I love snubbies. I currently have one 2.5" Colt Python, two Ti-Scan J frame .357's, one 2" PC327 in .357 mag, one 2.5" Ruger Alaskan in 44 mag and one Colt Anaconda 44 mag which was cut down to 2.5" and quad-Magnaported. Magnaport does a great job at cutting longer barrels down to 2.5", reverse crown, quad-Magnaport, reinstall the front sight, and re-engrave with original markings.

I do not have a 500 yet but was thinking of having Magnaport do their "2.5" Magnum Carry Package" on an S&W500. On second thought, the ejector rod is so long it may not be possible to make a 2.5"er.

What do y'all think?
LittleAce

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WWJWD (what would John Wayne do?)

I don't know if it can be done but I would be afraid to shoot it if I had one. I have never fired a 500 but I have seen some videos and they bluffed me out. I am too old.

In addition to Deanodogs sentiment I would also be very concerned about preserving my hearing. The muzzle blast from such a beast would probably be about as loud as setting off a stick of dynamite about 5 feet away. One shot with that would have your ears ringing with even the best protection available and probably lead to instant ejection from any public range.

There is a factory 2.75" 500, now out of production (I think it was part of the Emergency/Bear Survival Kit but ones were sold without the package). It weighs more than all three of your current S & W revolvers combined, but they're out there.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

yep...simply buy a production 500...i have one as well as the 460 snub...lots of fun!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

The factory snubby is a hoot to shoot. As has alredy been stated, it is 2 3/4"

As others have said, get a factory gun.

My impression of Magnaport is that it is more effective as velocity increases, I doubt that it would help the 2.75" much.

About 35 yrs ago, I had a beautiful Ruger No. 1 in .458 Win Mag Magnaported. I have regretted it for 35 yrs. Didn't make much difference in recoil and disturbed the classic look of the gun. Don

Thanks for the info guys. I found a factory 2 3/4" 500 for sale that I am going to pick up. Now I need to find a nickled 2 1/2" Python to go with my royal blue model snubbie.

LittleAce

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WWJWD (what would John Wayne do?)

I am into big bore snubbies as well (Ruger Alaskan's, 329NG), and I get a lot of **** around here, because of it! On the ATV's, dirt bikes, or hiking, fanny pack carry works best for me, so clumsy longer barrels just don't work out. I will be looking for a 500 in the future, hope for a 2.75" ES, but might be forced to go with a 4" seeing the ES is out of production.

By the way, I have fired both the ES and 4" with Hornaday factory loads, and the recoil fears are more hype than reality. These are big heavy guns that absorb the recoil, and the excellent Hogue Tamer grips found on the Rugers and 500's, make a huge difference!

I have one just as pictured above. My EDC gun when I go out and about. I got stopped by a LEO one time and my ccw permit came up on the DMV records and he asked me what or if I was carrying. I told him my S&W .500 everyday going to get a gang banger day gun. He asked if he could see it and I said yes,and he said that he wanted to go to the range and shoot it one time. ????I told him ok but to leave his glock at home cause it could melt. LEO laughed. We went to the range and I gave him the details on how to hold it,he fired standing up,and then I see him on ground.LEO didnt hold .500 2.5 inch strong enough. I have pics on this but phone and computers are not working together to get pics on thread. Will try later.

The 460 ES version is a bit more-- actually a LOT more usable. I have one and shooting the 45LC cowboy loads is fun at the range. For 'serous' worn there are a number of heavy 'defense loads' in 45LC, 454 and 460. Dave

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Time Wounds All Heels

I am not a nickle fan, but I do have a few Pythons in Ultimate Stainless(sometimes refereed to as bright stainless).

I've got the ES model as well as four other 500's. Come to think of it, three of them are discontinued too.

Despite their claim I doubt magnaporting will have any effect on the beast at all, the barrel is simply too short.You certainly aren't going to get quad porting on that short barrel with the barrel nut involved. And as short at it is, even single porting will end up in the middle of the barrel trying to avoid it.

But, if it were done though it might make for an interesting light show at dusk with all of the burning powder coming out of those vents. You'll not only be deaf but blind!

I shoot the 500 with 4" (actually 3" with an inch of muzzle brake). It's harsh but not that bad. Take off the muzzle brake and it gets downright mean. My brother has a new part in the middle of his head for doing that. I imagine that's what the 2 3/4" feels like. Still manageable though with 4 lbs. of revolver.

But my 329 PD will put them all to shame! It's just plain viscious. 1st thing I did was put tamer grips on it like the 500. Made quite a positive difference, but I want the gell pack gloves with the 300 grain and over 44 mag loads.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I have always wanted 500 snubbie and have chance to get one (500 ES in kit box) at great price.
SC has night pistol hog hunting now when using a 9" or less barrel and no scope.
Wondering if the 500 ES with 2.75" barrel and lighter load would be accurate enough to do the job @ 25-35 yards?
Thanks, Buddy

The gun is really meant for close in work -- like dealing with a bear in a bad mood at close range (10yds or less) Short sighting radius and a heavy gun is not the choice for 30 to 35 yards. Dave

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Time Wounds All Heels

I have the same gun that Hondo44 references, an early-production so-called 4" which is actually a 3" with a detachable comp. As he says, with the comp the recoil isn't all that bad, but take it off and ouch! I've put a fair number of rounds through mine. While the comp definitely attenuates recoil to a fairly substantial degree, it makes the flash and blast downright astonishing. I've fired mine at dusk on a couple of occasions and saw spots for hours afterward.

Here's the beast:

Oh and a beautiful beast it is. When my dad was alive and I just got mine, we went to the range but I had not shown it to him. I pulled out my 29 and asked him to spot for me so he picked up the field glasses and focused on the target. Meanwhile I put down the 29 and snuck out the 500. Eventually after some time with no shot fired, he glanced over to see what the holdup was. The double take was classic and accompanied by the exclamation: "What the hell is that?"

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Jim
S&WCA #819

My first time shooting the 500es, it barely kicked up (I did take a step back tho). Just don't hold it limp like and you won't get smacked in the head with. I found it fairly accurate @ ~10 yards as well.

My 1st shooting the 4" was inspiring to say the least. I belive I READJUSTED MY BALANCE AS WELL (I weigh 160). But I have found it very steady to hold due to the weight and all factory loads to be very consistently accurate (although varying points of impact), particularly to ring the 24" gong ay 200 yards.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I know this is an old thread but last week at the range a fellow I just met had the 500 snubbie and was letting people fire it with factory loads. About five of us, one being a female shooter used his lighter reloads. The kick wasn't bad if you had a good grip and leaned into the shot. (I am a big buy.)

Harry is a NRA certified firearms instructor for pistol, rifle and shot guns so he is no goofball with a big gun. He is also loading up 250 or 500 rounds of .38 for me so that I can practice with what I will carry. A good guy to know.

Just wondered if you eve got it? (9 years) Hopefully you did NOT port it. I am sure you have found out that it shoots, 275, 300, 325,400, 450 well, but will tend to yaw with 500gr and above after 25 yards. Just wondering. Be Safe

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I BACK OUR BLUE

Theres no need for that. Just buy a snake eyes set and you'll have both your snubbie pythons in one go. Did you have a spare $18,000 lying around?

Mine just plain hurts... 4" with 700gr. Underwoods

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It doesn't even have to be dark to get some interesting flames off Mag-Na-Ports.

No ports on my 500ES.

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460 Carry with MagNaPorting
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Waiting for the break of day

The 4” is actually 3” with a compensator. I wouldn’t want it any shorter.

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213th FBINA

Really only a 1/4" in difference.

The 4"s comp makes it worse than the snubby without one, IMO.

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Waiting for the break of day