Hi. I handled a Model 500 (pretty sure it was an 8 3/8") and was wondering if the compensator is easily removable, if at all. It looked to not be part of the original barrel, the ports (2 or 3) cut on top. It seemed pretty obvious that it was added to the barrel.
I'm asking because I have recently been thinking about a relatively light load out of a 500 that might not need a compensator, thereby keeping the db's low.
I looked in the 500 FAQ's, but found no info on this. Anyone here know about removing this specific comp?

Thanks!

That "obvious" line you are seeing is not a separation of two pieces, but a crimp in the barrel. It's a second forcing cone that's needed because tha 500 S&W bullet is too large to be reduced to proper size with just the one forcing cone.

That is not true! Why do you have to go and make that stuff up? That IS a separation line. It's a safety feature necessary for all high pressure rounds. The muzzle brake is stuck on with a proprietary substance that releases at @ 71,000 psi, releiving any excessive pressure. It's loosly pinned in place so that it doeasn't just fly off the barrel. The down side is it has to be sent to tha factory to be put back together.

This ignorance of federal firearms laws never ceases to amaze me. Quit watching dirty movies and make some time to read up on them! It is ilegal to remove/eliminate the compensator from a 500 S&W. It's even ilegal to explain how to do it, or even if it could be done. It's treated as sound supression: you need a special stamp for this, except it's $2,000 vs $200.

I thought this would be an easy one to get answered.

There are two different versions of the Model 500 with the 8-3/8" barrel. One version (with Hi-Viz sight) has a removable compensator. This type has slots around the sides of the barrel, and comes with two interchangable compensators. One is intended for lead bullets, the other for jacketed.

The other variant (like mine and the one you looked at) has a compensator made into the barrel shroud. This type has slots only in the top and is considered to be "fixed".

There is some mention of the removable style compensator in the manual. I think you can download it from S&W's site.

Thank you! As many times as I've looked at the S&W website, I never noticed that other one. It looks like it's built "into" the barrel, so I'll have to go a different route if I decide to get a 500.

Thanks, again!