WillBrayjr
Moderator
Actually a big pistol would quite useful on armored criminals if your department either doesn't have or allow the use of rifles!
My "inner-Dirty Harry" is coming out! 500 S&W
- Thread starter Vanguard.45
- Start date
chris in va
New member
Just one thing I may point out here, the 8" model with rounds weighs 5 pounds.
As a comparison, try carrying a bag of sugar around with you everywhere. :barf:
As a comparison, try carrying a bag of sugar around with you everywhere. :barf:
Not to change the subject but, I wanted to add that I am looking into getting a S&W 500 sometime in the near future. Right now, it seems that there are only the compensated 4" model or a huge 10" version. Does anyone know if S&W makes the 500 in a 6" or 8" version? Would this be a custom shop mod if need be?
Vanguard.45
Might I suggest a S&W 625-10. This is their new big bore snubby in .45 ACP that is distributed by Lew Horton. It is very light and reloads are a snap with moon clips. Yes it costs about a grand, but it is well worth it in my opinion. Having gotten one recently I can't believe I waited so long. My .357 snub now is regulated to official BUG status. The 625-10 will also ride in a pocket quite nicely, if one has the proper pants for it.
Might I suggest a S&W 625-10. This is their new big bore snubby in .45 ACP that is distributed by Lew Horton. It is very light and reloads are a snap with moon clips. Yes it costs about a grand, but it is well worth it in my opinion. Having gotten one recently I can't believe I waited so long. My .357 snub now is regulated to official BUG status. The 625-10 will also ride in a pocket quite nicely, if one has the proper pants for it.
Robert Allison
New member
Ninjato, yes there is an 8 3/8" version of the 500 made by Smith&Wesson, it was the first one they came out with. I see them from time-to-time, just noticed one on a dealer's shelf the other day.
S&W 500 is a good BUG
I carry the S&W 500 as a Backup Up Gun in an ankle holster. My primary carry is a 40mm Bofors.
Not sure if it's legal under colorado CCP, but no officer has ever questioned me on it once I identified what I was carrying
.
J/K, of course. I just never imagined the 500 as a CCW, but if you can fit it in, why not?
And if you want more projectiles, you could load 5 of the chambers with 500, and put a Bersa 380 in the 6th!
I carry the S&W 500 as a Backup Up Gun in an ankle holster. My primary carry is a 40mm Bofors.
Not sure if it's legal under colorado CCP, but no officer has ever questioned me on it once I identified what I was carrying
.J/K, of course. I just never imagined the 500 as a CCW, but if you can fit it in, why not?
And if you want more projectiles, you could load 5 of the chambers with 500, and put a Bersa 380 in the 6th!
Robert Allison
New member
Okay, just got back from a range session with two 500S&Ws, a 4" and an 8 3/8".....set up the chronograph and here's what we got:
8 3/8" 440gr. CorBon Factory load.....1587fps
350gr. Hornady Factory..........1683
400gr. SWC/40.0 WW296 handload.....1606
4" 440gr. CorBon Factory............1417fps
350gr. Hornady Factory..........1521
400gr. SWC/40.0 WW296........1415
All were 5 shot averages. Shot to shot variations were fairly minimal.
Some observations: The handloads showed no pressure signs, so I suspect you could go up a little, but at those velocities I don't know why you'd need or want to! The 440 gr. CorBons are absolutely brutal to shoot, especially in the longer gun which, surprisingly, while it weights a full pound more than the 4", has considerably stiffer recoil, undoubtedly the result of the more sophisticated compensator on the short gun. One other item to note, the 4" barrel is really just 3 1/4" because the rest is made up by the comp. The comp on the longer barrel is shorter, probably only 1/2" or so. But despite the softer recoil of the short gun, I find the longer one easier to shoot accurately.
8 3/8" 440gr. CorBon Factory load.....1587fps
350gr. Hornady Factory..........1683
400gr. SWC/40.0 WW296 handload.....1606
4" 440gr. CorBon Factory............1417fps
350gr. Hornady Factory..........1521
400gr. SWC/40.0 WW296........1415
All were 5 shot averages. Shot to shot variations were fairly minimal.
Some observations: The handloads showed no pressure signs, so I suspect you could go up a little, but at those velocities I don't know why you'd need or want to! The 440 gr. CorBons are absolutely brutal to shoot, especially in the longer gun which, surprisingly, while it weights a full pound more than the 4", has considerably stiffer recoil, undoubtedly the result of the more sophisticated compensator on the short gun. One other item to note, the 4" barrel is really just 3 1/4" because the rest is made up by the comp. The comp on the longer barrel is shorter, probably only 1/2" or so. But despite the softer recoil of the short gun, I find the longer one easier to shoot accurately.
Hi Vanguard .45,
I have one of the long-barreled 500's. It was a gift from the fellow that designed the gun (Herb Belin at S&W is my father-in-law). I ordered a shoulder holster from S&W's web site.
Even with that holster (which fastens to your belt on the opposite side to help with the weight distribution), it's a pretty heavy piece to tote around all day.
But it is a joy to shoot and I can understand the desire to carry one. I was joking with the owner of the local range that I belong to that this was my new carry weapon. I'm going to have to tell him now that someone else is seriously considering it.
--gordy
I have one of the long-barreled 500's. It was a gift from the fellow that designed the gun (Herb Belin at S&W is my father-in-law). I ordered a shoulder holster from S&W's web site.
Even with that holster (which fastens to your belt on the opposite side to help with the weight distribution), it's a pretty heavy piece to tote around all day.
But it is a joy to shoot and I can understand the desire to carry one. I was joking with the owner of the local range that I belong to that this was my new carry weapon. I'm going to have to tell him now that someone else is seriously considering it.
--gordy
Gordyt: talk to your father-in-law
Just bought a 657 S&W with 7 1/2 in barrel to hunt with. Love it. Need a way to carry it. The X-frame shoulster-holsters on the S&W web site don't get it. I plan to get a .460 to hunt with too. I like the idea that I can get a holster on their web-site (they finally have a good one ) but I don't want to carry it in my armpit. I want to carry it centered on the lower part of my chest. AND, I'm left handed. I spent $700 for the 657. I will spend $1200+ if I purchase the .460. If we spend this kind of money for a gun, we should be able to get a way to carry it. Either leather (S&W) or cordura (Uncle Mike). Talk to him.
Just bought a 657 S&W with 7 1/2 in barrel to hunt with. Love it. Need a way to carry it. The X-frame shoulster-holsters on the S&W web site don't get it. I plan to get a .460 to hunt with too. I like the idea that I can get a holster on their web-site (they finally have a good one ) but I don't want to carry it in my armpit. I want to carry it centered on the lower part of my chest. AND, I'm left handed. I spent $700 for the 657. I will spend $1200+ if I purchase the .460. If we spend this kind of money for a gun, we should be able to get a way to carry it. Either leather (S&W) or cordura (Uncle Mike). Talk to him.
Works just like this....
Carry that rig and have to use it and you, Sir, are going to jail.
Regardless of whatever story you have to tell, no jury, anywhere is going to look favorably on your carrying that piece. The prosecution will tear you apart, your defense will shake their heads and stare at the table and you will go to do time. You might have stood a chance, but after they produce your very own Firing Line thread in court, you are already hosed.
Listen to what others are telling you.
Dirty Harry was a movie. Your life is not and there will be no credits when you disappear behind the door to the left of the judge.
Carry that rig and have to use it and you, Sir, are going to jail.
Regardless of whatever story you have to tell, no jury, anywhere is going to look favorably on your carrying that piece. The prosecution will tear you apart, your defense will shake their heads and stare at the table and you will go to do time. You might have stood a chance, but after they produce your very own Firing Line thread in court, you are already hosed.
Listen to what others are telling you.
Dirty Harry was a movie. Your life is not and there will be no credits when you disappear behind the door to the left of the judge.
100W_Warlock
New member
Get what you want...
"Opinions are like ex-wives/ex-girlfriends...everyone has one or more and nobody else wants to sleep with them either."
- Dennis Miller
But seriously, I think everyone here has said about the same thing.
1) its a HUGE revolver, even in 4"
2) its a massive weight to tote around all day long
3) you will NOT be able to conceal it, unless you are the size of Chewbakka, the wookie. (but then the fur and bandolier of ammo around your neck would be more distracting)
4) the bullet will go through every known biped in this solarsystem
5) its only 5 shots...but if you are good enough, you only need one
But, there are some redeeming qualities to it.
1) if you run out of ammo, you can do just about as much damage throwing it at the other guy as well as anything
2) the muzzle blast alone will torch/bar-b-q your victim (use BlueDot for best results)
3) you really can say, "This is the most powerful handgun in the world and it will blow you head clean off...even if I MISS!!!"
FWIW:
Get an N frame revolver. Either a Taurus 608 4" (like what I have) or a S&W 627PC 5" for all your 38special/357 needs. Or, step upto something like a Ruger Redhawk Alaskan. Shoot 45LC or 454 out of it. (I think you might be able to get it in 480ruger as well, and load those down to 1100fps with 350gr bullet)
In any event, best regards.
What Fed office did you say you worked for? Dept. of Education?
My useless $.02
-W
"Opinions are like ex-wives/ex-girlfriends...everyone has one or more and nobody else wants to sleep with them either."
- Dennis Miller
But seriously, I think everyone here has said about the same thing.
1) its a HUGE revolver, even in 4"
2) its a massive weight to tote around all day long
3) you will NOT be able to conceal it, unless you are the size of Chewbakka, the wookie. (but then the fur and bandolier of ammo around your neck would be more distracting)
4) the bullet will go through every known biped in this solarsystem
5) its only 5 shots...but if you are good enough, you only need one
But, there are some redeeming qualities to it.
1) if you run out of ammo, you can do just about as much damage throwing it at the other guy as well as anything
2) the muzzle blast alone will torch/bar-b-q your victim (use BlueDot for best results)
3) you really can say, "This is the most powerful handgun in the world and it will blow you head clean off...even if I MISS!!!"
FWIW:
Get an N frame revolver. Either a Taurus 608 4" (like what I have) or a S&W 627PC 5" for all your 38special/357 needs. Or, step upto something like a Ruger Redhawk Alaskan. Shoot 45LC or 454 out of it. (I think you might be able to get it in 480ruger as well, and load those down to 1100fps with 350gr bullet)
In any event, best regards.
What Fed office did you say you worked for? Dept. of Education?
My useless $.02
-W
Vanguard.45
New member
Thanks for the responses!
I will most likely be sticking with my Springfield Pro .45, as it seems to be just the right amount of gun without scaring all of the sissies.
357 Sig-
No, I was not just trying to be provocative and thought I would ask the opinions of those who seem to have an interest in such things. Were I to have had such a large ego, I wouldn't have asked and would have just carried the thing and said to hell with everyone else.
Hawkin-
I realize it was just a movie and was not trying to "become" a Clint Eastwood character. As I posted earlier, the reference was used simply because many people associate that character with someone carrying a big bore revolver.
Warlock-
Department of Homeland Security. I could tell you more, but then, of course, I would have to kill you (Just Kidding!!!).
Thanks again for all of the responses.
Vanguard.45
I will most likely be sticking with my Springfield Pro .45, as it seems to be just the right amount of gun without scaring all of the sissies.
357 Sig-
No, I was not just trying to be provocative and thought I would ask the opinions of those who seem to have an interest in such things. Were I to have had such a large ego, I wouldn't have asked and would have just carried the thing and said to hell with everyone else.
Hawkin-
I realize it was just a movie and was not trying to "become" a Clint Eastwood character. As I posted earlier, the reference was used simply because many people associate that character with someone carrying a big bore revolver.
Warlock-
Department of Homeland Security. I could tell you more, but then, of course, I would have to kill you (Just Kidding!!!).
Thanks again for all of the responses.
Vanguard.45
Robert Allison
New member
Although I own, and very much enjoy, two 500 S&Ws, I agree that you have made the correct choice for standard CCW carry purposes. Having said that, I've never believed that every gun I purchase has to be totally "practical", if that were the case I'd probably only have two or three. This is a hobby, an avocation, and I enjoy it in any way that I can. And should you decide you are going to pack into remote grizzly country, northern Idaho or Montana, for example, or Alaska, you may want to pick up one of the 4" 500s.