I've been considering the purchase of a X frame mainly because I think it would be cool to have a "super" gun. I would mainly be shooting 45 Colt however. The S&W460 mag would be rarely fired except for entertaining guest on my own range. I like the .460 in 5" , because I would rarely be shooting anything but 45Colt in it and have no doubt the 5 " would be fine for that and the smaller barrel would be more convenient. The 460xvr however comes with 2 muzzle brakes, and a interchangeable front sight which I like. What are your suggestions? Oh a local dealer has a 460 5" for $1049 used?

A couple of thoughts....the 460 will never be an accuracy champ with .45LC, theoretically because of the longer "jump" to the forcing cone. Perhaps others have found differently, but that's how it works for me (460XVR). Also, the shorter .45LC rounds will leave a carbon buildup in the cylinder that can be dangerous with the high pressure 460 rounds - if you use it as you describe, be very careful to clean the cylinder carefully before stepping up to the more powerful rounds. I like the heft of the XVR, and believe it makes the better hunting tool, but the 5" would be nicer for just toting around. The front sight options are nice on the XVR (I prefer the gold bead). The two muzzle brakes are not that big of a deal, one being for jacketed bullets and one for lead - I often use neither, and wish I could get an unvented "plug" for mine. And last of all, that longer barrel gets the awesome muzzle blast of full power loads a precious few more inches from your face, The price on the used 5" seems high to me for a used specimen. I think if you get one you will find yourself irresistably drawn to shooting 460 ammo (some are not that outrageously expensive). Oh, and if you do, read the manual, keep fingers away from cylinder/barrel gap, and double up on the hearing protection...EVERY time.

The first X-frame I ever shot was my buddy's 460 in the picture. We shot the 200 grain Hornady red-tipped loads.



I was wearing tighly seated ear plugs AND ear muff style protectors.

I've shot tons of .44RemMag rounds in my life....in many different revolvers.

The experience of that 460 was the worst shooting experience I've had to date. Recoil wasnt' bad, however the blast was NOT fully directed downrange.

I could taste blood after shooting 5 shots.

It was the loudest gun I've ever shot (from my perspective). If you ever fired it ONE time without hearing protection (think defensive situation) you'd suffer permanent hearing loss. I have zero doubt about this.

It took me 5 years to show interest in X-frames after that.

Same buddy bought a 500 and convinced me it was nothing like the 460 he had (he unloaded that 460 quickly after he bought it).

Long story short....here's a pick of our .500PC guns. His is 283 of 1,000. Mine is number 680 of 1,000 made.





These 500s are creampuffs when compared to that evil little 460.

I would go with the 5 inch, but the one you priced is way to high. You can get it cut for moon clips and be able to shoot 45acp, 45gap, 45LC, 45 S&W, 454 and the 460. Six different rounds down the tube. Just remember to clean the cylinder before you go to a different round. Have fun-------

I agree, gun dealer or not, that "used" price is too high.

Agreed about too high on the price.

I went to another dealer who offered the 460XVR for $1100 brand new. That seems to me a better deal. He also said the 5" is no longer offered by S&W.

The 5" 460 V is a current model - and I just ordered one...perhaps at the time of your post they did not offer it? I was back & forth between the 500, 460 XVR and the 460 V and finally settled on the latter. I don't hunt, so it's purely a "guy thing" to make a lot of commotion at the range.

Interesting that you were able to order one today. Did you receive positive confirmation from the store where you bought it that it is in stock? I spoke S&W a couple of months ago after seeing the 460V listed on their website but was told it was no longer available.

Certainly hope you are right - perhaps you can share the "source"? ;-)

They're re-issuing the 460V, but didn't know they were finally starting to show up in wholesaler's inventory. Time to call my gun shop and get one on order.

Do you know for sure that the 460V is coming back? I have not been able to confirm this with S&W on the phone and Davidson's has not re-listed it on the Genie as a model available to order. Would you mind sharing what you know? I'd like to put in an order too!

I called S&W in late June and routed through their customer service line. The C-rep confirmed that the gun was re-listed for 2012 and that production had not been started with no ETA at the time.

I called back about three weeks ago and asked the same question. This time the response was, "it'll probably go into production later this year."

That's the only thing I have, unfortunately.

This is the response I received also. I put down a deposit and am hoping for delivery in 2-3 months. If Romney gets elected, maybe sooner as the frenzy should subside a little.

Production confirmed....be patient grasshopper......

This makes me happy So from production to retail, what's the normal turnaround time do we know? I just need to remind my dealer to get me one.

I am told that production of the 460V should commence before year end. Maybe a good time to ask Santa???

I gave S&W a call after seeing that, and production should see units hitting wholesalers around late Nov. I contacted my dealer to keep it on their radar to snag one as soon as they see it. Christmas comes early this year.

I have owned both. I carried the 460V concealed with two spare speed loaders when I was working alone in remote wilderness areas. After I retired, I sold it. The 460XVR is more pleasant to shoot and use for hunting. I don't find the recoil to be much worse than heavy Buffalo Bore .44 magnum rounds. The difference is in the torque during recoil and the huge fireball.

__________________
U.S. Navy - U.S. Army, ret

What has been the experience of others on this group regarding the noise and the difference between the 500 and the "evil little 460?"

Good news today - my local dealer told me their wholesaler got one in. Should have it in about 5 business days. Woo hoo!

Annnnd just picked it up. Hoping to get a chance to get to the range in the next week or so. She's beautiful, though. Thank you S&W!

Congrats,....that is a major hunk of steel. It's like Christmas morning, isn't it???? I didn't think I could wait a day to shoot it.

Hello,
I know I'm restarting an older thread but...
I am planning on purchasing a 5" 460. There are two choices. A NIB XVR or a new V model. I was favoring the XVR, but would like to understand the exact differences and why they made the change.
And does anyone have one each in the 5" barrel size who can relate their experiences with the two guns?
Thanks,
B

The XVR is equipped with an 8-3/8" barrel.

The V is equipped with a 5" barrel.

There is no such thing as a 5" XVR.

Other than barrel length, the V and XVR are exactly the same revolver.

What we have is an example of different nomenclature for different configs of the same piece.

Thanks. Rather confusing though. I'm seeing a few 5" 460 labeled as XVR's available on two of the big gun sale sites. And also see 'V' models as well.
Odd.
B

Shooting .45 LCs from an X Frame is like shooting .22s through a S&W 617!

I like my .460 8-3/8" XVR, but have never shot any ammo through it but the .460

__________________
S&W .500 Magnums RULE !

I am willing to bet once you fire a 460 rd through your gun you'll have a hard time shooting those puny 45LC rds....

Yeah, that is just laziness on the part of the retailer in how they word their product descriptions and listings.

Check the S&W website. You can see all of the many different models of 460 they now have available from a 3" non-comped carry piece to the long barreled PC revolvers. There are several different revolvers offered in 460 now ranging from a non-comped 3" carry piece to the long barreled PC guns.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...7_757751_image

Some recent models have not been added to the page yet. I know they have a 3" non-comped model now. Ruggyh already has one! LOL!