I have a 6.5" S&W 629 .44 Magnum that I love to shoot regularly. I've been looking into getting a S&W 500. I recently handled the model with an 8 3/8" length barrel and it felt so barrel-heavy to me. I haven't seen the 6.5" in person, but if it's as balanced as my 629, that'd be great. It would mainly be used for shooting recreationally and occasionally hunting hogs. Note that I have zero interest in long range shooting (anything upwards of 100 yards).

For owners, what barrel length did you go with? Is there any disadvantage to the 6.5" concerning the porting's effectiveness on recoil in comparison with the compensator on the 8 3/8"? (I'm basically trying to figure out if there's any disadvantage - other than velocity - to the 6.5" in comparison with the longer barrels).

(Lastly: Respectfully, please don't divert the subject to "why I need the gun". I don't. I just enjoy big bore revolvers. I'm more concerned with the question previously stated. Thanks in advance for your time!)

I like my 4 " (3" with 1" muzzle brake). I, like you, never intend to shoot over 100 yards. However, at the range I have no problem consistently hitting the 200 yard gong w/o readjusting my sight! It shoots pretty flat.

The 6.5" was still too muzzle heavy for me and I can't shoot those long barrels as well because they are harder to hold steady than my 4". Much handier in close quarters too if you should find yourself face to face with a mad hog or goin' up a tree. Mine has the lanyard ring so if it's dropped or knocked out of my hand. it's still with me!

And it's my cheapest gun to shoot...nobody wants to shoot it more than once! Seriously though, I shoot a lot of 500 Specials by Corbon. 1/4" shorter case and less recoil.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

If you have a 6 ½” Model 629 then you will probably like the 6 ½” .500. I personally prefer 5” barrels so I really like my 5” John Ross Special. It is just slightly lighter than the 6 ½” (57 oz. vs. 61 oz.) and doesn’t have a comp, so it is quieter. I have no real need for it, but it is sure fun to play with.

I don’t think you need to worry about loss of velocity with a slightly shorter barrel. Just load it to the level you want. I load mine down, so I don’t really care if I lose 50 or 100 fps due to a shorter barrel.

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Tom

My thoughts exactly!

I have owned just about every barrel length 500 Mag out there. I like the 8 3/8 the most. Shot my 4 inch a lot as well, but always come back to my 8 3/8 inch barrel.

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Endowment Life Member NRA

I agree with Hondo44 and above poster.

I purchased in 2007 the Lew Horton "limited availability" (100 made) 4" 500 with green Hogue grip and special production Des Santis green camo holster & 5-round ammo belt holder including green S&W storage case...$1,156.

My brother-in-law has the 6.5" barrel 500 and he prefers my 4" model.

Have you ever shot a 6.5" model?

I have a 6.5" 500 and it was chosen as a hunting firearm.

As an experience handgun hunter I recognized the value of an acceptable level of carry comfort as well as a minimal acceptable sight radius for longer range accuracy. I only use open sights with a well designed shoulder holster which greatly enhances its carry comfort IMHO..

All barrel lengths have pros and con we are all familiar with. After using 8 3/8" Mod 57s and 29s for many years and after using and shooting all 500 barrel lengths I concluded the 6.5 was the best compromise for me.

I would prefer no porting or any compensator on any of the barrel lengths if I had my choice with a factory produced firearm. I'm currently considering the purchase of a 5" John Ross 500 for that very reason....

You've gotta try to shoot them all to make your own decision. Contrary to the negative bantering of the unaware "nay sayers gallery," the 500 is a super caliber. Buy one that suits your particular desires or needs...

Yes I have. It balanced a little bit better then the 8 3/8, I just liked the longer barrel in the 500 Mag.

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Endowment Life Member NRA

The absence of a compensator was important to me. I can handle a little muzzle rise much easier than the concussion of a high pressure blast especially when unleashing a couple boxes in a session so I too opted for the John Ross model.

Can you still buy those directly, or are they only in the used market?

I bought the 4" model, mainly because it was the one that became available to me at the right time. I really like it though. At the distances you are talking about, 100 yards, it is surprisingly accurate. I suppose some of that depends on the ammo your shooting, my reloads at least are easily accurate out to that range and beyond.

Also, you shave a lot of weight off with the shorter barrel, might eb important if you are carrying it around the woods and such for moderate periods of time. Recoil might be more than the heavier, longer barrel models, but the 4" is still a heavy gun, and recoil is no too bad...

I have never seen one of the 5" models mentioned above, but that would probably be a great setup, especially with the absence of the comp.

Sure seems like a lot of people hate compensators. lol.

I would think it'd be viewed as a good thing. So what if it shaves a little speed off of the round. You have to be able to comfortably shoot the gun (that's more important to me). I guess though if recoil just isn't a big deal for you - although I can't imagine it being a non-issue with this caliber - then I would understand.

I think for me, personally...everyone will be different, the 500's that I have shot have all had significant recoil. If you could really dramatically reduce the recoil with a comp, then it would be different, but with this big revolver your just gonna have recoil...unless of course your shooting a really toned down load.

I feel that the reduction in the brain-splitting noise would be favorable over any reduction in recoil. Just me though. It's hard to really appreciate the blast these things give off until you've shot it, or been beside one. I'm convinced that shooting my 4" model without ear muffs would leave my ear drum leaking outta my ear. I always wear my S&W muffs and it still hurts after a few shots...

I've never seen or even heard of someone selling a Ross 500. More often than not, people are buying in pairs. John posts here sometimes, you can contact him through his website to purchase.

There's a Lew Horton 6.5" (unfluted cylinder, etc) on gunbroker, but I don't know much about that particular version of the gun. The seller is asking $1500 or so for it.

Still haven't found anyone that owns a 6.5". Wonder why that is? Starting to make me wonder. lol.

Uh.... Here's a 3rd and 4th picture of the one I own pictured on page one of this thread..... Keep in mind the 6 1/2 has only been available a couple of years and they have been sold out until just recently. There aren't as many around as there are other barrel lengths....

Here's a pic of the 6-1/2" PC model along with some of the other one's I own.

The 6-1/2" PC model is one of only 500 made. The 7-1/2" PC model is one of only 2000 made. The 8-3/8" model I bought when they first came out in 03'. The 10-1/2" model is one of only two that I know of and it still remains unfired. The bottom pic is my ES snubby beast.

I'm talking about someone that I know. (So I can shoot it)

WOW, that's quite the 500 collection. I LOVE that black 7.5" with the unfluted cylinder. When was that released?? Gorgeous gun.

I bought it in March 2005 shortly after it came out. They may have come out in 2004, not sure exactly. It's my favorite barrel length of all of them.

Any experience shooting the factory 6.5" half-lug?

I still have NIB guns available, both finishes.



Some reading about the genesis of this gun:

http://www.john-ross.net/pdfs/maghist.pdf

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JR, the 500 Specialist

Nope. I haven't had the opportunity to shoot one yet.

JR.
I've been following the S&W500 since it first came out and have done my fair share of experimenting with the cartridge including necking it down to .44 Cal. Most of what I've done was simply out of curiosity because I'm a "tinkerer".

I would just like to thank you personally for your efforts and contributions to this cartridge/gun.

What gun did you use to shoot the 44/500 mag experiment?

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I bought the 6 1/2 inch half lug. Specifically because I prefer the same length in my N frames. the 500 feels just like a big 29. Just as I wanted.

I love my 4 inch 500! I had a 8 3/8th in 629 that I used to load som hot rounds, and my 500 feels better getting back on target quickly. If only they made speed loaders!

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S&W 380, S&W .40, S&W .50

I chose the JRC 500, for the simple reasoning that I wanted a packable, big caliper handgun. These pistols are heavy. I have no experience with the 6&1/2' barreled guns and anything longer than 5" is too much for me. I also like the no comp feature on them and not sure the factory 4" guns(3"+1" comp) would be legal for hunting in my native Illinois?

My $.02, Steve

I don't think recoil is the issue here? My reasoning was due to the increase in noise coming off the gun when fired. Yes, I wear muffs but, wouldn't pass up that buck of a lifetime if it presented itself, if no muffs were available.
Steve

I don't think I'm particularly recoil sensitive, I've had 5, 500 Mags but there is a considerable difference in perceived recoil between the 6.5" half lug and the original 8 3/8th in barrel.

I would assume that the JR Special would be harder kicking than the 6.5" half lug. Don

Steve,
I shoot a 4" (3" + 1" comp) and the difference in the noise with and without the comp. is undetedctable. They are both so loud I would not hunt with any 500 without sonic ear valves or the like. The main difference to me is recoil. W/O the comp, recovery time for follow up shots is awful. That to me is more important especially if I'm using it as a back up gun while bear hunting. People that have been in that situation report not even hearing the shots.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Again, the 4" is illegal to hunt with where I live. Suit yourself if your not a hunter, I understand but, who else besides hunters would want these guns? I mean at $65 for 20 rounds(some brands), they're not cheap to shoot.
Steve

Me. They are fun to own and let others shoot so they can say they shot the most powerful production handgun in the world. And it's the cheapest gun I own to shoot....few want to shoot it more than once!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hmmmm... The same things were said about the first 44 Mags years ago, implying it was useless as an uncontrollable and over powered handgun caliber.

Contrary to popular belief, 44 Mag are at best marginal for larger game including large bull elk, moose or even a very large and POed black bear. I'm aware because I've hunted them for decades with handguns and that's why I switched to a 6.5 500 two years ago.

For the price of a few boxes of 500 ammo a person can buy all the necessary reloading equipment and components needed for the creation of very inexpensive 500 ammo.

If ya gotta ask why people want to buy anything unusual, like extremely large houses, Ferrari's, Lear Jets, Islands, etc, I guess the answer will always be simply because they want them and can afford them..... that's the way most people feel about the 500 and I believe it's as valid as any other.

JMHO

Delmar, we're close.

I don't think you understand, Steve. I'd guess that most owners of .500 Mags don't hunt, they just enjoy big bore revolvers. I'm one of them.

Who really cares about the ammo prices? If you're a serious shooter, you reload and that dramatically reduces the price of ammo. My ammo costs about $16/50 for quality, powerful reloads. Don

Hondo44, now that you mention it, I agree.
TDC, your words, not mine. I do reload but, these aren't cheap to reload for either? Calm down a little will ya?
Steve

LOL OMG!!! Holy cow brother, that's a lot of SW 500s. Love it!!! Hey I used to live in Ohio as well, now I'm in SoCal, great weather and the girls are hotter than the weather but the gun laws are the worst thing ever.