Sidearms & Scatterguns Saa .500 s&w

SpenceDaddy

SpenceDaddy

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Minuteman
Jan 17, 2011
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Ft. Eustis VA
#1
I have been trying to find a SAA in .500 S&W. I know that Gary Reeder makes two excellent looking ones but he is asking $2,500 which I believe to be outrageously high. Has anyone seen any others that I have not found? I am attempting to attach two pictures that I found from Gary Reeder.
 

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#4
Well right now I have a .44 mag Raging bull and its just too big and I am not a huge fan of double action. Gary Reeder really hit the nail on the head with his two revolvers except I refuse to pay $2500 for a SAA. Magnum research actually has one that is close but it is chambered in JRH not S&W.
 
#6
If "too big" is what is driving your thinking, you have the wrong round. Nothing is more nauseating than a hour spent going at it with a S&W 500.
Most folks I know that own one point to it in a manner that leaves one with the impression that they really, really like theirs....as long as they don't ever have shoot it more than three times in a row.
You simply will not get the potential out of the S&W 500 with a short barrel that makes it worth the expense.
Consider the whole host of rounds that can still get it done, start with the .50 Linebough.

Now as to the cost, can't help you there.
If the idea is that you are asking a smith to replace the cylinder, re-time the action, re-bore the barrel and make it all right, well that takes quite a bit of work.
Reed is a basic product and cheap by comparison. Head 1/2 way down the page and look for the Alpine (DA) or the .50 LITE WEIGHT (SA). Bowen used to make these is Linebough.

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/gallery.html

Best to have a real need for these or they are all an expensive paper weight.
 
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#8
SpenceDaddy said:
Well right now I have a .44 mag Raging bull and its just too big and I am not a huge fan of double action. Gary Reeder really hit the nail on the head with his two revolvers except I refuse to pay $2500 for a SAA. Magnum research actually has one that is close but it is chambered in JRH not S&W.
Click to expand...


I have the BFR & assure you it is offered in .500 S&W mag. Mine is the long cylinger & 7.5" barrel. Without a ported barrel or Muzzle Brake it's a handful with the 500 grain Hornady SP's. :D Luckily it's pretty heavy & absorbs recoil pretty well.

t
 
#10
RollingThunder51, I guess when I said it was too big I sort of misspoke... my .44 mag has too much mass to it and it shoots like a .22. I now want somthing that will really rock my world sort of speak. Thank you for the link as well... somehow I overlooked it.
 
#11
Theres a big difference in 44mag and 500SW, especially if you shoot hot handloads. To be honest you sound like someone who hasnt shot or been around this cartridge. If you plan to use it for more than just a "wow" gun at the range, the snub nose versions are useless but if youre just wanting to say you have a 500SW more power to you. The stubbies make a loud bang and pack the punch of a 44mag, pointless in my opinion. This cartridge uses a large rifle primer, its not even in the same league as a 44mag. All commercial data Ive found is quoted off the 8" models, theres a reason for this. This cartridge needs some barrel real estate and weight to make use of its potential. No way id spend the money for a neutered 500SW if youve already got a 44mag. 50.2gr of H110 under a 300gr FTX packs over 2600ftlbs out my 10", well over double what your 44mag is doing. Its an awesome cartridge and with the FTX bullets damn accurate to 200yds. What is your actual intended use for this gun? Do you reload?
 
#12
Well I have a couple intended uses for it. One is definitely just to own one of the most powerful handguns. I really want a handgun that will punch real hard. That was the intent with my .44 mag but it turned out to be a bust when the weight canceled out the kick. I want it to be a showpiece as an open carry... provided a .50 cal round is an option (which I don't think it is...wishful thinking). I want it for a hunting sidearm for defense. And finally more than likely just a paper puncher. I do reload and would most likely be my main option for ammo.
 
#13
500SW is a terrible cartridge for self defense, way too much recoil. Whatever makes you happy, Im very happy with my X frame S&W. If you want to wring out all the performance and to punish you wrists get the longer barrel. Shorter barrel will have more muzzle rise, longer barrel with a hot load will try and break your wrist off after you empty a cylinder. The HSM 325gr HP loads are nice and easy but are on the light side recoil wise for the 500SW. Even in my heavy hog leg itll still get your attention
IMAG0098.jpg

My wife shooting the HSM factory loads which are light in comparison. Unfortunately I dont have a video of anyone shooting the heavy loads to give you an idea but there is a large difference. I can one hand the HSMs, not so much with triple the powder charge of my 300BLK rifle loads in a pistol.

Sorry for the tilted video, filmed it with my phone.
 
#14
I have had a 500 smith for years and you can definitely shoot 50 rounds at the range with no problem. The 500 has a gentle push and not sharp recoil in fact, I find it to be one of the most accurate handguns I own and always shoot better with that than with something like a glock. Now if you really intend to have it "punch real hard" I suggest you get a 500 smith and load it with 700 grain hardcast and see how that suits you. Just aim low because that round will rock your world
 
#15
Mine's the 8-3\8" version, and it is a brick...but it is one of my most accurate handguns as well.

I like to run 12gr of Titegroup under a 300 or 325gr bullet for target shooting and for fun.

If you want pure ass kicking, then try a 500gr bullet on top of 30-33gr of Lil'gun or 33-35gr of H110...but those are at or above max loads! and suck to shoot for just about all shooters.
 
#16
I purchased some 700 grain hardcast from ballistic supply.net and they measure 64 ft. Lbs. of recoil. They are fun to shoot every now and then but I use 350's or 500's for the range.
 
#17
I want a Pistol that I have to manhandle. like I said I have that .44 mag which I was hoping would give me a good kick but sadly the size of the Raging Bull absorbs all the recoil. The only thing is I don't want to shy away from shooting it because its too powerful. I don't think I should have any problem with the .500
 
#18
I to have a 12.5 bonecollectore version ..

2012-03-26_21-44-28_42.jpg


it's a real ass kicker ... with all the snap you could ask for ..

I realize Reeder is a touch pricey but his guns are OUTSTANDING !!!

my hunting back up is one of his Alaskan Survivalist .. and was well worth
the money.

Alaskian_Survior_Ruger.jpg


close up of mine ...

spyderclose.jpg


I have several guns Reeder has worked on and love them all .. Yep they cost but for
a custom one of a kind it's was worth it to me ..

on self defence (if I may) I think a double action would be a better choice cause if
your up to your ass in the shit it's easier to pull the trigger rather than loosen your
grip to cock and fire, cock and fire, cock and fire. just my thought.

and if you want a wrist cracker try a ruger 4" in 45lc and load it with the Grizzly
cartridge 45 Colt +P 300gr BCFP or their WLNGC ... they hurt ... I love EM!!!!

you might try some of their 44+P's in your 44 they should get you attention :)

44 MAG

either way .. when you get what you want .. enjoy !!! and good luck in your search ..
 
#22
SpenceDaddy said:
I want a Pistol that I have to manhandle. like I said I have that .44 mag which I was hoping would give me a good kick but sadly the size of the Raging Bull absorbs all the recoil. The only thing is I don't want to shy away from shooting it because its too powerful. I don't think I should have any problem with the .500
Click to expand...

It sounds like you have a lot of desire for a big bore revolver, but not a lot of experience with the calibers that are more stout than the .44 Mag. That's fine, since everyone has to start somewhere. Personally I have no real desire to shoot anything bigger than .44 magnum (I'm just not much of a glutten for punishment)

You keep refering to the pistol you first posted as an SAA. An SSA is a Colt Single Action Army. I don't think Colt SAA frames are suited for these big bore calibers let alone the .500 S&W. Most of the single actions you are looking at are Rugers, or Ruger clones. The Reeder custom .500 S&W is a custom made long frame that is special made for Reeder Custom (thus the $2,600 price tag). The other big bore customs he does are a bit cheaper and are based on stock Ruger frames.

You say you want something that really dishes out the recoil. You really ought to see if you can try one of these massive calibers first as they are quite a bit different from even the hottest .44 magnum loads. See if you can try a 454 Casull, .475 Linebaugh, or something similar.

Manhandleing is not how these larger calibers are shot. There is a technique to it and if you try and hold onto it as hard as you can your hand will loose the battle and the gun at the same time. Here is a good video comparing some of these larger pistol calibers and shows a little technique on how to handle them when they are chambered in the smaller single actions.

BIG BORE REVOLVERS - YouTube
 
#23
I've never been a fan of Reeder's bling, but he seems to build a fairly nice gun as reasonable as you will find in the custom 5-gun realm. I'm a big .512 fan, so I say go Linebaugh. John Linebaugh developed awesome cartridges and makes simply amazing firearms to use them in. Problem though, you will need to search high and low to get one in decent shape under $2,500, but they are out there. Hamilton Bowen is another route artisan with steel, as is Clements and Gallagher. I have several Bowen's and close to a dozen Linebaugh built guns in 5-shot 45 colt, 475 Linebaugh and 500 Linebaugh. I had a 500s&w, too bulky and parted with it. I also had a 500 Linebaugh Long, aka maximum that I just sold. Honestly, one you reach a certain point, its all diminished returns thereafter. My 500L can fling 465gr boolits at 1250 fps without problem. The Maximum can easily do the same with 525 gr pills. Since I am only using on moose and brown bear, both will leaves holes on both ends just the same. Both will kill anything that walks present day. Accordingly, I stuck with the 500L. All the power and same frame size as a 357 blackhawk bisley. Light, packable, and shootable--win, win, win.
 
#24






I'm currently running 2 Magnum Research BFR's in both .45-70 and .500 S&W. Both are very sturdy, well made pistols. I bought both new for around $800.00 each. Paying $2,500.00 for a .500 S&W is way too much. It's not like it's an AR and you're going to be putting 5,000 rounds a year through the thing. One thing I really like about the BFR .500 S&W is the long cylinder allows you to seat whatever bullet you want without ever having to worry about C.O.L. Accuracy with both guns is very good.
 
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