Who owns a .500 magnum?

[Typetwelve]

The noise these guns make always catches people by surprise if they have never been around one before. I was standing next to my cousin when he shot my 500 and I didn't have my ear plugs in. Probably the worse I have ever had my ears ring in my life. I learned a lesson that day for sure.

I've yet to hear any of the really loud boomers in person. About all I can do at the moment is my fairly nasty 44 magnum loads I make...they are some fireball making thunder crackers. Darn near every time I'm at the range, someone comes by to ask what I'm shooting. I can't wait to mess around with 460 loads.

 

[.38 Special]

The flash and concussion on an indoor range is like no other cartridge I've seen. Standing outside and looking in, it can be a bright white flash and a rolling "boom" that rattles the plexiglass. Inside, it can actually be momentarily overwhelming. All activity comes to a stop for a moment. Usually that will be followed by a moment of stunned silence, then a surprised curse word from somebody and a round of chuckles. It depends somewhat upon the exact loads, but the maximum charges of slow burning powder seem to do the trick. I imagine it is like a miniature version of a flash-bang grenade.

As for recoil, those who say "it isn't too bad" are tougher men than me. With full power loads, the gun kicks the snot out of me, and the noise and flash just make it that much more obnoxious. Again, loading it down even a little really helps, but with max charges, it's simply a beast. I do not have significant experience with the .460, but assume it is quite similar to the five shot .45 Colt loads in a Ruger Bisley. The .500 recoil is somewhat different, but noticeably worse, in my hands. The only thing I have more difficulty with is the 340PD with full-power .357 loads. That recoil is much different in character from the big bores in large-frame guns, but is so violent and snappy that it's nearly unmanageable for me.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

As for recoil, those who say "it isn't too bad" are tougher men than me.

I've not shot one, but I think what they're talking about is that it is noticeably less than some smaller bore calibers like .454 Casull and .475 Linebaugh. I've hear those 2 will really show you what you're made of.

The only thing I have more difficulty with is the 340PD with full-power .357 loads.

If that is the little scandium frame snub nose, I concur. I shot one cylinder of full throttle loads in one of those and it was awful. It actually hurt.

 

[.38 Special]

I've not shot one, but I think what they're talking about is that it is noticeably less than some smaller bore calibers like .454 Casull and .475 Linebaugh. I've hear those 2 will really show you what you're made of.

I have a much easier time with .454 class rounds, speaking personally. Again, the character of the recoil is somewhat different - owing primarily to gun weight, I suspect - which may explain why some people feel differently about it than do I. No handgun has hit me as hard as the .500 Magnum!

 

[mo841]

38 special nailed it with his indoor range description. People will take notice for sure. It's almost as fun to watch someone new shoot it or even be around it for the first time as it is to shoot it.

 

[.38 Special]

It's almost as fun to watch someone new shoot it or even be around it for the first time as it is to shoot it.

There is one available for rent at my local indoor range. It is one of their most popular rentals by far and is essentially worn out. I am sure it has had many thousands of full power rounds through it. Nobody wants to own one but everybody wants a turn - and at $5 per round, I'm sure it has really helped that range's bottom line!

 

[Jbird45]

There is one available for rent at my local indoor range. It is one of their most popular rentals by far and is essentially worn out. I am sure it has had many thousands of full power rounds through it. Nobody wants to own one but everybody wants a turn - and at $5 per round, I'm sure it has really helped that range's bottom line!

I am sure it's very popular that someone like me who is considering buying one can try it out for $10 before spending $1300 on something we cannot shoot.

If I buy this, I'm not going to keep it in the safe as a bragging right that I own the world's most powerful handgun and try to impress my buddies. I want to shoot it. I am not going to spend a whole afternoon at the range with it, but I also am not going to shoot it 5 times and retire it to the safe.

 

[Jbird45]

Just out of curiosity, how does the .500 compare with the Magnum Research BFR in .45-70? I think they look kinda goofy, but hey, it is a "biggest finest revolver" right?

I realize they are single action vs double like the S&W, but seeing as I already have reloads for my Marlin, I could feed that thing my standard pressure rounds without having to buy dies and brass and bullets etc. Not saying buying equipment for the .500 is bad, but being able to grab one ammo can for 2 guns would be nice, and less time changing dies, sorting brass, and buying extra components means more time at the range right?

 

[sparkyv]

Yeah, but not only is the 460V LOUD, the concussion/blow-back is quite impressive, especially if you're not expecting it. WOW
I've checked my eyebrows more than once just to be sure they're still there...I kid you not. Often, bits of insulation, broken wasps nests and other unidentifiable old stuff comes falling down from the overhead covering. It's hard to explain, but I really enjoy it! A few come up and ask about it, but mostly people take a break until I'm done.

I've yet to hear any of the really loud boomers in person. About all I can do at the moment is my fairly nasty 44 magnum loads I make...they are some fireball making thunder crackers. Darn near every time I'm at the range, someone comes by to ask what I'm shooting. I can't wait to mess around with 460 loads.

I can shoot that 460V for almost an hour straight, but I won't ever shoot this, ever.

The only thing I have more difficulty with is the 340PD with full-power .357 loads.

​

 

[Typetwelve]

Just out of curiosity, how does the .500 compare with the Magnum Research BFR in .45-70? I think they look kinda goofy, but hey, it is a "big friendly revolver" right?

I realize they are single action vs double like the S&W, but seeing as I already have reloads for my Marlin, I could feed that thing my standard pressure rounds without having to buy dies and brass and bullets etc. Not saying buying equipment for the .500 is bad, but being able to grab one ammo can for 2 guns would be nice, and less time changing dies, sorting brass, and buying extra components means more time at the range right?

Take what I'm about to say at face value...but looking at the 45-70 vs 460/500 (which I did in a BFR), I'll say that the 460/500 are designed to be shot from a revolver and were specifically designed for that use. The both pretty much destroy what the 45-70 is going to do from a relatively short barreled firearm because it's just not designed for that use. I looked up all kinds of loads for all three, including home rolled 45-70 made for a revolver but time and time again, I kept coming to the conclusion that unless you're dedicated to 45-70 (which I am not), I'm going to have better results from either a 460 or a 500 in a revolver.

 

[Jbird45]

Take what I'm about to say at face value...but looking at the 45-70 vs 460/500 (which I did in a BFR), I'll say that the 460/500 are designed to be shot from a revolver and were specifically designed for that use. The both pretty much destroy what the 45-70 is going to do from a relatively short barreled firearm because it's just not designed for that use. I looked up all kinds of loads for all three, including home rolled 45-70 made for a revolver but time and time again, I kept coming to the conclusion that unless you're dedicated to 45-70 (which I am not), I'm going to have better results from either a 460 or a 500 in a revolver.

That makes sense. The cartridge was designed for rifles, so don't expect rifle performance

 

[MaxP]

Just out of curiosity, how does the .500 compare with the Magnum Research BFR in .45-70? I think they look kinda goofy, but hey, it is a "biggest finest revolver" right?

I realize they are single action vs double like the S&W, but seeing as I already have reloads for my Marlin, I could feed that thing my standard pressure rounds without having to buy dies and brass and bullets etc. Not saying buying equipment for the .500 is bad, but being able to grab one ammo can for 2 guns would be nice, and less time changing dies, sorting brass, and buying extra components means more time at the range right?

You can get a BFR in .460 and .500 S&W and they are fantastic. Mine are exceedingly accurate.

 

[Aannddrreeww]

I bought the 500 as an impulse buy. Before I even fired it, I had buyers remorse. That was until I started shooting it. I could not believe how accurate that 4" revolver was. It quickly became my favorite handgun to shoot.

You'll probably have to handload for it if you want to shoot it a lot. It's the only way I can afford to shoot it.
The only regret I have is getting the 4" version. If I had to do it over, I would have bought the 6.5" version, or even better, the 5" J.R. version without the comp.
For me, the blast is worse than the recoil.

Have fun.

 

[Old Stumpy]

3. It is extremely accurate -- beer cans at 100 no problemmo.

I would like to see your video about this.

 

[sparkyv]

Boy, I sure would want a JR500 too!

or even better, the 5" J.R. version without the comp.
For me, the blast is worse than the recoil.

 

[MaxP]

Boy, I sure would want a JR500 too!

John Ross still has some...

 

[Kevin Keith]

John Ross still has some...

Ouch!

 

[Aannddrreeww]

Boy, I sure would want a JR500 too!

Am I missing something? Wasn't there an uncomped 5" version available a while back?

 

[Typetwelve]

Yeah, but not only is the 460V LOUD, the concussion/blow-back is quite impressive, especially if you're not expecting it. WOW
I've checked my eyebrows more than once just to be sure they're still there...I kid you not. Often, bits of insulation, broken wasps nests and other unidentifiable old stuff comes falling down from the overhead covering. It's hard to explain, but I really enjoy it! A few come up and ask about it, but mostly people take a break until I'm done.

I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on one. With recent finances being what they are, it may be a few years...but it's in the cards. I get what you say about the blast on your face...although my 44 magnum loads are a far-cry from a 460. Here's some of the largest fireball throwing loads I make, you can feel the heat on your face when shooting them:

 

[sparkyv]

I've tried sending him a PM a few months ago, but got no response. Looks like it's been a while since he last participated on the blue S&W forum. If you know a better way for me to contact him, Max, please PM me with contact info.

John Ross still has some...

 

[woodshunter]

1. You're going to carry it in a cross-chest holster -- not many other practical options.
2. It is not overly obnoxious on recoil at all -- but don't tell anyone.
3. It is extremely accurate -- beer cans at 100 no problemmo.

My son has one and it shoots well with less recoil than I expected. I like the 350gr loads and it is very accurate, I'm sure rested and scoped it would be nice to shoot at 100yds. We shoot 50yds unrested and it will keep them on a paper plate. Son is going to carry it this fall for deer and our shots are usually 25-75 yds, I hope he gets to try it out this season. Would have never bought one myself but after shooting his I would consider it, no more bulky than the T/C contender in 30/30 I used to carry.

 

[captain awesome]

I've tried sending him a PM a few months ago, but got no response. Looks like it's been a while since he last participated on the blue S&W forum. If you know a better way for me to contact him, Max, please PM me with contact info.

There in lies the problem...if you do a thorough internet search and read some forum threads, the man is hard to get a hold of, and when you do and purchase one from him he drags his feet and has every excuse in the book why he hasn't shipped it to your FFL yet for a ridiculously long time. And He's not good about picking up the phone or responding to emails which puts his buyers on edge. That being said I am a fan of his work with the 500 as well as his book, but not his business practices. When I bought mine I seriously wondered if I would see the handgun or my money again. They aren't cheap and I bought it at a time in my life where losing $1350 would have seriously hurt. He came through in the end but buyer beware, he's not someone I would have business dealings with again.

 

[sparkyv]

That's a shame. I've read a couple of similar posts elsewhere. I too, enjoyed "Unintended Consequences".

There in lies the problem...if you do a thorough internet search and read some forum threads, the man is hard to get a hold of, and when you do and purchase one from him he drags his feet and has every excuse in the book why he hasn't shipped it to your FFL yet for a ridiculously long time. And He's not good about picking up the phone or responding to emails which puts his buyers on edge. That being said I am a fan of his work with the 500 as well as his book, but not his business practices. When I bought mine I seriously wondered if I would see the handgun or my money again. They aren't cheap and I bought it at a time in my life where losing $1350 would have seriously hurt. He came through in the end but buyer beware, he's not someone I would have business dealings with again.

 

[HB]

Recoil is manageable if you are an experienced pistolero. Downright dangerous in a beginners hands. They are very accurate. I think I if I bought one Id get a 6” for irons and stick with a T/C for scoped work.

 

[Mr.Revolverguy]

I posted early on about wanting to get my barrel swapped to the shorter 6inch as one of the users here had done by S&W. I have spoken with 3 different people now on different days and they will not put a shorter barrel on but will put a longer one on. This is really strange to me.