500 S&W recoil injuries?

twoclones · Mar 8, 2009

Anyone had injuries from the recoil of the 500 S&W? Other than the YouTube gun to the head stuff...

I've heard 2 second hand stories and want to know if these are possible/probable. First one sounded plausible... firing with 330 grain ammo cause "lightening up the arm" feeling and cause some discomfort for the rest of the day. The second story was the very same gun and ammo being fired one handed which gave the shooter a "broken wrist".

Does this stuff really happen?

twoclones · Mar 8, 2009

Anyone had injuries from the recoil of the 500 S&W? Other than the YouTube gun to the head stuff...

I've heard 2 second hand stories and want to know if these are possible/probable. First one sounded plausible... firing with 330 grain ammo cause "lightening up the arm" feeling and cause some discomfort for the rest of the day. The second story was the very same gun and ammo being fired one handed which gave the shooter a "broken wrist".

Does this stuff really happen?

DonD · Mar 8, 2009

Sounds like BS. I guess if someone had an orthopedic deficit i.e., severe osteoporosis, a fracture might happen.

More likely is someone who shouldn't be shooting one like a young person having the gun come up in recoil and stick the hammer in their forehead.

With most people such things don't happen. If you do a lifetime of firing hard kicking handguns like someone such as John Taffin, you might have wrist problems.

Personally, I usually restrict my .500 Mag shooting to 3-4 cylinder fulls of heavy loads per shooting session. I exercise a lot but am not young (61). No issues so far. Don

7P's · Mar 9, 2009

I think you're right DonD but a lot of those owning the 500S&W aren't long time cannon handlers. Firing heavy loads off a rest or even off-hand takes just a little experience and for those using the ole Weaver style among other styles just might get a wake-up call with the 500S&W as to felt recoil. I'm a bit older than you and like you, I haven't had any problems with the 500S&W except for the occasional “dam* that hurt” felt pain in the hand webbing caused by recoil from 535 grain HC, traveling at the speed of light, when I really get into the front sight for that exact shot placement and ease up on the grip a little. I've found a firm grip utilizing the isosceles stance is best for me with the 500S&W.

JD 500 · Mar 9, 2009

No issues with mine.

Frankly there are other cartidges out there that are more punishing to shoot, In my opinion.

intheburbs · Mar 9, 2009

Only injuries I've heard of are people silly enough to leave a finger near the cylinder/forcing cone gap. 50,000 PSI cuts flesh rather well.

Weaver works well for me, but then again I'm shooting a 500 with the comped 8 3/8 barrel. I'm also 6' 2", stocky, and have large hands.

500 snubbies with heavy bullets would probably be my least-favorite to shoot. Here's a funny youtube of a guy shooting a 700-grain bullet out of a four-incher (one expletive in the video):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjmtUFrFBc4

I guess I can see the potential for a wrist injury.

Agreed - there are other loads/calibers that are less fun to shoot. Try .357 hot loads in a scandium snubbie.

DonD · Mar 9, 2009

7P's you're certainly right. Inexperienced shooters are why some of these guns wind up back in the display cases of gunshops with only a handful of rounds through the gun.

If your experience base is .38 Specials or a few rounds through a .45ACP, a full house .500 Mag would be a dramatic wakeup call. Don

MTKTM · Mar 10, 2009

I have two 500s and have fired both extensively. I have also let some other people shoot them, after a bit of advance coaching.

I have little doubt that people have been injured from the recoil. One guy, a fairly seasoned pistolero but also not a very large man, declined to accept my suggestions as to stance, grip, things like that, and when the gun recoiled it missed hitting him in the face only because he ducked his head to the side to avoid the impact at the last possible nanosecond.

I don't consider them terribly "dangerous" per se, but there is enough recoil force to cause harm if not properly directed.

twoclones · Mar 10, 2009

I'm glad to hear the rest of you have the same experience as I've had. My biggest day of shooting my 500 was 40 x 440 grain handloads. I was a bit sore in the hand afterwards but nothing more. Still, I would not hand mine to an inexperienced shooter...

I keep hearing about them being sold after firing only a few rounds but have yet to find one of those deals. Would love to have one of those 10 1/2" barrels to complement my 4".

bountyhunter · Mar 10, 2009

Originally posted by twoclones:
Anyone had injuries from the recoil of the 500 S&W? Other than the YouTube gun to the head stuff...
Does this stuff really happen?

We had a guy knocked out at the local range firing a Desert eagle .50 that flipped back and smacked him in the forehaed.

After that, everybody who wanted to rent it had to read this three page thing showing how to hold it and then sign a waiver.

bountyhunter · Mar 10, 2009

Originally posted by twoclones:

I keep hearing about them being sold after firing only a few rounds but have yet to find one of those deals. Would love to have one of those 10 1/2" barrels to complement my 4".

My buddy at the range told me they loved to rent the .50 Desert Eagle because a box of 20 ammo cost about $50 (this was ten years ago) and the boxes were always returned with about 15 rounds unfired.

DonD · Mar 10, 2009

[/QUOTE] My buddy at the range told me they loved to rent the .50 Desert Eagle because a box of 20 ammo cost about $50 (this was ten years ago) and the boxes were always returned with about 15 rounds unfired.)[/QUOTE]

You mean the range didn't give him credit for the unfired rounds????

L_Jackson · Apr 22, 2011

I got a .500 8 3/8 barrel a few months ago. I have a 12GA with a pistol grip I shoot one handed, so I am no stranger to recoil, and I shot the .500 10 times with 270 grain loads.... it was awesome... after that, I then shot a 9mm a few times, everything was fine....

the next day my hand was sore, but I didn't think much of it.... it is is now 5 weeks later, and my hand is still sore! Not as bad as it was, but if I try to use vice grips or anything, I have to use my left hand...

it is sore on the meaty part between my pointing fingure and thumb on the palm of my hand... when your hand is out stretched, the meaty part that sticks up a bit....

anyway, those are my $.02... I'm looking forward to shooting it again when I can

YouTube - Smith & Wesson 500 Magnum

460v LAC du FLAMBEAU · Apr 22, 2011

I use a weightlifting glove on my shooting hand when firing my 4" 500. Padding in the palm area helps. I also grab my shooting hand "wrist" with my other hand which reduces the "torque" or twisting of the revolver which I feel more than the blowback from the recoil.

500 newbie · Apr 22, 2011

Info Please

Now You guys have my Wheels turning . I have shot the 454 with hot loads and I shoot an LAR 45 win mag . Mainly I shoot 40 Autos. So What is the best Grip and Stance for the 500 . My 500 is a 4 inch . Any info would be Greatly appreciated .
Thankyou

kritter · Apr 22, 2011

it all depends on the person shooting, I shoot both my 8-3/8 and a 4 inch 500.. no problems untill I get up into the 500 grain range, then the 4 inch get's put away..But, I draw the line at the 700 grain thumpers, just too much for anything "fun"..

Now my girlfriend, she clamed the 8-3/8 as her favorite one, and isn't bad with it untill she get's into the 450 grain range, then recoil bothers her..and she'll go back to the 375 grain slugs..

It's funny watching her walking up to the line with the 500.. (at 4 feet 11 inches tall and all of 92 pounds on a good day) She just keeps going untill nothing but empty brass is left..

Anyhow back to the origional question, people hurt by the 500? Sure probally has been, and probally will be more..

it's a specialty cartrage, meant of hunting, or stopping something really nasty, really fast.. most people dont think of it as such.. just as the biggest, baddest thing out there.. it takes time to build up to one.. some people think the .357 has too much recoil, But go out and get a 500 then wonder why they did,, it's just too much for them at that point..

start with light loads, and work your way up, recoil will be there but it's still managable.. Or,, jump right in with the heavy loads,shoot it once or twice, then wonder why you hurt....

TDC · Apr 22, 2011

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the high potential for hearing problems.... For me, that is the most threatening issue when shooting my 500.

The muzzle blast can be so strong that it's not only the sharp report from hot loads but the intense pressure this calibers blast can place on the ear drum.

If shooting a 500 indoors or under a metal roofed structure, be sure to double up on the hearing protection with the best decibel protection available... When your hearing goes it's instantaneous and there is no recovering or repairing it......

JMHO

greg bayes · Apr 22, 2011

Hey guy's, in late 2009 i picked up a P-Center Smith in 460 mag. at a gun show, its a 460 mag. ( 4in ) bl. It had been shot 2 times, bought for 1,000 $ The guy said he didn't want to shoot that cotton picker again, or words to that effect. I shoot it tight Weaver stance with no problems, but only 25--40 rnds. at a session. got to work up a good handload for it, factory ammo to expensive, about 2.50 to 3.00$ a round. Take Care!! Greg Bayes from Kentucky.

500 newbie · Apr 23, 2011

Thankyou for the Eye Opener TDC . Didnt even think about that alot. I guess it will be lone trips to the range with this one .No Kids .Kritter Thankyou Also .My girlfriend is five nine an about 95 pounds after she eats . She loves shooting ,but the 500 is not happening for her.

500 Magnum Nut · Apr 23, 2011

Yep. Very first time shooting mine way back when in 2004 or 2003.

I was 2 months recovering from a broken hand. Well I though the hand was good to go and I could fire full house 44 mags out of my 629.

So, I loaded it up with the only ammo I could find (400gn Corbons) and let 1 round leave the barrel. I nearly dropped the gun and thought I broke the hand again. Boy, that smarted. I found out the hand was not ready for the recoil of a 500.

I went back a week later and changed my shooting hold and I did fire a box off. I was in love with it ever since.

500 S&W recoil injuries?

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