I was over at the local range a couple of days ago and they had a used 500 mag X frame in the case. I made the mistake of asking to look at it. I was curious as I had never seen a revolver that big before and I have the curiously American affliction of "enough is good but more than enough is a whole lot better" I am a hunter and have taken deer and wild pigs with my Ruger Black Hawk in 357. However I have wanted something bigger with more power and distance for some time. This gun looked as if it had been fired a few times but not much more than that. I was totally surprised at how well
it balanced in my hands. It was heavy but not too heavy. It had about an 8 1/2 inch barrel. I did not get to shoot it, but now I am intrigued. I have been looking into calibers and the Xframe in .460 S&W looks to me to be a great caliber. That gun can shoot 454 casul and 45 Colt as well. Is there anyone here with experience on the Xframe that can give me some of their insights on these guns?

No experience but when I was at a range a few months back a guy was shooting one. Sounded like a cannon going off. Very loud, but in a good way. Go for it.

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Bud

Too heavy...way too UGLY....too much recoil....far more power than needed for ANY deer in the world.....why not carry a rifle?

I have the Performance Center 10.5'' .460. It is scarey accurate and with it's heft and comped barrel is no more punishing to shoot than my 629s. That said, I would never recommend one for someone who doesn't reload. Handloading for this firearm really makes it shine. Mine is very particular about loads.....different components and different powder charges can make for big differences in POI. One problem with shooting .45LC and .454 Casull outta it. But if one reloads, once you find the load it likes you are in business. You can also load .460 brass to reduced recoil levels that are similar to shooting.45LC and .454 at a much lesser cost. If one doesn't reload, not only are factory options limited, but many of the true hunting loads are extremely expensive. This means unless one has money to burn one will never shoot their .460 enough to really realize and appreciate it's accuracy. If you don't reload or intend to reload, I suggest you stick with .44mag. Other drawback is one must always wear ear protection when shooting the .460. Every single time, even when hunting. Believe me, you don't ever want to shoot a .460 without. That goes for anyone shooting or hunting next to you. I use electronic muffs when hunting, they work well, and once you get used to them, you forget you are wearing them.

Hey Frank, you got a relative named Elmer, likes to hunt wabbits?

I have to confess, my views on the X frames were similar, until I had the opportunity to handle one. Yes, they are big, but not as ungainly as I had imagined. And, if you read up on the development of these guns, you can gain a real appreciation for the art and engineering that has gone into them.

I ended up bringing the one I looked at home, the price was to good to pass. Haven't shot it yet, but I am looking forward to it. I am planning on handloading if I am going to keep it, since I enjoy shooting more when it is not causing me pain. But, there is something pretty cool about being able to hurl large lead projectiles with accuracy from a handgun.

Other than that, I'm with the OP in that I'd like to see what others with X frame experience have to say.


Oh, since I don't have a good photo of my new aquisition yet, here's what it looks like:

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I've fired several the past few years. and I DO own a FA M-83 in .454 C.

Always recall hunting with a guy who could only shoot his from a REST...too heavy to hold at arms length otherwise. I'm sorry..that equates to me as TOO HEAVY.

How much power is ENOUGH? I've killed elk..handily..with the .44 mag from a standard 6.5" M-29. No need for scopes, 10" barrels, slings or bipods.

Buy whatever You wish gentleman...I think the X frames look like something Wiley Coyote would unlimber from a box marked "ACME Firearms" Then chamber a shot glass sized slug to blow away Roadrunner.

I can understand the .460's as one can use .45 Colts and .454 C's. But the .500's to me are for guys with small wieners wanting to appear Manly to their Range buddies. "I'm makiing a lot of NOISE..Look at these HUGE bullets...watch me endure this mammoth recoil". Insert tongue in cheek...smiley face..HERE.

Fn in MT

Nuttin' really manly about being infatuated with the size other male's wieners either. Must be a Montana thing, eh?

Yep.....all the same things were said about the 44 mags when they were introduced. Do I perceive a bit of "handgun envy"?

I'd place my anatomy, hunting experience and hunting success against any of the "nay sayer's" who use the same old over used comments to attempt to belittle these very fine and useful newer calibers.

Yes they are loud.. Yes they have additional recoil.... Yes they weigh a little more....

No -- they are not for everyone. You've gotta own one, shoot one and use one in the field to appreciate all the qualities and unmatchable usefulness of these fine guns...

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Terry

Fletchman,
If you have the opportunity to shoot a S&W 500 first before buying one I'd suggest you do so. It's quite a step up in every aspect from a .357mag. I'd hate to see you end up being one of the posters that can say "I used to own one, but..." And unless you have deep pockets be prepared to hand load or you won't be shooting it much.

2hawk,
I didn't get the chance to tell you in "your" post, the gun you bought was from a limited run of 500 made. Very well balanced, even with a scope mounted on it.

Frank,
You've been a member since 02' so you're at least 9yrs old. Grow up

A thang like that needs a tripod and an ammo carrier. Definately a two man squad weapon.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

If that inverse proportionality thing really holds true, I'm going to start wearing a lapel pin that openly proclaims my well-known preference for I-frames.

To be serious, since I feel the need to be from time to time, I think the 460 XVR is about the best multi-purpose big-bore revolver out there. You can reload if you want to, but if you don't feel like it you can shoot a bunch of differently powered loads that are readily available. I haven't heard anybody say they shoot .455 Mk II in theirs, but I guess it would work. Maybe .45 Auto Rim, too.

I can see weight as a possible issue, but I have long believed that a lot of handgun accuracy and shooting comfort necessarily resides in the forearms and the deltoids -- biceps not so much. If you can do a hundred small circles in each direction with your arms straight out to the sides and two to three pounds in each hand, that helps a lot. If you can do a 10-15 side lifts with 15 pound dumbbells (or 25 with 10 pounders), that's good training too. None of this will make you look like a pro wrestler, but it will let you get to the point of holding a 3-5 pound revolver straight out in front of you with no pain and fair stability. Just pick the kind of muscle comfort you want when you shoot and train for it.

I do have a 4" .500, which I bought because the price was right. Basically it's just a collectible. A lot of S&W products are not much different from Franklin Mint commodities, which they sell because people tend to feel reassured or secure (in a variety of different ways, to be sure) when they buy them. This one makes me feel good because when it goes off I feel like I have under my control a hand full of heavy weather. In that instant I almost don't care what the accuracy is like, but after the fact I am almost always impressed that the hole is pretty close to where I wanted it to appear. So it can function as a precision firearm even if that is not really why I bought it.

Back to the point: I think you are right to consider a 460. You definitely want to shoot a 500 before yielding to any temptation you might feel to buy one, and maybe you even want to find a place that rents 460s and shoot one there. Good luck with your decision.

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David Wilson

Well a heavy loaded .500 Mag has FAR more killing power than any .30-06, it's more like a .375 H&H and in a holster rig across the chest you hardly know it's there. Far more pleasant than lugging a rifle. Don

Thanks for all the feedback. I have a friend with a 454 casull and we are going to the range this weekend so I can get a feel for a big magnum revolver before investing in one. I have plenty of rifles that have killed lots of critters. The point of having a big xframe is "handgun hunting". I have hunted with a 357 as I said before and its a great round but doesnt have the reach I want nor the power I prefer. I have looked at 10mm, 41mag and 44 mag. I really havent ruled out anything. One thing I have noticed is there seem to be a lot of 500 mags for sale. Maybe folks like me who are intrigued by it but have found it's more than they want. There are some deals out there. Also I have found the existance of the 500 S&W special. Is a lighter load with ballistics in the 44 mag range. Only company that I have found that makes it is Corbon. Anyway, will let you guys know my thoughts after the shoot this weekend.

Pick your poison

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Holy smokes man!!!

i have had the chance to shoot a snub 500 and a 8 and something 500 loved it

im looking for a es 460 (snub) it has around 3 times more recoil then my de50 the short one had more rise the longer one had more of a straight back push neither are uncontrollable

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BIG GUNS & FAST CARS!!