I was shooting my Model 500 yesterday and noticed after the second shot the compensator was tilted forward with about a 1/8 inch gap between it and the end of the barrel. I of course stopped shooting it and took it home. When a got home I tapped the end of the gun on the carpeted floor and the compensator went back to its normal position. Now it seems loose and I can move it back and forth about the thickness of a credit card. What holds the compensator on? Should I send this back to S&W for repair.

I think you need to call S&W and I suspect that they will tell you to send it "home." If they don't volunteer, ask for a UPS call tag, you shouldn't have to pay for it.

Don't bother with a gunsmith, I believe that S&W does not even sell the tools to tighten the comp to anyone.

S&W will take care of you. I do think this is an odd problem though. Don

I called S&W this morning and they are sending me the shipping label to return the 500. I hope this repair takes less time than the 22a model I sent in 4 weeks ago with a cracked frame. Still no word on it. The 500 only has had about 10 rounds thru it. Has anyone else seen this problem with their gun? I have only shot 350grn Hornady rounds thru it, nothing bigger.

I've had 5 Model 500s, currently have two. None of them has ever had any functional issues. Good luck, Don.

I have one of the early ones, got it in '03 and have shot upwards of 1000 rounds through mine, and all of them hot factory or handloads. No 500 Specials for mine!!! No problems thusfar. It looks like the SuperGlue failed to set up properly!