Do I need another 500 S&W? I do, but help talk me into it.

[Ranger Roberts]

So I currently own a S&W 500 Mag with a 4 in barrel. I use it for fun and I take it on a "handgun only" bear hunt every year. I also take a Ruger Blackhawk .44 mag since I hit very well with it. My S&W 500 is awesome but I am not as accurate as I want to be with it. My best friend is selling his 500 with an 8 3/8 barrel w/ an interchangable compensator. Do I want it? Of course!

My question is do you think the extra barrel length is going to improve my accuracy enough to justify the purchase?

P.S. I do handload for it.

Thanks!

 

[MikeJackmin]

Only one way to find out.

 

[Wil Terry]

THAT accuracy is between your ears NOT between your hands, Sir.

And so it goes...

 

[g.willikers]

You definitely need a backup to your 500.
With that long a barrel, if you run out of ammo, you can do a Bat Masterson with it.

 

[MikeJackmin]

The mechanical accuracy of both guns is probably indistinguishable, but the longer sight radius will certainly help if you are using irons.

 

[F-111 John]

How many hands do you have? How many S&W 500s do you have?

 

[Twiki357]

You should definitely get the 8 3/8 barrel 500. Then you can send the 4 incher to me.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

Of course you need it. Bears these days simply will not succumb to being shot by a 4" gun.

 

[22-rimfire]

Price is certainly an issue or would be for me, but I think you will likely shoot it better than the 4".

 

[Deaf Smith]

Sure get the eight incher, S&W needs your money.

But may make the suggestion of first shooting on to make sure it really is more accurate IN YOUR HANDS.

Deaf

 

[Swing]

Life is short, buy it and don't look back.

 

[gamestalker]

I have a simple solution, buy the other 500, mail it to me, I'll load for it and shoot it for about 4 or 5 years, then I'll send it back to you with a complete written evaluation.

GS

 

[joem1945]

buy it in case one has a problem you will have a spare to use.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Longer sight radius will help you aim more precisely if you are using the iron sights. The longer barrel will will get you better velocity and a flatter trajectory too.

Mechanically speaking, both guns should be really close in acurracy, but it comes down to your ability to shoot. A longer barrel isn't a fix all.

If you can afford it man, buy it! I hear they fall apart after 400 rounds or so, so having a backup is s good idea.

I've always wanted the 6.5" version.

 

[BCRider]

I suspect the key advantage to using the longer barrel for hunting is that it gives you more barrel to brace against something without accidentally shooting the side off the brace......

I've had the chance to shoot both the short and long versions that belonged to other folks. I did find that the longer one seemed to jump a little less. They both kick like a mule but the short barrel seems to kick up more compared to the long one.

 

[Rodentman]

I bought the 8" bbl 500 first and the 4" later. I found the 4" much easier to carry.

All seriousness aside, I like them both. I should add I got the longer bbl one used. Very lightly used....

 

[jerkface11]

Look at the price of a box of ammo of course you should hand load.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

Thank you gentleman! I am sold, I'm gonna drop the money off tonight. $800 for a very lightly used S&W 500 is a hell of a deal! The only downside is that some of that money was set aside for a PMR 30 that I was hoping to pick up at a local gun show this weekend (I hate gun shows anymore, but I really wanted that PMR 30). Maybe I can talk my wife into buying me the PMR 30 for an early birthday gift. It's not an unreasonable request, my birthday is in September and that is right around the corner, right? The 500 will keep me occupied for a little bit...

 

[TimSr]

Seems like one extreme to the other! My hunting revolvers (.44 and .454) are 7 1/2", and I wouldn't really want to go any longer or shorter. Most people would shoot them better than shorter barrels except those who find them too heavy.

 

[Sav .250]

Sight plain will be longer. There are times when you reach your peak and don`t know it. J s/n.