I'm familiar with the 8-3/8" beast. I like it enough that I have a couple. Now, The 3-1/2 version (11623) has caught my interest.

What should I expect for differences in terms of recoil, report, or grin/cringe?

Shoot it for your friends at sunset so they can admire the beach-ball sized fireball!

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Science plus Art

They're all loud & they all kick, no getting around it... that's what makes the grin.

In some ways, the short barrel has less "whip", to me.

If you reload you can make "reduced" loads that are still a handful but not quit as brutal, & are a lot cheaper.

I like that model too but I'll probably be sticking with the one I've got, for now. Let us know how you like it if you get one.

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460XVR CARRY & 500ES

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Waiting for the break of day

Thanks for sharing your experience Bluedot...

There's something about the X-Frame that really clicks for me.

Just like closing a door on a vault, the X-Frame does the same thing. Positive action, substance, quality - the sound and feel is sublime.

My only reservation on a short barrel 500 is my experience with launchers for .357 Mags... a 6" 686 vs a (what is it - 2-1/8"?) 340PD... same cartridge, a different galaxy of experience. I like 'em both for sure, but the difference between a 8-3/8 and 3-1/2 in the 500???

I have both the 2 3/4" Model 500ES and one of the 4" 500s. Though the 4" is only 3" of barrel and 1" of comp.
They are fun little guns. I have put everything from little 275 grain JHPs to the big 725 grain wadcutters through the shorties.

My first 500 was actually a 12" Encore that we set up about 6 months before Smith and Wesson introduced the revolver.
The shark gill muzzle brake is removable and I have a thread protector to go in it's place when firing lead projectiles. I have since learned it is not that big an issue with water quenched, hard cast bullets so I no longer remove it

I sold off my 10 1/2" and 6 1/2" Smith and Wesson 500s and have only kept the two shorties and my 5" John Ross Special

"Actual recoil" with the shorties is less than the long barrels, however there can be more muzzle flip which many folks perceive as recoil

If you hand-load, report and muzzle blast will be a product of the powder that you have selected and how much of it you choose to stuff in the case.

Yeah, but there's a much greater difference in weight between those 357s, almost half as much.

The only other 500Mag I've shot is my son's 4" which is essentially the same weight as the 3-1/2".

If you really have a desire for a snubby you could always have it Mag-Na-Port'd like the previous owner of my 460 did. The downside is you get a little more of the blast directed toward you, but with the 500 that's hard to get away from with the shorty's.

Again, you can handload down to what ever power level you like with it. I always take some light loads to shoot before the hotter loads, just to get my feet wet with before jumping in.

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460XVR 3-1/2" PC - MagNaPort close-up

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Waiting for the break of day

The front sight on your 460... a gold bead?

Nice.

Are the front blades interchangeable on these by the slide and lift method, or was a smith involved?

Yes, they are the quick change (DX) style. The SDM gold bead was on it when I bought it but it "flew off" after a hot load at the range. I decided to put a SDM fiber optic sight, post #3 above, on instead (after modifying the set screw so I wouldn't lose another) and I really like it.

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Waiting for the break of day

I've shot a few hundred rounds out of both a 4" and 6" versions (I don't own one but have friends that do - I was also a guest up at the S&W Factory about 9 years ago and shot theirs). The 4" seemed louder and had a bit more kick, but at least to me the noise on both were the deal breaker. I have also shot both barrel lengths at indoor and outdoor Ranges and would strongly suggest that they be shot only outdoors! Even with ear plugs in combination with muffs, the noise was deafening indoors and after 40 rounds indoors I was done!

I own the 500 in 4inch, 6,5 inch and the performance center 7.5 inch hunter. Honestly the shorter 500s kick noticeably less. With that being said the fire ball is impressive. I have an X frame addiction, maybe someone should star a support group.

Thanks for the heads up on hearing protection!

My first experience with a 500 was about 10 years ago when I shot a rental at an indoor range. I ran the target out 15', took aim, and fired. First thing I noticed is that the target had disappeared! The muzzle blast blew the target up to the ceiling, and it took a moment to drift down... after reeling it back in, I saw a hole in the black.

It was that experience that led me to buy one... I just HAD to have a pistol that literally blows the target away!

"Hello, everyone... I'm Flipside, and I'm addicted to X-Frames."

Well, the addiction continues... ordered one from my LGS today