That bottom hole looks like one.
Quick, down and dirty opinion of a 4 inch 500?
- Thread starter John Brown
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That bottom hole looks like one.
andyo5
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Heh. I was thinking the same thing.
UNCLE PAULY
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My coworker owns a 2-3/4" 500 and brought with him to my gun club.
I took one shot and put it down and walked away. Way too much recoil and way too loud. Hurt my ears as much as my hands.
I own a 29-2 and shoot full load 44 mag with no hesitation but will not shoot the 500 again. Plus he stated the bullets cost him $3 each.
Only reason to own one is when hiking/fishing/camping or hunting in brown bear territory.
I took one shot and put it down and walked away. Way too much recoil and way too loud. Hurt my ears as much as my hands.
I own a 29-2 and shoot full load 44 mag with no hesitation but will not shoot the 500 again. Plus he stated the bullets cost him $3 each.
Only reason to own one is when hiking/fishing/camping or hunting in brown bear territory.
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sandmansans
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I know the op already decided not to, but if your still reading reconsider. If my assumptions are correct, you decided in not going with it because of ammo cost. I do admit that ammo is expensive, but if you look at it per usage as opposed to per bullet, it's as practical as any other magnum revolver. Meaning if I go to the range, I will shoot around 50-100 rounds of .357 as that's my carry gun. If your buying it at Wal-Mart and paying 25 a box, that's 50 dollars right there. V.s the .500 mag, you will spend 60 for a box of 20 rounds at a big box store but the difference is, that you won't shoot all 20. You will most likely shoot 5-10. Making it about 30 bucks per use, as opposed to 50....this is of course basing it on the model I've just presented. That being said, you can buy .500 ammo for as low as 1.60 p. Round. This is not uncommon. HSM Bear load in 440 grain can be regularly found at this price and don't be fooled by the off brand and low price, these bad boys THUMP.
I personally have the 4" model..well the 3 1/4 with compensation and I LOVE IT! I don't hunt with mine, I solely use it for total anhilation of random objects. Seriously you will never have so much fun in your life. Now if I planned to hunt with it I would go with the larger barrels, probably the 8 inch.. As in revolver loads the longer barrels yield the optimal performance. But for more fun than you can ask for and for fending off Chris Christie and Rosie odonnel during mating season, this is your gun!
The recoil believe it or not isn't as bad as you think..actually not bad. You won't agree with me at first, but after you've had it for a while and get comfortable with it, you realize while it has a insane recoil the gun is so well designed that other smaller calibers hurt more to shoot. Most folks when they first shoot the 500, including myself, anticipate the recoil and brace too much. Being tense makes it worst. Once you become comfortable with the recoil, you're able to relax your body, while keeping a firm grip on it. For instance, the recoil in my k frame snub hurts way worse with 18p grain loads, than the 500. The 500 recoil is more of a push as best as I can describe it.
Lastly you will hear a lot of people telling you to pick the 460..while it's an excellent gun in its own right, in no way shape or form is it the 500. I think a lot of those comments come from folks who don't own either of them and just regurgitate info they've read elsewhere. You can find bullets as light as 300 grain and as heavy as 700 grain with the 500 magnum. That is a wide Variety of fun, capability and power.
I personally have the 4" model..well the 3 1/4 with compensation and I LOVE IT! I don't hunt with mine, I solely use it for total anhilation of random objects. Seriously you will never have so much fun in your life. Now if I planned to hunt with it I would go with the larger barrels, probably the 8 inch.. As in revolver loads the longer barrels yield the optimal performance. But for more fun than you can ask for and for fending off Chris Christie and Rosie odonnel during mating season, this is your gun!
The recoil believe it or not isn't as bad as you think..actually not bad. You won't agree with me at first, but after you've had it for a while and get comfortable with it, you realize while it has a insane recoil the gun is so well designed that other smaller calibers hurt more to shoot. Most folks when they first shoot the 500, including myself, anticipate the recoil and brace too much. Being tense makes it worst. Once you become comfortable with the recoil, you're able to relax your body, while keeping a firm grip on it. For instance, the recoil in my k frame snub hurts way worse with 18p grain loads, than the 500. The 500 recoil is more of a push as best as I can describe it.
Lastly you will hear a lot of people telling you to pick the 460..while it's an excellent gun in its own right, in no way shape or form is it the 500. I think a lot of those comments come from folks who don't own either of them and just regurgitate info they've read elsewhere. You can find bullets as light as 300 grain and as heavy as 700 grain with the 500 magnum. That is a wide Variety of fun, capability and power.
RobertJ.
Member
I don't see why not!
I stopped trying to justify a gun purchase with some perceived "need" a long time ago. Now, if the only reason is that I might like owning and shooting a gun that I think is kinda cool, that's okay. If it's a good deal besides, that's even better.
Like others before me stated, you can always get your money out of it later if it's not your cup of tea.
A friend of mine was fascinated by them for a while. His had a longer barrel, I think it was 8". He handloaded almost all his ammo, and I got to shoot it quite a bit. He sold it for close to the same amount that he paid. I liked it, but the .44 Mag is as big as I need, and I usually shoot a target load through those anyway.
If you don't reload already, you'll want to consider it if you want to shoot more than just a little.
Edit: Wow, I didn't read the date of the OP!
I stopped trying to justify a gun purchase with some perceived "need" a long time ago. Now, if the only reason is that I might like owning and shooting a gun that I think is kinda cool, that's okay. If it's a good deal besides, that's even better.
Like others before me stated, you can always get your money out of it later if it's not your cup of tea.
A friend of mine was fascinated by them for a while. His had a longer barrel, I think it was 8". He handloaded almost all his ammo, and I got to shoot it quite a bit. He sold it for close to the same amount that he paid. I liked it, but the .44 Mag is as big as I need, and I usually shoot a target load through those anyway.
If you don't reload already, you'll want to consider it if you want to shoot more than just a little.
Edit: Wow, I didn't read the date of the OP!
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sandmansans
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Lol right at you...when you said this I took a look.
S.B.
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Big Cholla
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It Can Be Done
I learned to Fly Fish Alaska with a 12 ga. short barreled Remington 870 over my left shoulder muzzle down. Yes, I dipped the muzzle into the water a few times while bending over to retrieve a fish. I always carried a small can of WD 40 for that event. ...... The reason I switched to the 870 from a S&W M 29 was the day that I was about knee deep in a stream Fly casting into a riffle just above me when I heard a low cough behind me. I turned and found a young female Grizzly sitting on the bank about 10 yds. from me. She didn't care for me turning and watching her so she quietly left. I knew full well that while I was standing out that deep in water my only option I had if she became too interested in me would be to shoot. AND, I knew instantly that the M 29 was not enough gun. .....
I learned to Fly Fish Alaska with a 12 ga. short barreled Remington 870 over my left shoulder muzzle down. Yes, I dipped the muzzle into the water a few times while bending over to retrieve a fish. I always carried a small can of WD 40 for that event. ...... The reason I switched to the 870 from a S&W M 29 was the day that I was about knee deep in a stream Fly casting into a riffle just above me when I heard a low cough behind me. I turned and found a young female Grizzly sitting on the bank about 10 yds. from me. She didn't care for me turning and watching her so she quietly left. I knew full well that while I was standing out that deep in water my only option I had if she became too interested in me would be to shoot. AND, I knew instantly that the M 29 was not enough gun. .....
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I have 2 44 mags and a bunch of 45s both colt and acp as well as some 357s. I have absolutely no use for a 500. But I have 1 and love to take it out and blast a few off once in a while. Yup, I am a "gun nut"
Kid44
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I have a 5" .454 (Toklat) and recoil from that can be brutal, depending on the chosen load. To be honest that's really I care to get behind, don't think I'll ever need anything bigger.
9mmsubgun-m11
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I have no doubt DCWilson's holes are from the 500. My greatly reduced handloads look the same on paper.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
Wow factor gun. I would love to have one, but quite frankly 357 does it for me. Price of the gun is not so prohibitive as the ammo. Maybe if this one client finally pays up.
A few times a year a 460 or 500 shows up in the consignment case at the LGS. Usually with a box of ammo less 5 rounds or "doesn't look like it was ever shot". They sell briskly compared to most revolvers.
I was tempted by an 8" 460, but for me 44 mag in an L frame is enough fun.
I was tempted by an 8" 460, but for me 44 mag in an L frame is enough fun.
Dan Christopher
Member
It's neat that this thread has been revived, and rather timely for me. The 4" Mod 500 is on my shopping list for 2016. I currently own two other 500s. One is the plain jane 6-1/2" production model, the other is a 7-1/2" PC model. Both are tack drivers. I roll all my own for the 500 as well.
For some reason I just want to add the 4" model to the collection. I know it has no practical application, then again...neither do the other two 500s!
Sometimes we just want what we want. Now the challenge is to start saving my lunch money.
Hope everyone here had a Merry Christmas, and best wishes for a much better 2016!
For some reason I just want to add the 4" model to the collection. I know it has no practical application, then again...neither do the other two 500s!
Sometimes we just want what we want. Now the challenge is to start saving my lunch money.
Hope everyone here had a Merry Christmas, and best wishes for a much better 2016!
S.B.
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Milder velocities don't necessarily mean smaller holes.
Steve
9mmsubgun-m11
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I should have phrased that a little differently. My reduced handloads with Berry's plated 350gr RNFP bullets punch the same size holes. To look at my groups on paper they look like 38spl or 40 cal holes. If you look closely at the holes you can see it is a big bore.
ruggyh
Member
Actually 500 bullets are available from 275 to 740 grains; but 460 bullets are available from 200 to 720 grains- an even wider range of weight. While it is true the 500 does produce a little more kinetic energy, a couple hundred ft/lbs doesn't mean much when either can produce over 3000 ft/lbs.
There is a noticeable difference in recoil impulse even when rounds produce same or similar kinetic energy. The 500 has a much more noticeable push into the palm and rotational torque into the hands. Either one requires hearing protection.
Not everyone can shoot or enjoy these big bore revolvers, but then there are those that like nothing more.
Anyone considering either should also take up reloading, it allows the owner to unlock the full potential of the chosen cartridge.
I have a number of both but prefer the 460.
Good luck and be safe
Ruggy
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sandmansans
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That's pretty neat, I actually didn't know that the 460 had bullets that heavy. I've only ever seen them up to the 400ish range. Thanks for educating me.Actually 500 bullets are available from 275 to 740 grains; but 460 bullets are available from 200 to 720 grains- an even wider range of weight. While it is true the 500 does produce a little more kinetic energy, a couple hundred ft/lbs doesn't mean much when either can produce over 3000 ft/lbs.
There is a noticeable difference in recoil impulse even when rounds produce same or similar kinetic energy. The 500 has a much more noticeable push into the palm and rotational torque into the hands. Either one requires hearing protection.
Not everyone can shoot or enjoy these big bore revolvers, but then there are those that like nothing more.
Anyone considering either should also take up reloading, it allows the owner to unlock the full potential of the chosen cartridge.
I have a number of both but prefer the 460.
Good luck and be safe
Ruggy
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The only role I personally see for the S&W 500 Mag is as a last ditch back up for big game hunting. If I were to ever buy one for that purpose I'd opt for the 6" or 8" model for better velocities and better handling characteristics.
I have shot a few hundred rounds out of 4" and 6" barreled models and since I don't think anybody would advocate one for a SD/CCW or EDC role I really don't see the purpose of the shorter barrel. YMMV of course.
I have shot a few hundred rounds out of 4" and 6" barreled models and since I don't think anybody would advocate one for a SD/CCW or EDC role I really don't see the purpose of the shorter barrel. YMMV of course.
9mmsubgun-m11
Member
Actually 500 bullets are available from 275 to 740 grains; but 460 bullets are available from 200 to 720 grains- an even wider range of weight. While it is true the 500 does produce a little more kinetic energy, a couple hundred ft/lbs doesn't mean much when either can produce over 3000 ft/lbs.
There is a noticeable difference in recoil impulse even when rounds produce same or similar kinetic energy. The 500 has a much more noticeable push into the palm and rotational torque into the hands. Either one requires hearing protection.
Not everyone can shoot or enjoy these big bore revolvers, but then there are those that like nothing more.
Anyone considering either should also take up reloading, it allows the owner to unlock the full potential of the chosen cartridge.
I have a number of both but prefer the 460.
Good luck and be safe
Ruggy
Ruggy,you are my hero!
If you need one, get one......
But don't get one for 'funsies' because when the novelty wears off (pretty quickly) you'll be looking to trade it in.
But don't get one for 'funsies' because when the novelty wears off (pretty quickly) you'll be looking to trade it in.
Road_Clam
Member
Oh, go ahead. If you don't like it, you can sell it for almost as much as you paid for it.
I bought mine used off a consignment shelf a couple of years ago. I haven't shot it much, but it groups as well as it needs to and it's kind of fun in a noisy, not too responsible kind of way.
This was actually 10 shots at 10 yards. Ignore the X-ed out label. The rounds were very soft home defense loads, the equivalent of a jacked-up .44 Special or low-end .44 Magnum.
If those are 1"x1" squares those sure look to me like .30 cal rifle holes..... a .500 should have punched far bigger holes...
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