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S&W Model 500 .50 Magnum

6K views 37 replies 26 participants last post by  maineultraclassic 
#1 ·
was at the gun show this past weekend and they had a Smith an Wesson Model 500 .50 cal magnum....came home and started to research the gun....the one at the show had a over 8" barrel but I see they also make a 4" barrel....as I started researching I found the prices to be between $900.00 and $1500.00, I think I am going to start saving up for that gun......just would like to have it ...maybe a birthday present to myself :D

Smith & Wesson Model 500 ? The World's Most Powerful Production Revolver - Keepshooting®
 
#3 ·
And don't forget your muffs!!:D
 
#4 ·
A very cool revolver! I was able to fire one at the range not too long ago. Another shooter noticed me staring at him :D .

He offered to let me fire the shorter barreled 500 along with his Alaskan 454. If I had to pick, it'd be the Ruger. The Casull is quite fun but still allows 45 Colt ammo at a more reasonable price. Handloading would seem to be a must if you pick up a 500.
 
#5 ·
I spotted some factory loaded ammo and empty brass for the .500. WOW! I doubt I could afford to feed the beast. Besides, I have a RSRH in .454 and it's quite enough for me. I'm glad I bought my ammo and brass when it was still marginally affordable.
I shot a .500 once. It's just too big and bulky for me, my SRH seems petite in comparison. That and the fact that .45 Colt can also be used is a big plus. Have fun with your Boomer Tumbleweed.
 
#7 ·
Second hand, with only a few rounds fired, they're real easy to find, and usually around $1000. I would get the 5.5" if any. I wanted a John Ross S&W 500, but spoke to someone who owns both. He says the 460 is a better choice. Well I came across a 454 Alaskan and now I wouldn't trade straight across for any Smith. There's a 3.5" PC 460 that's really nice. Of course the 460s shoot 45LC and 454 as well.
 
#8 ·
Here's a clip of me shooting the .500 at the local range where I rented it. I ramble a bit at first, so feel free to move past my babbling. A couple of notes. First, they did not have the standard .500 X-Frame Pachmyay grip. It had been replaced with a smaller grip that was not appropriate for such a heavy recoiling gun! I'm pretty ticked about that as my palm had two large bruises for a week. Secondly, they insist on having some range guy go out with you and load it for you and he'd only load two at a time. Never mind me explaining to them that I am a big-bore enthusiast who owns and regularly shoots a .454 Casull. No, the same rules applied. Anyways, if you wanna see me tame the beast that is the .500, see below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc9nS6-TzdI
 
#10 ·
Had a 460 Smith and, to be honest, recoil was not that bad, thanks to the gun's weight and the fact that these guns do come with comps. The worst part of shooting the 460 Smith for me was not the recoil - have had light 44 mags that were worse - it was the extreme concussion and noise. After about 20 rounds at the range, felt like my face had a nasty case of sunburn. Sold the gun not because of recoil, but because that big frame was just too much for me. My SBH 454 may not be as powerful, but the Ruger is one heck of a lot nicer for me to carry and grip.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Yeah, i have experience with the 500 smith. A friend has one, I fired around 15 rounds through one, and I can say by far its tough on your hand. Its recoil does not raise the muzzle, but diverts all the energy into the grip, and your hand. Like was stated a good set of gloves and hogue grip i seriously recommend. I own the alaskan 454, 50ae desert eagle, and 29 smith in 44 mag. In order of toughest on you the 500 is top, the 454, 44 mag, then the 50ae. I would never knock someone elses decision on what to buy however even though I like large calibers, and own several, the 500 smith is not for me. 2000 fps ammo, and 20 rounds costs $75. Its not for the faint of heart. But it is accurate, and the top of the revolver food chain.

I find it to be more painful than enjoyable, and I shoot to enjoy it.;)
 
#16 ·
I would like to tip my hat here. I cut it short at 20 rounds! RESPECT!

Also, I want to agree with Tacky, the recoil doesn't raise the muzzle and is like a horse kicking you in the palm. The .454 Casull is higher pressure and while it's easier on my palm, it snaps harder and faster than anything else. I'd still be able to fire more rounds than the .500 Smith & Wesson. But that nasty "I'm-gonna-recoil-the-barrel-into-your-nose" snap deserves recognition as this round is the second harshest thing I've fired. Still, a great cartridge I love to shoot!
 
#15 ·
A guy at the range a few weeks ago invited me to should his. I said nah, I don't think so.

No I didn't! I said sure. It was quite a rush shooting that think. Recoil was not nearly what I expected. The most impressive thing? The size of the cartridges. They look like they should be shot out of a buffalo hunting rifle.
 
#19 · (Edited)
I feel everyone should own one of these boomers. I bought a 460XVR, 8-3/8 barrel, used with only four rounds fired. Fairly common at almost any gun store. It is easily the most ridiculous hand gun I own, but it makes me laugh every time I use it. I feel the recoil is stout but manageable with Hogue grips. For me it is the muzzle flip that takes a bit of getting used to, along with the incredible muzzle blast and concussion. I have tried a similar S&W 500, but seriously, a man has got to know his limitations.
With .45 Long Colt loads, the 460XVR is very pleasant to shoot at my favorite indoor range. With Hornady 200grain .460 loads it is better to shoot at an outside range, as most of my indoor range pals will agree.
 
#21 ·
I have fired an 8" S&W .500 with loads running from 350gr to 440gr in bullet weight. Almost all of them were punishing to the shooter. Getting kicked in the palm is a close comparison to the feeling. I believe it was a Magtech load that was the comfortable exception, while a full-house 400gr hardcast load was so violent that one cylinder full was enough for me.I enjoy shooting my .44 magnums and .45 Colts. I never really enjoyed the .500. Shooting one accurately enough to make use of all that power is not easy. The owner of the gun felt the same way. He traded the big S&W straight up for a 6" Colt Anaconda .44 and has been happily shooting ever since. The .500 is awesome, but the .460 makes more sense to me. The versatility offered by the different ammo power levels is unrivaled.
 
#22 ·
I have the 500 Mag with the 8" barrel. I bought it about 5 years ago now and shoot it once in a while. I have shot some 500 Gr. Hornady Ammo in it and the recoil is pretty stout so I got a set of Dies and started Hand loading for it. I load Speer 350 Gr Bullets and Hodgon Tite group powder. The velocity for my loads is around 1400 Fps and now it recoils like my 44 mag with 240 Gr. Bullets. I Mounted a 2x28 mm scope on it with a Warne SS mount & rings. It is very accurate at 50 yds achieving 2" groups bench resting.

It will be an attention getter at the range.
 
#26 ·
I shot the S&W 500 and the S&W 460 before buying. I bought an 8 3/8" and a 5" S&W 460 since it has as much or more muzzle energy as the S&W 500. The best part of the 460 is it also shoots the ,454 Casull and the .45 Colt. You need to wear both foam ear plugs and ear muffs shooting either one. The recoil is more straight back with heavy torque with the compensators.

After I retired and no longer was working in remote wilderness areas around moose and brown bear, I sold both. My current big bore handguns are my 7 1/2" Ruger Super Redhawk ,454 Casull which also shoots the .45 Colt plus several .44 magnum revolvers.
 
#27 ·
Does the 4 inch model truly have a 4" barrel? Or, is the compensator at the end of the barrel counted in the barrel length? It appears to only have a "true" 3 inch barrel. I see the 460 can be had with a 5" barrel which is what I really would prefer. I wonder why the 500 doesn't come with a 5" barrel.
 
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