should I buy a .500?

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richlab

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Greetings:
I had a chance to fire a .500 last year. I LOVED it, but I have always been a fan of big loud Smiths, so I wasn't surprised by the new found love.

I told my wife, "I am going to buy one of those"

Now, I still very much want one, and I want to handload for it. (which I currently do for a number of calibers)

I guess I had some general questions:
1. I have not fired the .460 Should I be considering one? Lot of different rounds could be put through it, but still, I'm drawn to the bigger .500

2. any of you .500 owners ever say "what the heck did I buy this thing for?"

3. Any general advice you'd give to a buyer getting ready to hit the market?

Thanks,
Rich
 
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Greetings:
I had a chance to fire a .500 last year. I LOVED it, but I have always been a fan of big loud Smiths, so I wasn't surprised by the new found love.

I told my wife, "I am going to buy one of those"

Now, I still very much want one, and I want to handload for it. (which I currently do for a number of calibers)

I guess I had some general questions:
1. I have not fired the .460 Should I be considering one? Lot of different rounds could be put through it, but still, I'm drawn to the bigger .500

2. any of you .500 owners ever say "what the heck did I buy this thing for?"

3. Any general advice you'd give to a buyer getting ready to hit the market?

Thanks,
Rich
 
Bought a 4" several years ago and love it... Mainly just shoot a medium load of a 350 grain Berry's plated bullet with 18.0 grains of Unique for 1200 fps but it will clear a bowling pin right off a table... Brings smiles to all who shoot it...

Bob
 
I think most who have .500s would say get it, I think they're great guns. Mine is the 3rd one I've had, only have a 6.5" barreled PC now. Too long a story to explain why I sold the other two but all three have been fine shooters.

What else can give you the accuracy and the phenomenal power range? Buy one. Don
 
Thanks, Guys, I better go break the news to my wife!

I find this amusing, a year or so later:
I went to a range with a friend of mine. I brought my K-22, and a model 29. (I had all the bases covered)

I was shooting next to a nice guy, that had multiple rifles and handguns upon handguns. he had complimented my pretty much mint, 30 year old .44,
and he had a stainless version.

Near the end of his session, he slowly pulled out the .500 while looking at me. when I saw what it was (first time seeing one in person), I think I was speechless and stammered "is that the 500??" (picture a bit of drool in the corner of my mouth)
he said "well, yes it is. would you like to try it??"
"well, yes I would!"

This guy was one of the nicest guys I have ever met, and that time at the range was amazing. At that point, I knew I had to have one of these.

The guy that brought me is a big fan of his Sig 9mm's, but my love is big S&W revolvers..... the next day I apologized for getting so caught up in the .500! (he could not understand how "shooting that thing was "fun"?",
but I sure loved it.

O.K., but what about the .460 in comparison? More cartidges to load for, but I can do multiple loads with the .500, from heavy to tame, so I'm wondering if anyone would say "look, the 500 is a mistake, you need the .460, and this is why:...."
Thanks again,
Rich
 
I don't have a 460, but

Bigger is better & I've seen better deals on the .500 lately. I picked mine (8 3/8") up for about $630 otd.
 
Did someone say 460?

30 years ago one of the hangers-on at the range I frequented in those halcyon days, brought out a .460 Weatherby. With scope mounted well forward, I should add.

Once he'd collected enough admirers to satisfy, he took one (1) shot. I don't think he was aiming at anything in particular-- just the berm. He staggered back. His palm went to his forehead and came away bloody. There was a nice semicircular laceration above his right eye, where the well-forward scope had taken a divot.

The punch line: the idiot asked if anyone else would like to shoot it. We all just stared.
 
Try to find a nice used one (which there are plenty). Most people buy these and shoot them once and then hang a for sale sign on them. You can save 30%, maybe more.
By the way, I own two. Love em!
 
I bought an 8 3/8 500 about a month ago and I sometimes wonder why. Then I just go get some more ammo!
Handloading is a must with this gun as factory stuff is about $2.50 a round. I have also shot a 460 and I have found it to have more bark with sharper recoil. That's just my experience though.
These are not guns for beginners. If you are just embarking on this hobby then get yourself something more docile to learn to shoot with. Otherwise you will end up with a flinch that will follow you for years. For more experienced shooters there is a lot of fun to be had with these guns.
 
Near the end of his session, he slowly pulled out the .500 while looking at me. when I saw what it was (first time seeing one in person), I think I was speechless and stammered "is that the 500??" (picture a bit of drool in the corner of my mouth)
he said "well, yes it is. would you like to try it??"
"well, yes I would!"

This guy was one of the nicest guys I have ever met, and that time at the range was amazing. At that point, I knew I had to have one of these.
Click to expand...


...Rich...this was NOT a nice man...unless you call a "pusher" an nice guy... Here..just try this little pack of coke..it's free...here just try it... This "nice guy" knows an addict when he sees one...

Your wife needs to put you in rehab now...
icon_biggrin.gif


Bob
 
I purchased the 460v 5" barrel two years ago. About 6 months later I noticed on the S&W website a limited availability, special run by "Lew Horton" gun distributor of a S&W 500 4" barrel with green Hogue grip, DeSantis green camo leather/nylon holster and 5 shot ammo belt holder with green storage box. I believe only 100 were made so I was fortunate to have acquired one.

I enjoy both and the 500 is a notch up on the 460.

I shoot Hornady 200 grain SST ammo with the 460...currently this ammo is $27/ 20 count box via MidwayUSA.com.

The 500 gets the Hornady 300 grain SST's at $54/box.
 
Great responses, guys.
Al, I have read your range reports with great interest, but I have to ask: can't I get that same accuracy, and almost that velocity with the .500?
I see load data with speeds of 1800-1900 fps,
didn't seem as much of a difference as I expected?
 
Bob, you are correct, by the way, I think that "nice guy" was a Smith and Wesson sales rep!
icon_wink.gif

Whatever he was, that trip to the range caused me to set up my reloading stuff, join the local gun club, and start shooting again.
Never thought a .44 would feel anemic.
 
All I know about the .500 I learned by watching a slip of a woman light one off in the stall next to me at the indoor range two days ago. She fired TWO complete cylinders worth.

Holy Supersonic Fireballs, Batman!

I freely admit I have no desire to shoot one, and she has bigger balls than me.
 
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