Special Edition Model 500s

DonD · Nov 6, 2009

For a while there were a number of special edition Model 500s, frequently it appears, distributed by Lew Horton. I don't pretend to know all the variety but remember one that I think was a 7.5" barrel with a black stainless finish. I think Ohio Coconut, one of our forum members, has one.

I looked at Horton's website and saw nothing. Has S&W stopped making these or are they just temporarily out of stock? Don

kennyb · Nov 7, 2009

i have a performance center model 500...it has the black finish with grey cylinder and extended muzzle brake (also grey) currently i'm not at home but seems like the ser# starts with JERO..barrel is 7.5"i purchased it new i believe in jan.07

ohiococonut · Nov 7, 2009

Don, they were limited runs.
IIRC they only made 2000 of these

Only 500 of these

And I only know of 2 of these.

I just spoke to a former S&W rep. this past weekend and he tried to find out the exact numbers of the last one I posted. He didn't have any luck either. As much as I hate to have a new gun "lettered" it may be the only way I'll ever find out.

kennyb · Nov 7, 2009

ohio...mine is like the first one you posted above...i was told they were a run of 500 only but i dont know that for sure

ohiococonut · Nov 7, 2009

kenny, I do know the numbers were in the thousands, as evident by the numbers of them I've see, but I can't recall if it was one or two thousand. There were only 500 of the 6 1/2" model made and it was rumored that there was going to be another run a while back but it never transpired.

kennyb · Nov 8, 2009

okie doke...still seems like pretty few

DonD · Nov 8, 2009

ohiococonut said:
There were only 500 of the 6 1/2" model made

I have one of those, I had no idea that it was that limited of a production item. Don

horns · Jun 19, 2010

I've been lurking for awhile, but a 6.5" PC unfluted 500 at the local shop has me looking for answers. ohiococonut indicated there were 500 of the 6.5" unfluted models made. The one in the shop had the usual rubber grips unlike the ohiococonut's. Were the wood grips a part of the 500 run and the rubber grip 6.5" unfluted is a different, run-of-the-mill model? Or were there only 500 6.5" PC unfluted models made in total?

I tried finding one online to see what they are worth, but didn't have any luck. Any idea what a good condition example should run? Beyond personal preference, are these particularly desirable?

Is there any issue shooting hard cast like buffalo bore through this model? Either because of the polygonal rifling or the brake? I believe the 8 3/8" model comes with a separate brake for lead, right?

Does the brake on the PC models unscrew?

Thanks

Uraldriver · Jun 27, 2010

I have one of the blackened 500's With 7.5 barrel. The brake doesn't come off. It is a great shooter and of all the 500 models that Smith has built it is my favorite one.

Dan

DonD · Jun 27, 2010

horns said:
Ohiococonut indicated there were 500 of the 6.5" unfluted models made. The one in the shop had the usual rubber grips unlike the ohiococonut's. Were the wood grips a part of the 500 run and the rubber grip 6.5" unfluted is a different, run-of-the-mill model? Or were there only 500 6.5" PC unfluted models made in total?

I tried finding one online to see what they are worth, but didn't have any luck. Any idea what a good condition example should run? Beyond personal preference, are these particularly desirable?

Is there any issue shooting hard cast like buffalo bore through this model? Either because of the polygonal rifling or the brake? I believe the 8 3/8" model comes with a separate brake for lead, right?

Does the brake on the PC models unscrew?

Thanks

The reason Ohio's gun has wooden grips is because they are Herrett's Jordan Troopers and I sold them to Del (OhioC).

There are no issues with shooting hard cast through any of the S&W .500 Mags. I think most regular .500 users shoot hard cast more than jacketed for cost if for no other reason.

Early PC models used Lothar Walther polygonal rifling. I am sure that all current non PC models use ECR (electronically cut rifling) and I believe that applies to the new PC models. I understand that Thompson Center, which is now owned by S&W, does these barrels for them.

I have no idea what any of them are worth, depends more on the interest of the buyer (what the market will bear!).

The cylindrical muzzle brake on the PC model isn't customer removable. You need the factory equipment to do it right. The newer 8 3/8th" models have two comps, one for lead, one for jacketed. The original 8 3/8th" has an integral, non removable comp. Don

Satoken · Jun 28, 2010

Actuarry, some of PC500s' & PC460s' barrels were/are made by a manufacture in the US and are cut rifling, not by Tompson. Don't ask me how I know but I do. The question I would like to ask you is, Don, What made you decide to get an original 8 3/8th M500 after all these years? I just saw and handled a 6.5" version for the first time and I thought that one is a well balanced, good looking M500. Although my first chice still remains John Ross 500s.

DonD · Jun 28, 2010

Satoken said:
Actuarry, some of PC500s' & PC460s' barrels were/are made by a manufacture in the US and are cut rifling, not by Tompson. Don't ask me how I know but I do. The question I would like to ask you is, Don, What made you decide to get an original 8 3/8th M500 after all these years? I just saw and handled a 6.5" version for the first time and I thought that one is a well balanced, good looking M500. Although my first chice still remains John Ross 500s.

I just had an email from an S&W engineer I've been internet friends with for sometime. He said that most of S&Ws revolvers have ECR (electrochemical rifling) cut rifling. Can't speak to the TC barrels, may be off base there, won't be the first time.

Regarding the older style .500 Mag. When I grow up (who knows when that will be?), I'll have a stable firearms collection. I had one of the 6.5" half lug guns and there was a very noticeable increase in recoil between it and the 6.5" PC .500 I have. So that left me with just one .500 Mag and the half lug had been my "Obama" gun in the paranoid event that some anti big bore revolver legislation would come up. So, I decided to go back to the original, noticeably heavier than the PC and more muzzle heavy, makes it more comfortable with heavy loads. Don

dani2002tii · Oct 4, 2015

sorry to bring up this old post. I am looking at a limited edition 500 and would love to see the photos listed above. thanks

Special Edition Model 500s

DonD

Member

kennyb

SWCA Member

ohiococonut

Member

kennyb

SWCA Member

ohiococonut

Member

kennyb

SWCA Member

DonD

Member

horns

Uraldriver

Member

DonD

Member

Satoken

Member

DonD

Member

dani2002tii

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