Problem with my 500

[wilddog45]

When firing heavy handloads,500 gr and up, the cylinder will not stay locked sometimes after a shot and I have to manually turn it to lock it. Will a heavier cylinder locking spring solve this problem? I have heard of this problem on the earlier 500's but I thought that they had solved the problem.Anyone else have this problem?

 

[wilddog45]

When firing heavy handloads,500 gr and up, the cylinder will not stay locked sometimes after a shot and I have to manually turn it to lock it. Will a heavier cylinder locking spring solve this problem? I have heard of this problem on the earlier 500's but I thought that they had solved the problem.Anyone else have this problem?

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Your first post, welcome to the club house!

The problem is more likely your hold. Check out this as the S&W engineer fires the 500. The gun bounces in his hand and then the finger is involuntarily pressing on the trigger. This is why the gun unlocks. It has happened to me too. After I tighten my grip, the gun works correctly.
It bounces so fast, you don't even notice.
Here is another link of a guy bump firing a 500 like a machine gun. This looks real, and I assume it is.
S&W
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v508/500magnumnut/?ac...ent=SWslowmotion.flv
Bump firing
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v508/500magnumnut/?ac...urrent=500double.flv

 

[Forester]

Welcome to the forum.

500, That is some interesting footage. I bet that second shot comes as quite a surprise

 

[wilddog45]

Maybe my problem is that I use a two handed grip instead of the one handed grip as shown in magnum nuts footage, LOL!! That guy has to have a hand of steel,especially if he is shooting the loads I am talking about.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Originally posted by wilddog45:
Maybe my problem is that I use a two handed grip

I broke my hand in Feb 2004, while in a cast went down and ordered a 500. Back then it took many weeks to get it delivered.

Later the gun came in and the hand was better and started shooting it more frequently. After working up to the 440gn Corbon loads it started skipping on me too. I was shooting 2 hands so I didn't aggravate the just mended broken hand.

I found this site and posted my question to the group, yet the 500 was new at the time. Here is where I found the S&W footage from John Ross site http://www.john-ross.net/ however the link to the 500 video link is not available now. So I put it up on my photo server for anyone who may be interested.

I went back to the range and tried it again, holding the gun tighter concentrating on my grip. It runs fine, in my case it was me generating the condition. Not saying this is the only possibity, but I think it's a likely reason the gun is skipping on you too. If it does it on the medium loads then I would blame the gun. 440 slugs weigh the same as 1 OZ 12 gauge slugs. A whole lot of lead going down range.

 

[wilddog45]

Magnum nut, I think you are right in it being my grip or trigger pull. It has something to do with the recoil which makes my trigger finger tense after the shot. It does not take much preasure on the trigger of the 500 to turn the cylinder either way. I tried it on some of my N frames with the same result.Although the 500 has considerably more recoil. I think I need to back off to a 275 gr bullet with light target loads and get my technique back before shooting these heavier bullets. I am shootin' Hornady jacketed 350 and 500xtp's,Ranger Rick's lead bullets in 535gr Keiths(nice accurate bullet) and his 700gr Thumpers(ouch)!! Thanks for your input Magnum Nut!!

 

[yellowf4]

I sent my 500 back to S&W and it was given a new cylinder lock. It is one of the first guns out and was a serious issue. It is better now, but am still having problems with hot loads. I think you all just solved the issue for me. I am not recoil sensitive, but have broken both hands severely and may not notice I have done the same thing.

Where did the videos of the S&W engineer come from? That was great!

Thanks all

John