And just as fake.

GF

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SWCA #2420

I'm going with either a squib load or barrel obstruction. I don't think the shooter realized what even happened for about 5 seconds. Looks like he was focused on his sights and target and not paying too much attention to the gun itself. In any event, he is lucky to have walked away unscathed.

If this was a staged incident, who in his right mind would take such a chance of losing much-needed body parts or suffering a possible blinding injury or facial disfigurement?

I too think this was a seriously underloaded round with an undetected bullet lodged in the forcing cone. An overload would have split the cylinder and ripped off the top strap.

In my opinion, if you need to shoot such a large chunk of lead, use a rifle.

No protective equipment ,not enough recoil or smoke ,camera just happens to be in the perfect spot at perfect angle and guy has his head cocked down like he was expecting something to go wrong.No if that gun had "exploded " in his hands well it's just too much coincidence it's fake.My guess him and some accomplices probabaly weakend the gun then blew it with a light load and obstruction in the barrel .Not lucky just slick .Why? No gun company wants to be the next Remington with tne whole trigger thing heck they still run that on occasion after all these years .The gun manufacturers are easy prey for liability settlements for these scam artists or what actually amounts to extortion . Just my opinion I may be wrong but I doubt it.Yea my dad went from a patrolman actually walking a beat to the head of our local PD detective division over a period of 32 years .His favorite saying was ( yea right) which has become my motto for life so .Yea right.

Saw this vid on FB last week and lots of ignorant comments made on the post there. Guys saying no way it's a 500 because of the apparent lack of power and recoil, because it doesn't have the removable comp with the side ports... I posted links to the 2 different 8-3/8" 500's direct from S&W website showing it was the model with the non-removable comp that vents out the top only. And about the apparent to some lack of power, must be none of them have heard of 500spl or handloaders running reduced loads...which can be pretty finicky for squibs and bullets lodged in barrels if not very careful with those reduced loads.

I think someone was running some reduced handloads and had a squib myself. But the theories posted about and already cracked barrel at the cone certainly have merit too...

I have/had the 8 inch hi viz model. I've never shot anything but hornaday ammo through it. I sent it back to smith. Im awaiting their determination on what happened. I would upload pictures but Im new and haven't figured out how as of yet.

Two now. Hmmmmmmm. Sure would like to see your pics Richone, and please keep us informed when you hear from S&W. As Arte Johnson would say on Laugh-In, "Veeeery Interestink"

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PTLAPTA!

No matter the event, it never takes long for the nutty conspiracy theories to start.