Hi Guys,

I was just wondering has anybody ever shoot the SW 500 7.5" (69.6 oz) with the muzzle brake compare to the SW 500 8 3/8 " (69.3 oz) with the compensators ?

I wonder which one was more effective with the same loads.

Thanks,

BTH

Potay-to potah-to.

Muzzle brakes on handguns are much more effective at making your sinuses and ears irritated than reducing recoil. The 500 is a very powerful gun, don't buy it if you can't ride the wave.

I own the 6.5 inch barrel .500 and it has the top ports. I think it shoots way better than the 8 3/8" barrel with the compensator. I have shot both and the 6.5 has a more horizontal kick than the long barrel. It also feels more balanced aiming for me.

I have the four inch Model 500. It came with a compensator. I purchased a solid comp from another member here. I really like shooting it more now.
As per other poster, to me comps on revolvers irritate me more with there extra noise then any modest recoil savings.
YMMV
Chris
P.S. I shoot mostly Power Pistol powder Berrys 350 grain plated out of mine.
I find Power Pistol to be a great medium powder for large case revolvers, somewhat slower then Unique, and I believe cleaner burning.

I would rather shoot one with no comp or porting. I have owned several S&W 500 Mags, they were all comp 'ed. I Bought a S&W 460 Mag end cap and had a member here do the machine work to fit the 500 Mag, I like it a lot better also. I had a BFR in 500 Mag and it came with not comp or porting, I sent it to Mag-na-port and had the rifle porting put on it. I really did not see the difference. To tell you the truth, I thing the comps and porting is a waste of time, and just plain noisy! But if it is their, it really does not matter, they all recoil a lot and are loud!

__________________
Endowment Life Member NRA

I have an 8 3/8" 500 (original configuration, with the integral compensator) and a 4" 500, with the interchangeable compensators. The biggest difference in recoil is from weight, with the lighter gun having greater felt recoil, no matter what the compensator configuration is. Of course, to feel the difference, you have to be shooting loads light enough to show it - with heavy loads, the recoil is at levels greater than you can feel a difference. My experience is that the compensators for the 4" gun (with the holes on the side and top) simply result in more muzzle blast reflected back at the shooter, making it rather unpleasant to shoot with light (350 grain or so) bullets at high speed, especially. The long tube gun is much more pleasant to fire with that ammo, as the muzzle blast is not felt to the extent it is from the 4" gun. An earlier poster beat me to the punch on the modified compensator insert that 500 Magnum Nut built, as I saw his ad on the forum just a few minutes too late! That 4" would be much more pleasant to shoot (although not as "mean" looking) with a non-compensated barrel. I'm not very recoil sensitive, but, with some loadings, the compensator design on the 4" gun (same comps on the other gun you're considering) is a pain when it comes to muzzle blast. I much prefer shooting 420 - 450 grain bullets at almost any proper loading in this gun (actually, makes it fun to shoot), and stay away from the light bullet/high speed loads. Hope this helps.

I know this thread is old but I would love to put my hands on a non perforated compensator for the 4 inch, 500 Smith & Wesson. I should intermediate loads and use the gun as a back up in bear country...without ear plugs. Is anyone still making these non perforated comps ? Please let me know. Thank you much.

Happy shooting.

I realize this is an old thread, however I am looking for a non perforated compensator for the 4 inch, 500 S&W. Anyone still making them ? Can anyone direct me to the right source ?

thank you and happy shooting.

Can anyone please point me in the right direction to obtain a non perforated for the 4 inch, 500 S&W please ?

Thank you much and happy shooting.

Hey There,

Did you ever find where to get a solid, non ported, compensator that fits the 500 mag? I recently just bought the 4” model and would love to pick one up. If anyone has any information or contacts I’d appreciate it.
Eric