I Had A S&W 500 Magnum

[trapper44shooter]

I saved for along time to buy the revolver it was S&W's Preformance Center model & I had nothing but headaches with it would skip timing & they screws on the side of the yoke would loosen all of the time so I contacted S&W & they said they would send me some extra screws $1,199 gun & it wasn't worth a hoot it wouldn't shoot my reloads or factory ammo either with out messing up I wound up taking a loss on it but I learned a lesson the 500 S&W is too much for a handgun IMHO

[Bazoo]

I've never had the chance to fire one. I'd like to try it. I have a Ruger super blackhawk in 44 magnum with a 4 5/8" barrel. With full magnums it's a bit much. It's fine for a few cylinders full but I prefer lighter loads for everyday plinking and normal working loads.

[mozeppa]

i still have one but not the performance center one (8 " barrel) .

powerful and accurate ...has the crispest 2.8 lb. trigger pull.

you should have sent it back ...not taken a loss...that one is on you.

[RichardB]

a bit of loctite on the screw would fix the problem and a slightly stronger spring fixes the bolt skipping. Easy fixes. Should it have worked straight from the factory? Yes, but these days seems everything new needs a tweak or two...

[Buzz Krumhunger]

I had one too. It spit lead from the cylinder gap and muzzle brake, was heavy and almost as handy as a .30-30 carbine, and it didn’t take long for me to trade it off.

[DougGuy]

I fired a few rounds out of an 8" with a scope, it was heavy as all getout but stable with the scope and recoil wasn't any worse than a SBH with iron sights because of the scope. I don't think I would own one.

[6bg6ga]

I watched a very large muscular gentleman with arms like tree trunks shoot a 500 Magnum. In a way it was comical as it pointed at about 11:00 after every shot. I watched him shoot two cylinders worth and at that time he said I've had enough. I passed on a new one at the gun shop before I moved for $950.00 It was tempting but the recoil the large man experienced was enough to make me pass on it.

[kayala]

I have 2 X-frames in 460 and 500, both 7.5" PC. 460 has been fine (just b/c a little on the high side). 500 has been problematic - went to repairs after 1st outing, cause I could move front sight with my fingers. After that it was just fine 350gr to 700gr (these 700gr I had to limit to 1-2 in the cylinder otherwise even with heavy crimp after 2-3 shots cylinder would get locked because of bullet jump). Had to sent 500 back to mothership because of the timing, but I still not planning to get rid of it - it's just too much fun :D Oh and sideplate screws get loose even on my 610, I just tighten them up after range session and check them before range visit, I guess some purple locktite would solve that problem.

[Petander]

My 2003 model was better from the factory than my current 2018 model. The new one had burrs etc all over, nothing finished. But it's a good, strong gun after some work. I shoot claybirds @ 50 meters w factory level loads. Zero leading probs with any coated cast,I have 305,400,425 and 615 molds.

I was in a gun shop today,they had a retired gunsmith fix a new, problematic 500. He had said some strong words about the recent S&W "quality" vs the good old days.

[ebner glocken]

Interesting to know, I've had zero issues out of my BFR.

Ebner

[Chad5005]

ive got a pair of s&w 500s with 8 inch barrels,ive never had a problem with either and have fired hundreds of rounds out of both,both very accurate and never any leading problems

[ScrapMetal]

ive got a pair of s&w 500s with 8 inch barrels,ive never had a problem with either and have fired hundreds of rounds out of both,both very accurate and never any leading problems

Ditto here! I love shooting mine and am a little surprised that everyone seems to think the recoil is stout? It's got a good punch to it but easily handled.

JMHO

-Ron

[megasupermagnum]

I'm not saying you always have to run it all out, but when a gun is capable of shooting a 500 grain bullet at over 1500 fps, I don't consider that "easily handled". Not by me anyway. That's right up in 12 gauge shotgun slug territory!

[samari46]

Have a good neighbor who cuts my grass for me in the summer. Won't take anything for it except for an occasional case of beer. I knew he had a S&W 500 magnum so one visit to our local gun shop netted me two boxes for the 500. He does not reload and was very happy. He decides to let me shoot it. I have a big pile of clay sp we shot into that. One shot was all that I needed. Way too much cannon for this old man. My 44 mag Redhawk was like a hot 357 mag compared to the 500. Truth be told I think he hasn't put all that many rounds through it. Not at the cost of factory ammo. It is what it is. He has shot my Redhawk and big difference. Frank

[fatelk]

A friend has one and I've shot it a few times. With full power loads it's quite a cannon. Because of the massive weight the recoil didn't seem too bad to me, but I only shot a few rounds each time.

I kind of want one, but only for the novelty factor. I really don't see any practical use for it at all, for me, and I doubt I'll ever be able to financially justify buying one, but I still kind of want one, just a little. If I was offered one for the right price, I figure I'd have to find a way to come up with the money. It would have to be cheap though, cheap enough that I could sell it again easily when I wised up. :)

It's funny, I say that now but in reality I already have several .44 Magnum revolvers that I hardly ever shoot anymore.

[trapper44shooter]

I held my reloads at medium range there was no excuse for a gun costing that much be such a poorly functioning revolver & that one is on S&W I know guys who have a M500 & never had a bit of trouble but they didn't shoot them much & I had loaded up many for mine I guess that it couldn't handle being shot so much so I went back to the 44 magnum

[lar45]

I bought a 4" S&W 500 just after they came out. I found mine slightly used at $650ish. I guess some guy came in, bought the gun and a box of ammo, then brought it back that afternoon with 5 rounds fired out of the box. I have not had a bit of problems from mine, no loose screws or spitting. It has a great trigger also. I have shot everything from 350s to 700s out of it from light to over max and have settled on the Lee 440 at about 1250 loaded with IMR 4227. I also have a BFR in 500S&W and have had zero problems with it.

[glaciers]

Can't see any need for the 460 or the 500 S&W. Heavy, bulky, difficult to control for most people.

Marlin 1895 with a 16" bbl with the proper sling makes more since. Or a 12 ga, 16" and a pistol grip. Either of these my 72 year old wife can handle in a pinch.

Like I said, can't see the need. For the got to have one because its there crowd, go for it.

[Chad5005]

its not a need item,its not a keep up with the jones item.because jones probably cant handle it.its a want item,for people that want a heavy hard recoiling handgun to target practice with or that one shot bear stopper or maybe just to hunt with

[Wayne Smith]

Naah, when it came out my statement was that it was too much for a handgun but perfect for a carbine. Then TC came out with the Katadin - and that was all she wrote. I've shot the 45-70 barrel more than the 500, but have shot and keep both.

[jonp]

I've looked at them but can't seem to find a reason to own one. A S&W .460 would seem more practical to me if you really needed a giant handgun as you could also fire 45LC, 454 Casull or 45 Schofield if you had some of that. If you need to carry a big bore handgun for protection in Alaska, say, then a 454 or 480 Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan with a short barrel would seem a better choice to me and would probably be the direction I'd go if I was needing one. It would be a toss-up between that and a 10mm, though

I just don't see it as a practical gun for anything but playing at the range or maybe a deer stand but if your sitting in a deer stand a 45LC could be loaded strong enough to drop whatever walks by. If I had the money to burn I'd buy one for kicks to try out but since I don't I'll stick with a 45LC Blackhawk.

[RJM52]

A friend bought one of the original 8" models right after they came out. He loaded it with 440 grain HC bullets with H110 powder. It was MUCH more pleasant to shoot than my Freedom Arms 83 .454. It ran a bullet through one 20 pound propane tank, into the next and dented the back of the second tank.

I bought the 4" as soon as they were released. Found a used one the had ONE round through it. I have standardized on 350 grain bullets as that is all I need. 18.0 grain s of Unique runs 1080 for target shooting and 20.0 runs 1250 for hunting. Neither is abusive.

Zero problems with the gun at all...

Bob

[megasupermagnum]

A friend bought one of the original 8" models right after they came out. He loaded it with 440 grain HC bullets with H110 powder. It was MUCH more pleasant to shoot than my Freedom Arms 83 .454. It ran a bullet through one 20 pound propane tank, into the next and dented the back of the second tank.

I bought the 4" as soon as they were released. Found a used one the had ONE round through it. I have standardized on 350 grain bullets as that is all I need. 18.0 grain s of Unique runs 1080 for target shooting and 20.0 runs 1250 for hunting. Neither is abusive.

Zero problems with the gun at all...

Bob

If you are going to run a 350 grain at 1080-1250 fps, why wouldn't you use a 44 magnum? If you just like the gun, that's great. It seems odd to me, to have a race horse to trot around the farm with.

[lawdog941]

Had one about 10 years ago. I can handle stout loads from 44-454, but this one after 10 rounds made my hand hurt to the point I couldn't even grip my duty gun. I now have a 454 Ruger SRH and haven't been happier. The 500 has a place if you ever run into Rhino or Elephants, just not for me.

[RJM52]

43.0 grains of H110 only runs a 350 grain bullet at 40 fps faster than 20.0 of Unique. So from a really 3" barrel that is all you get.

I just happen to like the gun.

Bob

[Petander]

43.0 grains of H110 only runs a 350 grain bullet at 40 fps faster than 20.0 of Unique. So from a really 3" barrel that is all you get.

I just happen to like the gun.

Bob

I like the gun,too.

I use Vihtavuori N110, very close to H110. Reason being the pressure curve is a little less peaky than,say 3N37. I push the limits every now and then.

[Alferd Packer]

I bough 454 Casulls, two with 71/2 inch barrels.
I was bull strong and headstrong and shot them two handed, alternately with the heaviest factory loads.
Blew up concrete blocks and knocked down steel targets and mangled quite a few.
Older, still not weak yet, I prefer a much loaded down version of the .454s.
Please do not sell a hard kicker till you have reloaded for it.
You can always load heavier if you miss it.
I have as much fun with my loaded down pistols as I ever did with the dueling artillery loads.

[Hickory]

I had a S&W 500 for a few months and sold it!!!
Although it was accurate and a very hard hitter it was heavy, loud, and had a lot of recoil. And was impracticable for use in North America.
The 44 magnum is by far a more practical handgun for the common man and general use.
There are few 8000 pound dinosaurs left on earth to shoot nowadays.

[Thundarstick]

Naah, when it came out my statement was that it was too much for a handgun but perfect for a carbine. Then TC came out with the Katadin - and that was all she wrote. I've shot the 45-70 barrel more than the 500, but have shot and keep both.

I have one of the Katadin in 500. My first loads where Federal fusion 325gr and I was thinking "a ***** cat". So I worked up some H110 390gr cast loads and "holy hell" nearly broke my shoulder! I switched to CFEBLK for the same velocities and a much easier recoil. Don't know about handguns, but I've never experienced that much recoil difference by just changing propellants in a rifle. If I run across a handgun at the rite price I'll probably buy one. One can always load it down!

[John Wayne]

My wife has the Ruger Alaskan 454 and me the short 500 for backpacking Alaska. She competes with pistols so I don't worry about her in an emergency. Never had a problem out of either firearm. I carry mine as a secondary for hogs. We have both seen a boar that will go 800+#. He destroyed my next door neighbors trap before he could get his rifle out of the safe ;^) He's just gettin bigger!

[DukeInFlorida]

I have a 6 3/8" S&W 500 Magnum, and it's my favorite revolver by far!!
There are two ways to load for them.....
1) OoooooooHHHHH!!!!
2) ahhhhhhhhhh!!

The Oooooo option uses a powder like Lil Gun, which respresents the factory loads you can buy at the store. Those hurt your hand for a long time. When I allow others to shoot those loads, I only place one at a time in the cylinder, and tell people very clearly to NOT DROP my revolver.

The ahhhh option is to use the Hodgdon Trail Boss powder. This version, with all boolits, right up to the 700 grain super T Rex logs, is very easy on the hands and wrist. They have about the felt recoil of a 38 Special +P.

I've written an article, published on my web site, discussing the subject. LINK FOR THE 500 MAG ARTICLE - CLICK HERE (http://www.floridareloading.com/index.php/2017/02/04/reloading-for-sw-500-magnum-ouch-or-ahhhhh/)

I've fired many thousands of boolits from my 500 Magnum, and it always draws an excited crowd at the range. Even with Trail Boss, it's extremely accurate!

[Dieselhorses]

I have a 6 3/8" S&W 500 Magnum, and it's my favorite revolver by far!!
There are two ways to load for them.....
1) OoooooooHHHHH!!!!
2) ahhhhhhhhhh!!

The Oooooo option uses a powder like Lil Gun, which respresents the factory loads you can buy at the store. Those hurt your hand for a long time. When I allow others to shoot those loads, I only place one at a time in the cylinder, and tell people very clearly to NOT DROP my revolver.

The ahhhh option is to use the Hodgdon Trail Boss powder. This version, with all boolits, right up to the 700 grain super T Rex logs, is very easy on the hands and wrist. They have about the felt recoil of a 38 Special +P.

I've written an article, published on my web site, discussing the subject. LINK FOR THE 500 MAG ARTICLE - CLICK HERE (http://www.floridareloading.com/index.php/2017/02/04/reloading-for-sw-500-magnum-ouch-or-ahhhhh/)

I've fired many thousands of boolits from my 500 Magnum, and it always draws an excited crowd at the range. Even with Trail Boss, it's extremely accurate!

It draws crowds alright, especially the range management. I wasn't doing anything wrong but they banned me from shooting that caliber simply because a handful of other non-experienced shooters were punching holes in range roof (I expect from recoil). Oh well.

[Dieselhorses]

My 2003 model was better from the factory than my current 2018 model. The new one had burrs etc all over, nothing finished. But it's a good, strong gun after some work. I shoot claybirds @ 50 meters w factory level loads. Zero leading probs with any coated cast,I have 305,400,425 and 615 molds.

I was in a gun shop today,they had a retired gunsmith fix a new, problematic 500. He had said some strong words about the recent S&W "quality" vs the good old days.

I also have a 2003 model. Built much better! I probably loaded 10 different powders including black powder with this thing, never missed a beat!

[John Wayne]

I have a 6 3/8" S&W 500 Magnum, and it's my favorite revolver by far!!
There are two ways to load for them.....
1) OoooooooHHHHH!!!!
2) ahhhhhhhhhh!!

The Oooooo option uses a powder like Lil Gun, which respresents the factory loads you can buy at the store. Those hurt your hand for a long time. When I allow others to shoot those loads, I only place one at a time in the cylinder, and tell people very clearly to NOT DROP my revolver.

The ahhhh option is to use the Hodgdon Trail Boss powder. This version, with all boolits, right up to the 700 grain super T Rex logs, is very easy on the hands and wrist. They have about the felt recoil of a 38 Special +P.

I've written an article, published on my web site, discussing the subject. LINK FOR THE 500 MAG ARTICLE - CLICK HERE (http://www.floridareloading.com/index.php/2017/02/04/reloading-for-sw-500-magnum-ouch-or-ahhhhh/)

I've fired many thousands of boolits from my 500 Magnum, and it always draws an excited crowd at the range. Even with Trail Boss, it's extremely accurate!

HEY DUKE! You could tie a piece of parachute cord around the trigger guard and then a loop around their neck so the revolver won't hit the ground.

[GSP7]

Ive shot a friends 480 ruger SA many times. They really arent that bad at all too me

Ive been meaning to buy a super blackhawk bisley with a 4.62" barrel , but I keep buying these Uberti's :mrgreen:

https://ruger.com/products/newModelSuperBlackhawkBisley/specSheets/0872.html

:Fire:

[DukeInFlorida]

No need for such extreme measures.

I always ask folks if they want to try the easy on the wrist version first. Or, if they want the real deal. They know what's coming in all instances.

My warning about not dropping the gun is always sternly given, and always respected. And, I have them shoot the gun in single action mode (hammer pulled back for you laymen). That way the trigger goes off easily and quickly.

"Death grip on the gun, and then lightly pull trigger""

[Petander]

(these 700gr I had to limit to 1-2 in the cylinder otherwise even with heavy crimp after 2-3 shots cylinder would get locked because of bullet jump).

I just found this thread by searching something else.

Kayala, you may have better crimp luck with Redding Profile Crimp Die. I shoot Mihec 600's without problems, I also shoot a 350 NLG with no crimp groove. Hi Tek coated , I can force crimp it wherever I want with the Redding die and it works beautifully.

N110 full loads both.

[Alferd Packer]

I don't have the 500 but I shoot two .454 Casull pistols.
They are nowhere near what the 500 shoots, but they are still quite a handful shooting factory equivalent ammo.
Still, you guys are handloaders and you should be able to load reduced loads and get some good use out of your investment.
In my last 60 years of shooting, casting and reloading I have witnessed many people get rid of 44 magnums as well as 357s and even 45 colts because they shot the heavy loads without any preparation or knowledge of the recoil and noise associated with these firearms.
A 500 Smith is light years ahead of these guns I just mentioned , but the same can be said for an experienced shooter who decides the 500 is just too much gun for them.
It is too much for me now, but I shot elephant guns in my prime and I would have had a 500 if they were made then.
But when you get a lemon, please make time to send it back.
The screws get loose on the 454s as well, even with loctite, but it helps.
I just wanted to say that anything can be shot with reduced loads.
Whether they are greatly reduced or only backed off a little.
That's under your control.
Brian Pearce just ran some info in the Oct 2020 Handloader on assembling some reduced loads for the 500.
Maybe check it out.
Thanks.

[Blood Trail]

Knocking the dust off this thread….

I had the 8 3/8” barrel. Killed a very nice deer with it. It starting shaving jackets off factory ammo, sending shapnel back at me. The straw was when a piece of copper jacket embedded in my cheek.

Sent it back and they worked on it. Never shot it after that. Sold it and bought the Performance Center with the 10” barrel.

I am absolutely in love this beast. So far, so good. It’s handled every loaded to max round I’ve fed it. Took a doe with it this year.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cosmic_Charlie]

But they are such an Impressive piece of pig iron.