S&W 500-Negative Thoughts

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
 
Last edited:
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!;)
 
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.
 
sandmansans said:
The gist of it, is that some folks tend to spew negative verbal diarrhea when you get something that either 1. They aren't manly enough to handle or 2. They secretly wish they could have it, but for whatever reason they don't so they resort to insult tactics.

I recently had, as in a few days ago, a 500. I had to get rid of it because of pressing financial issues, but nothing regarding the gun itself. It's the most fun you can have. Yea it's expensive. Yes it's loud. Yes it hurts your wrist. Yes it's impractical. ...but so what! It's your money, your life and your wrist. So who gives a rats behind what anyone has to say about it!

Regarding the ammo expense, it's all relative. What I mean by this is that I shoot 9mm along with other calibers as well. 9mm will run me about 20 cents a round on the cheap end, whereas the .500 cheap rounds were 1.90. The difference is, that you shoot 5-10 rounds of the 500 and you're done. You get so much fun and satisfaction out of those 10 shots for roughly 20 bucks. Whereas the 9mm I shoot anywhere from 100-150 rounds at a time before my fun is satisfied. That ends up being 20-30 dollars for the same level of satisfaction regarding fun.

That make sense?

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
Last edited:
By the same logic, why would you climb Mt. Everest? It's far away, it's expensive, It's difficult, blah, blah, blah. You do it because you're a MAN and you want to! Here is a pic of me shooting my 4" with 700 grain Underwoods. I highly don't recommend it, it hurt like a mofo! And yes it is fun as heck, but expensive. I am now reloading my own loads that are light. This thing has a cool factor that can't be beat. If you want it, get it and enjoy it!
 

Attachments

  • DAVE-500 FLASH.jpg
    DAVE-500 FLASH.jpg
    107.3 KB · Views: 52
I've had my 6-1/2" 500 for a few months now and it seems like a lot of the people that don't like them haven't fired one, or they've been standing on either side of one when it's been fired (the shock wave/concussion is much more intense than it is for the person firing it). Reloading is the only way I can afford to shoot it about a hundred rounds a week. I haven't had any pains from shooting it, but I might not be the best example since I take a break from the 500 by shooting mid-range .44 Magnum loads from a 629 5" while the 500 cools down and vise-versa. If it makes you smile and you can afford it why bother with what anyone else thinks?
 
I have an 8 3/8" 500. The statement recoil is fierce is not always true. The statement ammo is expensive is not always true.
I recently bought one hundred 335 grain Rainier plated bullets for $17. These can be reloaded with Trail Boss powder to about 900 fps which will feel like a light 38 Spl in the big gun although it still produces about the same muzzle energy of a full house 44 Magnum. Same bullet can be loaded with Unique or Tite Group to make a load that recoils about the same in the big gun as a typical 44 Magnum and goes about 1200 fps with a muzzle energy quite above what the 44 can do. I wouldn't push these bullets past 1500 fps, but then there are other loads for hunting T Rex.
So,
What I'm saying is, if you reload, this is one of the most versatile revolvers you can ever own.
I own a 460 as well, and even though it will shoot four different rounds, The 500 will do all of it from the same case if loaded correctly, and some more.
 
Last edited:
The guys that bash the 500 usually don't have one and most likely haven't fired one. So - comments without experience are just empty air. I bought once because I am not afraid of recoil and wanted one. I shoot it a few times a year and reload about 3/4 power loads for it.
 
Spartan 2 said:
Some of the comments are, Do you know how much rounds cost for that, Your wrists sure will take a beating, You will use it a few times and end up selling it, Are you going hunting for T-Rex with that,What do need something that powerful for, Etc. I dont remember having to go through this when I bought my S&W Model 29 in 1973, at that time I believe it was the most powerful production handgun available.
Click to expand...

I've pondered this before. Not at all uncommon at the rifle range to have someone ask whatchya shooting and invariably goes to "that's too little to hunt with" or "why do you need such a cannon?" When an individual says cool I've never shot one of those before we end up sharing each other's for the experience. This is an encouraging encounter with fellow man. The other ones, not so much.

I conclude some people are just jealous that others are happy living to their own desires without needing to be approved by the others.
 
I've never owned one, but.....
I've never shot one, but.....
Why do you need that....?
I don't reload, but you'll get a kaboom if you do that....!!!!!

Number one answers on any gun forum, unfortunately, to include this one.
 
Last edited:
Not for me. But I certainly wouldn't deny you the pleasure. Post pics when you get it.
 
If I was younger in my 20's / 30's I'd have a few bigger bore revolvers. I say go for it. I don't think my 65yo battered body could handle one now.
 
I would never criticize someone for buying as gun "just because."

I have a left-hand 375 Ruger stainless laminated express rifle. I live in KY and I'm never going to Africa. I told my wife I bought it in case there's a crazy guy nearby we don't know about who has a collection of zoo animals and decides to set them free (like the guy recently in Ohio.) I shot a deer with it in the fall using a cast bullet and a significantly reduced load---but if we ever have free-range bison here then I'm all set!

The Ruger was on sale at a significantly reduced price, and I found a bunch of cases at a gunshow for a really good deal. I can't see spending what S&W wants for one of the X-frame guns to only shoot it a few times. That's especially true considering what cases and bullets would cost---but everybody has different levels of spending comfort and different priorities. If you want one then get one. As a doctor/veteran/shooting enthusiast once said to me, "Enjoy your freedom, brother."
 
I went with the 460 XVR, starting with 45 long Colt and then to 454 Casull rounds. I have yet to put any 460s through it yet. I will work may way up eventualy. Having these lower powered options over the 500 was my rational to purchasing the 460. On the negative side, it is my only Smith & Wesson with the lock on it. I guess I lack your courage!
 
MygunisaS&Wrevolver said:
I went with the 460 XVR, starting with 45 long Colt and then to 454 Casull rounds. I have yet to put any 460s through it yet. I will work may way up eventualy. Having these lower powered options over the 500 was my rational to purchasing the 460. On the negative side, it is my only Smith & Wesson with the lock on it. I guess I lack your courage!
Click to expand...

That is the same reason I bought a 460, because it can shoot three different rounds through the same revolver.

I have shot a 500 and it was fun. Every time I take the 460 to the range and shoot it, everyone there thinks it's a 500, I think because there are a lot more 500s out there than 460s.

I have shot both the 500 and 460 side by side one day. The 460 makes more of a crack when fired, while the 500 is more of a thud that you can feel all the way in you feet.

Both are a lot of fun, and yes, a bit expensive to shoot. I do reload for the 460 which helps. Oh, and I don't think the recoil of either model is that bad.

I too let others shoot the 460 at the range from time to time and everyone who has done so ends up with a big smile on their face!
 
Perhaps you should look closer at why you are considering this purchase. If it is to impress others and increase their esteem for you, you would possibly benefit from some counseling. If, in the other hand, you are just seeking the satisfaction of following your own wishes, screw what others think and just enjoy yourself. Life's too short to always be seeking the approval of the crowd. If you're happy with the route you choose it doesn't matter what they say.
 
Elkins45 said:
I would never criticize someone for buying as gun "just because."

I have a left-hand 375 Ruger stainless laminated express rifle. I live in KY and I'm never going to Africa. I told my wife I bought it in case there's a crazy guy nearby we don't know about who has a collection of zoo animals and decides to set them free (like the guy recently in Ohio.) I shot a deer with it in the fall using a cast bullet and a significantly reduced load---but if we ever have free-range bison here then I'm all set!

The Ruger was on sale at a significantly reduced price, and I found a bunch of cases at a gunshow for a really good deal. I can't see spending what S&W wants for one of the X-frame guns to only shoot it a few times. That's especially true considering what cases and bullets would cost---but everybody has different levels of spending comfort and different priorities. If you want one then get one. As a doctor/veteran/shooting enthusiast once said to me, "Enjoy your freedom, brother."
Click to expand...

Good on you, big bore rifles and pistols are great. I bought a Ruger No. 1 in .458 Win Mag 36 yrs ago. Beautiful stock, great trigger, near 1 MOA gun if I do my part. And yes, no elephants or T-Rexes anywhere near where I've lived and I'm not going to African and think grizzlies are in too limited numbers to be hunted.

I'm not much of a hunter though I support the right to hunt. Gun has destroyed lots of water jugs, shot a sow wild pig with it, the only game animal I've shot.

Enjoy that .375 Ruger. Don
 
People that say big bore are not fun have never shot one. Also target shoot a Weatherby Mark V 300mag.
 

Attachments

  • MVC-006F.jpg
    MVC-006F.jpg
    94 KB · Views: 21
Just Because

I have 60 hand guns and 12 of them are revolvers and of those 12 are 2 X Frames. A 460 in 5" and a 500 in 4". Why did I buy them? Because !!
Because I like the looks of them. Because I love the feel of them. Because I had room in the safe. Because I got a good deal on them as a package. They have cost me nothing in ammo at this point because Im enjoying them just looking at them and handling them because they are just so damn cool. Have not shot them yet but someday I will get around to shooting them and then there will be more love. So buy them just because. Over and out:cool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

W
500 S&W Issues.
Replies
24
Views
734
DT75
D
Dirty Smith Harry
S&W 500 penetration and tumbling questions
Replies
23
Views
990
rays44
R
Bald1
  • Locked
Sold/Withdrawn WTS 38 S&W British Service Revolver price drop $500
Replies
4
Views
785
larkworthy
L
Doc Mark
Your Thoughts on the S&W Shield .40 Cal?
Replies
11
Views
375
Doc Mark
Doc Mark
N
.45 Super and/or .460 Rowland in a S&W 625 ???
Replies
25
Views
914
BLUEDOT37
BLUEDOT37

Latest posts

Back
Top