Most accurate M500 S&W

[Arthury]

Hi folks,

I currently own a 4" M500 S&W chest-holstered for deep woods Alaskan backpacking protection. I am thinking about a longer barrel version for range shooting and perhaps hunting when I am good at it.
And, I reload all of my cartridges, usually towards the hotter end of the spectrum.

Based on your experiences or readings, which model of the S&W M500 has the best accuracy at 25 yards?

 

[colt_saa]

All of them.

I have 6 right now. From 2 3/4" to 12"

The longer tubes are easier for most everybody to shoot but your 4" is mechanically capably of similar accuracy as the 6 1/2" or 8 3/8" or even the 10 1/2" at 25 yards.

From a machine rest the difference would be meaningless

That said, I would probably choose the 6 1/2" half lug version for 25 yards.

 

[Arthury]

Thanks for the response and the recommendation. I will look into the 6.5" half-lug.

I am also curious about the 10.5" hunter version with the Lothar Walther bbl.
The specs says they use a polygonal rifling. Does it mean it is not safe to shoot lead-cast bullets through it, just like the Glock bbl?

 

[colt_saa]

I am also curious about the 10.5" hunter version with the Lothar Walther bbl.

The specs says they use a polygonal rifling. Does it mean it is not safe to shoot lead-cast bullets through it, just like the Glock bbl?

There is nothing wrong with shooting lead projectiles in a polygon rifled barrel.

Glock's warning comes from improper cleaning by owners

The difference in rifling causes lead to build up faster in a polygon rifled barrel than in a traditional cut rifled barrel.

This makes a very through cleaning of the polygon rifled barrel after a range session with lead projectiles mandatory.

Many firearms owners, especially noobies and those that only own a single gun for protection, have extremely poor or even non-existent cleaning habits.

As more lead builds, pressures rise. These have reached catastrophic levels in Glock pistols from time to time (mostly due to poor chamber support in early models). BTW, there are other polygon rifled handguns, HKs for instance, that make no such warning.

By telling people not to use lead, Glock absolves themselves of any liability issues. It is legally easy to just say "NO"

 

[cal50]

There is nothing wrong with shooting lead projectiles in a polygon rifled barrel.

Glock's warning comes from improper cleaning by owners

The difference in rifling causes lead to build up faster in a polygon rifled barrel than in a traditional cut rifled barrel.

This makes a very through cleaning of the polygon rifled barrel after a range session with lead projectiles mandatory.

Many firearms owners, especially noobies and those that only own a single gun for protection, have extremely poor or even non-existent cleaning habits.

As more lead builds, pressures rise. These have reached catastrophic levels in Glock pistols from time to time (mostly due to poor chamber support in early models). BTW, there are other polygon rifled handguns, HKs for instance, that make no such warning.

By telling people not to use lead, Glock absolves themselves of any liability issues. It is legally easy to just say "NO"

It's more of an accuracy issue with Poly rifling. Soft bullets (lead or plated) do not engrave as well with Poly rifling vs conventional. I never had leading issues but accuracy can be so-so especially if fired at high velocity.

 

[Tom C]

All of them.

I have 6 right now. From 2 3/4" to 12"

The longer tubes are easier for most everybody to shoot but your 4" is mechanically capably of similar accuracy as the 6 1/2" or 8 3/8" or even the 10 1/2" at 25 yards.

From a machine rest the difference would be meaningless

That said, I would probably choose the 6 1/2" half lug version for 25 yards.

I only have 3: a 4" standard gun, a 5" JRS and a 6 1/2" PC Hunter. While it is easier to shoot well with the PC Hunter, particularly when the scope is mounted, I suspect any differences lie in typical gun to gun variations.

 

[DonD]

I will look into the 6.5" half-lug.

I would add my thoughts about the 6.5" half lug. I've had several .500 Mags, the 6.5 half lug, a couple 8 3/8th inchers and a 6.5" PC model. Have only the 8 3/8th and the PC now, both keepers.

I felt the half lug was considerably harsher recoil wise than the two I kept, its considerably lighter and less muzzle heavy. Something for you to consider. Don

 

[Pilgrim]

If it wasn't safe to shoot lead in the 500, I doubt SW would include two different compensators...one for lead and one for jacketed ammo.

 

[Arthury]

If it wasn't safe to shoot lead in the 500, I doubt SW would include two different compensators...one for lead and one for jacketed ammo.

I know my 4" M500 has two compensators but are there two compensators for the 10.5" Lothar barrel as well?
The compensator looks like it is fixed in the picture.

 

[Arthury]

It's more of an accuracy issue with Poly rifling. Soft bullets (lead or plated) do not engrave as well with Poly rifling vs conventional. I never had leading issues but accuracy can be so-so especially if fired at high velocity.

Good point. Thanks!

 

[Arthury]

I would add my thoughts about the 6.5" half lug. I've had several .500 Mags, the 6.5 half lug, a couple 8 3/8th inchers and a 6.5" PC model. Have only the 8 3/8th and the PC now, both keepers.

I felt the half lug was considerably harsher recoil wise than the two I kept, its considerably lighter and less muzzle heavy. Something for you to consider. Don

If you think the 6.5" is harsh, wait till you shoot the 4" with full loads.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[cal50]

I have a pair of 500's. One stock 8 3/8" removable comp gun and a custom 6". The balance on the 6" is close to perfection and feels better in my hand.

Longer barrels give you increased sight radius and higher velocity, not necessarily anymore accuracy.

 

[DonD]

If you think the 6.5" is harsh, wait till you shoot the 4" with full loads.
Thanks for the heads up.

My point wasn't to whine about the half lug only that I find the longer barreled and heavier guns a good bit more pleasant and enjoying shooting is what it's all about. Don

 

[Arthury]

My point wasn't to whine about the half lug only that I find the longer barreled and heavier guns a good bit more pleasant and enjoying shooting is what it's all about. Don

Yes, I agree that the full lug longer guns which are front heavy will absorb more of the upward swing. That was the main reason for my looking into a longer barrel.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[475/480]

I have or had the 4", PC 6.5", 8 3/8" , PC 10.5" and now have the Standard 6.5". The 8 3/8" was the 1st 500 I owned and probably the most accurate followed by the 6.5" I now have.
These were mostly shot with cast bullets from moulds I have.

Sean

 

[vipermd]

I currently have 3 4-8" all are capable of exceptional accuracy. As CAL stated increased length will increase velocity and recoil( more of the powder burning in the gun instead of the fireball ). I carry the 4" because it is comfortable to carry and I can use it to 50 yds accurately. I do not want to carry the 7.8, or 8 3/8 but they do stabilize bigger bullets 500-700gr better than 4". For standard woods carry, deer, bear, elk, boar is more than sufficient. I have shot the 8 3/8 with a red dot at 100 yds 350 + 400 hard cast are extremely accurate, MUCH greater than my skill. It really comes down to what you are hunting , at what distance, optic or not and what you are willing to carry. Good Luck. BE Safe,

 

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S&W 500

I have a 460 5" and 460 8 3/8" w/ scope and 500 in 8 3/8" w/scope. The 460 with scope is extremely accurate at 100-150yds. The 460-5" is very accurate at 25 yds. The 500 was not accurate at first with 300 grain hornady, until I got 500grain hard cast bullets. The extra weight seemed to help a lot, more consistency. Love both guns, very expensive to shoot regularly but great for big game.

 

[Ed333]

snip...
Longer barrels give you increased sight radius and higher velocity, not necessarily anymore accuracy.

Agree on accuracy, would observe that longer barrels require better follow-through in taking your shots.

 

[Bartoe]

I have both the half-lug 6 1/2" and the PC John Ross 5." With optics, they will both shoot 1" groups at 25 yards off of a rest. With irons, I can shoot the same with the 6 1/2" but not quite with the 5." I attribute this to the latter's heavy SA trigger pull (4 3/4 lbs). The 6 1/2" has a SA pull in the 4 lb. range, but the trigger itself is wider, so I don't notice the weight as much. Something to consider...

 

[cal50]

My 6" & 8 3/8"

I love the 6"