S&W 500 4in or 6in?

[Thompsoncustom]

I'm going to be purchasing a S&W 500 in the next couple months and haven't been able to locate one locally to play with so I was wondering what people perfered in this beast of a gun.

I have been able to handle a 460 with a 8in barrel and thought it was to heavy at the muzzle. Also as a side note I reload so I'm not worried about the recoil.

 

[Grumulkin]

I would say the preferred length depends somewhat on what you want to use it for. If you plan to carry it for bear defense or self defense, I'd say 4 inches. If you say hunting, I'd probably go with 6 inches. In Ohio, 5 inches is the minimal length for deer hunting, and what I'd prefer, but 5 inches isn't one of the choices.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

Oops ya forgot to put that. It will only be a range gun not for SD or hunting.

 

[Twiki357]

I can’t speak to the 500, but I have both 4” and 6” in models 27, 28, & 29. The 4 inchers go to the range while the 6 inchers sit at home collecting dust.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

Thanks twiki that's the kind of info I'm looking for, let me ask you why do the 6in's stay at home? Is it there are not as comfortable to shoot? To much weight on the muzzle? Just unwieldily?

 

[critter]

Velocity is better with a longer barrel AND on the range, accuracy will be better with a longer sight radius. Since it doesn't sound like you are concerned with carrying it in the woods, I, personally, would opt for the longer one.

 

[gotboostvr]

I have a 4", it balances really well.
being said, I'd prefer a 6"
mine only sees range use as well, but I'd still rather have the longer barrel

 

[thegunpunch]

6" for a 500 S&W

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Range gun?

I gotta go with 6", of the two. I don't see too much sense in limiting its potential for when you start to move the targets out as you grow more proficient and comfortable with the pistol.

It may merely be two inches but another way to look at it is that the 6" is 50% longer than the 4".

Todd.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

Ya and I'm leaning towards the 6in I'm just worried about the balance of the 6in, not wanting it to be to nose heavy.

 

[22-rimfire]

For a range or hunting firearm, I'd go 6". If it is something you might carry in the woods perhaps for protection, then, I'd go 4". I'd love to have one of these myself and I would buy the 6" for myself.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Ya and I'm leaning towards the 6in I'm just worried about the balance of the 6in, not wanting it to be to nose heavy.

It will be nose heavy... especially so, if you expect it to be. Just don't get wrapped around the perspective of too nose heavy and you'll love it for it's 50% greater barrel.

Todd.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I assume we are talking about the 6.5 ported, half lug version? I've handled that gun and it's important to note that with the half lug, the gun has a very well balanced feel. I didn't think it felt nose heavy at all. I am a larger guy, but have skeleton fingers, and not a particularly strong grip. I really didn't find it to be any more difficult to hold on target than the 4" version.

I'd definitely try to handle one before making a decision.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_766079_-1_757771_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

 

[cottonmouth]

I have a 4" and it shoots great. With my 440 grain hand loads a deer would be in trouble out to 60 yards, haven't shot it past there.

J.B.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

I have a 4", the 6.5" and an 8 3/8" with the interchangable compensator. Of the three I shoot the 6.5" most often. It goes to the range and black bear hunting. I have taken the 8" bear hunting, but we push through a swamp and it's a bit to unwieldy for that area. The 4" is fun (especially at night, it breathes fire like a dragon!) but for some reason my friends end up shooting it more often than I do. I hit better with the longer barrels (longer sight plane).

With all of that said, all of them are a lot of fun! Especially since you reload.

 

[hAkron]

Have you thought about the 460 instead? It will shot 460 S&W, 454 Casull, and 45 Colt. It's every bit as mean as the 500, but quite a bit more versatile.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Have you thought about the 460 instead? It will shot 460 S&W, 454 Casull, and 45 Colt. It's every bit as mean as the 500, but quite a bit more versatile.

This is a good point, and since the gun sounds like it is meant to be for target only, I would think you could shoot 460 for a bit less money. It will also be flatter shooting at range.

I chose the 460 over the 500 for this reason knowing it was more than capable of killing anything I would need or want to kill with a handgun. However, the one thing that the 500 will do that the 460 won't is throw 400+ gr bullets. Just something for the OP to ponder.

 

[Huntolive]

500 is alot of capability for a range-only gun

500 is alot of gun to keep just for the range, and alot of expense and recoil to shoot; If I were getting a 500 it would get out in the woods for sure and it would definitely have a 6" or longer barrel no matter what. Even the
7.5" versions I held had good balance. There is so much heft in the 500, I dont see a 6" being "nose heavy" and you will get better accuracy and more out the expensive round.
Also if anyone wants one for self defense against humans, expect to go to jail if you fire that monster, fair or unfair:banghead:

 

[joem1945]

Go for the 460. Try it out @ 100 to 150 yds on steel plates. Really make them spin when you finally hit it.

 

[Thompsoncustom]

Have you thought about the 460 instead? It will shot 460 S&W, 454 Casull, and 45 Colt. It's every bit as mean as the 500, but quite a bit more versatile.

I have but I reload so cost saving and versatility is about the same.

 

[hAkron]

I guess you could always trim down some .500 S&W cases and call them something else, like .5 Balboa or 1/2 Glow Monkey (or whatever you like)

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I guess you could always trim down some .500 S&W cases and call them something else, like .5 Balboa or 1/2 Glow Monkey (or whatever you like)

There is a 500 Special round out there, though I've never seen them on the shelf.

 

[hAkron]

How about .50 Action Express Auto Rim

 

[Thompsoncustom]

I think the biggest advantage of a 460 for me would be if I ever acquired a 45/70 I could use the same bullets I cast in two different guns. As far as running different brass I would just use a the 460 mag/500 brass and just down load it with a faster powder/filler instead of messing around with a bunch of different cases for one gun.

 

[BSA1]

Holy great balls of fire Batman!

I can't see the use of a .500 for target shooting only unless you want to drive everyone else off of the range and have it all to yourself.

I tried shooting on a indoor range once when another shooter was on the line shooting a Freedom Arms .454. The noise drove me off the range until he was done. I don't know what he told his friends about how enjoyable it was to shoot the gun but his facial expression showed he was not having fun.