Is a S&W 500 Appropriate at an Indoor Range?
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BigCityChief
Member
Not permitted at my indoor range.
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I own a magnaported 629 mountain revolver, I only shoot it when I get down to the range first thing in the morning and shoot before anyone else gets there. I know its loud and irritates people and I like to consider myself a decent sort. If theres a break later in the day I might get it back out and shoot some more but thats just the way it is when you shoot something obnoxious. At our range the only caliber I am aware of that we have banned is the .50 BMG and that is just from a safety viewpoint, many people would like to see anything they don't shoot banned, thats just the way we are.
I've been around the big 500 and the rest and find them uncomfortable to shoot, custom reloaded they can be a pleasure to shoot and quite accurate. Most people tend to be considerate to others and will shoot further away while shooting magnums or particularly loud guns in general. One fellow we like to joke around with has a penchant for large caliber Weatherbys, when we see him coming we always point to the furthest end of the range, he always laughs, he understands that we a joking around with him but is considerate enough to move down to the far end of the range to shoot his big noisemakers. I think as long as your considerate to others you can get by shooting just about anything.
I've been around the big 500 and the rest and find them uncomfortable to shoot, custom reloaded they can be a pleasure to shoot and quite accurate. Most people tend to be considerate to others and will shoot further away while shooting magnums or particularly loud guns in general. One fellow we like to joke around with has a penchant for large caliber Weatherbys, when we see him coming we always point to the furthest end of the range, he always laughs, he understands that we a joking around with him but is considerate enough to move down to the far end of the range to shoot his big noisemakers. I think as long as your considerate to others you can get by shooting just about anything.
I've been shooting Desert Eagles 50 cal since 2003. I stopped doing this at my indoor range because it would blow out the overhead ceiling lights and make it snow dust from the rafters on the other shooters. It was also boring to shoot indoors at short distances, and much more enjoyable out 100 yards. I suspect that this would be true of the 500
I've shot my .460 at my local indoor range and will do so again as I see fit. They rent .44 mag so I don't see an issue.
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It's all about courtesy. Unfortunately, we can rarely call it common courtesy.
LVSteve
Member
There's no "just a 40" about that caliber. It runs highish pressure and is obnoxious from a short barrel to those in the next lane. .357 Mag from a Model 65 is similar, or so I was reliably informed last time I shot mine.
There is a little 15 yard, two-lane range I frequent and shooting in there with my 686 using 125gr Magnum loads is an interesting experience. The pressure wave that returns from the backstop comes as a shock to new shooters. I should take my 44 down there at least once just for giggles.
They have a different range....
Our range has a separate building for rifle. If I go in there I'm going to supplement my hearing protection. I shoot some really soft .30 caliber loads. A baby can poot louder than them. And they are really fun to shoot.
Our range has a separate building for rifle. If I go in there I'm going to supplement my hearing protection. I shoot some really soft .30 caliber loads. A baby can poot louder than them. And they are really fun to shoot.
If it is your range you get to make the rules. If it isn't you follow them or vote with your feet.
Dave from Pa
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
If its permitted I don't see what the big deal is.Common sense on the 500 shooters part would be to move away from others or at least give a heads up.Thats the same as shooting a .50 or a big magnum with a muzzle break on a outdoor range,a little pre warning would go a long way. JMO
When I take my 3" 460 Mag to the indoor range I always tell them when I sign-in that I'm shooting it & ask for the lane at the end. Invariably they'll assign someone to the lane along side me even though other ones are open. What else can you do?
.
M3Stuart
Member
I've gone and 'taken a break' many times until somebody with a .500, .460, .50AE, .44 Automag, etc. has finished.
But IMHO the most brain-rattling, concussion-inducing of them all is the .41 Mag. Oh, and they're insidious - you never see them coming because when the pull them out and load up it just looks like any ordinary N frame.
But hey, to each their own. If that person wants to shoot next to me then that's his business. I can either stand there and take it or walk out. Besides, the factory ammo for most (some would say any) of these is quite pricey AND hard to find. So it never lasts long.
But IMHO the most brain-rattling, concussion-inducing of them all is the .41 Mag. Oh, and they're insidious - you never see them coming because when the pull them out and load up it just looks like any ordinary N frame.
But hey, to each their own. If that person wants to shoot next to me then that's his business. I can either stand there and take it or walk out. Besides, the factory ammo for most (some would say any) of these is quite pricey AND hard to find. So it never lasts long.
I find mine is excellent for clearing out the range and giving me room to practice! 
A little courtesy and common sense goes a long way. I would not shoot one of those with someone right next to me. It would have been nice if the guy let you know he was about to unleash hell. I think that people should be able to shoot what they want, within the rules of the range owner, but consideration should be given to other shooters.
Sounds like we should have a separate thread going for, "what's the loudest gun that's gone off next to you at an indoor shooting range..." Here's my story. Back in the early days when I used to go to an indoor range, I was sharpening my skills with my Ruger MKII .22lr. I was in a real zone of disciplined concentration, pop......, pop......, pop.....; bullseye, bullseye, bullseye. All of a sudden, as I was bearing down on my next 10-ring strike, an absolute explosion went off next to me! Dude brought his 300 Win Mag to the 25 yard indoor range! Wow, that was an experience. BTW, rifles were allowed, but wow. If I had been expecting it, no problem, but it came out of nowhere.
Sounds like we should have a separate thread going for, "what's the loudest gun that's gone off next to you at an indoor shooting range..." Here's my story. Back in the early days when I used to go to an indoor range, I was sharpening my skills with my Ruger MKII .22lr. I was in a real zone of disciplined concentration, pop......, pop......, pop.....; bullseye, bullseye, bullseye
. All of a sudden, as I was bearing down on my next 10-ring strike, an absolute explosion went off next to me! Dude brought his 300 Win Mag to the 25 yard indoor range! Wow, that was an experience. BTW, rifles were allowed, but wow. If I had been expecting it, no problem, but it came out of nowhere.
I genuinely appreciate the feedback. It really helps inexperienced shooters like me manage expectations.
I looked at the range rules carefully and there do not appear to be any restrictions on what can / cannot be fired.
My wife and I will use this info to help make a decision about where to shoot in future. Thanks again.
Rich
I looked at the range rules carefully and there do not appear to be any restrictions on what can / cannot be fired.
My wife and I will use this info to help make a decision about where to shoot in future. Thanks again.
Rich
MyDads38
Member
I belong to an indoor range; 50' max, 11 shooting stalls. I've started using plugs in addition to my muffs. There have been folks shooting magnums in there, and you can tell. But honestly, indoors, even 9's. 40's & 45's make a big bang!
The range is kept clean, well lit and maintained and the gun shop makes sure that there is someone to keep watch on what's going on. 22 rimfire rifles are allowed. Some days, all 11 lanes are full, other times, I may be the only one there; you never know till you get there. I can stay as long as I want, take a break and come back if I need to.
The range is kept clean, well lit and maintained and the gun shop makes sure that there is someone to keep watch on what's going on. 22 rimfire rifles are allowed. Some days, all 11 lanes are full, other times, I may be the only one there; you never know till you get there. I can stay as long as I want, take a break and come back if I need to.
gordon21
Member
Manners are not extinct yet. I was at an indoor range by myself and these two guys come in. He politely comes over and tells me he will fire his S&W .460 and to expect a much louder boom. I say thanks for the heads up and go about my business. I had never heard a .460 go off. BOOM. After a couple rounds, I walk over to check this out. He offers to let me shoot it. Sure, why not. I fire one round and surprisingly hit within a couple inches of the target center. What a rush!! He says keep shooting, but I knew the ammo was really expensive and said I'm ok. He did let me keep the casing which I still have in my desk drawer as a souvenir. Way bigger than a 30-30 and yet a pistol round.
If the caliber is permitted at a range, then a shooter should be able to shoot it. However, manners are hard to regulate. A considerate shooter does what the guy did in my case. Be polite and forewarn you. Especially if he is within 2-3 lanes away.
If the caliber is permitted at a range, then a shooter should be able to shoot it. However, manners are hard to regulate. A considerate shooter does what the guy did in my case. Be polite and forewarn you. Especially if he is within 2-3 lanes away.
I make it a practice to never look around for holes at an indoor range . . .
I don't want to look up but usually can't help myself.
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