6.5 S&W 500 What is your opinion

[Jimmy.C]

I handeled one of these at a gun store a couple of days a go and really like the feel of it. I noticed the ports go all the way round the barrel and vent out the top. 1st question does it have any discoloration around the barrel after being shot a lot? 2nd guestion would you change any thing on it? I would like it to have a removable front sight, but other than that I like it.

 

[devildog66]

Unless, you just has to have the 500 then I would get a 460 if the X frame is your thing. The 460 allows for 460, 454, and 45LC to be fired versus the 500 and only being able to use proprietary ammo.

 

[Combat_Diver]

I like the X frame also and looking at picking up a 460 when I get back home. You also have a fourth cartridge, the .45 S&W Schofield for a cap gun load. I live in NC so the 460 would be more verstiable then the 500. Now if I lived in Alaska then the 500. i also reload.

CD

 

[505Gibbs]

I'd opt for a longer bbl i.e. more overall weight if you're going to shoot full blown 500 loads and not reduced loads - just my $0.02!

 

[colt_saa]

6 1/2" picture courtesy of S&W.

The 6 1/2" is very nice. I picked mine up last summer. It is my fourth 500 S&W Magnum. The ones that get the most attention at the range are the shorter barrels. The 4" and the 2 3/4".

If you hand load, there is no reason to have a 460 over a 500. The 500 is capable of firing light weight 275 grain HPs at wimpy power levels up to heavy jacketed or hard cast projectiles like the 725 grain wad cutter pictured below along side a Remington factory 250 grain core cast hunting load for the 41 Magnum.

You can achieve more than a ton and a half of muzzle energy with the 500 S&W Magnum cartridge and not even hit max pressure.

As to the porting. This is the same design that Dan Wesson has been using for about 34+ years now. It was introduced with the DW Model 44 in the mid seventies. Your only discoloration is above the ports on the exterior of the firearm. That will clean of as easily as a cylinder face.

 

[Jimmy.C]

6.5 500

Thanks for the info on the ports, I didn't know that Dan Wesson had used that style of porting. I have 2 460,s also, that is the reason for the interest in the 6.5 barrel 500's. I asked a Smith-Wesson representive about the 6.5 and he said there is a good chance that they will build the 460 in the 6.5 also. So I was wondering about the porting on the 500 and how it worked. Thanks for the input.

 

[DonD]

Your only discoloration is above the ports on the exterior of the firearm. That will clean of as easily as a cylinder face.

That's my experience with my 6.5." Firing just leaves a little "smokestack" on the inside of the ports that slightly discolors the side of the front sight ramp. Easily cleaned, no issue.

It is significantly lighter than either the original 8.375" models or the PC models with the heavier shrouds so it does have heavier recoil for a given load. Don

 

[7P's]

Colt SAA pretty well summed it up. As to handloading - the 500 S&W is very versatile and you can reload for your needs rather cheaply compared to purchasing commerical. With hard cast bullets I think you'll find your cost to be in the neighborhood of $.37 a pop - cheaper if you cast your own. Unless you want to push velocities past 1,500fps you can go with Winchester large pistol primers - you'll get lower pressure and the velocity drop will be from 25 to 30fps less than with the rifle primer.

 

[TheKySharpshooter]

I'd never seen one with that short of a barrel. That thing looks like it would be a bitch to hold on to. What would be the need for such a short barrel on such a powerful cartridge, other than to point out who the "little girls" in the bunch would be that would be too scared to shoot it?

 

[DonD]

I'd never seen one with that short of a barrel. That thing looks like it would be a bitch to hold on to. What would be the need for such a short barrel on such a powerful cartridge, other than to point out who the "little girls" in the bunch would be that would be too scared to shoot it?

It'd be very compact and if you were fishing in Alaska it might be the thing to have. Personally, I'd much prefer the 4" barreled model. That very short barrel would have a fierce muzzle blast and considerably reduced velocity. Don

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

6 1/2" picture courtesy of S&W.

I don't care for it. I don't like muzzle breaks as they are too loud. I use to remove the break when I shot it, now I just made a plug for it.

 

[TheKySharpshooter]

It'd be very compact and if you were fishing in Alaska it might be the thing to have. Personally, I'd much prefer the 4" barreled model. That very short barrel would have a fierce muzzle blast and considerably reduced velocity. Don

I think tomorrow I'm going to look on YouTube to see if I see any short-barreled .500s on there.

 

[JohnY516]

I don't care for it. I don't like muzzle breaks as they are too loud. I use to remove the break when I shot it, now I just made a plug for it.

Would you be interested in selling one of those plugs? I have been looking all over for one for my 4" 500.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-smithing/94072-faqs.html

Check out my how to notes on this subject.

I understand that S&W is not cooperating with 460 plugs, maybe they are afraid of somebody blowing up a gun, so they dropped the parts?
Call S&W to verify the part you need is still available.

 

[460v LAC du FLAMBEAU]

I have owned the 5" 460v and the 4" 500 since 2007. I love both...460 is slightly more comfortable to shoot.

I use Hornady SST's in both...200 grain in the 460 & 300 grain in the 500. The 300 grain is twice as expensive as the 200 grain.

My brother-in-law has the 6 1/2" 500...his favorite handgun!!

 

[shuter1]

Unless, you just has to have the 500 then I would get a 460 if the X frame is your thing. The 460 allows for 460, 454, and 45LC to be fired versus the 500 and only being able to use proprietary ammo.

I'd be careful shooting too many "short" cartridges (ie., .45LC/.454) in a .460 chambered revolver - especially the .454. It is a high pressure round, and can eventually create a "ridge" where it's case ends, which can make .460 cases difficult to chamber, and possibly create pressure issues with the longer case.

For this reason, Freedom Arms does not recommend firing .45LC in their .454's. Granted, FA has tighter tolerances than S&W, but it's still a practice to be avoided when possible. If you're going to do it, clean the chambers VERY well afterward with a brush.

If you want to fire .45LC's, most would be better off buying a (relatively) light .45LC, not shooting them in a 4+ lb. .460 revolver, imho.

As to the rest of your suggestion, the .500 doesn't use "proprietary" ammo - it's made by every ammo maker on the planet.

Regarding the 6.5" .500, I have one of the PC versions with heavier barrel, and 360 degree porting, which I believe is a different setup than the original poster was asking about.

Still, I think the 6.5" length balances better than any other in the X-frame. I have the 2.5 and 4" guns as well. Have shot the 8 3/8" but didn't care for it.

Recoil on the shorter barrel (2.5 and 4") isn't as bad as you'd think, compared to the longer ones. The velocity drops, and this seems to offset the shorter barrel/less weight in recoil. The 8 3/8" seemed just as bad to me as the 4" with Corbon 440's, for instance . . . probably because of the 200 or so fps higher velocity. Just a guess.

see ya

 

[Wee Hooker]

Unless, you just has to have the 500 then I would get a 460 if the X frame is your thing. The 460 allows for 460, 454, and 45LC to be fired versus the 500 and only being able to use proprietary ammo.

The 460 would get my vote for the same reasons. More versatile and less risk of ending up with a devalued gun due to caliber/ammo/component obsolescence. That said, the 500 shoots like a hoot!!

 

[Mule88]

I sold my 8 3/8 to get the 6 1/2 inch, its more handy (not as top heavy) as the 8 3/8 inch, plus you get a better sight radius with it than the 4 inch model. I think its the best of both worlds and the recoil isnt that much different than the 8 3/8 inch model. I think you'd like if you bought it. I got the 6 1/2 and have no regrets and never looked back.

 

[Titan]

I would think that 2 1/2" model would singe the hair off your arms to about your elbows.

.

 

[Redhawk1]

I don't care for it. I don't like muzzle breaks as they are too loud. I use to remove the break when I shot it, now I just made a plug for it.

Like you I don't like the break, so glad I had a end cap made for my 4 inch 500 Mag.

I would love a 6 inch 500 mag with out a break as well.