There is a 4 inch 500 mag locally for sale. Something about it intrigues me and at the same time, it seems almost silly.

How about some quick, concise opinions on these?

BTW, I'm not afraid of recoil.

Thanks

IMHO, no other reason for this to exist other than 'One upsmanship'. I guess if you live in a region prone to attack by rabid Brown Bears, or have a problem with Rosie O'Donnell persistently rooting thru your garbage then get it, if they really intrigue you go for it. Ammo is expensive, even reloading for it is costly.
Of course I scoffed at people who bought Microsoft stock at the IPO, "Personal Computers, bahh, what a joke"....so take my advice with large grains of salt.
Seriously, if you want it, get it. Life is short, enjoy.
RD

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Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

I'd like to have one, just to be able to say I've got one. Ammo will bankrupt you if you shoot a lot. I say if the price is right and it turns you on, git it!

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Get off my lawn.

You can still hunt with a 4 inch. Put a scope on it and hammer away. I know a guy that hunting with a 5 inch 460.

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The kool-aid Sigma drinker

The .460 can also shoot 454 Casual & 45 Long Colt & that makes it alot more versitile than the 500 IMO..
I'd even bet that some of the .410 handgun loads could also be used in the .460..

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MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson

I see where you are coming from, but the one available locally is a 500. I have yet to see a 460 for sale around here.

The 500's performance envelope is wider than the 460's. Trimming an eighth inch off the brass doesn't make it different.

I gotta vote with the silly part, unless you run into frequent grizzlys or Rosie. However, if it spins your prop- go fer it.

I hunt and fish Montana quite a bit. Might come in handy there.

To each his own, but it would not be for me. If I need that much power, I'll carry a rifle. That's what they're for.

LOUD, very very freakishly LOUD. About a month ago I was spending some "quality time" with my 617 when the fellow in the next land broke one out. Because it's a 50 yard indoor rifle range I always double up on hearing protection, however the 500 Magnum is loud enough that you feel it in your bones and feel the backdraft in your face. I put the 617 down and just stepped back from the bench to enjoy the fireworks. With the hearing protection I found it a bit enjoyable, sort of like the big boomers on the 4th of July. However, the young lady in the lane on the other side of the 500 Magnum shooter was visibly shocked and looked to be on the edge of tears.

I have to give the shooter credit, he was grouping at about 3 inches at 15 yards, which considering the recoil and muzzle blast is rather exceptional in my opinion. However, when talking to him later I suggested in the future that he might want to have the RO announce to the firing line than an extremely LOUD handgun was going to be used and suggest that those sensitive to having a stick of dynamite detonated 15 feet away should step back from the firing line and just enjoy the fireworks.

BTW, this wasn't the first time I've been exposed to the volume produced by the 500. The first time it was the 8 3/8 inch version, which I believe is a bit quieter than the 4 inch gun. However, with no warning it was still enough to have me levitate about 8 inches above ground. It's also when I learned to double up on the hearing protection, make it a lot less of a shock when someone opens up with something exceptional. I've also never seen more than 10 rounds expended by anyone shooting one of these big boys, considering the cost of the ammo that's not too surprizing.

If you can afford it and it's ammo, plus can tolerate the recoil, then go for it. Take it from a grumpy old man, you only live once and you may as well enjoy the time you have here.

Yeah, but a rifle can't fit on my belt while I'm fly fishing.

Oh, go ahead. If you don't like it, you can sell it for almost as much as you paid for it.

I bought mine used off a consignment shelf a couple of years ago. I haven't shot it much, but it groups as well as it needs to and it's kind of fun in a noisy, not too responsible kind of way.



This was actually 10 shots at 10 yards. Ignore the X-ed out label. The rounds were very soft home defense loads, the equivalent of a jacked-up .44 Special or low-end .44 Magnum.

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David Wilson

The "4 inch" 500 is really 3 1/4" of barrel and 3/4" of compensator. Or was it 5/8" of compensator?

Either way, the short barrel doesn't have the length to stabilize the big bullets. If you want to shoot the heavy lumps, you'd prefer a little more barrel. If you're gonna carry it, the 4" may be your ideal gun.

IMHO, a 5" barrel with no underlug or compensator is perfect.

Thanks guys. You helped me decide to not get it. I have other options I can carry on my fishing trips, that aren't so darned expensive to shoot.

I've shot both the 5" and 8" 500 and both are very shootable and accurate. If the 4' floats your boat, go for it.

I almost bought a used 5" 460 last year, but already have the 8", so I thought one hand cannon in my stable was enough.

hmmm...get it why not??

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

You're fly fishing enjoying the outdoors, babbling brooks, chirping birds, scampering squirrels. Oops, there is an angry bear!

Drop flyrod, pull your trusty 500 from your fast draw holster and fire 3 rounds killing the bear and saving your life. It's sooo quiet. No birds, no squirrels, just incredible silence, maybe just a slight ring in the ears.

Welcome to the world of the deaf! No one wears ear protection fly fishing!

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S&WHF 366

If I was in bear country, that 500 would be glued to my chest, but that's just me.

If your a reloader than the 500 makes a great handgun. It's accurate and if you want it loud, just keep the comp on, otherwise remove it and the gun sounds like a 44. Believe it or not, that comp is worthless, except for annoying anyone within 50 yards of you...

I've been shooting one since they came out, and I've waited like 4-5 months for the first one.
If you like recoil and really big holes, there is no other gun that will totally put a big grin on your face. Don't fool yourself your going to get a work out shooting it. Of course, shooting a cylinder full won't hurt you or break the bank, it's when you shoot 50-100 at a time of the full power loads. Then you sit down and are tired, just like you wrestled a 300LB piano out of the basement.

I enjoy the gun, most do. Also, I've seen everyone grin ear to ear after they fire the first shot.

Find somebody that has one and try it. If you find it fun then go for it.

Last year during the winter time, I fired several rounds at 200 yards using my 350gn reloads. If sighted in at 20 YRDs, the POI is darn close to 200 yards, at least by the snow hits. Sure I didn't make a 2" group but the splashes were on.

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NRA Benefactor Member

When this gun came out in 2003 I broke my shooting hand. I was out of work for 6 weeks. That's when I went down and dropped nearly 900 bucks for the first model.

The cast came off and I was told to get back to work. The hand was still sore, and I just wanted to try out that big gun. I was working up full power 44 magnum loads and could shoot them fine.

I figured I was good to go. I grabbed the 400gn Corbon loads that I purchased with the gun and headed off to the range. No one has even seen such a beast and I didn't know what to expect.

I loaded it up and fired 1 shot. That gun hurt my hand so bad I nearly dropped the revolver! I fired one shot and drove home thinking I broke the hand again...

When I got home, the hand felt better, no damage. I realized what I did. I was so concerned about the recoil, I locked my elbow and wrist, so when the gun recoiled, it just drove straight back and jammed all the joints in my arm. The hand was sore anyway's, which didn't help.

To shoot this gun, keep a firm grip but keep your elbow slightly bent. With this shooting stance the elbow will act like a shock absorber. No jammed joints!! That's my tip in shooting it.

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NRA Benefactor Member

Hey, even the 'Bones' gal (Fox TV's 'Bones' show!) has a 4" S&W .500 Magnum...

I wanted one in 4" - no comp - after seeing/shooting an early 8 3/8" .500. Still having a .454 SRH at the time, I knew what a decent push was. Shooting outdoors - late in the afternoon - the .500 was more - the flash seemed more - but the noise was a lot more - and my main memory. My use? 440gr LWC's at 'special' velocities - 800 fps - for 'personal protection', not urban renewal - like 'regular' .500 Magnums. The only non-comp model I know of is the 5" John Ross .500 Magnum pictured earlier - it was a bit over my price.

The desire passed - my last few S&W revolver purchases were .357/.38 & .22 rimfire. If you don't act fast - the desire will wane... mine did... until I saw this post... I wonder if there are any 5" John Ross .500's left?

Stainz

I'm almost certain he has some left. Give him a call! The gun's value is more stable than cash right now.

I have never seen a private party selling a JR gun. They're that good. No one sells them.

Most of the handguns and rifles I own have very little real world "need" involved. I thought they were cool, I liked them, I was curious, whatever, if I had the scratch I bought them.

I sold my 8-3/8 inch M-500 and M-460. I kept my 4 inch M-500. Not the logical thing, but I liked the cool factor of the short gun best.

I just bought speed loaders for the 500, too. What the heck do I need speed loaders for a 500 for?

If you don't like it, you can always resell it. Any monetary loss you may encounter is usually fairly inexpensive entertainment and/or education.

That's how I look at it, anyway.

I have both of the .500's the 4" you were asking about and the 6.5" half lug barrel. And I have both the .460's the 5"V and the 8 3/8"XVR. The .500's are something else, both are different than each other, the 4" has a really good snap to it and as Magnum Nut said don't fight it use the elbow and it is quite managable. The 6.5" is a bit tamer but not too much. As for accuracy once you get over them making you nervous the first time out they group quite well. I use 350 grain loads and my grandson who is 14 can shoot it, and not too bad either. In fact his very first shot with the 4", ( I broke him in with the .460XVR with lite loads), he hit a water filled milk jug at about 30 feet. That sold him! Anyway you should get it, they have done nothing but increase in value and if the price is right get it and you won't be sorry. It is not the target gun to shoot 200 rounds thru, just take it to the range get the feel of it and then when you go out fishing a T-Rex won't even be able to mess with you, much less a bear. I enjoy all my big guns. I don't shoot a lot at the range with them. I take my 617's and my 686P, and my 29's when I go. Then just to keep in practice with them I let everyone know "EARS" and run a few rounds thru the barrel just to stay current. Plus everyone gets a sound and light show. I would say to get it you can't go wrong, I did like you and kept saying should I or shouldn't I and got the 6.5". It was so impressive I decided to get the 4", so my pair would complete the set like my pair of .460's. Hope this helps your decision, you will have a "BLAST" and some really great protection when you are out fishing and that bear decides you are messing with his lunch and wants to get you away from his fish. Take care and hope you get it you will be glad you did. The .460's are fun and the .500's are even more. Enjoy!

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Craig

I have one. I bought it when we went to Alaska fishing. You have to reload for it to have any fun.I,ve taken 2 deer 2 wild boar & a black bear. I use 375 gr cast bullets with Lil' gun or Trail Boss.Its kind of mild
with the Trail Boss. Try it you,ll like.

old man 2

Given a choice between temporary hearing loss or the alternative, I'll choose to stick around and say "Huh?"

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NRA - All Day

Common sense prevailed. I passed on it. I had surgery on my hand not so long ago that I can forget what I went through. No sense tempting fate.

I have a few other guns that will do what I need. Thanks for all the input.

Nah, I got a non-comp model too, it's kinda rare. When S&W made the 460, they offered different comps for it, plus a no hole comp. I bought a few and modified them to run in the 500.

Too bad S&W won't make anymore. I snail-mailed them to purchase a run of blanks and they frankly refused. Even if I ordered 500 the answer was no.

Anyway a few guys have the 500 this way.

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NRA Benefactor Member

I have one of the very first 8 3/8" 500s with the permanently attached smaller comp, and an early 4" with the removable/switchable ones. The 4" is really a 3" with the last inch being the comp. I've shot both guns fairly extensively although in all honesty I shoot the longer one more. Presumably because of the design of the comp, I find the 'sting' to the hand to be less in the 4" than in the longer gun with identical loads, but the blast/flash is considerably greater, almost stunning. I've chronographed for comparison sake a number of factory and handloads and find that the 4" is about 200 fps, give or take, slower with max or close to max loads.

I live in NW Montana and spend a fair amount of time in griz country during the summer, and that was my rationale for buying the 4" (I had owned the 8 3/8" for a couple of years before I did), to carry while hiking, camping and huckleberry picking in the mountains here. And that's what I do with it. That chunk of steel on my belt is quite comforting.

I own and shoot a S&W 500 and I've got to say, those holes don't look like 1/2" holes to me, especially against your 500 handgun?
Steve

That bottom hole looks like one.

Heh. I was thinking the same thing.

My coworker owns a 2-3/4" 500 and brought with him to my gun club.
I took one shot and put it down and walked away. Way too much recoil and way too loud. Hurt my ears as much as my hands.
I own a 29-2 and shoot full load 44 mag with no hesitation but will not shoot the 500 again. Plus he stated the bullets cost him $3 each.

Only reason to own one is when hiking/fishing/camping or hunting in brown bear territory.

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2B1ASK1

I know the op already decided not to, but if your still reading reconsider. If my assumptions are correct, you decided in not going with it because of ammo cost. I do admit that ammo is expensive, but if you look at it per usage as opposed to per bullet, it's as practical as any other magnum revolver. Meaning if I go to the range, I will shoot around 50-100 rounds of .357 as that's my carry gun. If your buying it at Wal-Mart and paying 25 a box, that's 50 dollars right there. V.s the .500 mag, you will spend 60 for a box of 20 rounds at a big box store but the difference is, that you won't shoot all 20. You will most likely shoot 5-10. Making it about 30 bucks per use, as opposed to 50....this is of course basing it on the model I've just presented. That being said, you can buy .500 ammo for as low as 1.60 p. Round. This is not uncommon. HSM Bear load in 440 grain can be regularly found at this price and don't be fooled by the off brand and low price, these bad boys THUMP.
I personally have the 4" model..well the 3 1/4 with compensation and I LOVE IT! I don't hunt with mine, I solely use it for total anhilation of random objects. Seriously you will never have so much fun in your life. Now if I planned to hunt with it I would go with the larger barrels, probably the 8 inch.. As in revolver loads the longer barrels yield the optimal performance. But for more fun than you can ask for and for fending off Chris Christie and Rosie odonnel during mating season, this is your gun!

The recoil believe it or not isn't as bad as you think..actually not bad. You won't agree with me at first, but after you've had it for a while and get comfortable with it, you realize while it has a insane recoil the gun is so well designed that other smaller calibers hurt more to shoot. Most folks when they first shoot the 500, including myself, anticipate the recoil and brace too much. Being tense makes it worst. Once you become comfortable with the recoil, you're able to relax your body, while keeping a firm grip on it. For instance, the recoil in my k frame snub hurts way worse with 18p grain loads, than the 500. The 500 recoil is more of a push as best as I can describe it.

Lastly you will hear a lot of people telling you to pick the 460..while it's an excellent gun in its own right, in no way shape or form is it the 500. I think a lot of those comments come from folks who don't own either of them and just regurgitate info they've read elsewhere. You can find bullets as light as 300 grain and as heavy as 700 grain with the 500 magnum. That is a wide Variety of fun, capability and power.

I don't see why not!

I stopped trying to justify a gun purchase with some perceived "need" a long time ago. Now, if the only reason is that I might like owning and shooting a gun that I think is kinda cool, that's okay. If it's a good deal besides, that's even better.

Like others before me stated, you can always get your money out of it later if it's not your cup of tea.

A friend of mine was fascinated by them for a while. His had a longer barrel, I think it was 8". He handloaded almost all his ammo, and I got to shoot it quite a bit. He sold it for close to the same amount that he paid. I liked it, but the .44 Mag is as big as I need, and I usually shoot a target load through those anyway.

If you don't reload already, you'll want to consider it if you want to shoot more than just a little.

Edit: Wow, I didn't read the date of the OP!

Lol right at you...when you said this I took a look.

Yes, I agree but, the others don't. Sorry, I missed that one.
Steve

I learned to Fly Fish Alaska with a 12 ga. short barreled Remington 870 over my left shoulder muzzle down. Yes, I dipped the muzzle into the water a few times while bending over to retrieve a fish. I always carried a small can of WD 40 for that event. ...... The reason I switched to the 870 from a S&W M 29 was the day that I was about knee deep in a stream Fly casting into a riffle just above me when I heard a low cough behind me. I turned and found a young female Grizzly sitting on the bank about 10 yds. from me. She didn't care for me turning and watching her so she quietly left. I knew full well that while I was standing out that deep in water my only option I had if she became too interested in me would be to shoot. AND, I knew instantly that the M 29 was not enough gun. .....

I have 2 44 mags and a bunch of 45s both colt and acp as well as some 357s. I have absolutely no use for a 500. But I have 1 and love to take it out and blast a few off once in a while. Yup, I am a "gun nut"

I have a 5" .454 (Toklat) and recoil from that can be brutal, depending on the chosen load. To be honest that's really I care to get behind, don't think I'll ever need anything bigger.

I have no doubt DCWilson's holes are from the 500. My greatly reduced handloads look the same on paper.

Wow factor gun. I would love to have one, but quite frankly 357 does it for me. Price of the gun is not so prohibitive as the ammo. Maybe if this one client finally pays up.

A few times a year a 460 or 500 shows up in the consignment case at the LGS. Usually with a box of ammo less 5 rounds or "doesn't look like it was ever shot". They sell briskly compared to most revolvers.
I was tempted by an 8" 460, but for me 44 mag in an L frame is enough fun.

It's neat that this thread has been revived, and rather timely for me. The 4" Mod 500 is on my shopping list for 2016. I currently own two other 500s. One is the plain jane 6-1/2" production model, the other is a 7-1/2" PC model. Both are tack drivers. I roll all my own for the 500 as well.

For some reason I just want to add the 4" model to the collection. I know it has no practical application, then again...neither do the other two 500s!

Sometimes we just want what we want. Now the challenge is to start saving my lunch money.

Hope everyone here had a Merry Christmas, and best wishes for a much better 2016!

Milder velocities don't necessarily mean smaller holes.
Steve

I should have phrased that a little differently. My reduced handloads with Berry's plated 350gr RNFP bullets punch the same size holes. To look at my groups on paper they look like 38spl or 40 cal holes. If you look closely at the holes you can see it is a big bore.

Actually 500 bullets are available from 275 to 740 grains; but 460 bullets are available from 200 to 720 grains- an even wider range of weight. While it is true the 500 does produce a little more kinetic energy, a couple hundred ft/lbs doesn't mean much when either can produce over 3000 ft/lbs.

There is a noticeable difference in recoil impulse even when rounds produce same or similar kinetic energy. The 500 has a much more noticeable push into the palm and rotational torque into the hands. Either one requires hearing protection.

Not everyone can shoot or enjoy these big bore revolvers, but then there are those that like nothing more.

Anyone considering either should also take up reloading, it allows the owner to unlock the full potential of the chosen cartridge.

I have a number of both but prefer the 460.

Good luck and be safe
Ruggy

That's pretty neat, I actually didn't know that the 460 had bullets that heavy. I've only ever seen them up to the 400ish range. Thanks for educating me.

The only role I personally see for the S&W 500 Mag is as a last ditch back up for big game hunting. If I were to ever buy one for that purpose I'd opt for the 6" or 8" model for better velocities and better handling characteristics.

I have shot a few hundred rounds out of 4" and 6" barreled models and since I don't think anybody would advocate one for a SD/CCW or EDC role I really don't see the purpose of the shorter barrel. YMMV of course.

Ruggy,you are my hero!