Received New Half Lug Model 500

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DonD

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Just got home from picking up the new gun from my FFL.

VERY nice, the fact that the gun is 11oz lighter (60 oz) than my PC Model 500 is very noticeable, balance is much nicer to my tastes. Lockup and end shake are very tight. I like the appearance and the trigger is SUPERB, even better than the PC has after a trip back to S&W.

The barrel/cylinder gap isn't as tight as the PC.

Both guns will be permanent residents in the safe.

Weather and such precludes a range trip before Thursday. Will post my thoughts. MADE my day. Don
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Just got home from picking up the new gun from my FFL.

VERY nice, the fact that the gun is 11oz lighter (60 oz) than my PC Model 500 is very noticeable, balance is much nicer to my tastes. Lockup and end shake are very tight. I like the appearance and the trigger is SUPERB, even better than the PC has after a trip back to S&W.

The barrel/cylinder gap isn't as tight as the PC.

Both guns will be permanent residents in the safe.

Weather and such precludes a range trip before Thursday. Will post my thoughts. MADE my day. Don
icon_biggrin.gif
 
Is that the new 6 1/2" gun? My half lug 500 is the John Ross Special, with a 5" barrel, no comp, and weighs 57 oz. Mine is very nice. I also have one of the 6 1/2" PC Hunters, which weighs in at 70 oz. bare and 84 oz. with a 2x Weaver scope in Warne QD mounts. The extra weight is really nice for heavy loads.
 
TomC, yes this is the new one with the 6.5" half lugged barrel. I think my PC .500 is the same model as yours as well and as you say, the extra weight helps absorb recoil and I would expect that I'll shoot most of my really heavy loads with that one.

Vettepartz, yes this one has an integral comp cut into the barrel rather than added on as most of the other models have.

I did check the B/C gap last night, it's about .004". My PC model is so tight that it is hard to check, something like .001-.0015.

Gunblast.com just did a very favorable review of this model.

Just got snow, Thursday is looking promising for a range trip. Don
 
Does the ported barrel cause any issues with fouling getting between the barrel and shroud?
 
I don't know the answer to that question Tom, I'm just assuming that S&W has considered such issues. Don
 
Buds was out of these when I tried to order one last week. However, the website said they have them in today. So I bought me one. It will give me a nice barrel length in the middle of my 500s.
 
Originally posted by Tom C:
Does the ported barrel cause any issues with fouling getting between the barrel and shroud?
Click to expand...
Dan Wesson revolvers have been working fine this way for over three decades now. I admit that the 44 Magnum 414 Supermag, 445 Supermag and 357 Maximum are all lower power cartridges than the 500S&W, but the concept is the same.

On the ported guns, DW places holes evenly around the barrel (you never know what the orientation will be when you screw the tube in). These vent through a channel in the shroud up to the ports.

The ports are far enough away from the threads that lead ammunition is not too big of a deal. Even so, I always put some never seize on the threads prior to securing the shroud.
 
Well colt_saa, I was wondering then you would get back onto this topic. I may have been a "bad" influence on you but I'm having a hard time feeling sad about that.
icon_biggrin.gif


Glad you got one, I really think you'll like it particularly if you like the more conventional S&W styling.

Right now, Bud's isn't being responsive in terms of getting me paperwork for the S&W rebate. I know they're very busy but I do want that $75. That buys nearly 150 pieces of Starline brass!

TomC, when I read the Gunblast review, I skimmed over Jeff's comment about the internal comp. Got back from errands today and looked into the muzzle with a bright light. There are three rings of ports in the barrel and they are about 3/4" inside the muzzle. Each ring has 8 or 9 port holes. Looks like it might be effective.

After shooting, I guess I'll flood the area with solvent or a similar product to neutralize any shooting byproducts that might be corrosive. Don
 
Thanks, I have the rebate coupon but I need something from Bud's to prove I bought it. I paid for the gun with a credit card and have no paperwork receipt for the transaction. Don
 
Whitecoyote, the picture was in the original post.

You can also see it on smith-wesson.com. Don
 
Originally posted by colt_saa:
Originally posted by Tom C:
Does the ported barrel cause any issues with fouling getting between the barrel and shroud?
Click to expand...
Dan Wesson revolvers have been working fine this way for over three decades now. I admit that the 44 Magnum 414 Supermag, 445 Supermag and 357 Maximum are all lower power cartridges than the 500S&W, but the concept is the same.

On the ported guns, DW places holes evenly around the barrel (you never know what the orientation will be when you screw the tube in). These vent through a channel in the shroud up to the ports.

The ports are far enough away from the threads that lead ammunition is not too big of a deal. Even so, I always put some never seize on the threads prior to securing the shroud.
Click to expand...

I have a DW744 and did have a .357 SM. It was recommended that you not use lead bullets with the ported barrels. Lead would get between the barrel and shroud and make it difficult to remove the barrel. I always used non-ported barrels to keep from having trouble.

The barrel of the S&W isn't intended to be removed. I presume Smith has learned something to reduce the likelihood of trouble.
 
I just saw the write-up in Gun Blast on the 6 1/2" .500. Sounds like the comp is the same configuration as the DW comp: holes drilled radially around the full circumference of the barrel, dumping gas into a plenum with exhaust ports up top. Seems to work fine. Looks good. I may have to get one to go with the other 3 .500s I have.
 
That's exactly what it is Tom.

Off to the range in about a half hour to christen the gun with some rounds downrange!! Don
 
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