Cleaning the sw500

Status
Not open for further replies.
0

03cobra456

Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2006
Messages
41
hey guys, i just shot my sw500 again but this time put a lot of rounds through it. its such a blast to shoot. i just ordered 600gr, and 700gr rounds from ballistic supply.

anyway.... is gun solvent ok to get on the metal or the gun. i'm not sure i dont wanna ruin the finish or anything. any advice on cleaning it and where to oil it would be great thanks

steve
 
I use solvent on mine all the time, you just don't want to use a brass brush on the cylinder is the only no no.
 
can i use a brass brush on the barrel? also what would you use to clean the cylinder. also where should i oil. i know i should oil there the cylinder meets the gun and the etractor rod, and the hammer
 
I soak the cylinder in solvent and then use a soft bristle brush on it. The cylinder is titanium and shouldn't be scratched. The barrel though is just stainless and not nearly as critical.
 
revolverforums -

I think you might want to do your homework on your claim that the cylinder is titanium.

As far as I know, it is stainless, just like the rest of the gun. I see NOTHING on the S&W web site telling me otherwise, and my owner's manual for my 500 does not specify titanium for the cylinder, nor does it specify not using a bronze brush in the cylinder holes.

In fact here is an independent article on the 500 Magnum and in this article, it states that the gun is ALL STAINLESS STEEL: http://www.shootingtimes.com/handgun_reviews/monster_1103/

The S&W Revolver owner's manual (the same manual apparently goes out with various different revolvers) DOES speak of how to treat a titanium cylinder (for those guns that DO INDEED HAVE a titanium cylinder), however it is not referring to the S&W 500 cylinder.

Please cite from where you obtained your information.
 
Last edited:
Inspector I'm just going by the paper work that came with the gun in the box. They probably threw that in just to throw me off. You may be right and they may just be stainless, I don't fire mine much and the box no longer has the paper work in it but I do know that when new the gun had a special cleaning note about the cylinder attached.
 
Last edited:
They do mention it in the owner's manual, however they are discussing those guns HAVING a titanium cylinder, of which the 500 does not. The same manual goes out with different revolvers. If you look at the S&W web site there is only one owner's manual you can download entitled "Modern Revolvers" which is for all modern revolvers.

I clean the holes in my cylinder using the metal brush (brass or bronze) that I use in the barrel. No problems.
 
Inspector after checking with a magnet I'm sure your right that it is stainless, my mistake and your right I found in the manual where I read it and for some reason thought they were talking about the 500. I only shoot it once in a blue moon at $2 a pop it gets a little expensive for my blood to punch holes in paper with.
 
I have the 4" barrel.

That kicks like a mule with heavy loads. You gotta hold on tight, two hands, or you will lose it!

I managed to work up a good accurate load that is not too bad using Barnes XPB 275g X bullets.
 
I wish I had purchased a 4" but couldn't find one. I'm forever stuck with the 8 5/8 but at least when I was checking material composition I discovered the price is way up from when I purchased mine so I haven't lost anything.
 
The 4" is nice. I have the S&W Leather Desantis holster for it and use it to deer and black bear hunt. During the winter months, I could actually carry that concealed under my coat. I changed out the original rear sight with a Millett.

If I had yours, I would eventually put a Leupold (or other high quality) scope on it. A scope like EER straight 4 power would be nice, or even a variable.
 
When I heard about the 500 I had to have one. Now after shooting a couple of boxes through it the thing just collects dust. The only gun I have ever sold was a Ruger I purchased and I still own the first smith and colt I ever purchased. So I guess my daughter will one day have to deal with it.
 
Sometimes I wish

I had the longer barrel as I would like to scope it and reload some tack-driver ammo for it.
However, I like my 4" so much that I would not want to part with that.

I made a decision long ago to never part with guns again. I had many over the years that were excellent, then I always traded them or sold them, losing my shirt EVERY time!

I would estimate that I took at least a 50% loss on every gun I ever sold or traded, if not more -- and I really take care of my guns. They are all like new.
 
Inspector for me holding onto guns comes natural, it's the way my father did it. At 51 you can bet I have more guns then I could ever use. I have some that haven't even been out of the safe in a couple of years but I still have them and enjoy them everyone. Of course I always pick my favourites that almost always go to the range with me. I conceal carry and that weapon depends on what I wear but carry a 649 most of the time but if I could get away with it I'm kind of partial to my lew horton 629, something about N frames that I'm a sucker for.

I missed my chance to pickup a 500 with the 4" barrel for $500 at a show last year, I kick myself now for not getting it every time I think about it.

My favourite with it's little brother, and sorry 03cobra for stealing your thread.

twins.jpg
 
03cobra456 , I use shooter Choice solvent and hoppe #9 on my S&W 500 Mag. I use brass brushes in the bore and cylinders. I use a stainless brush inside the area where the gap is by the forcing cone and top strap. If you have a stainless gun, use the lead free cloth to remove the black stains on the cylinder, it works great, but don't use the lead free cloth on a blued surface.

I have a 4 inch 500 Mag and a 6 inch 500 Mag. I sold 2 of my 8 3/8 inch and my 10 inch PC model. I like the shorter 500 Mags.

If you want to talk recoil, the 700 gr. at 1250 fps and no compensator will get your attention quick. I have a custom end cap that was made for my 4 inch 500 Mag, so there is no compensator. WOW what a handful. I have shot the gun one handed for practice. Just in case I ever have to use it in an emergence situation. Yes 2 hands are better. To tight of a grip will result in a double fire, where the trigger gets pulled 2 times. So do not over grip your 500 mags.
I have owned a 500 Mag since 2003 when they first came out. My first 500 mag was a BFR in 500 Mag. Magnum Research actually beat S&W out on the market with there own gun. Magnum Research already had the platform and just needed all the spec's to make the larger bore barrels and chamber the cylinders.

I had an order in for a S&W 500 mag, and the gun shop called me as ask if I wanted a BFR instead of the S&W, because the S&W 500 Mag was delayed, due to some problems. So I went ahead and took the BFR and kept my order in for the S&W 500 Mag. About 2 months later I got the S&W. It was fun having both guns to do a side by side comparison.

All I can say is, I love them both. My BFR has taken quit a few deer, bear and hogs. My S&W 500 Mag has taken a few deer and a black bear.
 
I haven't ever shot my 500

single-handed.

My arms and wrists aren't that large. I would likely break a wrist and/or arm. I have to shoot it two-handed.

Now, I could work up some calmer loads that could be shot single-handed. That might be worth investigating!

Practice right-handed and left-handed!
 
Last edited:
REDHAWK-If you have a stainless gun, use the lead free cloth to remove the black stains on the cylinder, it works great, but don't use the lead free cloth on a blued surface.


sorry for the newbie question, i am 99% sure my gun is stainless, how do i know if i have a blued surface
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
Cleaning
Replies
4
Views
393
Bob F.
B
C
  • Locked
revolver cleaning: i need help
Replies
4
Views
613
Fumbler
F
B
  • Locked
Nickle/ ss 357 S&W cleaning care
Replies
18
Views
940
BluewaterLa
B
E
  • Locked
Is it Just Me Or Is Cleaning 22LR Revolvers a Pain?
2
Replies
26
Views
4K
dickttx
D
P
  • Locked
HELP!!! I think I blasted the finish off my cylinder face!
Replies
13
Views
1K
GooseGestapo
GooseGestapo
Back
Top