Smith & Wesson 500 lever action?

[50 Shooter]

Is there no affordable lever gun in .500?

The two that I've seen on line start out at $2,500 and that's crazy! The only thing affordable is a handi-rifle but that's a single shot. I thought Marlin was making one but there's nothing on their site.

Is there no company currently making an affordable 500 lever gun? I could see $800-1000 but not $2,500 to start!!!

 

[captain awesome]

yeah, i feel the same way. i have searched on several occations because i wanted a lever gun to pair up with my revolvers but i wont pay that kind of price tag. for that much you could probably have someone do a custom job. i have wondered if it would be possible to make one that feeds reliably out of a winchester model 86. If anyone ever does make a decent one under $1k, I will buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[captain awesome]

also for what its worth, i shot my deer 1.5 years ago with a single shot. i dont view them as a hindrance like i used to, i had a couple cartridges in my pocket and reloading literally was instinctive. i barely realized i was doing it and it was quick. after that expirience i dont have a problem buying single shot break open actions for hunting and range fun. but there is no denying a nice lever gun is SWEET.

 

[50 Shooter]

The Handi-Rifle is an affordable option and I'm sure you could get someone to do a custom Ruger No. 1 in 500 S & W. That option would probably cost as much as a custom lever gun.

So, until someone decides to start making an affordable lever gun in 500 S & W we're stuck with two expensive options. I really don't want a single shot but it's an option to start with and if someone makes a lever gun that's affordable you could sell the single shot.

Kind of a bummer as I wanted one to go with my pistol also. I can hit a 12" gong at 200 yards with a 350gr load I got online, I would think that the rifle could do the same and at longer ranges.

 

[Sunray]

No demand. If you can afford the ammo a $2500 firearm is nothing.
The Handi-Rifle currently only comes in .500 S&W in the 'Youth' model. Looks the same to me though.

 

[50 Shooter]

Affording the ammo doesn't count in my book, owning a .50 BMG rifle I reload to keep the cost low. Same for my 500 S& W pistol, I reload for it, make better ammo and keep the cost low. So I don't factor ammo cost but do factor firearm cost and $2,500 to start for a lever action doesn't go over well in my wallet.

At this time I might go with a Handi- Rifle unless I can find a way to get a Ruger No.1 put together for $1,000 or less but I'm not gonna hold my breath.

 

[9mm+]

500 S&W and lever action has money and heft written all over it. $$$$$$$. Cha-ching.

At this time I might go with a Handi- Rifle unless I can find a way to get a Ruger No.1 put together for $1,000 or less but I'm not gonna hold my breath.

Options are limited, so this seems like the most plausible route.

 

[captain awesome]

yeah, I was going to say my initial brass investment was the most expensive part. I cast boolits to do my own reloading in most calibers, so I can reload a 500 mag round for somewhere in the realm of 15-35 cents a piece depending on the boolit weight, type of powder I use, if the load needs an LDPE wad or gas check, and whether or not I can find lead for cheap/free. If I did not reload for it I would not be firing that revolver almost ever.
so yes, the cost of the rifle is a prohibitive factor for some. when you can get a 45/70 lever action that shoots the modern loads for the realm of 500-1000$ I just have to ask myself; why? And that's why I don't have the 500 lever gun yet.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I'd be happy with a T/C Encore in .50 S&W. It would make a great little Eastern deer gun. If T/C doesn't make the barrel, you could probably have one custom made for not too much.

ETA:
Here's one -- http://www.eabco.net/Encore-Pro-Hunter-Katahdin-20-500SW-Fluted-with-sights_p_13218.html

 

[jeff-10]

Been waiting forever for Marlin and Winchester to chamber lever actions in 500 S&W and 454 Casull. I know Rossi has the 454 but it's rare. I still think it is only a matter of time before we get those. The buying public can only absorb so many AR-15s before someone has to get innovative.

 

[CopperFouling]

The Big Horn lever actions are sweet, but they're definitely expensive.

I still think it is only a matter of time before we get those. The buying public can only absorb so many AR-15s before someone has to get innovative.

As much as I would like this to be true, the 500 has pretty limited appeal outside of a small group of hunters. (I'm not bashing the round, but it's pretty much a handloader's proposition if shot any more than sparingly, and I don't think a majority of firearms owners handload.)

 

[Swing]

Been waiting forever for Marlin and Winchester to chamber lever actions in 500 S&W

+1 ... at least a little over a half decade ago. I still think a handy, light, levergun in .500 S&W would provide some serious thump in the field. Personally, my tastes have shifted, but I could still see some use for said.

 

[jakk280rem]

I know the topic at hand is lever guns, but I think Ruger should step up and make a 77/460 and 77/500. And maybe a 5 shot single action Super Super Blackhawk Bisley.

 

[jmr40]

So, until someone decides to start making an affordable lever gun in 500 S & W we're stuck with two expensive options.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

When there is a demand for lever guns in 500 S&W someone will start making an affordable gun. There simply isn't much demand and it costs manufacturers a lot of money to set up machinery to make a handful of guns that will sit unsold for a very long time. It is much more profitable for them to continue to manufacture rifles in other calibers they are selling faster than they can make.

 

[hatt]

I doubt Marlin will be introducing a new action to handle fairly rare 60,000 psi handgun cartridges any time soon. They can't keep up with .22 and .357.

 

[CraigC]

Some issues. Marlin has nothing that could handle the cartridge. It would have to be a new design and it would be heavier than the current 1895. The Winchester/Miroku 1886 could handle it but what would be the point? A better solution that already exists for those rifles would be the .50Alaskan or .50-110 and either is better than the .500S&W.

 

[olafhardtB]

500 S&Web lever

I have a 500 handirifle. It is a real hoot but I have never polluted it with factory loads. It can be reloaded with most of the 50 cal muzzle loading stuff or slugs cut from 1/2 metal rods, dowells or one ounce of shot. Three 50 caliber round balls stacked in a shell might be interesting. I have read of the 500 operating at up to 65000 psi and it's base area is greater than that of belted magnums like the 458 Win. The amount of metal required to hold that in a lever gun precludes "light". I think one could cut down 500 cases to a 500 short with a COL of about 1.59, load it with a 3-400 grain boolit to about 35000 psi and have the mother of all pistol caliber carbines. Or go to Wally World buy a $209 Mossberg 500 a!nd some .slugs.

 

[WestKentucky]

All the powerful revolver rounds beyond 44 and 45 would be great in a lever carbine but all are a no-go due to cost. Would also be nice as a double rifle or even a pump gun carbine. I wonder if a 45LC or 44 mag carbine could be fitted with a barrel and be worked on to make bigger and longer rounds work, or a 45-70 carbine failing the pcc donor.

 

[captain awesome]

The Winchester/Miroku 1886 could handle it but what would be the point? A better solution that already exists for those rifles would be the .50Alaskan or .50-110 and either is better than the .500S&W

.
the point would be to have a lever gun chambered to match your revolver. A lot of people find that an attractive and valuable combination in the various cartridges.
further, you of all people should know a lot of things exist in the fire arms world that something else does much better, sometimes for a better price even. But who cares? People buy things because they like them. At the very least they would have several sold to members of this forum.

 

[hatt]

.
the point would be to have a lever gun chambered to match your revolver. A lot of people find that an attractive and valuable combination in the various cartridges.
further, you of all people should know a lot of things exist in the fire arms world that something else does much better, sometimes for a better price even. But who cares? People buy things because they like them. At the very least they would have several sold to members of this forum.

Isn't the point of these mega handgun rounds is that you don't need a rifle? If I'm going to carry a 5 pound revolver it won't have a rifle companion. A .460 carbine(that can shoot Colt and Casull) looks to make more sense than a .500. Paired with a .45 revolver.

 

[CraigC]

the point would be to have a lever gun chambered to match your revolver. A lot of people find that an attractive and valuable combination in the various cartridges.
further, you of all people should know a lot of things exist in the fire arms world that something else does much better, sometimes for a better price even. But who cares? People buy things because they like them. At the very least they would have several sold to members of this forum.

Yes, I'm sure there's a long line of folks wanting a new 9lb rifle to carry with their 5lb handgun, just because it uses the same ammo. Because those guys are known to get into running gunfights with tribes of Indians and they need to carry all the interchangeable ammo their pack mule will haul. Sorry but as someone who has used and believed in this concept for years, commonality is not the only requirement. I would never give up so much practicality to have commonality only for commonality's sake.

Now, a 2.5lb sixgun and a 6lb levergun chambered in .480Ruger, .475Linebaugh, .500JRH or .500Linebaugh, that's a different story.

 

[50 Shooter]

First off, there's no specific reason why I want one other then the fact that I just do because it would go with my pistol. Why people need a reason to buy a firearm for other then the fact that they just want it, sometimes makes me laugh. Never had that urge?

People also worry about the weight of a rifle, please! I own a 40 pound 50 BMG rifle but I don't tote it around in the woods. There's also a thing called a sling, most sling their weapons when trekking through the woods. The model 89 500 S & W rifle weighs 7 lbs 10 oz. which isn't bad for a hunting rifle. Definitely not to heavy to carry around in the woods for awhile on a sling or in your hands.

The problem is hunters will always complain about the weight of a rifle even if they only walk in a mile or two to a stand and sit on it all day.

So for me it comes down to just wanting a lever gun to go with my 500 S & W nothing more. On the flip side I would like it to cost around $1,000 that's reasonable as my pistol cost that much. Plus it would be cool as heck to have one and if THR is a small representation of shooters, I'm guessing they could sell at least a few thousand of them if they came in around $1,000 dollars.

 

[hatt]

The people who make rifles want to make money. Designing a gun that few people want and then selling it cheap is a non starter. New Marlins in anything other than .30-30 are the better part of a $1000.

The Big Horn rifles look like beautiful pieces. Price doesn't look bad when you factor in everything. Sell the BMG and pick one up. I bet the maker of your BMG is making more on each gun than Big Horn.

 

[50 Shooter]

Sorry but the 50BMG isn't going anywhere ever unless to buy another one as I live in CA. If I wanted another it would have to be in 50 DTC which is a wildcat version of the 50BMG. I also have a receiver for a Serbu BFG-50 semi auto, just need about $6K to finish it.

I sold my HK 94A3 to buy my first .50 and still regret it as the only way to get another is to move out of CA. But, I didn't shoot it that much and my dad said sell it and I'll buy the scope for the .50!!! I told him that it wasn't gonna be cheap, he said don't worry about it. So of course I bought a Nightforce NXS scope. So yeah, not selling the .50 due to both of these reasons and my dad likes shooting the .50 also.

I'm sure if Marlin made a 500 S & W lever gun and put a price tag on it around $1,000... They would sell more then people think. Most people that own the pistol would probably consider buying the lever gun.

 

[hatt]

They'd sell even more if they put a $400 sticker on them. Marlin will never sell a .500. they have no action to put it in. You seem more than happy to give makers of certain guns a lot of money but a company that takes the lead and produces other products you want has to sell them at bargain prices. I'm sure you can have someone make you a little bolt gun for the 500. Maybe for under $2500.

Have you called Rossi and see if they'll make one?