I take it to the range again for some shooting. In the mean time I need some trigger work done so I can pull the trigger in DA. Seems I experience pain when trying to pull it back in DA.

[Steve Wynn]

Pack up that Anaconda and ship it to Mag-na-port. I beleive that if you can't tell the difference then your nerves are in shock. That 4" barrel can be a real pain.

Steve

[dragongoddess]

Thought about it but I was told that it would reduce the collector value of the revolver. Still not sure what to do but I see it as a challenge to overcome this recoil problem without porting the barrel. I guess a little barbell work and a wrist wrap should help out with that problem.

[EddieCoyle]

I take my 4" S&W 500 to the range with me at least twice per week. I've put hundreds of round through it in a session while I was developing loads. It can be a handful with hot loads. However when loaded down a bit, it is a fun and accurate plinker. My 12 year-old shoots it all the time.

Anybody that owns one of these and doesn't handload has got to be rich.

[.38 Special]

The .44 Magnum with Keith loads is about my personal limit. The 8 3/8" barrel makes it fun. The 4" makes it hurt. And a couple of guns full of of "5 shot" .45 Colt loads leaves my wrist feeling slightly sprained.

The .500 is the first gun I've ever not wanted to fire.

< edit > I wonder if there is anyone here who has ever been physically harmed by handgun recoil?

[jack the toad]

I have the 4" 500 and really like it. I've only shot 400 and 350 grainers out of it (with and without the comp) and enjoy it a lot. I'd prefer not to have the comp.
Redhawk, where do you get the the blank comps? S&W offers them for the 460 but I've not seen them for the 500. Are they interchangable? S&W told me that they didn't have any plans to offer them for the 500 which made no sense to me.

[Action_Can_Do]

There is just something magick about big-bore cannons. I love em. Anytime someone has one that I haven't shot I beg em to let me squeeze off a shot. My grin usually looks something like this:D :D :D .

[992]

The only trouble I have with mine is my 14 year old son shoots up all the ammo I can load!
As for the guys who say it hurts the first time,I have heard a few of the gals say the same thing about other fun, but it didn't stop them from trying it again.:) :)
Just keep shooting,you will get to where you like the recoil,and if you just can't handle it,well there is always the 9mm.:neener: :neener:

Just kidding,:) :)
992

Ps,have a good day.

[MCgunner]

I'll pass on the big bruisers. I've fired .44 mag, hot .45 colt and that level of round and they're not bad depending on the firearm. They friggin' HURT in a contender, but in a Ruger, not bad, the recoil just sorta rolls the gun up in the hand. My bud has a 7.5" superblackhawk and it's a pussycat. My .45 colt blackhawk ain't bad. When I got my .30-30 barrel for the contender, I got the 12" compensated hunter barrel, kicks like a .38 in a K frame!

Asside from recoil, I can't justify a "handgun" that weighs as much as a rifle. They're bigger and heaver than a contender! Those short barreled ones are a joke, too, I mean, what's the point? You trying to start a forest fire?

I think I could probably handle the .454 Casull in a single action (love the way they handle recoil) though I've yet to shoot one, but that'd probably be my personal limit. I can't justify owning anything bigger anyway. If I need a gun with that much power, I'll use my 7mm remington magnum and add some range and accuracy to the equation. My .45 colt, heck, my .357 magnum blackhawk will do about anything I need doin' with a revolver. I don't live in Alaska or Africa and will never get a chance to go there.

Next time I read a thread that says the sub-compact 9s have too much recoil, I'll direct 'em to this thread. :rolleyes: :D Some people make that arguement against the Kel Tec and Kahr baby 9s. I guess they'd never consider a .357 magnum, let alone a .44. :D

[Tom C.]

I confess to being a weenie. I like to reload for my PC 500 Hunter with substantially less than full power loads. I like inexpensive lead bullets and H4227 for mid range loads and Universal for really light loads. Really light loads being a 370 gr. bullet at something on the order of 1000 fps. Still very effective and recoil is very light.
I couldn’t afford to shoot factory ammo anyway.

[AnthonyRSS]

I like shooting my 8 3/8 .500. The full house loads will wear on you, but I load some 350gr XTPs at 1250 fps and they are nice. Still powerful enough to take anything, but you can shoot them all day if you feel so inclined.

I let a friend of mine shoot it and he doubletapped, sending one 400gr into the stratosphere. That was scary.

Anthony

[ZipperZap]

I smile politely when I hear about the .500 being "too much."

We've had one for about two years now and love it.

We reload it down abit and have never wanted to go back to the .44 Mag. or our .45Win Mag.

It's a 4" and she goes regularily with us to our place in Alaska where we only use the maxiloads. Both my son (20) and I (61) never tire of our S&W .500 and can hit consistantly at 60 yards.

... ain't nobody gonna sell THAT .500!:neener:

... but then again, guns are like women, ponies and poker. When things get uncomfortable ... it's time to find another more comfortable one!:D

[BrainOnSigs]

I replaced them with two 460 Mags.

How do you like those in comparison?

[Confederate]

I had a friend who got a .454 Cassull a number of years back. When we took it out to shoot, I remember he'd shoot a round, put the gun down, rub his hand and about five minutes later would pick it up and offer to let someone else shoot it, then he'd fire it again, put it down, rub his hand and again wouldn't pick it up for awhile. Not only did I not want to shoot it, I didn't even want to be close to him when he shot it.

That was at an open field. I know I'd be ticked if some clown showed up with one of these powerhouses at an indoor range and started blasting away right next to me.

I don't know if an indoor range could even take a 500.

[EddieCoyle]

I let a friend of mine shoot it and he doubletapped, sending one 400gr into the stratosphere. That was scary.

Same thing happened when I let a guy at my club shoot it. Now, whenever someone is trying it for the 1st time, I make sure there's an empty after the first round.

[EddieCoyle]

I like inexpensive lead bullets and H4227 for mid range loads and Universal for really light loads. Really light loads being a 370 gr. bullet at something on the order of 1000 fps. Still very effective and recoil is very light.
I couldn’t afford to shoot factory ammo anyway.

I hear ya. My favorite plinking load is a 335gr Rainier bullet over 13 grains of Titegroup. Very accurate and you can shoot 'em all day. You can afford to shoot all day too - these loads cost less than $0.20/ea.

[Troutman]

My ole man use to tell me when I was a puny little kid. If I wanted to shoot his 357 Mag., “I would have to reach the table”. In order for that to happen, he said: "You would have to eat your Wheaties".
Today, there is a new breed of shooters, in reference to the big boys (big bore).
Recoil is too much, too heavy to pick up. Noise is too loud, flash is too much. Too heavy too carry around. I need something (caliber) that will go easy on me, not to say, "My hands". It's too, Big (powerful) for me to handle. All this can be controlled by what loads you use, if wanted.
I was brought up, if you wanted to learn how to swim. Just, jump in the deep end.
And....Don't forget to eat your Wheaties. "The breakfast of champions". Or…do what those Hollywood people do. Use a stunt double, to shoot it for you.
Prices are at the 800, 900 hundred dollar mark and ammo, (factory) can be found as low as a dollar, a round

[Tom C.]

Titegroup works well. I use it, too. Trailboss also looks like it has potential for lead bullets, but I haven't found any load data for it yet.

[Tom C.]

I just checked the IMR website and there is now Trailboss loading data available for those who shoot lead bullets at wimpy velocities.

[cortez kid]

Shooting the 500 is like drinking Scotch. No body I know drank Scotch the first time and said yummy this is good. They usually made a face and switched to something else. After a while you "aquire" a taste. Same with the 500. I fired mine once and walk back to the house, stunned. After about four more trips to the backyard range, I lost the fear of the weapon. Any one who can shoot a .44 can master the 500. In many instances a .44 has a lot more recoil, read pain, involved. My .44 Mtn Gun hurts a heck of alot more than my 500's. It's all a matter of practice. By the way 280PLUS shot my 500 like a pro. He was one handing it in no time. I don't know why he's waiting for the money to get one. If I had his money, I'd burn mine-LOL
kid

[Plastic Cowboy]

Man this is all so exciting!! I can't wait to get my hands on one of these hogs!!! I started with a .22LR, graduated to a black powder 58 remington, then 47 colt walker, most recently got a springfield XD .45ACP.

Now I am ready to step up to the biggest baddest dog on the block!!! I realize that it is really not as practical as a .357 or .44mag but as far as toys go- bigger is better!!

I have never fired a big 500 yet but a friend of mine have told me that it is the hammer of the gods. He said they were shooting at concrete paver blocks and just blowing them to hell!!!! I guess the concussion nearly shakes your fillings loose!!:evil:

........I should be there in a few months - I've already started saving my $$$

[.38 Special]

I have never fired a big 500 yet but a friend of mine have told me that it is the hammer of the gods. He said they were shooting at concrete paver blocks and just blowing them to hell!!!! I guess the concussion nearly shakes your fillings loose!!

Pretty impressive for a handgun. Of course, the .500 is about the equivalent of modern .45-70 loads, and I don't hear too much about the .45-70 being a hammer of the gods. Or even a screwdriver, pry bar, or monkey wrench of the gods.

But hey, whatever floats your boat, dude! :D

[hossdaniels]

Come on, it aint that bad. I kinda like it for a little while. The 460 is worse in my opinion, louder anyway.

[Confederate]

Same thing happened when I let a guy at my club shoot it. Now, whenever someone is trying it for the 1st time, I make sure there's an empty after the first round.
Some folks are just plain evil.

Others are just gluttons for punishment. My brother shot a 12-ga. magnum shotgun that was so overloaded that I could only shoot it once. My brother, though, kept shooting it, saying it didn't bother him a bit. I was amazed.

When we got back home, he took off his shirt and his right arm was all black and blue -- like he'd been kicked by a horse. Now I know that had to hurt; he just wasn't owning up to it. I believe all you guys who say you like it but, like Scotch and cigarettes, maybe your body's trying to tell you something before you acquire a taste for it! :D

[Plastic Cowboy]

So how does the 460 compare to the 500 as far as recoil, noise, and fire??

[EddieCoyle]

So how does the 460 compare to the 500 as far as recoil, noise, and fire??

I've only put a few rounds through a buddy's 460, but my impression was that compared to my 4" 500 it was, in order: slightly softer, louder, and less firey. Please keep in mind though that I have very little experience with the 460, I haven't bought one yet.

[ZipperZap]

Plastic Cowboy:

So how does the 460 compare to the 500 as far as recoil, noise, and fire??

Don't know much about recoil and noise ... but 'fire" I know about!

Here's my 'baby' .500 burping during a feeding of maxiloads!:what:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b313/zipperzap/our_big_gun.jpg

[Plastic Cowboy]

Damn Zipper!!! VERY NICE!!!!:what:
I am hooked- I plan to have one by Christmas!!!!:evil:

[Correia]

I've got a used one in stock, less than 100 rounds through it. 8 inch, compensated, with a really nice leather shoulder holster (really more of a harness) for under $900.

[EddieCoyle]

Here's my 'baby' .500 burping during a feeding of maxiloads

Nice fireball! What powder is that? H110?

[Paul 500]

For those that cringe at shooting a Smith & Wesson 500, you are likely shooting it wrong. You might try googling how to fire a big bore weapon for training, but you can forget Weaver, Isoseles, etc. NO-NOs include any light touch on the grip or trigger, letting the report surprise you during the trigger squeeze (that WILL mess up your hands and wrist(s)).

I shoot left-handed, was trained to lock my left wrist with my right palm over it, and lean "into it", anticipate the discharge, and almost "squeeze the black out of the grip" (a usual no-no and a term we used to admonish student carrier pilots torturing a jet's joystick). Once you know WHEN it will dishcarge, you can learn where the very flat trajectory will end up, and can get out well beyond 100 yds ( often set my bull at 200 yd). This is alot different than my experience with 45 ACP, 44 mag, 357 Mag, those toy 9mm's etc etc... But it really works, the baby loads like 275 grain, up past 400 to 500 grains. I shoot 60 rounds per monthly visit to the local 'pits' (using 3 boxes; BTW, Cabellas and others sell 20 round boxes at more like $1.25 to $1.50 a round... not 3 bucks, unless you are shooting the high end loads or like to throw money at retail ammo); then I plink for fun with my .357 with mag (King Cobra 4" barrel) loads for a few more hundred rounds. And while I used to be a fit powerlifter in college, and I was an expert marksman in the military for well over a quarter century, that was way back then - not at age 48, now, all out of shape LOL...

I never ever had stinging or hurt hand/wrist/arm shooting the S&W 500 properly, and can rapid-fire all 5 rounds in 4 seconds and keep on a 3 ft target at 100 yds... Not bragging - just holding it correctly. not gripping it like one of those little revolvers (like my .357 mag) <wink>...

I will say that it may make a difference that my 500 is a beefier 7.5 inch Performance Center - the healthy mass, barrel and compensator do help to make it "heave" more than "rap" like my fun with 44 mag's. The mass makes holding it up a bit hard for small people I have found, but is part of the 'saving of the hands'...

IMO the 50 mag is less viscious on the hands than a 44 mag, primarily owing to these attributes. Again, I encourage you to read up on some links on this. If you do not like the 500 and you fired a short barrel, go try a longer barrel one, even a heavier Performance Center one; make sure one with the compnsator... and readup up on big bore shooting technique...

BTW if you get a quality 532 nm laser on a rail on the S&W 500, you solve even more handling problems, in that you can offset your recoil down your shooting arm (and miss your forehead in the recoil LOL). Just make sure it is well anchored on the rail (three clamps are best), or see it go bye bye while plinking the hotter loads....

Good luck - have no doubt, the Smith & Wesson 500 on the heavier end, is no hand destroyer -- *IF* you hold it right. Clearly less 'snap' even than 44's -

Good Luck,
Paul

[eldon519]

Welcome to the forum Paul.

[atlanticfire]

I got a 500 BFR about a year ago. And I love it shoot it! At first it was like WOW, but you get over that and learn how to handle it. Its not expensive to shoot. I found 100 once fired shells at an indoor range just last week! I have tons of H110 around for the 357,44 and hot 45lc loads. And it uses large rifle primers. I choose the BFR beacuse I liked the weight and I don't like the porting on the smiths. Here is few pics. The shells are 700gr loads next to a 180gr 357 load. You should buy one....
http://www.jaybiddle.com/500MAG.jpg
http://www.jaybiddle.com/500MAG2.jpg
http://www.jaybiddle.com/700gr.jpg

[Paul 500]

all I can say is, WOW... :-)

Paul

[aHFo3]

Welcome Paul,

I'd love to own a 500, and the BFR would be my first choice too.

Those are impressive 700 grain loads!

[Confederate]

This is an OLD thread but I don't think attitudes have changed much when it comes to the S&W 500. Some may claim to have mastered it, but it's still very much a gimmack, and it should never be taken to a range bcause it's 1) too damaging to the backstop and 2) it's abusive to others in other lanes.

The 500 is a solution in search of a problem. What deficiency existed in other calibers that the 500 addresses? It's in a similar category to snub-nosed .44 mags, but worse...and is for people with too much money to burn. The fact that people shoot a decent first shot and many times can't even hit the target the second time is a clear indication that something's wrong. Would anyone really prefer this to a .44 mag in a defensive situation with a bear? You'd have to be at point-blank range for it to be advantageous, and even then it would be moot. A .44 mag 29 can be fired double action in such encounters, but only two rounds, tops, could likely be fired from a S&W 500. (Actually, I'd love to see someone shoot one double action on YouTube.)

I've never seen one, but I'm sure some yo-yo has a 3-inch barrel in a 500 squirreled away in a safe somewhere.

[SharpsDressedMan]

I'm you huckleberry.......er, I mean yo-yo! PS: I use medium loads. http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m247/matquig/DSC05495.jpg

[atlanticfire]

but it's still very much a gimmack:rolleyes:
There are people who have mastered it out to a 100 yards (not me yet) and your post make you sound like a gun snob, or just jealous:rolleyes:. Opinions are like. . .well you get the idea and I don’t categorize your post as very high road cutting down others just because you don’t understand or cannot afford.:rolleyes: . . . . Oh and I've shot mine at two indoor ranges both of which I've seen guys sighing in rifles as big as 300 wby. So I don't think its a problem.:rolleyes:

[Confederate]

I'm you huckleberry.......er, I mean yo-yo! PS: I use medium loads
Ha! I knew it! But if you shoot reduced loads, what's the advantage? Wouldn't you be better off with full loads using a .44 magnum?

I've seen too many people try to shoot full-throttle rounds through 500s, and I've yet to see anyone master it. In a truly depressed economy, I just don't think they'd sell.

[Dr.Mall Ninja]

id like to try one, just once :evil:

[SharpsDressedMan]

Confederate, my reduced loads are quite manageable, give me at least 1 1/2 times the energy of the .44 mag from a 6" barrel (and this from my 2 3/4 barrel), and cut a bigger hole going in. Loading my own, the cost advantage ove factory loads is about 1/2 with the 385gr JHP's I use, or far less with the cast bullets I cast. Used and loaded this way, I think it makes the .44 Mag obsolete.:)

[danbrew]

I'm enjoying my 500 - and am handloading for it. Not really shooting the reduced power loads as I like the big bore big bag. "b4".

http://danbrew.smugmug.com/Gun-Stuff/Smith-Wesson-Model-500/DSC6220/493698889_RnxYD-X2.jpg

[Magnumite]

Why shouldn't one shoot full bore loads with the 500 at a range? Maybe the basement would be a better place?

The energy and momentum values are less than many large bore rifles so that blows the too powerful for the range theory. As far as the report goes it is noisey, ever sit next to someone shooting a 12" 223 T/C Contender?

For shooting technique on those big guns, I never lock any joint, nor do I instruct anyone to use that method. The gun will recoil and you can't stop it. Locking joints is the best way to feel recoil. Best way to shoot those is with a very healthy two hand grip, and a firm, shooting platform. The tight grip will reduce movement of the firearm in the hand, ensuring consistant hits and reducing battering and abrasion to the hand. Unlocked joints will allow recoil to move the gun, absorbing recoil. You'll know you have it right when the gun settles down from recoil pointed at the target. Rapid DA fire with full 44 Magnum has bore this out time and again.

I know this works with bigger guns because I have shot full bore 475 Linbaugh. The recoil was hard and snappy, but not unmanageable. What I noticed most was the movement of the gun in the hand and effects of grip pressure on grips. Hits on a 4" target at 50 meters wasn't an issue once I figured the gun out.

The Bisley Linbaugh conversion I shot was a friend's revolver. He has shot the 500 S&W and said the recoil was very similar. Not many I trust more with shooting info than he.

For general shooting fun, if I decided one should join the group in the safe, I'd definitely down load. Nothing wrong with that.

[atlanticfire]

I love my BFR in 500. Will I ever hunt with it, most likely not as my 44 dose what I need it to do. So is it a fun gun, yes. I have shot it at indoor ranges and it not as bad as the guy firing the 300wm rifle in the next station. Is the post above from an arrogant newcomer, you bet. People buy and shoot guns just for the fun of it all the time its called America don't know what you gun rules are New Zealander, but hey I guess everyone is entitled to there opinion even if some of its not very high road at all. I usually say welcome to new members but I think I’m going to pass on you.:rolleyes:

[2Shaxs]

Confederate - ( please do not take this to heart )

"The 500 is a solution in search of a problem. What deficiency existed in other calibers that the 500 addresses? "

<It drops charging Grizzlies quicker than a .44MAG hands down. Why? The high velocity and kinetic energy the round carries, is akin to being hit by a train.>

"It's in a similar category to snub-nosed .44 mags, but worse...and is for people with too much money to burn."

<Yes and No. 44 Cal snubbies are not as common as .357 Mags which are by choice the most preferred snub nosed wheelies due to the small round yet high velocity impact that they impose. As for those with too muchmoney to burn....hey, this is America after all.>


"The fact that people shoot a decent first shot and many times can't even hit the target the second time is a clear indication that something's wrong. Would anyone really prefer this to a .44 mag in a defensive situation with a bear? You'd have to be at point-blank range for it to be advantageous, and even then it would be moot."

<Incorrect. A 44MAG equates to - 240-grain bullet at 1,350 fps for 971 ft-lbs of energy. This travels slowly, and is only good at very close range. There is not enough foot pounds, to simply make a Bear STOP...he or she, can and often does, keep going forward. Not a good look......seriously. Yes, one may have time to put more rounds into Mr Bear, but once he hits arm reach....well....good luck. Hit Mr Grizz with a 50CAL, the shock can blow chunKs of the Bear, and the energy / Impact to the animal is instant. They no longer want to play. >




"A .44 mag 29 can be fired double action in such encounters, but only two rounds, tops, could likely be fired from a S&W 500. Actually, I'd love to see someone shoot one double action on YouTube."

<Double action is heavy, as one would expect, but the revolver is carried hammer back, and ready to rock n roll. Fire one, then DA the rest. Any Bear, will hesitate when hit with this round. They stand, or stop on all 4's, because something just hit them with the equivalant of a sledgehammer. Bears DO NOT.....like this round. Once the range increases, the bullet makes more of a mess by the way >

****Footnote*** A 50CAL round, irrespective of being Rifle or pistol ( Barret etc..) will rip limbs of flesh clovered targets ******



"I've never seen one, but I'm sure some yo-yo has a 3-inch barrel in a 500 squirreled away in a safe somewhere. "


<All so called 4inch .500's are a 3 inch barrel with an inch of muzzle brake ( plus porting ). >

Just an additional Blog. Later.

[rha600]

If buying the gun for fun makes people an idiot then I guess Chevy should stop selling the vette and Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Maserati, Konigg, the list can go on should just fold up shop and retire.

idiot.

Oh, and if you NEED a 500 to stop a bear then what did people do all these years before the 500 was "invented"?

[SharpsDressedMan]

I have a 2 3/4" S&W 500. Had the 8 3/8", and it was a boat anchor. The 4" was fine, but still a little heavy, and the compensator came loose once, so it scared me. I went to the shorter barrel because, as was mentioned, the 4" is the same rifled barrel, except it has the integral comp, so no ballistic advantage. The short one totes very well, and is mighty fine for bear country. I also like to load it to "combat" specs, and keep it in the vehicle. It will stomp a human adversary right now, and probably shoot through a car if need be, with reduced loads. Can't ask for more than that.

[fireside44]

Pretty impressive for a handgun. Of course, the .500 is about the equivalent of modern .45-70 loads, and I don't hear too much about the .45-70 being a hammer of the gods.

Try shooting warmer 385 grain loads through a handi rifle. There's your hammer. Ice pack for your cheek optional.:)

[SharpsDressedMan]

My medium load for my snubbie is the Remington 385 Cor-Lokt travelling @ 1140fps. Not upper end, but not theoretical ballistics from a 8 3/8", either. My chronographed velocity is from the short barrel.

[Scrapperz]

You might want to try the 460 XVR. I can shoot this thing all day.

http://www.benelliusa.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=68&pictureid=288

http://www.benelliusa.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=68&pictureid=266

http://www.benelliusa.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=68&pictureid=265

[Confederate]

...haven't seen the market flooded with them....
I suspect once bought, that many just won't take a loss on one. First, if someone can afford shooting a 500, I don't think they'd be lacking for money. Second, it's quite the conversation piece. Throughout Europe, people are buying deactivated revolvers and autos for about the same price we pay for new ones. They even keep them in safes, and when they have their little gettogethers, they take out these deactivated guns and show them off. And I worry whether the U.S. will ever go down that path.

As for the 500, I suspect that many users are not firing full-throttle rounds out of them, nor do I think that many are being used for hunting. Back during the Dirty Harry days, some .44s did end up on dealer's shelves -- but many were just too hard to get at the time.

S&W 500s are just not practical for the most part. They're too far into rifle territory.

[tango2echo]

+1 for the .460XVR. Much more shootable than the .500. My first experience with the .500 involved laying a 10lb bag of leadshot over the scope (from bench). After firing the bag was on the ground behind me about 4ft. It took me 8-10 rounds just to learn how to manage the recoil of the .500. I think that is a gun you have to shoot ALOT to be good with it, especially offhand. My right elbow hurt for two days after shooting 20rds of .500.

t2e

[rogertc1]

I have miy 4" 500. Some people just can't afford them. They are not for everyone.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c248/rogertc1/BigBores.jpg

Notice the 700gr round...
I really have no problems shooting the 500. It is more of a strong push back into my hand. But I do have big hand and am 6'2" so i make a good base.

[BMF500]

I find that shooting the .500 requires a bit of finesse to absorb the recoil. Especially when shooting one with no compensator or muzzle break, like a 10" BFR.

[Hunt480]

I have the 6.5" Smith 500; It is one of the most accurate revolvers I've ever owned. Its recoil is not as bad as you would think .I reload all my ammo for the gun and it can be pricey for bullets, brass and the amount of powder,but I knew this before I bought the gun. This gun is not that bad to pack when hunting either. This gun is about the same size as a 7.5"SRH when you hold them side by side,its just heavier. Its a deer thumper.
I am surprised at the negativity of the 500 and that more handgun hunters do not use the 500 for deer .This gun is not overkill it is a huntin machine.If blowing a clean large hole with a hardcast bullet is what you like this is the gun for the job. I love the 500 it will out perform and outshoot all my 44's in everyway.Nothing against my 44's I still use them too,but I have discovered a fine huntin gun in the 6.5" Smith 500 maybe hunters should give it a try. As of now I'm not interested in the 460 though I'm sure its a great performer too,but it don't get much better than a 500's performance especially in normal handgunnin ranges.

[Confederate]

You guys are all wimps. I'm going to wait for the 2-inch Scandium model. My favorite load is to fill the entire case with Bullseye, then compress a 460-grain JSP bullet into it using a hydraulic press. My open sights will have three settings: 1) horizon; 2) moon; and 3) Mars. I'd get some armor-piercing rounds if I could find an old battleship to practice on.

[Taurus_9mm]

They are fun to touch off. I had a Raging Bull 500 Magnum and it also seemed to be a firm shove back into my palm rather than a sharp upward flip of the muzzle.

[johnsongourd]

I'm a gun guy first and foremost...by that I mean I wake up and go to sleep thinking about guns or my next gun purchase, I went to medical school (in part of course!) so I could support my gun habit...I've got 18 years military experience and counting...including the first part of my career as an SF guy (18D naturally...) I have shot a good deal of weapons over this time from all over the world. At the peak of my training I was firing 3K-5k rounds per week with 8 hr range days the norm (and a pleasure!) I have never assumed I was a master of any weapon or technique and practice basic gun safety in a stringent matter regardless of my comfort level with a particular weapon. I am certainly no name-brand gun course instructor or the like who lives on a gun range and trains our civilian or military population daily...but I THOUGHT at least I had enough experience to avoid the more common shooting mishaps. I was wrong. After a recent invitation to an Alaskan fishing trip my first thought of course was what kind of gun should I take- I found the S&W 500 bear kit within a week or so and life was good. I read all the 500 forums, etc, to include John Ross's 26 pages (PDF) on the topic, hand loads, you name it. I purchased a sample of all locally available 500 ammunition and headed to my local indoor range. Yes, the "bear kit" is great marketing, the "spec ops" knife is made in China and I already have all the survival stuff included many times over- but a bright orange waterproof case with all those items already tucked away is still better than the cheap plastic glock/FN/XD case with a few spare mags and a maybe a holster! Back to the story- I get to the range and set-up. Double hearing protection, check. Sig 220 elite dark lubed and fired (new gun, shoots great), rugar LCP (boot gun until the Rohrbaugh arrives, no problems). Now the big boy. I inspect each round of 500's I have brought and put them back on the bench. I pull the 500 snubby from the kit and re-inspect it for any possible flaws, although the gun has been dry fired a few hundred times (at least). I load 5 325gr JHP ultramax rated at 1400 FPS and take a good stance. From all the forum chatter I am a little nervous, "death grip" is an understatement, but hey, I am an experienced shooter right? I can handle this. The freak'n size of the pistol alone with its short 2 3/4 barrel makes me question whether this is really a good idea for a pistol for public release to unsuspecting "got to have the biggest" shooters- but they made it and I have one so here goes... First round recoil is more than I ever imagined in a pistol but not as bad as it could be- at least I'm not bleeding (yet). The next 19 rounds were much more controlled- all in the head region at 15yds. I then load only 3 rounds of 400 gr cor-bon hunter (they come 12 to a pack and a row is 3 across) I see two empty chambers as I slam the cylinder shut. I am going to "advance" the chamber so my next shot is the real deal. I have the gun pointed down range, proper stance. I have a one hand grip and start the DA trigger pull as my left hand is closing on the two hand grip with arms extending. BLAM! although I thought I was advancing on two EMPTY chambers the S&W goes the other way- next thing I know I am holding my mouth. I knew HOW it occurred a split second after it occurred. weak right handed grip not expecting to fire the round but to advance the chamber (I know, I know- wrong wrong wrong way to to do that) My lip was split wide open and the rear site impacted two teeth (my right front tooth had a perfect "notch" wacked out of it and the one next to it was shattered in pieces to the gum line). I composed myself, retrieved the gun and made a round count. I felt only one detonation and it was pointed downrange, but I still made sure the fellow in the far right lane was uninjured. I put the gun lube sock I had been using to my mouth to stem the bleeding (I wish they made flavored gun lube...) and checked out of the gun range. I had the guy double check my 3 guns for safety and went to have my lip sewed up and my teeth fixed. 4 hours later I returned (only local anesthetics- I was not drugged up) I simply could not go to sleep that night with that as my last experience with the 500 mag. I fired a few 400 gr and then a few 500 gr Hornady XTPs. WoW! previous injury (all my fault) not withstanding- that is one powerful handgun. I believe something in the 300s will be my max for the fishing trip. Anything bigger in the the snubby is great to say you shot it, but far from practical for the field. I do plan on getting at least two more- the John Ross 5" if I can find one and a longer hunting length. The big 500 has got my attention. I admit I am now hooked. In all my years shooting this or that wonder caliber or wonder gun I have never felt the pure affection I have for the power this gun packs in such portable package. If your a newbie and reading this go back and read the basic safety warnings for firearms in general. The gun should point always in a safe direction with your finger OFF the trigger and ONLY down range or something you might destroy if your finger goes near the trigger. No exceptions, ever.

[SharpsDressedMan]

As a shooter of the 500ES snubbie, I progressed from reduced handloads, mostly because of fear of the unknown, and a POSSIBLE fantasy scenario like Johnsongourd had above. I settled on a handload of 385gr. Remington JHP's at 1150fps (chronographed out of the shorty). I don't know what they would clock out of the standard 8 3/8" used for book velocities with loads, but it is "enough" to handle well, and ought to be a cut above .454's and all .44 mags. Sure, longer barreled 460's and 500's with full loads will outclass my load, but this "little" gun is easy enough to carry comfortably, and loaded as such, managable enough to shoot effectively. I am sorry you had such an unfortunate experience, and can fully understand how you could get into the cylinder rotation mistake, etc. Also glad you are still on board for a great ride with the .500 snubbie!

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I enjoy all that I can stand from 10 shots (2 cylinders) from my .454 casull. So I cannot see the point in taking on more recoil/blast. Wonder how many of these guys hunting with .500s and .460s are going deaf from the brakes combined with the cylinder gap blast. I'd bet there's quite a few - not worth it to me.

[Scrapperz]

I have shot many many shots from this 460 Mag, I wear proper ear protection and it's enough. I have no hearing loss and can still hear a pin drop. I will say all my life I have worked in machine shop environments (50 screw machines running non stop all day). Auto shops and motorcycles. The noise is not a problem for me. I do believe that you should never stand beside someone shooting these or any revolver for that matter. Other than that protect your ears and realize what you as the individual can handle.

[captain awesome]

I definitely won't call the guys who cant can't handle it or don't like it wimps, I respect them for giving it a go. I on the other hand am classified as one of the "yo yo's" I don't have the snub yet, but will soon. And I am quite fond of the 8 3/8th's one I have. it is my favorite gun. I have heard from several people that the recoil is equal to a 44 mag. If you are on the market, DO NOT BELIEVE THEM. It might be comparable with the light underloads, but any regular load above 350grain bullets is WAY more powerful. 3 full grown men all more than 200lbs that I had with me on Saturday can attest to that. And it seems so can a lot of others on the thread. And as said before, it is extremely loud. be ready for it.