New 500!!

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simon92g

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Hi everybody!
i just want to share my happiness!I finally get my new Smith&Wesson 500 today after a bout one and half year of waiting here in Italy!It's a beautiful 8,3/8 inches barrel with removable compensators.
I cannot hide i'm a little scared thinking at my first shot with this beast!The worst-recoil gun i shot and own before was a 629 with 5" barrel and i used to handloads always maximum loads!Can anyone of you give me a comparison in recoil with this gun?
Thank you all!

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I have fired a model identical to yours many times. I do not own it, it belonged to my brother....

I own a 4" m29, a 6.5" 629 Classic and a 460v (5") just to give you an idea of what I am used to...

I found the 500 obviously punchy to fire... But not worlds worse than either of my 44's. But this will depend on what weight bullets you use. My brother was working with 350gr Hornady XTP Mags....Heavier bullets recoil alot harder. And my 460 has the full comp like your 500 so what you will notice is quite a percussion wave hitting you in the face. My brothers 500 was top ported only.....so it didn't hit the shooter in the face with the percussion like my 460.

Overall, I found it very manageable to fire. Obviously I am not saying it is a breeze, you definitely want to excersize good technique in grip and recoil management. If you are an experienced handgunner and don't limp wrist it and let your elbows hang you will be fine.

I highly recommend double hearing protection! And for the love of Pete, don't EVER fire it with no hearing protection at all..not even one time at game if you are using it for hunting.

The power of the 500 has no equal in handgun world, and I think you will enjoy it going by your posts stating you enjoyed firing hot handloaded 44 mags.

Congrats and have fun! :D
 
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Congratulations on the new revolver.

You will be pleasantly surprised at the recoil. It is nowhere as bad as the Internet Innuendo would lead you to believe

I remember all the 44 Magnum stories after the Dirty Harry movies came out and people scrambled to buy Model 29s. Then they started with the stories. The 44 Mag will hit you in the head when it recoils, it will destroy your wrists if you fire 6 rounds, etc.

Yes, there is loads more energy in the 500, but there is also loads more weight in the revolver.
 
RIDE-RED 350r said:
I have fired a model identical to yours many times. I do not own it, it belonged to my brother....

I own a 4" m29, a 6.5" 629 Classic and a 460v (5") just to give you an idea of what I am used to...

I found the 500 obviously punchy to fire... But not worlds worse than either of my 44's. But this will depend on what weight bullets you use. My brother was working with 350gr Hornady XTP Mags....Heavier bullets recoil alot harder. And my 460 has the full comp like your 500 so what you will notice is quite a percussion wave hitting you in the face. My brothers 500 was top ported only.....so it didn't hit the shooter in the face with the percussion like my 460.

Overall, I found it very manageable to fire. Obviously I am not saying it is a breeze, you definitely want to excersize good technique in grip and recoil management. If you are an experienced handgunner and don't limp wrist it and let your elbows hang you will be fine.

I highly recommend double hearing protection! And for the love of Pete, don't EVER fire it with no hearing protection at all..not even one time at game if you are using it for hunting.

The power of the 500 has no equal in handgun world, and I think you will enjoy it going by your posts stating you enjoyed firing hot handloaded 44 mags.

Congrats and have fun! :D
Click to expand...
Thank you for the answer!i bought a pair of boxes of 400gr magtech and i think next i will go for handloads!

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
 
Thank you too!
colt_saa said:
Congratulations on tho!e new revolver.

You will be pleasantly surprised at the recoil. It is nowhere as bad as the Internet Innuendo would lead you to believe

I remember all the 44 Magnum stories after the Dirty Harry movies came out and people scrambled to buy Model 29s. Then they started with the stories. The 44 Mag will hit you in the head when it recoils, it will destroy your wrists if you fire 6 rounds, etc.

Yes, there is loads more energy in the 500, but there is also loads more weight in the revolver.
Click to expand...

simon92g said:
Thank you for the answer!i bought a pair of boxes of 400gr magtech and i think next i will go for handloads!

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
 
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Congrats on a great gun!!

You will be fine on recoil, seems the recoil on my 44 mag is "sharper" than on my 500. The 500 is more of a BOOM compared to the 44's BANG.. if that makes sense.

Lock the elbow on your control arm, if recoil is too much it will push the gun over your head, instead of into your face.

Both my daughters, 22 & 24 yrs old, have shot my 500's..

And your 400 magtechs are reasonably mild.
 
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ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416960620.929811.jpgi went 6.5 inch handloads the things a beast! Love this firearm pretty accurate too
 
Congratulations on your new weapon!! That's identical to the Beastie I own! I believe the kick you're gonna experience with this gun will be a bit more than the .44mag, depending on the size bullet but you'll experience almost 0 barrel rise during the shot as that compensator really does a great job of keeping the barrel level for the next shot....

And I gotta differ with RIDE-RED 350r a bit because I've not experienced any percussion wave from the gun during firing!

Welcome to the 500 Club!!!! ;) :D :cool:
 
Molto Bello Welcome. As said above you will be fine. Respect it do not fear it. Be Safe,
 
Nice 500; congrats and welcome to the club! ;) It will let you know you fired a full-sized weapon, but it isn't so bad that you won't enjoy it. I was OK with my 6.5" PC Lew Horton; I would think that one would be good to go as well.
 
I fired a magnum derringer that was more unpleasant to fire than any of my 500's.....

Firm grip and good trigger control and you will not have any problems except keeping the 500 fed with ammo.
 
excellent revolver...make no mistake,it has more recoil than a 44 mag.but.....its entirely manageable....after your first shot,you will have a huge grin....guaranteed !
 
Hi guys!i have a doubt,why i cannot shot 32gauge cartridges in my 500?the diameter is the same right?is it too long?thank you!
PS: tomorrow i will finally go to test it for the first time!

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
 
simon92g said:
Hi guys!i have a doubt,why i cannot shot 32gauge cartridges in my 500?the diameter is the same right?is it too long?thank you!
PS: tomorrow i will finally go to test it for the first time!

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

32 gauge cartridges aren't prevalent here in the USA, I've never heard of them, maybe a European thing ?
I'm sure someone else will speak up shortly.

Oh, and have fun tomorrow.
 
simon92g said:
Hi guys!i have a doubt,why i cannot shot 32gauge cartridges in my 500?the diameter is the same right?is it too long?thank you!
PS: tomorrow i will finally go to test it for the first time!

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Interesting read! If I was seriously considering trying one of those I'd compare the round size, side by side with a micrometer, then consult with a good gunsmith.. Because size is important but so is chamber pressure!! I think the max for the 500 is 60,000psi

I doubt even then I'd try one but it DO look like one heckuva Snake round!!! :D:D:D
 
roscoepc said:
Interesting read! If I was seriously considering trying one of those I'd compare the round size, side by side with a micrometer, then consult with a good gunsmith.. Because size is important but so is chamber pressure!! I think the max for the 500 is 60,000psi

I doubt even then I'd try one but it DO look like one heckuva Snake round!!! :D:D:D
Click to expand...
Yes if i decide to try this rounds i will perform all these check if none of you tested them before!anyway i found the cartridge 32 is long 63mm and the 500 chambers are only 58mm...

Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk
 
I love my 500. I reload so, the recoil is manageable. Hornady XTP 350 gr in front of 22 grains of Long shot. Big BOOM, 1250fps and not much recoil.
 
roscoepc said:
Interesting read! If I was seriously considering trying one of those I'd compare the round size, side by side with a micrometer, then consult with a good gunsmith.. Because size is important but so is chamber pressure!! I think the max for the 500 is 60,000psi

I doubt even then I'd try one but it DO look like one heckuva Snake round!!! :D:D:D
Click to expand...

I don't reload shotshells so I am not at all familiar with operating pressures on those...

But my guess is they don't run anywhere near 60k PSI do they???
 
RIDE-RED 350r said:
I don't reload shotshells so I am not at all familiar with operating pressures on those...

But my guess is they don't run anywhere near 60k PSI do they???
Click to expand...

I wouldn't think so.. I'm not familiar with chamber pressures on shot shell's but if simon92g comes back with a positive report on this load we might have a solution to the question that's been asked about a "rat shot" round for the 500!!!

I can see the Cottonmouth's in Fla. are running in fear already....... :D :D
 
Your gonna love shooting that baby !

As far as being a bit scared shooting it for the first time, after your first shot, all that fear will be over.

As with any hard bucking revolvers, .454, .480, .460 & .500 as well as the 50AE use the push-pull hold.
If your right handed push out with the gun while pulling back with your left hand while holding tight.
Firing with this method will ease recoil lift as well as steady your shots.
Also the recoil felt will be in your arms and shoulders and not in your hands and wrists.
 
Qball said:
Never fired a .500, but after watching people doubletap them
I'd sugest that you load only one first time you shoot it, untill you get comfortable with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZxg-jkNta8
Click to expand...

Pretty rare occurrence I think, mostly from new shooters just wanting that WOW experience! I've had probably 20 people shoot my 500's including my two daughters in their 20's.. Only one time ever did anyone have a double tap, a good sized guy but a pretty new shooter.
A good grip on the gun and you wont get a double tap!
 
I don't have a .500...but I do have a .460 S&W mag. When I fire it the recoil is fierce enough that I have to have another shooter go behind the bench and retrieve my arm, as it tends to come off frequently. The concussion usually flattens any small towns within 6 miles, the ball of flame scorches the earth in front of me for about 900 yards, and anything flying overhead tends to crash to earth. I've had birds, planes, and blimps all smash to the ground around me when I shoot this...so make sure you have good cover. I heard about an SR71 that crashed in the Atlantic one time...I can only assume it was overhead when I shot but it's so high and fast it took a few thousand miles before it came down. :confused:

It incinerates the target I had put out but it's not a big deal, because after the one shot I'm putting my severed arm on ice and driving to the emergency room in the nearest non-flattened town to get it re-attached.

With that out of the way...it's not that bad. I've not done extensive shooting with mine by any stretch...I've only been able to take it out twice.

They do have some recoil...but it's nothing unmanageable. The recoil on the .460 makes my 629 feel like baby-cakes. When I put down the .460 and pick up a .44 or .41 mag it feels like there's barely any recoil at all.

There is a big concussion to deal with on these guns. I've heard that the concussion from these guns is the only thing known to have ever knocked Chuck Norris off his feet. That's just hearsay of course...but I did hear it. I wouldn't shoot it indoors and even if you're outdoors, make sure you're not next to any lane dividers that might bounce it back at you. I took a shot next to a piece of plywood separating some lanes at the outdoor range and even through my ear plugs it definitely got my attention.

Mine is scoped, and one of the most interesting things about that is that when I drop the hammer, my entire field of view disappears and goes red. The muzzle flash entirely fills the scope with red flame long enough that it's all I see, then it changes to black and grey as the smoke replaces the flame. So focus on your follow through...ride the recoil right through all of that visual stimulus...don't bring your head up until everything is stable.

Practice, practice practice. Ammo is expensive for these guns, so if you reload that will be a big help.
 
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