500 magnum

[Wild Tom Hickok]

I have been contemplating getting a S&W 500 mag
Smith and Wesson 500 500SW Mag, 8 3/8, High Viz Sights - Impact Guns
and I have been wondering what other owners might think of this gun. Is it enjoyable to shoot at the range?
thanks

 

[cmj8591]

Just do it!

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

I was at one of our local (OKC) ranges last Friday. There were three young men shooting a S&W 500 Mag three lanes down from me. All l gotta say is... WOW! What a report! Every time they shot it everybody in 16 lanes jumped. It would take a small donkey to tote the brass alone. I want one...

 

[2hawk]

Go for it! With the caveat, you should have some experience with heavy-recoiling revolvers under you belt before you step up to the 500.

I just got one (xmas x frame, present to myself), and I've only managed to get out to the range once with it. I will confess that I did not do my best shooting with it, maybe it was an excess of adrenaline But, I certainly enjoyed shooting it, and look forward to becoming as competent with it as I am with my other guns. There is something about hurling an oz. of lead downrange that is gratifying, at least when you hit your target!

 

[mbliss57]

Go for it!
I bought the 6.5" barrel the 1st of the year. It's an all purpose piece! Great for hunting anything. Really fun at the range. It makes heads turn when you shoot it. That's how I got interested. A guy at the range was using one next to me and it scared me half to death when he touched it off. He let me shoot a round and I left saying I have to have one. In single action my groups are very tight. Double action not so much. There is a big difference in the 350 grain vs 500 grain ammo. The 350 grain I can shoot all day. I got a box of 500Gr Hornaday JHP last week and was able to get to the range 2 days ago. Man what a beast. You need to hang on with that! Oh and it is a really nice piece. And it's a S&W. I personally liked the 6.5" better because I like the looks of a half lug more than the full of the 8 3/8" and it's a little easier to handle...and..
Go for it!

 

[vic3620]

come on in, the waters fine

deer hunt with mine here in indiana. I love it

vic3620

 

[Wild Tom Hickok]

I have a S&W 686 6" 6 shot 357magnum, and I love shooting it. I just wondered if I'll notice the difference between the 357 and the 500?

 

[kennyb]

i have a 500mag.from the S&W performance center...i also use a scope on it...lots of fun at the range...hunting with it so far i have taken several boars,a mouflon ram,4-horn ram,and merino ram...lots of fun!

 

[freedom 475]

I had the 8 3/8 and found it to be kinda' big, I was very accurate but just oversized...

I sold it and got the 4" and it is awsome! It cost me 300fps, but that is a small trade-off to have a gun that I can carry and I seem to able to shoot it as well as the 8"...That being said, ANY 500 is better than no 500

 

[whoever]

Do IT! My 8-3/8 shoots WAY nicer and is easier on the hand than my 44mag Ruger. My 4" S&W is slightly more unruly, but still nicer to shoot than the 44.

That price is slightly higher for a NIB than it should be, but you may have to wait a while to find one cheaper.

 

[Wild Tom Hickok]

I pick mine up tomorrow. I found a good deal on a new one, locally, and I will be the owner of it tomorrow, GW. I don't have a lot of experience on what to look at when I pick it up, and maybe somebody could give me a couple tips. It's a brand new gun, so I don't expect any major issues. Although my two smiths I own right now both had to be sent in for repairs a week after I brought them home. I'm a little nervous, and can't wait til everything is a-ok.
WTH

 

[2hawk]

Some guidelines for checking things out. Not everything applies across the board from Ruger to Colt to S&W, etc, but it is a pretty good guide.

Revolver Checkout Procedure

Also here, updated:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...ZDhkNS00MTlhLWE4YzMtOTdmN2YwNmY4NzM2&hl=en_US

 

[TDC]

The 500 is probably the most scrutinized and debated S&W handgun in modern history... Arguably it is probably the best designed and the strongest framed production double action revolver ever created. Like many others on this board I own one and I love it!

It is not, however, a gun and a caliber intended for everyone's use. They can have substantial recoil, an extraordinary noise report, be rather bulky for carry, and be a very expensive gun to shoot if the owner doesn't reload.

No regular production handgun compares to it as an effective hunting tool. No regular production handgun delivers the energy a 500 can provide. No other regular production handgun can provide the one shot confidence in a life threatening situation.

I would suggest to anyone thinking of buying a 500 consider all the above issues and evaluate their tolerance for all these issues before they buy. Actually shooting a friends 500 would confirm your decision.

After over 35 years of successful hunting with S&W 41 and 44 Mags, I switched to a 6.5" 500 and I'm happy with that decision. I chose the 6.5 because of the compromise sight radius and that barrel lengths comfort of carry in a shoulder holster.

Again, I would strongly suggest to any potential owner they seriously consider their tolerance for all these issues before they make a purchase. If I were buying a new 500 today I would look seriously at the John Ross 500 with its 5" non-compensated barrel. Whatever you choose they are fine, tough firearms and worthy of their earned status in the S&W line-up....

JMHO

 

[2hawk]

^^^^^^^^
Well done, Sir!
Excellent summary!

 

[Wild Tom Hickok]

Thanks, great info.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I have a S&W 686 6" 6 shot 357magnum, and I love shooting it. I just wondered if I'll notice the difference between the 357 and the 500?

Thank you for causing me to shoot hot coffee out of my nose!! LOL!

I had the opportunity to fire a cylinder out of a friends 4" (with compensator) 500 recently.. I positively LOVED it! It really wasn't as nasty to shoot as I anticipated. It seemed just a wee bit more sharp than my 6.5" 629 Classic (.44mag). I'm sure the compensator is to be credited for that..

An X-Frame is on my gotta have list, but I am leaning more toward the 460 in 8-3/8"... Not because I want to fire 454s an 45LC's out of it, but it IS the fastest, flattest, farthest shooting of all production handguns. Before you guys slap me down over that, I realize a 500 can be handloaded to very close to 460 ballistics, I just like the 460... But when it comes time to start seriously shopping, it will come down to what kind of deals I can find.. If I end up finding a killer deal on the 5-hundie I will certainly go for that..

But yeah, congrats and I am jealous!!

 

[whoever]

Man, one of these days I need to get to shoot a 6.5.

 

[DonD]

I realize a 500 can be handloaded to very close to 460 ballistics, I just like the 460)

Close to .460 ballistics?? The .500 has more powder capacity and can certainly outdo the .460 PARTICULARLY if you seat the slugs out to use that case capacity. Not just my opinion but that of John Ross as well. Don

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Very well then. What little I am aware of in regards to the handloading potential of the 500 is from what I read about here on S&W forum. I'm not a handloader myself, but get my ammo reloaded by an FFL licensed ammo manufacturer and he doesn't do anything beyond established specs with ammo he sells or reloads for customers. I knew they could be close, but did not know they could exceed the 460 ballistics. Thanks for the correction..

Makes me wonder what the 460 is capable with custom loading..

 

[DonD]

Very well then. What little I am aware of in regards to the handloading potential of the 500 is from what I read about here on S&W forum. I'm not a handloader myself, but get my ammo reloaded by an FFL licensed ammo manufacturer and he doesn't do anything beyond established specs with ammo he sells or reloads for customers. I knew they could be close, but did not know they could exceed the 460 ballistics. Thanks for the correction..

Makes me wonder what the 460 is capable with custom loading..

My comment wasn't in any way intended to dump on the .460. Being second fiddle to the king of the hill is no insult.

If I wanted to do long range handgun hunting, I'd use a .460 with a bipod and scope. Don