I have two 500s, an 8 3/8" and a 4", and love them both. If I had to choose one, though, I would keep the 8 3/8" gun. I am 6'2", weigh more than I should, have large hands, and am not recoil sensitive; however, the muzzle blast from the compensator of the short barrel gun is, at best, annoying, and with fast/light bullet loads, it is downright horrible. In fact, the first time I shot the 4" gun, I was using some 350 grain/1850-1900 fps loads, and it was nearly unbearable to shoot (muzzle blast, the recoil wasn't any big deal). I almost sold it (and I rarely sell any of my guns), but decided to try it once more with a different load (425 grain cast HP at around 1500 fps), and it became a favorite. The 8 3/8" gun is fun with any load, and will stabilize the heavy (600-750 grain) bullets, whereas they won't stabilize from the 4" barrel. Both are very accurate, with the long barrel having a slight edge over 150 yards. I recommend the 8 3/8" gun for your first foray into 500 land, it is easier to fall in love with. Be advised, you will probably buy a 4" later (as I did), but it takes some experimentation to find a load (or loads) that work well in it for you. BTW, not that it matters much, but recoil is noticeably more substantial with the 4" gun, although you will only notice the difference with light loads - heavy loads in either gun are beyond the point that most people can feel the difference - simple physics, the heavier gun resists movement to a greater degree. The difference in compensator design between the two guns does not reduce recoil in the 4" gun to the level of the 8", and certainly does not reduce it below the level of the 8" gun, as some have suggested. Whichever way you go, you're going to have a blast!
