I've liked the idea of getting a S&W 500 for a long time. A local private sale with some ammo came up and I decided to go for it as it is SUCH a great time to be getting into a new caliber. WA requires dealer transfer for all sales, so it is still at the dealer waiting for my background check. All Washingtonians should feel much safer for this.

It is the 8 3/8" barrel version with interchangeable muzzle brakes (or compensators?). The revolver looks great and is supposedly only been fired a few times. Came with the big ol' box and all of the original materials. The date on the fired case was 2006 iirc. I guess that makes this a pretty early gun (released in 2003/2004, right).

The gun also came with 3 boxes of ammo: 2 HSM 350 gr JHPs and 1 Federal Fusion 325 gr. I have already ordered reloading dies, cases and some assorted bullets: 330 gr lead; 300 gr JHP; 400 gr JSP. I already have some 300 gr Speer TMJ and 325 gr Gold Dots that I bought for 50 AE.

So...is there anything in particular that I need to know about owning a 500? I understand it can kick a little. I have been shooting 44 Mag and 454 Casull revolvers for a while, so I don't think I'll be TOO surprised. (I have yet to shoot my Desert Eagle 50 AE).

Any changes or issues with earlier guns that I should be aware of? Should I immediately find the most powerful ammo available and shoot that first so it will all be downhill after that?

Rob

You may be like the last owner. Shoot it a few shots and put it away or sell it. Yesterday I saw a youtube video of a guy shooting through big blocks of butter. He shot with several calibers and one was a 500. It made a pretty nice hole.

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Ron
Southern IL

That was probably Matt @Demolitionranch

Naw. If I sell it, it won't be because it kicks too much. I shoot because I like shooting.

Rob

Welcome to the X-Frame Club!! I believe you've got the same revolver I've got!! Once you find the size round the gun "like's" she'll be a Hoot to Shoot!!!

I've tried 4 different size rounds in mine ranging from the 270gr Federal Vital Shok, (a Nasty, sharp kick with a LOT of barrel rise!), to the 500gr Hornady XTP, (a Stout but Smooth kick with about 3-4" of barrel rise)... The other 2 sizes are the 400gr Platinum Tip Winchester which is comparable to the 500gr Hornady but less Stout and the 350gr Winchester Reduced Recoil which is the one my gun likes the best so that's what I pattern my reloads too!

I reload for mine mainly due to the price/availability of ammo and, if you do much range time, you'll find out that is indeed the way to go with this Beast!!

Have Fun with her and here's some Pic's of mine with some Ammo can/Range Block's I made..

Enjoy!!!

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If you let anyone else shoot it, only load one round the first time to see how they do with the recoil. At least 2 people have shot their head off when the gun flipped around and fired again.

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protocalldesign.com

You will love this gun. Congratulations!! I have 3 of them. They really are a hoot to shoot.The recoil stories are overhyped. But you do have to hang on to it like you mean it. My son did a double shot once when I got my 1st one back in 2012. My wife shot the middle out of the bullseye with my 1st one too. I have owned a 6.5" but I traded it for a 4". I also have a PC 3.5" and a 500ES 2.75". I have shot them all. The 500ES if the shortest and the lightest so it does let you know it's out for bear!!

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

You are going to love it. Buy a good padded glove and shoot it a lot. The recoil is not as bad as it sounds. If you can handle a 44 magnum, you can shoot the 500.

I do have a PAST shooting glove which I use mainly for shooting the Contender.

Rob

I looked at the 500 about a week ago. The store had about a 4” Compensated model and another with a much longer barrel. They both looked huge...So I picked up the ‘smaller’ one and it was heavy and ginormous. Interesting, but it’s literally a Howitzer.

I’ve worked around the 30mm Canon on an A-10, and it draws a favorable comparison.

Back in the day all we had was the lowly .44...and O.K. the .41 too.

Right now, being in the middle of the seventh inning of life, I regret being so enthused with The Magnums. Too many full power loads have left me more than a little damaged. I can handle a .357 in a larger gun but anything more than that I pay for in pain.

So have fun, but don't go crazy. Be nice to your wrists and hands. You'll need them when you're old.

It is home!



While waiting to be sure I could be trusted with it, I got in reloading dies, cases and bullets. Have primers and powder.

I have a small assortment of bullets to try out, plus the two factory loads that came with the revolver:

300 gr JHP (IMI)
300 gr TMJ (Speer)
300 gr plated JHP (HSM)
325 gr JHP (Speer)
330 gr RNFP lead (ACME...on order)
400 gr JSP (Sierra)

None of the super-heavies yet. This should be fun!

But man, this is a HEAVY revolver!

Rob

Yep!! That's the one I have!! A bit different case it looks like but the same revolver!! Let me know if you like the Hi-Viz front sight. I didn't care for mine and switched to the Patridge sight included with the gun. A Range Report would be Nice also!!

Have Fun with her!!!

You might want to be careful how you worded that.
Actually it appeared to be poor recoil management and as the gun flipped back to their face, they gripped the gun tighter and pulled the trigger thus causing suicide event.
My uncle, nearly did the same, but the second round firing straight into the air.
Very sad stories. Always put in one round when giving to a first time X frame shooter.

Almost every Model 500 that I see is in great shape. they generally are not fired much before being resold. The gun does have some die hard fans.I saw a short and thin woman buy one today at the LGS because she said that she wanted to start with the biggest. I minded my own business. Its her money. No way she knew what she was getting, but she did not look like the type to listen. I hope that she safely enjoys it.

Speaking of die hard fans . . . A couple of hours into my CCW class, the instructor, John Ross, reached inside the front of his jeans and pulled out a 4 inch 500 Magnum. It was to illustrate a point he was making about appropriate carry gear and cover garments - he had baggy jeans and a tucked but loose fitting shirt. I don’t think anybody had even a hint that he was carrying. (He is, of course, a huge fan of the X frames.)

The 2 events I heard of were females who probably didn't have the physical strength to manage that much recoil.

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protocalldesign.com

Yes. One of them was a first time shooter of ANY gun. Her significant other was a complete moron.
Woman:”What gun should I try out if I have never shot before?”
Man: “ The biggest revolver cartridge ever conceived!”

Fellas, do not wonder why people are so scared of fireamrs. Lots of morons own them as well

let er rip!! I have two 460's and a pc 500.All top shelf!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Glenwolde, bravo to you, Sir. I can shoot .44 special all day long but now, being closer to your age, I can't much enjoy .44 magnum anymore. I want to, but it just isn't happening anymore. My 629 has heft I don't need, and my L-frame 686+ seems perfect with either .357 magnum or any kind of .38 spl loads. I want to enjoy shooting and often resort to the latter two or 9mm or .45 acp.

I have post 366 above...I wsned tostress that these are high powered magnums for sure. But I am 64 and have 1 prosthetic shoulder (right) I have arthritis in back and neck. But is still shoot these 500s, 460s and 44 magnums because they are just to much fun. If I do a range session with 38 special and 357, mags, 9mm and 45 ACP I hurt the next day just as much as if I shoot the big guys. It's sill well worth it. Football player love to play but don't feel great after the game.. for a couple of day. .. same with a lot of shooting. The on understand is hand/ finger arthritis because you have to manipulate small rounds inti a cylinder or worse yet rack a semi auto. Anyway back on topic.. Big Bore rules!!

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

I'm a firm believer in putting only one round in for the first shot that you try in one of these super-macho devices. A few years ago when I was OLD, I bought a Freedom Arms Mod. 83 in 454 Casull. Put in the one factory round and let'er rip. Sold that gun pronto. I do remember MANY years ago when I would load my 45 Colt up over max. I have to admit that I got a kick out of it. But once I got old.... how does the saying go: (fill in what you feel is appropriate at your current age).
IMHO as always,
J.

For any new old gun I buy, even revolvers but especially semi-autos, I put 1 in the gun and fire it and examine the case. Then 2 and examine the cases. Then I'll go for a full cylinder or 3 in a semi. Being alert for anything out of the ordinary.

Rob

WoW, a 500...and here I am nervous to shoot my first 44 Special .

.44 Special is a *****cat, unless it is in an ultralight gun. Even then, not so bad. I have a titanium Taurus .44 Special.

EDIT: LOL at the language filter. That was a classic term for something that is very tame.

Rob