Gonna pull the trigger

[Daddie O]

On the latest firearm to enter my stable.  I found a great deal and splurged on a S&W 500 with an 8 3/8" barrel and fixed compensator.  I know, ammo costs a chunk of change (I'm gonna have to reload) but I'm really looking forward to taking it to the range.  Anyone here have experience shooting this hand cannon, or another of the X-Frames?  I have 9 more days till I get to pick it up from the gun shop, and I can hardly wait!

[Serk]

On the latest firearm to enter my stable.  I found a great deal and splurged on a S&W 500 with an 8 3/8" barrel and fixed compensator.  I know, ammo costs a chunk of change (I'm gonna have to reload) but I'm really looking forward to taking it to the range.  Anyone here have experience shooting this hand cannon, or another of the X-Frames?  I have 9 more days till I get to pick it up from the gun shop, and I can hardly wait!

Yup, had one for a while. Definitely want to reload for it, buying factory ammo is $$$painful$$$.

For my macho "Nothing's too much" friends I load some 700 grain bullets (1/10th of a POUND of lead). Very rarely does anyone want to shoot those loads more than once!

Your first time shooting it only load a single round in the chamber, due to the recoil this revolver has been known to go full auto, it happened to my dad  (And has happened to other people sometimes with tragic consequences.) Basically the recoil will compress the meat of your hand, resetting the trigger, then bounce back pulling the trigger a second time, but this time with the barrel pointed up.

Be mindful of that cylinder, keep your fingers behind the front of the cylinder. (That holds true for any revolver, but extra true for this beast.)

Be respectful of it. It's got around the same energy as a 30.06. Coming out of a revolver.

For an idea of the size, here's a piece of 5.56 brass sitting comfortably inside one of the pieces of 500 S&W brass:



Oh, and hit up local ranges to see if they will sell you any used brass, might as well do that before you get the gun if you're going to be reloading for it, start building up your stockpile of empties.

(Beware for reloading, some of the very first batches of brass were sized for a different size primer than all the subsequent ones, don't recall off the top of my head exactly what the different kinds were, but beware there are some out there that aren't like the others.)

[Daddie O]

Good advice of only loading one round the first time.  I have heard of the accidental double tap.  I definitely respect the weapon, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous to shoot it.  I've heard that due to the length, weight, and compensator, that the recoil tends to be more of a push back than a flip up, but you can bet I will have a firm grip on that beast.

Which flavor of the S&W 500 did you own Serk?  Why'd you part ways with it?

[Chrisj CMA]

I love the recoil



This 700grn bullet passed through a bowling pin.  I was impressed it didn't get more squished.

[Serk]

Good advice of only loading one round the first time.  I have heard of the accidental double tap.  I definitely respect the weapon, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous to shoot it.  I've heard that due to the length, weight, and compensator, that the recoil tends to be more of a push back than a flip up, but you can bet I will have a firm grip on that beast.

Which flavor of the S&W 500 did you own Serk?  Why'd you part ways with it?

Mine's like the one in your picture up above... I've still got it, my gun safes are like the roach motel, they check in but they don't check out... The "Had one for a while" was referring to my having had one for quite a while, not had one as a transient state.

Bass Pro had 'em on sale for $999, and was offering 10% off your first purchase if you got a Bass Pro credit card, so I got the card, bought the gun and immediately paid the card off... Hard to walk away from getting one of those for $900...

Another thing I've found to make it more comfortable to shoot, I got a pair of cheap thick leather work gloves and cut the index finger off. The leather in the palm helps with the recoil quite a bit.

On normal rounds with it I find it quite enjoyable to shoot, although I'm usually done after 20 or 30 rounds... Those 700 grain "Tyrannosaurs Thumper" rounds though are a step above in punishment...

Come out to The Republic (Once it's cooled off a bit, too hot right now in mid summer) and I'll take ya' down to my personal range, we can buy up watermelons, pumpkins, etc. and have a good old time...

[Patrick]

I've had a Super Redhawk for a long time.  Its pretty front heavy and all I want to hang on to. It doesn't get used much and doesn't compare to that monster.

[solo1]

I've never shot a .500 Smith.  I have shot a BFR 45/70 with 300 grainers. Not bad but I'll bet 700 grainers are out of this world in the .500 Smith.

That makes real sense out of the "loaded for bear" saying.

Wow!

[Hooter]

Can't imagine shooting this animal for very long at one time... When I was in    I once shot a full combat course with my 29 Smith 44 mag. I only did it once! It actually hurt to do so. Even a few days later I was reminded of it. Someone said 30.06 out of a handgun.  Still with a front break (magna ported) this weapon has to be something to handle? Maybe I'm wrong? But, I would like a turn at shooting one of these sometime.    

[BnB Tom]

  You folks are funny.

           You ride one of the quietest (from the factory), most comfortable and smoothest motorcycles ever mass produced and yet,
                                   you want to shoot a pistol that punishes your hand and ears NEARLY as much as the object the bullet strikes...

                             Hmmm.   ???         Wonder what Freud would say. 

  However,  that hand canon IS cool 

[Chrisj CMA]

I would never fire one of these indoors, but I think an intruder would stop at the sight of this.  lol

[Pappy!]

Yep, have shot both the .500 and the .454. Both were set up for hunting. Both guns kicked like mules but were accurate if you did your part. Could have bought either one or both as they were both for sale.

[MarkT]

Cool gun for bragging rights.  Or fun on the range. Or just because. 

I don't have a use however.  Too massive to carry. Certainly don't want to have to justify using it in court on a perp.  That might be a hard one. And for hunting?  I shot a whitetail offhand at 100 yds with my Super Blackhawk. (44mag) I missed a bit and hit him in the ham, quartering forward.  The bullet pretty much gutted the deer. Dropped instantly.  yep 44mag is big enough hand cannon for me.

[Gavin_Sons]

Cool gun for bragging rights.  Or fun on the range. Or just because. 

I don't have a use however.  Too massive to carry. Certainly don't want to have to justify using it in court on a perp.  That might be a hard one. And for hunting?  I shot a whitetail offhand at 100 yds with my Super Blackhawk. (44mag) I missed a bit and hit him in the ham, quartering forward.  The bullet pretty much gutted the deer. Dropped instantly.  yep 44mag is big enough hand cannon for me.

Im a big fan of 44 mag. I reload for mime and have some pretty hot hunting rounds worked up for it.  I can hold a 3" group at 100 yards open sights. It's nothimg to shoot 200 roumds when I go out shooting. Have not had the opportunity to shoot a whitetail with it yet but my lever action has taken 14 deer. None ran over 30 yards. I did have a 500 awhile back I bought dirt cheap ($500) and kept it for about ayear u til someone offered me 800 and I let it go.  Just didn't habe much use for it. 44 is more controllable. I would like to have a 460 though. That would be the ultimate hunting revolver.

[Daddie O]

Yeah, it's pretty much a fun on the range/just because gun for me.  Definitely not a concealed carry    I had never seen one in person, and when I did see one and got to hold it I was like "good god what a weapon".  I got it used for a good price, so it will come with me when I am plinking with my 9mm.  I'll shoot a couple cylinders full, let my buddies give it a go, and put it away till next time.  Although I never plan on doing so, it's amazing that this gun is capable of taking down an elephant.

[rocketray]

when you shoot it ..it will kick up and back at you...place it in front of you and off to one side.then imagine the recoil of it making the gun go by your ear instead of smacking you in the face...if placed directly in front you probably will get smacked in the face rather unpleasantly

[gregk]

The biggest I have jumps from a .327 to a .308.  O want to see a video of you shooting it one handed

[Serk]

They are quite effective at stopping rampaging runaway lawnmowers...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-xQtdu6aOg


...or rampaging watermelons!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1d7i3i0LLI

[Chrisj CMA]

when you shoot it ..it will kick up and back at you...place it in front of you and off to one side.then imagine the recoil of it making the gun go by your ear instead of smacking you in the face...if placed directly in front you probably will get smacked in the face rather unpleasantly

You have poor shooting skills if this is true for you.  I keep the 500 directly in front, both hands.  I don't lock wrists or elbows just make sure muscles are taking the recoil not bones.  It really is manageable and no I have never come close to smacking my forehead

[solo1]

I, too got an eight pointer with handloads from my Super Blackhawk,  Off hand at 42 yards, much closer.
A lung shot, dropped within 5 seconds.  The 210 grainer at 1500 fps (chronographed) pulverized the lungs.

However, in bear country , in Alaska for instance, the .500 Smith or the 45/70 BFR would make more sense.

[Gavin_Sons]

I, too got an eight pointer with handloads from my Super Blackhawk,  Off hand at 42 yards, much closer.
A lung shot, dropped within 5 seconds.  The 210 grainer at 1500 fps (chronographed) pulverized the lungs.

However, in bear country , in Alaska for instance, the .500 Smith or the 45/70 BFR would make more sense.

Sounds like my hand loads wayne.  mine are 1560 fps  out of the revolver and 1900 fps out of the lever gun. I'm using 240 grain hornady hollow points and have not lost any deer.

[MarkT]

Yep my handloads are about the same - prefer 240gr JHP w/ Hercules 2400 21.0gr  IIRC. Don't have chronograph but they are full power loads per the books. Been a while since I loaded 44's.  If I go to Alaska - probably carry my Henry lever in .45-70.

[solo1]

Mark and Gavin. I used Speer's 210 gr JHP.  At one time I used 2400 but changed to Accurate 9 for the deer load. It wasn't a maximum load. Worked fine and was accurate and the recoil wasn't anything to brag about

Ooops, better get back to the .500 . The world's most powerful handgun to paraphrase Dirty Harry.