Bought A 8 3/8 500 Mag, What do I Need to Know?

[DJDave]

it's 6 months old, bought from the original buyer new.

Colt Defender for Size comparison.



Ammo Sources, Grip, Stance, Whatever Else I May need to know.

I Know reloading is best for Ammo, But where I Live rolling my own is not a option. Besides Shooting it 50 Rounds a Year or so is all I'm Looking at anyway.

I Do Know about the changeable front Sight, And the reasons for that option.

I Have not shot it yet, I was given 12 rounds of Fusion 375 Grain Ammo to start with.

-13 this morning, so shooting will wait a few days. LOL

Thanks in advance.

[lrrifleman]

Dave,

It sure is a nice looking revolver. Sadly, I can't really offer much assistance, since I have never been interested in handheld launchers (no offense intended). Being disabled with an arm injury, I have some personal reservations shooting my 41 Magnum with standard magnum loads.

Honestly, I would have wonder why you purchased it, especially if you only plan to fire about 50 rounds a year. Shooting it that infrequently, you will never master it!

Never having fired something that powerful, I can only speculate. I would suggest a very stable, modified Weaver stance with a two handed hold. If Pachmyer still makes a cushioned back strap grip, I would invest in it. I would strongly recommend really good eye and hearing protection. Aside from that, you are on your own, my friend!

[DocB]

I know that if you run out of ammunition, you can beat your target to death.

[ken158]

Plugs and muffs, shooting gloves are helpful too and shoot 350 grain reloads until you have gotten used to it...

[DJDave]

Originally Posted by lrrifleman

Dave,

It sure is a nice looking revolver. Sadly, I can't really offer much assistance, since I have never been interested in handheld launchers (no offense intended). Being disabled with an arm injury, I have some personal reservations shooting my 41 Magnum with standard magnum loads.

Honestly, I would have wonder why you purchased it, especially if you only plan to fire about 50 rounds a year. Shooting it that infrequently, you will never master it!

Never having fired something that powerful, I can only speculate. I would suggest a very stable, modified Weaver stance with a two handed hold. If Pachmyer still makes a cushioned back strap grip, I would invest in it. I would strongly recommend really good eye and hearing protection. Aside from that, you are on your own, my friend!

No Offence taken

When I go to the range, I Take all my handguns.
12 is the count at the moment.

So devoting all my attention on one of them is not normal for me, I like to shoot them all.

The current grips are gel grips, so the best ones are already on it as far as I know.

I Also am Disabled, (Shoulder tendonitis/Both shoulders) And Shooting Anything, Well there's a price to pay as you yourself well know.

But I Love to shoot Pistols/Revolvers, So I will Pay the price a few times a year. I'm sure I'll be shooting the Smaller 325 to 400 Grain Ammo anyway, I Have no need or wish to be shooting the 700 Grain T-rex Ammo.

You only live once, So There's nothing more "American" In My opinion than to Owning A Hemi Charger, (I Do) Eating a Triple Whopper with A 72 Oz Drink From time to time, Or Owning a hand cannon if one wishes to.

Doc, It would make a hell of a club. LOL

[F75gunslinger]

Doubling up on hearing protection is a must with the X frame guns..plugs under muffs. Other than that..shoot and enjoy.

[snuffy51]

Now get you a box of Buffalo Bore 18B/20- 440gr.-LFNGC-1625fps-2579ft.lbs. ME. Just to have the biggest and the baddest, reason enough for me. At least you would be ready for the aliens when they get here. I would set myself up with that outfit in a heartbeat, if I had the means, just to have it. My only problems are that I still like having my old wife around and I like to eat. Congratulations on your purchase. Hang onto it.

[DJDave]

Originally Posted by F75gunslinger

Doubling up on hearing protection is a must with the X frame guns..plugs under muffs. Other than that..shoot and enjoy.

Thanks Ken and F75.

[KalamazooKid]

Extra ear protection and hang on as mentioned. You'll love it. I have a 460 so I have the option to let new shooters (to this gun) shoot a cylinder of 45 Colts to "warm up" to it before loading the 460's. Here's my son's GF shooting it (with no problem I might add). The ultra padded grip that comes on them works fine. Just tingles the hand a bit.

[HOUSTON RICK]

Don't forget to fill out the Environmental Impact Statement.

[muggers29536]

What KalamazooKid said. I have the 460XVR. Gloves (fingerless) and double ear protection are important. With the XVR I start out with 45LC, then a couple of 454Casull, then the 460. Caution.... Spectators with blow a sinus or two with the concussion. Still, the 460 and 500 are a real hoot!

[SFArmory]

I have the 7 1/2 " PC 500 and I shoot it alot. I'm not sensitive to recoil at all and quite honestly I can't wrap my head around all the nay sayers. It's not for everyone but there are many guns that aren't for everyone. So far I have shot up to 500 gr bullets through mine. I'm finally getting the reloading stuff together for it as well. My advise would be when you first shoot it take it one at a time, don't load the full cylinder. Let the trigger surprise you and the accuracy will amaze you. I simply live this versatile caliber. Enjoy.

[Model52guy]

Hard to find a decent concealed carry holster for that one.

[Kent J]

As previously stated double up on ear protection and only load one chamber at a time. The recoil can catch you by surprise at first and cause you to double tap. That's where a lot of people get into trouble. Winchester and Magtech both offer reduced recoil ammo for the 500. Get some of this till you get used to the recoil.
Good Luck and have fun

[two-bit cowboy]

Here's mine from the first year they were out. I hate it that S&W built this on a K-frame grip--my only complaint. I think I'm going to try a pair of Herret stocks for a better handle on the beast. I love shooting it, though.

Enjoy.

[DJDave]

Originally Posted by SFArmory

I have the 7 1/2 " PC 500 and I shoot it alot. I'm not sensitive to recoil at all and quite honestly I can't wrap my head around all the nay sayers. It's not for everyone but there are many guns that aren't for everyone. So far I have shot up to 500 gr bullets through mine. I'm finally getting the reloading stuff together for it as well. My advise would be when you first shoot it take it one at a time, don't load the full cylinder. Let the trigger surprise you and the accuracy will amaze you. I simply live this versatile caliber. Enjoy.

I'm Taking the advice to heart.

A Shooting glove and to Help with my tendonitis I'm Also thinking of getting a Shooting Stick to support the 500 At Arms Length.

Holding at arms length without support would hurt me more that the recoil.

well that's my guess, soon to find out...

thanks to everyone so far.

[Brasky]

Don't put your fingers in front of the cylinder

[STCM(SW)]

Recoil is less then a full charged M29 44 magnum.
The revolver will go up but not back hard on the hands.


This is the grandson shooing it when he was 16.

[roscoepc]

Welcome to the "500 Club" DJ!! I'd suggest the Winchester 350gr JHP Reduced Recoil rounds for a pretty good range round. The muzzle velocity is 1350 fps with the muzzle energy being 1416 ft/lbs. After trying this round vs a Winchester 400gr JHP Platinum Tip and a Federal 270gr JHP Vital Shok the 350gr won out as far as the round the gun seemed to like the best as far as recoil and control of the weapon.

In the FWIW Dept. my 500 is identical to yours except mines got the Interchangeable Compensator.... Have Fun with her and Be Safe!!!