to buy or not to buy?

Whatever you do, don't bother including which X frame you are interested in or why. That would make it far too easy for people to give you helpful advice.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

X-frame? No, I'd suggest getting the whole gun.

Go for it, great guns, unmatched power range, accuracy you'll very likely never fully exploit, fine triggers.

Understand Tom S's comment but my vote is for the 500. If you really want to go big, it's the champ. Don

I'm with Wise_A, buy the whole gun.

No, the 460 is better. It is cheaper to shoot and you can use 45 Long Colt, 454 Casull, and 460 interchangeably. Higher velocity, etc. etc.

OK, the popcorn is ready...

that is the question...
and the answer is; BUY.

What is it for?

Expensive plinker.

Impress the guys at the range?

I love my 460 XVR!

Expensive gun. Expensive ammo, Ridiculously loud. Hard kicking. A bitch to clean the muzzle break. Pretty impractical for any real use other than Big Game hunting. Heavy. If you like all those things - then get it.

IMO you could buy a few, more practical S&W's for the same money that would be a lot more pleasant to shoot, use much cheaper and readily available ammo, won't deafen you, won't beat you up and are much more fun.

I know two friends with a .500 Magnum and they rarely have shot it after the first few outings. Your money = your choice.

I bought a JRC 500 years ago and never looked back but, that's just me I
like big powerful(Howdah) pistols. Maybe, shoot a friends first, I never had the chance to do this?
Steve

The 500 wins for heavy bullet and brute force. The 460 wins for versatility and flat shooting. The Judge (which is also an X frame, is it not?) wins for weirdness.

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!