Practicality of the S&W 500 Magnum?

[gtmtnbiker98]

Okay,

I'm a self-confessed gun addict and must ask, who owns the S&W 500 and for what purpose? I am seriously considering the 500 in a 4" variant just because it appeals to me. I'm not a hunter and understand that the cost of factory ammo will be outrageous to say the least, but I just love the looks of the pistol and the fact that it is the current ruler of the pistol market in terms of stopping power.

Of course, if I purchase this weapon it will not be a range gun, it will be an occasional target gun maybe once or twice a year. I consider this to be perhaps the most definitive home defense gun; however, one would require hearing protection prior to use.

What do you folks use these for? I want one but must justify ownership prior to buying one.

Any thoughts and/or opinions are welcome.

 

[timothy75]

Justifying one is going to be pretty tall order. I think most of them sell on curiousity mostly. I though of getting one because I like to handload and figured I could make some shootable loads but realized I'd be defeating the the purpose. So not wanting to stick with expensive factory ammo I decided to pass, as I saw myself with no use for one. Personally I think the only people who really get their moneys worth from them are rich die hard big game handgun hunters who go to africa at least once a year. Most others I think will enjoy the novelty of it for a year or two then sell it off for a fraction of what they paid. And why is it no one wants a 458win or 460wth rifle, but they want the biggest baddest revolver made? Guys are funny.

 

[Noxx]

I want one but must justify ownership prior to buying one.

That's my quandary with the beast as well.

I tried going with the zombie angle but was shot down by the wife.

 

[timothy75]

And another thing, I love reading the reviews of them in the gun rags but remember as fun as those range tests sound, the authors arent putting up a penny of their own cash for it and we'd see a massive resurgence of the .22 if they did. If you really want one tell yourself you'll go to the range and rent one 5 times first to gain familiarity and skill with it, then when you get yours you'll be ready for it and save wear, and if you decide its not for you you'll still come out way ahead cash wise but have experience shooting the biggest baddest revolver made. Good luck

 

[gtmtnbiker98]

You know, I can pick one up for around $800.00 and it is so tempting. I would have to mail order the ammo that would be for sure. It is such a beautiful weapon and just to have the bragging rights is almost worth the investment.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Get the .460 instead. If you don't believe me, rent a .500 and a .460 and shoot them side by side. I, personally, think the .460 has a more impressive muzzle blast and with the 370-395 grain bullets more recoil. Plus with the .460 you can plink with .45 Colt or .454 Casull if you choose. We shoot (my wife and I) usually about 100 rounds per month at the range - all handloaded .460 loads. She shoots about 80% of it.

 

[357-8-times]

perhaps the most definitive home defense gun

Only if you live alone and have no neighbors within a few thousand feet. Otherwise, I believe that overpenetration will rule that out for home-defense unless someone knows of a round appropriate for .500 S&W indoor defense? One thing is for sure, there aint gonna be nothing left of a badguy breaking into your home...

 

[YosemiteSam357]

Or your ears. If you think you're going to have time to grab your hearing protection in a home defense situation, my hat's off to you.

I'm pretty sure there is no real "practicality" aspect to this gun. It is what it is: A literal blast to shoot. There are better choices for hunting, self defense, plinking, or just about anything else you'd want to do with a gun. It's perfectly "ok" to want/own one, but there's really no way (or need) to justify it as "practical". Or put another way, wanting one is justification enough.

I have no practical need for a .44 magnum, but I own two.

-- Sam

 

[Colt46]

If I want something that heavy I'll carry a rifle

Other than bragging rights, I can't see why Smith and Wesson developed that monster. Old cranks probably said that about the Model 29 when it first came out too.

 

[dairycreek]

What do you folks use these for? I want one but must justify ownership prior to buying one.

If you want it then get it. Stop engaging in the self deluding rhetoric of justification. There's no way you can possibly justify this gun unless, of course, you are being overrun by grizzlies. Stop kidding yourself

 

[SnWnMe]

Most of us have a dozen or so firearms. That's not too practical either

 

[357-8-times]

re: hearing protection in a home defense situation

I can see the headlines now- Homeowner shot in the back with a .22 by an 80-pound female-intruder who walked right up behind the man while he was loading his elephant gun. He never even noticed her presence or the initial 3 shots of the .22 that missed him since he was wearing earplugs and earphones.

 

[zinj]

I'd say the biggest problem with the .500 as a defense gun is the controlability factor. The harder a gun kicks the slower it is to get back on target.

 

[EddieCoyle]

I have two .500s and a .460 and have never thought about "justifying" any of them. I like to shoot them so I bought them.

I shoot them a lot - I put 1000 rounds through my 4" .500 in the last year alone, and at least half that amount in each of the others. With the cost of factory ammo, I can't imagine owning these without hand loading.

WRT recoil: With all due respect NavyLT, nothing kicks like a 500 grain bullet out of a .500 Magnum behind a full load of H110.

 

[mbdolfin]

i shot my buddies .460

I shot my friends .460 .......and i can say that i didn't enjoy it at all. Yea, i enjoy collecting and shooting as many guns as i can but.....that thing rattled my teeth and brain when i shot it. It has some serious destructive power.
Because i only cut paper at the range i ...personally don't see the point in owning any thing more powerful than a .357 handgun. You might want to rent one before you decide to buy it.

 

[NavyLCDR]

You're probably right, EddieCoyle, I have only shot a .500 with factory rounds. Have you tried Lil' Gun? I have found it seems to be much superior to H110. You will get higher pressures and a bit lower velocity with Lil' Gun, though (although in a 4" that may not be true).

 

[Troutman]

<< What do you folks use these for?>>

Hunting….Deer, Bear, Hogs.


<< I want one but must justify ownership prior to buying one.>>


Reasons for justification (from quotes)

1. I'm a self-confessed gun addict.
2. Because it appeals to me.
3. I just love the looks of the pistol and the fact that it is the current ruler of the pistol market in terms of stopping power.
4. I consider this to be perhaps the most definitive home defense gun

PASSED.

Just know what you’re buying into.

 

[Brady]

Hey,if you want one,get it. I personally prefer the BFR then the S&W as I thought the Smith's were too nose heavy. Recoil seems to be a big issue with most people,I don't have any problems in that area. Its fun to shoot and will use it for Deer,Elk (if I ever get drawn),and Bear. Home defense,you're kidding ? I keep a 4inch .44mag Smith for home defense,its very manageable.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Have you tried Lil' Gun?

I did on your recommendation. I like it a lot for the .500 and for the .460 when shooting heavier bullets. I'm loading some .460 tonight but with H110. I got an outrageous deal on some 240 grain Hornady XTP Mags and I can't find a Lil' Gun load for this bullet weight.

 

[Brady]

Hey Eddie- where did you get the 500 grainers ? The heaviest I could find were the 440 gr. from Cast Performance,backed by either 38grs. of H110 or 37grs. of 4227. I have not tried Lil' Gun.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

there is only one justification...if you want it badly enough to spend the cash. hope you reload, commercial ammo can be quite pricey

 

[moxie]

As far as justification goes, check with owners of Saleens and Lambos. They've got it down pat. If you think it's the definitive home defense gun, check that out with your neighbors first.
Seriously, forget about justification. If you want it, and can afford it, and you're not taking food out of your kids mouths to do so, buy it!

 

[GunTech]

I'd pick the 460. More energy, and you can shoot 45 Colt and 454 too.

 

[RNB65]

A buddy of mine has a Performance Center 460. There was nothing practical about it -- he just wanted to spend money on a big revolver to play with. I'd take the 460 over the 500 any day due to the 45 Colt and 454 Casull options.

 

[rich636]

Mad Cows