My "inner-Dirty Harry" is coming out! 500 S&W

A reply for WillJr

I am not talking about "playing Dirty Harry," and the reference was simply made because I believe most people associate that character with big bore revolvers and the carrying of such on the street. Nor do I want to "stand out in the CCW crowd." I was simply asking for forum readers' opinions on a particular handgun's effectiveness and/or appropriateness for CCW.

I appreciate your advice concerning liability and your suggestion about the .44 Specials in a M29 Smith, but please don't make comments about my motivations and or desires concerning how I protect myself, my family, or my community. You don't know me, and if you did, you would know that I take my responsibilities very seriously in regard to my job and the tools with which I accomplish the tasks laid out before me. I don't belittle you with little jabs, and I would hope for the same courtesy from you.

Thanks to all for your advice, and I appreciate the constructive comments and concerns. I have never owned nor carried a heavy caliber revolver, so this is a new world for me. If carrying it is going to be totally inappropriate, then you can probably bet that I'll be wearing my .45 or my .357 and calling it a day. I was ignorant on the subject and was just looking for some words of wisdom from those who have gone before me.

Thanks again,

Vanguard.45
 
As far as dirty harry goes using 44 specials, theres a HUGE difference between those and 500 specials. 500 Specials are putting out on average more energy than some hot 44 mag loads!! :eek: I really think you need to re-asess the needs of a dangerous game protection handgun for CCW use.
 
I didn't make comments about you protecting people. I'm saying that the S&W500 is big time overkill. There no majic bullet that can do everything.
 
I appreciate the input.

Thank you, WillJr.

I get the feeling that most people's experiences with the 500 have been the same and that most everyone feels the 500 to be inappropriate for carry except "on the trail". Any input as to which caliber would be the MOST powerful yet still acceptable for defense against bipeds?

The 500 is apparently not acceptable for such things.

Thanks again, WillJr. I was just commenting earlier about the insinuation that I was out to "play Dirty Harry," rather than asking a serious question about this caliber and its appropriateness in this application. I also don't want to "stand out," I'm just wanting to show up to the party with "enough gun" as some writers put it. Apparently the 500 is "too much gun."

Thanks to all,

Vanguard.45
 
Vanguard.45,

I am glad to hear you are not the “dirty harry” wannabe we had mistaken you for. I will tell you what two guns I use for CCW and maybe that will help.

Smith & Wesson Model 696 3”
.44 Special
Chosen loads chronographed in this gun:
(Handload) 250 Keith SWC @ 1,000 fps
(Buffalo Bore) 255 gr. Keith SWC @ 900 fps

Taurus Tracker Model 460SS 4”
Caliber: .45 Colt/45 ACP (requires a Taurus .45 ACP moon clip)
Chosen loads chronographed in this gun:
(Speer) 250 Gold Dot HP @ 900 fps in .45 Colt *
(Master Cartridge) 260 JHP @ 900fps in .45 Colt
(Remington)230 Golden Saber HP @ 900fps in .45 ACP *

*These two loads print less than an inch apart in my pistol. Good fit.

I would agree with others and suggest that if you are looking for a CCW gun that you can carry for biped protection as well as larger critters “on the trail” get a .44 magnum and shoot .44 specials in it for CCW and the heavier .44 magnums for “on the trail”. I have never felt under gunned “on the trail” with a good .44 magnum. Good luck and have fun.

.44mag
 
I have one (4"), let me sum it up best I can:

1. Its huge and heavy.
2. You can not carry it on your belt with out being obvious about it
3. It does have some SERIOUS knock down power
4. Its incredibly loud. Like, even with good ear protection my ears still ring if I shoot it at the indoor range
5. Did I mention its big?
6. Its not just heavy its wiiiide

Its a cool gun, I really enjoy shooting mine. I carry it in a shoulder rig when Im hiking around (mainly concerned about Bears). Its just to damn heavy to carry on the waist. I hope I never have to use it with out ear muffs ;)

SW warns you right on their website that you should never ever ever ever (and they mean ever) shoot it with out ear protection and I believe em.

Buy one though, it sure is fun to shoot (though expensive)
 
go ahead and carry that bad boy. the muzzle flash will keep the others back. don't want to shoot that thing any more than neccessary anyway. the 4", compared to the rest of them, is really a "snubby" in attitude!

kid
 
If you want to play Dirty Harry, just get a Desert Eagle .50 since you mentioned attaining the balistics of the .50AE. Why carry so much extra mass when you don't need it to accomplish the job?

Seriously, I would be much more impressed by the DE than the SW for carry unless of course at the range, punching steel.
 
Honestly if you think you could successfully conceal the 500 use light loads i dont see a big problem...you talk about it going through somebody into another....but if you dont think the 357 isnt or a 44 mag or even a 9 mm you allways gotta take the precautions...you have to see whats beyond your target anyway....i wouldnt suggest it and dont see a need for a gun that big in the city...but if you really wanted to there is the same precautions with any other gun IMO...
 
I'm a first-post no0b here, have been lurking for a little while, but thought I'd jump in and post .02 worth on this thread. I've got both the 8 3/8 and 4" S&W500s, got the long one about 18 months ago, and the 4" in October, have had a fair amount of experience with both at this point. I bought the long gun to play with, something of a whim, and rapidly became much enamored of it. Accurate, reasonably controllable for someone otherwise accustomed to shooting large, powerful handguns, and fun. I decided to get the 4" because I thought it would be a great carry gun in the back country of NW Montana where I live. I don't consider it to be a CCW sort of outfit for two-legged predators, and would not consider it an option for that purpose. My preference for 'social' carry is a short-barrelled 357Mag, or a semi-auto in 45ACP, 357Sig, or 10mm.

With heavy loads the 4" recoils LESS than the long-barreled gun, but is louder and flashier. I attribute that to the larger, more efficient comp on the short gun. I hear, however, that Smith will soon be using that same comp on the long one as well.

If you plan to shoot it much, and I recommend that you do if you decide to carry it, you need to handload unless you're wealthy.....but don't use handloads for carry purposes.
 
Again, my thanks for all of the great information!

This forum is truly an invaluable source of knowledge and insight!! I appreciate all of the great posts and will bear each of them in mind as I decide which "big bore" revolver to purchase!

Your wealth of knowledge and experience is most welcome. I would say without reservation that the information available on this site is much better than what is available in ANY of the gun rags.

Thanks again!

Vanguard.45

P.S. Doug242Ti, just curious- What shoulder rig are you using for your 4" SW 500? I had only heard of hip holsters for it.
 
if you are carrying a 500 for "status" then you picked the right one.but if you want it for self-defence i would not recommend the 500. although very powerful it is big and heavy.for self defence you want quickness. a simple 9-1911 will do just fine.its quick easy and does the job maybe even better than the 500 simply because of speed. the 9 has time to mushroom verses the 500 that does not !
 
Well, unfriendly juries in self-defense actions aside, in my state (and others as well), it is flat-out illegal to carry under the CCW laws anything that is not ".45 caliber or less". Ridiculous rule, but that's the rule followed by any state who adapted some model CCW code that originally stated this. And the X-frame would be heavy to carry - put it in a shoulder rig, and you'd likely start walking in circles, as the weight stakes down one side of your body.
 
P.S. Doug242Ti, just curious- What shoulder rig are you using for your 4" SW 500? I had only heard of hip holsters for it.
Click to expand...

I'll have to ask my father but last time I talked to him he said SW had a shoulder rig for it.

(its so damn loud that I carry my 45 when hiking around lol. Eventually I'll start hiking the 500 just because I can... but I carry open)
 
Vanguard.45
You've already stated you know about the penetration values of the .500 specials and magnums. You know its a big heavy gun. You're an officer of the law and are well aware of the problems that it could create. You, also as an officer of the law have the right and ability to carry what ever you wish......bottom line its a great looking revolver and get one if you want it. hell I may just join you as a fellow officer of the law, to carry a .500S&W for an off duty weapon....man would that be neat!
 
A couple of times a month for the last several, I've carried a .454 7 1/2" SBH in Bianchi HUSH holster walking and stalking feral hog for hours at a time in the woods. With a loaded weight pushing 60 ounces, I'd hate to think it was my only option for a daily "carry gun" on the streets.

The Ruger SBH is smaller than the Smith X-frame but still such a beast that I plan to purchase a 10mm compact Glock for similar purposes. Reasoning: About 1/2 the weight, almost twice the number of projectiles, still known for ability to penetrate - and a heck of a lot more pleasant to conceal and/or shoot rapidly.

Regarding probable overpenetration, when I do leave the SBH loaded for (back-up CHL) transport in vehicle, the .454 hunting rounds come out of the chambers and are replaced with .45 Colt for the trip back to "the concrete jungle". In my not-so-humble opinion, even the .454s are "too much gun" for most urban environments.

But, since you indicated being fairly new to revolvers, I might mention that Ruger has recently made the SBH .454 available in a new "Alaskan" model - with a 2 3/4" barrel. And I suspect it ain't quite as pricey as the Smith. And it will also shoot .45 Colt. ;)
 
I'm still doubled over laughing at Crow Killer's cool insight. As others have said, this is a BIG GUN, even the 4".
 
Vangaurd.45

Just curious are you retired from police work. or just got tired of the hassels involved with it.
 
I do carry big bore S&W's at times for CCW. A three inch 629 in a Haugen Leather big magnum carry pancake style belt holster. I can get by with a light jacket or even a larger shirt with this one. It's heavy but comfortable all day with a good belt.
I've also used a Bianchi X-15 shoulder rig for M-57's and M-29's in both 6 1/2 and 8 3/8 inch. It'll take a good coat to cover and draw is pretty slow.
I just got a good deal on a S&W shoulder rig made for a 4 inch L frame and find my M-29 Classic in 5 inch fits it too. I've used it once now but it was not a bad outfit.
I don't know if I could carry anything much larger like the X-frame myself but I didn't think I could carry big N-frames so easily until I tried doing so.
The .44 and .41 are about the biggest I'd use for self defence and normally they are carried while hunting or out in rural areas. My usual carry guns are of the more normal smaller calibers BTW.
I won't fault anyone their choice of CCW guns as I figure it's their business and life. Heck, I've been wanting a custom double houlster rig for my pair of 3 inch 629's and most folks would think that's kind of a wacked idea. :)
 
A reply to Bic and Body Bagger

Bic,

I went into Federal LE last year.

Better money. Same Hassles. Still interesting.

Body Bagger,

The 500 is still on my mind. I bet if you got it out and got it on target, you'd never have to pull the trigger. The BG would probably faint as his life flashed in front of his eyes. ;)

Take care of yourself out there!

Vanguard.45
 
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