6-8 Month Wait on the S&W 500

[schapman43]

I couldnt take it any longer. Everyone talking about their S&W 500's made my mouth water. So I called my dealer and got put on a waiting list for one. Looks like there are about 40 people in front of me and it could take 6-8 Months to get mine in. I guess thats not such a bad thing because I need to save some money.

Woohooo! I'm getting a 500!!

 

[Poohgyrr]

Congrats. That should be fun. I wonder how big of a bullet can be loaded to about 700-800 fps?????

 

[Fed168]

The last I heard the waiting list for .500s was in the high 9000 range. This from the guys who just got them.

 

[44Caliber]

S&W 500 Magnum

The new Smith 500 is not yet approved in the great State of Massachusetts. Today I put my name on a waiting list.
Has anybody out there fired one? If so what is the recoil like and how did the gun handle? Does Dillon or RCBS make the dies for handloading? I understand the ammo is pricey ie $2.50 a shot
44caliber

 

[Drakejake]

I saw one for sale at a gun show here in TN about a month ago. I didn't hold it or ask the price. Big bore revolvers are not for me.

Drakejake

 

[gbran]

BFR

Magnum Research is now chambering their BFR in 500 S&W. This gun is physically heavier and larger than the X frame S&W. It is cheaper, but I don't know if there is a wait for the BFR also.

 

[444]

I saw a BFR in .50 at Machine Gun Kellys in Las Vegas last week.

 

[JoeHatley]

The Bullet Hole on Omaha had one last Friday. Contact info: www.thebh.com

Good Luck...

Joe

 

[stellarpod]

My local indoor range/gun store sold 24 of them in 3 days two weeks ago during their factory rep demo days. After shooting the monster (which was unadulterated pleasure) I wrestled with whether or not I "needed" one until the last day. Went back, told them I wanted one, but it was too late. They had just so the 24th and last one they had in stock.

I have no idea how long it'll take to get more.

stellarpod

 

[gbran]

stellarpod..........

One of the reviews I read said it wasn't as nasty to shoot as a hot 454. Had more push, but not as much bite. True?

 

[stellarpod]

I was pleasantly surprised at the "thud" effect. HUGE, impressive muzzle flash! I honestly don't think it's as bad as a short .44mag. I only shot 3 rounds at about 18 yards, offhand, and had all three holes touching . And I'm a notoriously bad shot.

Of course, it's easier to get BIG holes to touch than it is little holes.

stellarpod

 

[Redhawk1]

stellarpod: I am amazed you said your gun shop had sold 24 of them. In Delaware not one has been delivered let alone sold. There are big waiting lists at most shops here. But a lot of the people have decided on other guns instead, i.e., 454 Casull or 45-70 in revolvers. I guess they just got tired of waiting for a Smith. I know I did, and bought a BFR instead. I think it is a better set up anyway. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Johnny Guest]

Yep, a long list - - -

When I shot one last week (ONE round only; Not bad, but ammo was limited,) the S&W rep present said the waiting list had recently been well over 10,000 and was probably closer to 15,000 by that time.

I think the local dealer said they will price the gun for about $980. Anyone else know a price for which they are actually sell?

It IS an extremely large and heavy piece, but the proportions seem almost correct. Not that I want to carry one.

Best,
Johnny

 

[Al Thompson]

Not sure of the price, but one of the gunshops here has sold several and has one in the counter.

 

[stellarpod]

Johnny:

$980 sounds a bit steep, but I suppose "supply/demand" has kicked in. As I recall, the 24 guns that were sold at H&H here in OKC went for something just shy of $800. I'll check again and see if I can verify that.

stellarpod

 

[MR.G]

There is going to be a two day S&W show at a local dealer/range this month. They are supposed to have a 500 there to demonstrate on the range, and a few for sale for $799.00. Also going to have factory gunsmith there to tune any new S&W revolver purchased. Supposedly a 15% discout on all new S&W guns also. Going to be there first day, early.

 

[stellarpod]

Well, I just returned from the gun store/range that I referred to in previous post and need to clarify a couple of facts:

1) They actually only sold 19 of the S&W 500's (not 24) in one week.

2) Their price is $759.95. (of course they don't have any now...)



stellarpod

 

[TheeBadOne]

I figure if I wait long enough a used one will show up, shot once

 

[John Ross]

Answers from the .500 Guru:

Price:
The distributors pay S&W a few cents under $625 for the .500.

Dealers pay distributors $650-$665, depending on the distributor.

Retail is $987 (I think) and many dealers are splitting the difference between retail and dealer cost (~$800) to deposit-in-advance customers, to build business and goodwill.

IMO if retail were $2000, the gun would be worth it. This thing is the Real Deal, almost THREE TIMES AS POWERFUL as a .44, the most accurate revolver I've shot, and has a lifetime warranty.


Recoil:
The Sorbothane grips are amazing. With top loads, the gun is no more unpleasant to shoot than a 6 1/2" M29 with wood grips shooting 275s @ 1350. The gun recoils a LOT harder, but with the Sorbothanes it doesn't hurt any more than the .44. Watch that the cylinder latch doesn't bite you.

The only .454 I shoot is the Taurus, and it too has very good grips for recoil, so I can't say the .500 is "better" in that department than the .454, if you're asking about a comparison to the Taurus.

Go to http://www.john-ross.net/recoil.htm

for some interesting recoil info.

Answer to Poohgyrr:

The longest bullet that will fit in a Starline case without the base of the bullet getting into the thicker part of the case and bulging it so it won't chamber is 1.400"

This translates to a 725 grain bullet with a .460" diameter flatpoint for hunting, or a 650 grain semi-pointed for long range work. With my 650, my top loads went 1280 FPS @ 58,000 PSI in S&W's pressure gun. This load goes 1233 in my revolvers. I am loading my 725 to 1100 FPS in my revolvers, at slightly less pressure.

As a final note, go to http://www.john-ross.net/betrayal.htm

for an article I wrote that you may find relevant.

John Ross
.500 S&W--The Springfield Sledgehammer

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Seems there is some good crack out there to be had and a lot of people here are smoking it.

I mean---come on---most all other S&W revolvers can pretty much be had for $450 to $500---the premium for this new 500 should be $750 MAX---I looked it over and other than being big its no different than any other S&W or anything really special.

For $900 to $1000 you can get the REAL DEAL----as in STOP and POWER----this means RIFLE---not some wannbe overpriced revolver.

Seems the little head starts thinkin for the big head when something new or different comes out.

Getting the asbestos on now.---lol

 

[John Ross]

"most all other S&W revolvers can pretty much be had for $450 to $500"

Let's not confuse USED guns from the last 30 years with NEW guns.
629 .44 mag 8 3/8" classic with full underlug Current price $816 Retail, RSR Dealer price $541.73. The .500 is $959 and $687.98, respectively.


"the premium for this new 500 should be $750 MAX"

I assume you meant PRICE; a $750 premium would mean the .500 cost $750 MORE than a .44. In fact, from the above numbers, it is less than $150 more. I think a 19% premium for the .500 over the same-configuration .44 is a bargain.

"I looked it over and other than being big its no different than any other S&W or anything really special."

Well, *I* looked over a Sonny Leonard 572 cubic inch Rat motor, and other than having three times the power, it's no different than any other Chevrolet V-8 or anything really special.

"For $900 to $1000 you can get the REAL DEAL----as in STOP and POWER----this means RIFLE---not some wannbe overpriced revolver."

Some of us own a lot of both rifles and handguns, but they are not interchangeable. A powerful handgun can do something no rifle ever can: ride in a holster and leave both hands free. There didn't exist a handgun with simultaneous extraction and African-level muzzle energy, even a one-off. Now there does, for under $1000 and with a lifetime warranty.

"Seems the little head starts thinkin for the big head when something new or different comes out."

The .500 is more than "new or different." It is a quantum leap forward in striking energy, yet with no worse a comfort level to the person firing it.

Why are you so astonished that some of us think this gun is a tremendous accomplishment for S&W, and why does our excitement about it so obviously bother you?

JR

 

[stellarpod]

Well said Mr. Ross.

stellarpod

 

[schapman43]

Just look his name, Omaha-BeenGlockin. Obviously he prefers something that blows up in his hands.

 

[Blueduck]

I'll share Omaha-BeenGlockin's asbestos suit. 15 inch OAL, 5 1/2 pounds! and thats for the "compact" model Can't imagine anybody toting one of these around in holster much in even the biggest bear country.

I think it's a really a "marketing tool/publicity stunt". If it has any use it's gotta be the smallest niche market in Amercan History. I'm of the opinion that for everyone they sell for any "real" use 9,999 will go out the door just for somebody to own the "Biggest baddest..."

Nothing wrong with a company wanting press, nothing wrong with a fella wanting a big shiny toy... But frankly I'd have rather seen S/W put the development cost into some QC on the regular guns...

 

[444]

"For $900 to $1000 you can get the REAL DEAL"
I love posts like this, they assume that I am too poor just to buy both. They assume that I have to come up with some iron clad justification to buy a toy. Did it ever occur to you that I own a few handguns AND a few rifles ? Did it ever occur to you that if I wanted new gun and I couldn't decide if I want this .50 or a new rifle, I could just go out and buy BOTH this handgun AND a new rifle ? Did it ever occur to you that I can buy toys just because I want them ? I can look at something, and not be able to think of one good reason to own it, but if I want it, I might buy it anyway and not have to justify it with anyone ? I am certainly not beyond looking at this and saying to myself, self, this is far too big to be pratctical, there is no way I could carry this around in a holster, this is nothing but a marketing tool or possibly a publicity stunt, and I am buying it only as a substitute for my own manhood; but, I am getting it anyway because I want it.