S&W .500 vs RSR .454C

[BadMoose]

Hi all.

I've been lurking for a bit trying to find more info on the S&W .500.

But I just had to share this with the S&W group here.

I got to the range last Saturday, there was a guy there with a Ruger Super Redhawk in .454C.

I got set up while he waited for me to get my targets down range. I pulled out my Ruger set a box of .22LR on the bench he looked at it and snickered and says, Do you want to shoot a mans gun?

I said sure where is it?
He gave me the weirdest look and said this is a .454 Casual a real mans gun.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the 500 and said, "This is the S&W .500 Magnum would you like to try it"?

He actually said NO and packed up and left. I'm surprised how many people fear shooting this monster. His eyes darn near fell out of his head.

I'm one of those guys that will try most anything once. I mean come on how much is it really going to hurt.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

Welcome to the forum.

I get similar responses from people at the range with both handguns and rifles.

Some people forget that it's a gun range, not an ego range. A gentle reminder helps at times.

 

[huang]

You just have to feel sorry for those that have to "compensate" a mans gun. I might have been tempted to ask him why he had it. I go to the range to relax, and make sure I can hit what I aim at. What I bring depends on my mood. Glad you sent that guy packin!

 

[toroflow1]

I thank God everytime I go shooting, as I do not have to submit myself to a frigging range! Its just open desert and me...all by myself! I think I'd go nuts if I had to put up with all these "range geniuses"!!

 

[Dale53]

<span class="ev_code_RED">I think I'd go nuts if I had to put up with all these "range geniuses"!! Big Grin</span>

My local club has 800 members. We have our share of "Range Geniuses" I am sure. However, it is amazing how few of them shoot more than once or twice a year. After they to shoot alongside one of the range "hotshots" they get a funny look on their faces and go home. If they are going to be serious shooters, even if they are rank beginners, then they stay around, ask questions, and start climbing the "skill ladder" (they are NOT range geniuses).

When I was a young man I had several private places to shoot whenever I wanted. Now, all of the old farmers have died off, a lot of the land has been subdivided and if I didn't have access to our WONDERFUL (and I mean that sincerely) range, I would not be able to shoot.

Remember, the "range geniuses" help pay for range maintenance as do the members who are occasional shooters. I look rather kindly on them all.

As a for instance, today it was 70 degrees, sun shining very little wind and there were exactly four shooters at our pistol range in the two-three hours I was there. It is seven minutes from my home (right on the outskirts of town). Heaven is HERE!

Dale53

 

[grit]

Originally posted by BadMoose:
I'm surprised how many people fear shooting this monster. His eyes darn near fell out of his head.

'Sounds like he was not so much fearful as he was ashamed that "yours was bigger than his." A .454C owner should not fear shooting the .500 on an X-frame...I've heard people who owned both say that the 500 was the more pleasant one to shoot.

 

[JD 500]

Originally posted by grit:

Originally posted by BadMoose:
I'm surprised how many people fear shooting this monster. His eyes darn near fell out of his head.

'Sounds like he was not so much fearful as he was ashamed that "yours was bigger than his." A .454C owner should not fear shooting the .500 on an X-frame...I've heard people who owned both say that the 500 was the more pleasant one to shoot.

In MY Opinion - The 500 is WAY more pleasant to shoot than a Ruger 454. I've also heard a lot of guys say thier most unpleasant shooting experience was shooting a 357 or 44 on light frames, as opposed to the worst being the biggest caliber.

Great post BadMoose - wish I could have been there to see the look on that guy's face.

 

[Redhawk1]

When I start shooting at the range, most of the time, others come over to see what I am shooting. I make offers to let others shoot my 500 Mag's, but not many takers.

I always carry a few 700 gr. big boys if a guy thinks he is a macho bad guy. Usually only one of them is all it takes.

 

[grit]

Originally posted by Redhawk1:
I always carry a few 700 gr. big boys if a guy thinks he is a macho bad guy. Usually only one of them is all it takes.

LOL Now that is funny!!! You're a mean one! Do you bring a hard hat for them to wear?!?

 

[boycan]

I was three stalls over from someone shooting what looked liked the 500 S&W this weekend at an outdoor range and I swear my hair blew when he shot! That was one bad boy, not even sure he hit the target or even cared! Made my 45 sound like a 22

 

[Paulinski]

I'm going to shoot mine for first time tomorrow (6.5" barrel)

I got some Hornady 300gr FXT and Winchester 400gr Winchester Supreme.

I'm a little apprehensive to tell the truth.

Paul

 

[boycan]

Originally posted by Paulinski:
I'm going to shoot mine for first time tomorrow (6.5" barrel)

I got some Hornady 300gr FXT and Winchester 400gr Winchester Supreme.

I'm a little apprehensive to tell the truth.

Paul

Wish I could go with you, don't worry your going to love it!

 

[grit]

Originally posted by Paulinski:
I'm going to shoot mine for first time tomorrow (6.5" barrel)

I got some Hornady 300gr FXT and Winchester 400gr Winchester Supreme.

I'm a little apprehensive to tell the truth.

Paul

Congrats!!! That's a nice purchase...and some lively rounds to go through it...enjoy the ride!!!

 

[Markuson]

I am honestly amazed at how much fear and trembling this gun elicits. I'm using the 4" and it is just not THAT hot. It kicks, and kicks HARD, but that's all it does. It doesn't break bones, or leave bruises. My hands don't tingle, and I don't understand claims in that regard. Not sure what to think. Are my hands just immune?

I WILL say, however, that unless I VERY deliberately tuck my thumb down HARD against my hand while gripping...the cylinder release will take a nasty gouge out of the back of your thumb knuckle. Not had that happen with any other hard-kicking gun. The 500 definitely jumps, though I've got light-weight 44 Mag with special Alaskan grizzly loads that kick like a freight train, as well as .454 that does the same. I disagree that the 500 kicks less...but it's just not that bad.

I've shot 150-200 heavy loads (400-500 gr) in a session several times, and the truly "painful" part was felt almost entirely in my WALLET!

Anyone else?

 

[BadMoose]

I'm heading out this afternoon with the 4" 500 & my Glock 30.

Going to the state police range so it will be just me and my shoot buddy. I usually shoot there and I know of at least one LEO that said he was be there just to try it out.

The guys there will try just about anything.

I don't have any 700 gr do have some Cor-bon 400gr.

Markuson did you have any trouble with your 4" shooting high?
With my rear sight bottomed out mine hits 12" to 14" high at 25 yards. I'm going to mark the with rear sight with masking tape to see how far I need to take it down to hit dead on at 25 yards.

 

[danbrew]

Funny how people thing it's some monster that will punish you. I shoot a .454C, the 4" 500, and a .44 in a S&M Model 329 and the 329 with hot loads is the one that makes me whimper like a little girl...

 

[Paulinski]

I'm back and I'm alive

The recoil wasn't that bad however I managed to bruise the underside of my knuckle on my index finger.

I'm a lefty still trying to figure out how it happened.

Btw I love the gun I can't wait to shoot it again.

 

[Markuson]

To BadMoose:

No. My 4 inch is dead-on accurate.
Even the most seasoned shooters, however, will often find themselves unknowingly pulling this gun more than they realize, in anticipation of the heavy recoil.

Suggestion:
Put only 3 rounds in the cylinder...with two shots next to each other...skip on either side, with one round isolated by itself in the cylinder. Now spin it while open without looking, and close--making sure you don't peek at where the rounds sit.

Now, shoot only one shot at a time, spinning the cylinder between each shot...not looking where the rounds end up as you close the cylinder again. The result is you will be entirely unsure when each shot will fire. Note movement of your hand each time a shot does NOT fire...and you may well be surprised how much you are flinching.

This is a great "test" for any shooter and can be very revealing of the natural human tendency to anticipate recoil--creating movement problems.

You don't have to be a "wimp" to have this reaction, but this exercise can help identify it.

I highly doubt your gun is that far off, but try this and see.

Markuson

 

[BadMoose]

I will give that a try, we got rained out today.

 

[grit]

Nice post Markuson. I'm gonna give that test a try myself. I've only shot my 500 4 times so far and I definitely have a flinch. I figure a lot of that has to do with not being used to the power. It was the same with my 460V, but after some practice I got used to the recoil. With that said, the 500 is not a 460, it is WAY more powerful, and I have some work to do before I'm proficient with it.