Don't listen to the naysayers. If you want one because you need one or just want to try it, go for it. That's what I did several years ago with the 4" version and I don't have any regrets and it's not for sale either.
S&W 500-Negative Thoughts
- Thread starter Spartan 2
- Start date
68sixspeed
Member
We don't "need" muscle cars either, but they sure are a lot of fun... Go get one if you want one.
They are an experience to shoot and I enjoy letting others try it for the first time.
They are an experience to shoot and I enjoy letting others try it for the first time.
I don't have any interest in a 500...or a 460 for that matter.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't get one if you want it. It's OK with me.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't get one if you want it. It's OK with me.
Weeks ago i was in the market for a new hunting revolver to be my main hunting Gun. There was many nice guns to choose from. I narrowed it down to 3. The 500 S&W, the 460xvr and the Ruger Super blackhawk 454 casull Bisley. I did a lot of research and went to multiple gun shops and handled them over and over. But the one that i loved the most every time i held it and looked at it was the Ruger Bisley 454. It is such a beautiful gun. So light only 50 ounces but it feels even lighter then that. And its so practical to carry with the 7 inch barrel and light weight. With that being said id still like to get a .500! The reason why cause i want one. Thats all that matters. Buy what you want. Plus ly Ruger is so pretty im thinking i dont want to scope her. The 500 is more of a work tool and i wouldn't mind throwing a scope on it. Im really looking into the 4" 500 because the 8 inch version is too massive and heavy for my needs and liking. Id say if thats the gun that gets you excited and calls to you definitely get it.
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Doug M.
Member
If you don't want people's feedback, don't tell them anything. Easy.
I'll admit, there is not a single thing I value that would be accomplished with an X frame in any caliber. I can buy multiple cases of AR and pistol ammo for that money and get a lot more of what I need that way. I can have a lot of fun shooting my K38. So? I buy those things, and ignore the .500 - that's my value set. That's also true of other firearms I might desire - a 5" M27 is a great item, and I want one, but it is a poor use of my discretionary money. Likewise a good custom Browning Hi-Power.
Do what you want, and drive on.
I'll admit, there is not a single thing I value that would be accomplished with an X frame in any caliber. I can buy multiple cases of AR and pistol ammo for that money and get a lot more of what I need that way. I can have a lot of fun shooting my K38. So? I buy those things, and ignore the .500 - that's my value set. That's also true of other firearms I might desire - a 5" M27 is a great item, and I want one, but it is a poor use of my discretionary money. Likewise a good custom Browning Hi-Power.
Do what you want, and drive on.
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If I had to have a rational reason or need to own a gun I could keep my Glock 19 (carry), my Remington 870 (home defense) and S&W 41 (target shooting and plinking). The rest of my handguns and all my rifles would have to go. Where's the fun in that?
Stout loads in my S&W 69 are at the upper limit of what I want and can handle. But if you want and can afford a 500 just buy it.
Stout loads in my S&W 69 are at the upper limit of what I want and can handle. But if you want and can afford a 500 just buy it.
Roger that on the musclecars. Had a 69 Roadrunner, 70 Chevelle SS 454, & a 72 Challenger. Used to cruise route 75 in Windsor Locks CT. Near the airport. Wish I had kept them.
Lou_the_welder
Member
If my POU had a crack that the 500 would fill, i would sooooo get one.
Have my man card finally engraved in gold! Reload for it. The heavens would part every time i would take it out! It would be epic as epic should be. All my other guns in the stable would bask in the glory, of the towering behemoth of the monstrous X frame - all would shudder at the mere sight of it!.......
Uh.........yep. i live in the city........unless huge garbage trucks became violent somehow..........i would so own one!
+1 positive
Have my man card finally engraved in gold! Reload for it. The heavens would part every time i would take it out! It would be epic as epic should be. All my other guns in the stable would bask in the glory, of the towering behemoth of the monstrous X frame - all would shudder at the mere sight of it!.......
Uh.........yep. i live in the city........unless huge garbage trucks became violent somehow..........i would so own one!
+1 positive
Dan Christopher
Member
I have two 500s. One is the 6-1/2", the other is the 4".
If you want one, get one. My only advice is reloading is an absolute must, unless you have Bill Gates' money! I couldn't afford to shoot 500s without reloading. Heck, I couldn't even afford to shoot 44 Magnums without reloading.
If you want one, get one. My only advice is reloading is an absolute must, unless you have Bill Gates' money! I couldn't afford to shoot 500s without reloading. Heck, I couldn't even afford to shoot 44 Magnums without reloading.
Often, when someone offers negative advise about something, they are actually telling you why they don't want it. Since you aren't them, it shouldn't matter. In some cases, they may actually offer a piece of information you were unaware of. In those rare instances, tell them thanks.
Good (knowledgeable) friends will tell you the pluses and minuses and let you make your own decision.
The Minuses:
The gun is expensive.
The gun is bulky.
The ammo is harder to find and expensive even if you reload.
The recoil is fierce.
The Pluses:
The gun is well made.
Though bulky, the gun still weighs less than a rifle, yet will take any game on the US continent.
Like the 44 mag after Dirty Harry, the gun has it's own mystique and cool factor.
Though fierce, the recoil is manageable by even the average person. A lot of "recoil factor" is "brain driven".
If you reload, the round can be lightened up to lessen recoil.
Long before the 500 magnum made the scene, I was making heads turn with my 30-30 and 30 Herret Thompson Contenders. More powerful than the 44, and with the longer barrel, therefore longer sight radius, more accurate too.
Do what you want to do.
Good (knowledgeable) friends will tell you the pluses and minuses and let you make your own decision.
The Minuses:
The gun is expensive.
The gun is bulky.
The ammo is harder to find and expensive even if you reload.
The recoil is fierce.
The Pluses:
The gun is well made.
Though bulky, the gun still weighs less than a rifle, yet will take any game on the US continent.
Like the 44 mag after Dirty Harry, the gun has it's own mystique and cool factor.
Though fierce, the recoil is manageable by even the average person. A lot of "recoil factor" is "brain driven".
If you reload, the round can be lightened up to lessen recoil.
Long before the 500 magnum made the scene, I was making heads turn with my 30-30 and 30 Herret Thompson Contenders. More powerful than the 44, and with the longer barrel, therefore longer sight radius, more accurate too.
Do what you want to do.
DonD
Member
Go for it, they're great guns. Fine triggers and more accurate than 99.99% of people can ever exploit on other than a Ransom Rest and I'm not sure Ransom can handle full loads.
Reloading is the only way to go. I can (w/o someone giving me free lead for casting which won't happen) load full power, hard cast slug loads for about 50 cents per shot using commercial components.
Best of all, you can tailor the load to exactly what you want power wise.
I've been shooting them since they came out in 2003. I'm 68, usually use 4 cylinders of heavy loads per range trip and have had no wrist or other unpleasant effects. Use double ear protection.
One poster said the 500 Mag can handle anything on the continent. Yeah, but it can easily handle anything that walks on earth. Penetration with heavy hard cast slugs is right there or greater than a .375 H&H. Don
Reloading is the only way to go. I can (w/o someone giving me free lead for casting which won't happen) load full power, hard cast slug loads for about 50 cents per shot using commercial components.
Best of all, you can tailor the load to exactly what you want power wise.
I've been shooting them since they came out in 2003. I'm 68, usually use 4 cylinders of heavy loads per range trip and have had no wrist or other unpleasant effects. Use double ear protection.
One poster said the 500 Mag can handle anything on the continent. Yeah, but it can easily handle anything that walks on earth. Penetration with heavy hard cast slugs is right there or greater than a .375 H&H. Don
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In the deep woods of Colorado where I grew up you couldn't ask for a better round /pistol combo for shooting elk, most every shot I took was under 150yards. Wish they would've had this cartridge/gun combo 30 years ago. Id bought it for sure.
I buy guns for two reasons. Protection and pleasure.
For protection I buy what fits me best at a reasonable price. Same with pleasure guns.
I want to be able to plink as often as I can without breaking the bank. Some of my pleasure guns are the same caliber as my carry guns.
For me the 357 is big enough. I could afford to shoot a box of 500 loads every range outing but don't want to. I can shoot one my other guns longer for the same cost.
In short,I don't hunt large game and don't need a conversation piece that I can only shoot occasionally because of the cost.
But the beauty of it is, it's your decision. When your nay sayer buddies come around and want to shoot it, make them bring their own ammo!
For protection I buy what fits me best at a reasonable price. Same with pleasure guns.
I want to be able to plink as often as I can without breaking the bank. Some of my pleasure guns are the same caliber as my carry guns.
For me the 357 is big enough. I could afford to shoot a box of 500 loads every range outing but don't want to. I can shoot one my other guns longer for the same cost.
In short,I don't hunt large game and don't need a conversation piece that I can only shoot occasionally because of the cost.
But the beauty of it is, it's your decision. When your nay sayer buddies come around and want to shoot it, make them bring their own ammo!
Magnum-Krazy
Member
Get one !
I have the 6 1/2" factory one and the 5" JR Performance Center one.
Have fired many shots from both, still a fun rush.
And no, your wrists will not take a beating.
Correct stance and holding, the recoil will go through your arms into your shoulders.
325gr, 400gr, 440gr are a pleasure to shoot. Even the 500gr isn't bad at all. Now with the 700gr, might want to shoot several rounds, then take a break !
Even though the ammo is a bit pricey, still worth it.
I have the 6 1/2" factory one and the 5" JR Performance Center one.
Have fired many shots from both, still a fun rush.
And no, your wrists will not take a beating.
Correct stance and holding, the recoil will go through your arms into your shoulders.
325gr, 400gr, 440gr are a pleasure to shoot. Even the 500gr isn't bad at all. Now with the 700gr, might want to shoot several rounds, then take a break !
Even though the ammo is a bit pricey, still worth it.
Makes perfect sense to me. That's an excellent point of view to take. As others have said, if you want it & have the means, GET IT. You don't owe anyone (but yourself) an explanation.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
Do you want what you want or what the crowd wants?
classichunter
Member
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I bought the 6 1/2" half lug 500 after the first of the year. I love shooting that gun. I reload and put 3 or 4 hundreds rounds thru it already I have weak wrist from years of construction work and I've never had a problem with my wrists.
I do wear double ears and a leather glove with a handmade insert underneath it. Buy one, I would highly recommend it.
I do wear double ears and a leather glove with a handmade insert underneath it. Buy one, I would highly recommend it.
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Longhorn1986
Member
roscoepc
Member
Get one.......or two......or three..........
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