I asked this in the gunsmithing area but no response maybe better luck here.

While removing the IL on my 500 a part fell out before I saw how it was installed. I have never seen this part before here are the pics of the part and how I think it goes. What is it and what does it do? Thanks for the help.

Bigtubby,

You may want to scroll through "500 Magnum Nut's" sticky at the top of the thread page. He has several internal pictures of S&W 500 parts. You may find something helpful there....

Edit....

Your part is shown in it's proper location in a picture toward the bottom of the page....

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Terry

I think that part rides on a pin on the side of the hand and its purpose is to block the cylinder release from moving under recoil. It was first used as part of the endurance package in the 29-3E.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

It is called the "Bolt Lock". You have it in it's proper position. The end of the hand pivot extends through the trigger and goes into the slot ascoss the lock. When firing, due to inertia, the bolt (what the thumbpiece attaches to) tends to remain in place while the gun recoils back. This can cause the cylinder to unlock when the gun is fired. The bolt lock rises in front of the bolt when the trigger is pulled blocking the bolt and preventing unlocking under recoil from this. The heavier recoiling the gun, .44 Magnum, .460 S&W, .500 S&W, the more likely the gun is to unlock under recoil, therefore these are the guns you will find the bolt lock in.

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Gunsmithing since 1961