For some strange reason I feel the need to own one of the most powerful handguns in the world. I don't even know if I will hunt with it or shoot it much! Tell me why this is a dumb idea? Recoil, cost of ammo, heavy, etc.! It seems like a badaxx pistol to have if I encounter a polar bear in the Tn Valley!
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Sidearms & Scatterguns Talk me out of buying a S&W 500!
- Thread starter tnrednk74
- Start date
I've got the 4" model.
It's really not that expensive to shoot: 17gr Tite group and a Berry's 350RS is a 500spl+p "plinker" that's easy on brass.
41gr H110 and a 350xtp is a rodeo.
Here's what I DON'T like about mine: its pretty, and I have to take care of it, meaning it must be cleaned after use. But when you run full power loads from it, you're done after 15-20 rounds.
It pisses me off I am so far from true proficiency with it. Every shot is an "event", and requires mental preparation. I'd like to be able to draw it and fire 5 shots in somewhat rapid succession, but for me, it just ain't happening.
It's a neat piece, but at least for me, has zip.shit practical purpose.
It's really not that expensive to shoot: 17gr Tite group and a Berry's 350RS is a 500spl+p "plinker" that's easy on brass.
41gr H110 and a 350xtp is a rodeo.
Here's what I DON'T like about mine: its pretty, and I have to take care of it, meaning it must be cleaned after use. But when you run full power loads from it, you're done after 15-20 rounds.
It pisses me off I am so far from true proficiency with it. Every shot is an "event", and requires mental preparation. I'd like to be able to draw it and fire 5 shots in somewhat rapid succession, but for me, it just ain't happening.
It's a neat piece, but at least for me, has zip.shit practical purpose.
get a 460 trust me My dad has one and he loves it, his brother has a 500 and the 460 shoots flatter and you can shoot 3 different calibers thru it trust me better than it. PS its a great bear/human repellent.
My buddies dad has a 500 smith I think the 8" barreled version. Thing looks cool, is heavy as hell, kicks like a rhino. I shot 2 rounds single action and 1 round double action. Almost dropped it after shooting it double action since I had to shift my grip on the gun a little to get a smooth trigger pull. I never fired it again. Not that I am afraid of it, just dont feel the need. He gets the gun out and lets his buddies shoot a round or 3 out of it and thats about all they do with it is play with it.
I would rather have a nice .44mag(and I do BTW) since its a little more versatile, but doesnt necessarily have the high end punch the 500 has. Although full house .44mag isnt THAT bad to shoot IMO.
I would rather have a nice .44mag(and I do BTW) since its a little more versatile, but doesnt necessarily have the high end punch the 500 has. Although full house .44mag isnt THAT bad to shoot IMO.
I'm with the guys above. Can't talk you out of it cause the looks and comments from "friends" after you make them shoot it are priceless. I've not owned the 500 but I regularly shoot a hot loaded 45/70 Contender that has the same kind of effect on people. Typically something on the lines of "Damn you why'd you make me shoot that!!!" I get a kick out of it every time and then tend to sit down and shoot groups with it like its nothing.
Why get one when you can have two....
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/sniper-hide-gunsmithing/186333-what-s-w-2-piece-barrel-looks-like-removed.html
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/sniper-hide-gunsmithing/186333-what-s-w-2-piece-barrel-looks-like-removed.html
Go with the class and pack-ability of a 500 or 475 Linebaugh. Same size and almost weight as a standard Ruger Bisley, just way more performance.
You are in the WRONG place to try to get talked out of buying guns. The 500 has the wow factor, but I think the 460 is a better hunting choice. Or just get both. Next rididculous handgun for me is one variant or the other of "The Judge".
It's a great novelty gun. I bring it out for those times when grown men want to giggle like school girls. Very few guns on the market today have that. I've actually shot it a lot more than I thought I would. I'm done after about 15 rounds though. Go for it, the fun factor for $1k is definitely worth it.
Its made by S&W so quality is poor, the trigger is poor, the 500SW is low power useless cartridge, recoil is too much to handle for a mortal man, the cost of the round is un-affordable by anyone. Do not buy it!
There you go!
There you go!
i have shot several versions of it. after shooting it a full cylinder the first time, i swore i had no use for shooting one ever again. i just didnt think it was fun.
then a few months later, i shot the 6.5" barreled one again and i actually really liked it. and of all the guys i was shooting with, i was the only one that could hit anything with it. we were shooting at the empty box of ammo on the ground. everyone was missing, i hit it three times at about 8-10 yards. now i actually want one.
really, the only drawback is the cost of ammo if you dont plan to reload.
then a few months later, i shot the 6.5" barreled one again and i actually really liked it. and of all the guys i was shooting with, i was the only one that could hit anything with it. we were shooting at the empty box of ammo on the ground. everyone was missing, i hit it three times at about 8-10 yards. now i actually want one.
really, the only drawback is the cost of ammo if you dont plan to reload.
Thanks for all the helpful replies! I never thought about the 460. I will need to do a little more research on that caliber! Ammo availability, etc. Overall, I'm not seeing a lot of negative feedback on the 500 or 460. The 500 seems to be a perfect conversation piece if nothing else! Thanks again!
Doesn't the 460 have an issue with flame-cutting of the top strap?
In researching loads for my 500, I read several reports of using heavy loads of 'LiL Gun powder cutting the 500 topstrap, but thought I remember a bunch of references to the same problem but worse with the 460?
In researching loads for my 500, I read several reports of using heavy loads of 'LiL Gun powder cutting the 500 topstrap, but thought I remember a bunch of references to the same problem but worse with the 460?
I stopped by Freedom Arms in Wyoming. They have some very very nice revolvers. I suggest one of them instead. My friend has a 454 casull and also, he can't shoot it more than a handful of shots before having to stop.
FREEDOM ARMS INC
FREEDOM ARMS INC
Having played with one of the 454 Alaskan's as well as my SW500, I can say the Alaskan is considerably more abrupt and snappy. It is not as "easy" to use as the 500.
It all depends on why you want to buy one. I own a 500 smith with the 8 3/4 in barrel. I bought mine because I wanted one. Don't listen to the comments that the 500 is too much recoil for the average shooter. The 500 recoil is better than you will find in a .44 mag as the weight of the 500 gives a nice easy push and not a wrist cracking jolt that many would expect. I have taken mine out and put 100 rounds through it in one session with no issues. Now on to cost, yes ammo is expensive that is why I reload. Factory rounds are expensive so if you intend to stay with factory ammo you need to have the financial means of doing so. I use 350 or 500 grain for the range but if you want to take the 500 to its limit, get some 700 gr hard cast and give them a try. Just aim a little low with these pills because they will test your constitution level when you let those go down the tube. On a side note, of the many revolvers that I have in my collection and have owned throughout the years, I found the 500 smith to be the most accurate revolver of them all. It is fun to take to an indoor range and people will come from many lanes around to see what is making so much noise. If you want one just get one and have fun with it. I bought mine simply for the novelty of it and while many argue that it is impractical, if many of us only purchased what was practical we would have a rather small collection of firearms.
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Anything the 460 can do the 500 can do...and better.
Its really a round that shines with proper loading.
The big bore single actions are nice but recoil is a lot sharper than either of my 500's which is on par with firing a pistol gripped 12 gauge shotgun with magnum loads. As to muzzle brakes and ports I have one gun with and without and a popular mod was getting a solid comp from S&W for the 460 (solid comp now discontinued ) and fitting it to the 500 for reduced muzzle blast. Comps are LOUD and not always wanted or needed. John Ross made a nice 5" 500 mag with no comp and the guys that have them really like the gun.
A good read on the 500~
http://www.john-ross.net/pdfs/maghist.pdf
Its really a round that shines with proper loading.
The big bore single actions are nice but recoil is a lot sharper than either of my 500's which is on par with firing a pistol gripped 12 gauge shotgun with magnum loads. As to muzzle brakes and ports I have one gun with and without and a popular mod was getting a solid comp from S&W for the 460 (solid comp now discontinued ) and fitting it to the 500 for reduced muzzle blast. Comps are LOUD and not always wanted or needed. John Ross made a nice 5" 500 mag with no comp and the guys that have them really like the gun.
A good read on the 500~
http://www.john-ross.net/pdfs/maghist.pdf
You'll shoot your eye out kid?
On a serious note, I too would go with the Linebaugh. But I like to go against the grain.
I worked for a big-box hunting/fishing retailer for 4.5yrs.
I sold perhaps a dozen.
I talked more people out of buying them than I sold. As others have stated, if you want something practical, easier on your hand and $budget$ go with the .460
Probably 90% of the people buying them had no intention of ever shooting them, just wanted to collect.
The other 10% just wanted to be biggest bad-ass at the range. I-pity-the-fool.
gap
I sold perhaps a dozen.
I talked more people out of buying them than I sold. As others have stated, if you want something practical, easier on your hand and $budget$ go with the .460
Probably 90% of the people buying them had no intention of ever shooting them, just wanted to collect.
The other 10% just wanted to be biggest bad-ass at the range. I-pity-the-fool.
gap
My son had to have one and got one. He is a grown man and I could not talk him out of it.
It's not fun to shoot and has little practical value. Too heavy to carry as a side arm for hunting.
He has had it out to the range twice and I fired it once - once was enough.
I think the only reason he hasn't sold it is that he won't want to admit the old man was right.
It's not fun to shoot and has little practical value. Too heavy to carry as a side arm for hunting.
He has had it out to the range twice and I fired it once - once was enough.
I think the only reason he hasn't sold it is that he won't want to admit the old man was right.
When you see a used 500 for sale or trade it usually has a few burn rings on the cylinder and a partial box of ammo. It's not an entry level gun, it can be punishing on the sending & receiving end and unless you cast bullets and reload expensive to operate.
The 500 can be downloaded and very comfortable to shoot or loaded heavy and painful to shoot. I have a custom 600 grain mold and can pour affordable bullets and load them at non-magnum velocity and still have plenty of power. Buying jsp bullets is costly.
The 460 while having the ability to use different caliber brass none of it is cheap. I can load my 500 case up or down without the need for a different case. The biggest appeal of the 460 is cheaper factory bullets and wide weight selection. It can be loaded pretty stiff as well and more than most shooters enjoy. They are quality made revolvers and launch big slugs, they are hard not to like.
The 500 can be downloaded and very comfortable to shoot or loaded heavy and painful to shoot. I have a custom 600 grain mold and can pour affordable bullets and load them at non-magnum velocity and still have plenty of power. Buying jsp bullets is costly.
The 460 while having the ability to use different caliber brass none of it is cheap. I can load my 500 case up or down without the need for a different case. The biggest appeal of the 460 is cheaper factory bullets and wide weight selection. It can be loaded pretty stiff as well and more than most shooters enjoy. They are quality made revolvers and launch big slugs, they are hard not to like.
There's nothing dumb about it. If you want one, why not? You've gotten lots of feedback about what to expect and I would agree with most of it. Probably not real practical but they are a lot of fun to shoot and if you don't develop one hell of a flinch you'll build up your biceps from lugging it around. They are REALLY cool to shoot at night!
Another vote for the 475 Freedom Arms.
The SA action also prevents the dreaded double fore on the 500. Here's a video of a double shot for your reference:
FULL AUTO 500 S&W - YouTube
The SA action also prevents the dreaded double fore on the 500. Here's a video of a double shot for your reference:
FULL AUTO 500 S&W - YouTube
Reduced loading a 500 is like buying the finest herd bull at the cattle barn and promptly cuttin his nuts off. Imho (;
Bicep workout shooting the 500. Good idea. The 500 could save a day at the gym. The YouTube video shows all you will ever need to know about the 500. Thanks! I agree with the above post, reduced loading a 500 serves no purpose. Why buy one in the first place! Shoot it the way it was designed or buy another pistol. I appreciate all the different opinions, it has been very beneficial in my decision. I enjoyed reading all the different viewpoints. Thanks again!
Unless you are going hunting then you have no real legitimate reason to buy it. It was designed as a hunting revolver, with a hunting cartridge, and not as a target gun. There are plenty of other choices for a dedicated paper puncher, carry gun, and bear gun(not the 8' models in this regard).
I had done a bit of research between the .460 and the .500 before I ended up purchasing a .460. I will explain my reasons for such.
My reasons for buying it were that I needed a lightweight, compact alternative to the shotgun that I was carrying around with me. I was stalk hunting at that time so weight was an important consideration. It excelled in that role, but if you ever fire it then you must make sure you are aiming to kill with the first round, the sound after the first shot will scare off anything else. Accuracy is great with it, but by far better with a scope attached, which I would have to say is a necessity. The original 8" models, both .460 and .500, were designed to take their rounds out to 200 yards with deviation in the inches(lesser length models still retain this, rough calculations will figure 100 yards for a 4" model as it is that predictable). I expect that with the cost effective need for handloading/reloading you would see a significant decrease in deviation as well. A scope is pretty much mandatory to effectively use both calibers at the 200 yard limit they were designed for(they can always go past that limit with the right amount of fine tuning).
Now the caliber switching in the .460 makes it a very cost effective solution. Usually factory .460 ammo is in smaller amounts at gunstores, and other places that sell factory ammo, then say .45 Colt, Long Colt, or .454 Casull. You must look into making your own supply for this gun, while still maintaining the ability to buy off the self ammo at most places. Certain reasons would be if you were in a new location hunting, and you didn't have any rounds made from your own recipe, you lost your ammo, etc. You need availability at almost all times so the .460 has a plus over the .500 in that department, but I will add that I have seen more factory .500 ammo then I have .460 ammo.
The plus for the .500 is that you can currently load your cartridges with higher grain bullets for hunting larger game then what could be used with the .460. With a scope, and your own loads you could take a round and possibly kill almost any game animal in the world. It' not an exaggeration to think that. Casting your own bullets is also the best cost effective solution. You will pay quite a price for the molds up front, but the amount you will save just with the first batch over a box of factory ammo will be amazing. The molds will pay for themselves very soon if you keep casting them.
Now the velocity/muzzle energy charts between both calibers is even is regards to one round(when I researching this before my purchase several years ago). That round is the Hornady 200 gr. flex-tip(The one the marketed under the Lever Revolution name). The data for both calibers was the same as far as that one round, and that was nearly the same same for both calibers. Outside of that you will see higher numbers in muzzle velocity for the .460, while you will see higher muzzle energy for the .500. The only time the numbers will be similar is with that one Hornady round. I firmly believe that round is that best all-around round for any type of hunting for anything up to a large 300 pound hog, and including some small black bear. It will take deer easily, and it will take your almost typical 100 pound hog with ease, with proper bullet placement of course. I also think this round is the best even if you were to spend a day at the range. The recoil is negligible with this round. I recommend that if you do load your own, and make your ammo, that you find and make as many carbon rounds as you can, and improve on Hornady's recipe as soon as you can.
I also need to state the hearing danger of the muzzle brake, and tell you that you will need to purchase and carry hearing protection with you everywhere you intend to fire either caliber. There are non-ported models in the .500 caliber, but there would be an increase of recoil. As was stated above a blank muzzle brake would be nice, but aside from having it specifically machined, they are unavailable, and the last people to do a production run was S&W themselves before shutting it down, due to unknown reasons.
Some of the info I have said has already been said above, so I am just reiterating the importance of that info if it comes to it. Ultimately you will be the person who decides on what to buy for yourself, so make sure you ascertain, and list your own needs for yourself rather then spend, and lose money on something you will eventually sell for a lower price than what you paid.
Simply put, if you are not going to hunt with either caliber, then don't bother at all. If money is an issue, or will be, and you are also going after just deer, then just go with something in .44 magnum, maybe put a scope on a nice Ruger.
I had done a bit of research between the .460 and the .500 before I ended up purchasing a .460. I will explain my reasons for such.
My reasons for buying it were that I needed a lightweight, compact alternative to the shotgun that I was carrying around with me. I was stalk hunting at that time so weight was an important consideration. It excelled in that role, but if you ever fire it then you must make sure you are aiming to kill with the first round, the sound after the first shot will scare off anything else. Accuracy is great with it, but by far better with a scope attached, which I would have to say is a necessity. The original 8" models, both .460 and .500, were designed to take their rounds out to 200 yards with deviation in the inches(lesser length models still retain this, rough calculations will figure 100 yards for a 4" model as it is that predictable). I expect that with the cost effective need for handloading/reloading you would see a significant decrease in deviation as well. A scope is pretty much mandatory to effectively use both calibers at the 200 yard limit they were designed for(they can always go past that limit with the right amount of fine tuning).
Now the caliber switching in the .460 makes it a very cost effective solution. Usually factory .460 ammo is in smaller amounts at gunstores, and other places that sell factory ammo, then say .45 Colt, Long Colt, or .454 Casull. You must look into making your own supply for this gun, while still maintaining the ability to buy off the self ammo at most places. Certain reasons would be if you were in a new location hunting, and you didn't have any rounds made from your own recipe, you lost your ammo, etc. You need availability at almost all times so the .460 has a plus over the .500 in that department, but I will add that I have seen more factory .500 ammo then I have .460 ammo.
The plus for the .500 is that you can currently load your cartridges with higher grain bullets for hunting larger game then what could be used with the .460. With a scope, and your own loads you could take a round and possibly kill almost any game animal in the world. It' not an exaggeration to think that. Casting your own bullets is also the best cost effective solution. You will pay quite a price for the molds up front, but the amount you will save just with the first batch over a box of factory ammo will be amazing. The molds will pay for themselves very soon if you keep casting them.
Now the velocity/muzzle energy charts between both calibers is even is regards to one round(when I researching this before my purchase several years ago). That round is the Hornady 200 gr. flex-tip(The one the marketed under the Lever Revolution name). The data for both calibers was the same as far as that one round, and that was nearly the same same for both calibers. Outside of that you will see higher numbers in muzzle velocity for the .460, while you will see higher muzzle energy for the .500. The only time the numbers will be similar is with that one Hornady round. I firmly believe that round is that best all-around round for any type of hunting for anything up to a large 300 pound hog, and including some small black bear. It will take deer easily, and it will take your almost typical 100 pound hog with ease, with proper bullet placement of course. I also think this round is the best even if you were to spend a day at the range. The recoil is negligible with this round. I recommend that if you do load your own, and make your ammo, that you find and make as many carbon rounds as you can, and improve on Hornady's recipe as soon as you can.
I also need to state the hearing danger of the muzzle brake, and tell you that you will need to purchase and carry hearing protection with you everywhere you intend to fire either caliber. There are non-ported models in the .500 caliber, but there would be an increase of recoil. As was stated above a blank muzzle brake would be nice, but aside from having it specifically machined, they are unavailable, and the last people to do a production run was S&W themselves before shutting it down, due to unknown reasons.
Some of the info I have said has already been said above, so I am just reiterating the importance of that info if it comes to it. Ultimately you will be the person who decides on what to buy for yourself, so make sure you ascertain, and list your own needs for yourself rather then spend, and lose money on something you will eventually sell for a lower price than what you paid.
Simply put, if you are not going to hunt with either caliber, then don't bother at all. If money is an issue, or will be, and you are also going after just deer, then just go with something in .44 magnum, maybe put a scope on a nice Ruger.
In reference to "down loading" I have never loaded down the500 to PP loads. What I was referring to was dropping the velocity down a couple hundred FPS for slightly reduced punishment and you still have LOTS of muzzle energy. A coworker has a 500 and he only shoots factory "light loaded" rounds. He made a comment that the 500 "does not recoil bad at all". Well we went to he range and I let him try some JSP 400 grain magnum loads and he was amazed and only fired two and dumped the others. He likes the gun and the ammo he shoots works for him. I could not get him to fire a 600 grain slug. You can really crank it up or back it down and that is the beauty of a bug case and bullet combo. The 600's I do not have to shoot at mega velocity to perform, the down side is you only get about 11 bullets for 1 LB. of lead.
It's a unique gun because the gun was designed around the cartridge, not adapted to or re-chamber an existing platform. No one might have an actual "need" for one but from and engineering and development point of view its an impressive platform and cartridge both the 460 & 500.
It's a unique gun because the gun was designed around the cartridge, not adapted to or re-chamber an existing platform. No one might have an actual "need" for one but from and engineering and development point of view its an impressive platform and cartridge both the 460 & 500.
When I started learning about LRS and ELRS all I wanted was a Savage 110BA in .338. After much reading I learned how much smarter it was for me to choose a 6.5mm. So I starting putting together a creedmoor. Same thing happened with this big bore pistol. I wanted a S&W 500 since I first saw one. Once I did the research I realized the .460 is so much more practical for me.
Apples to apple for me. Big caliber sucks me in and research makes me choose the right one.
Apples to apple for me. Big caliber sucks me in and research makes me choose the right one.
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