S&W 500 barrel length decision

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Halguy

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Greetings from Halifax!

I am looking to purchase a S&W 500 in the near future. I was unfortunate enough to try one at the MVRRC and now I have to purchase one :(

I am undecided on which model to choose and so I was hoping for some feedback from the CGN community.

Basically I want to maximize the experience of this platform of firearm meaning taking some longer shoots (no more than 100 yards) and I'm not sure if purchasing the 6.5 inch version will limit me on this. However, the extra weight of the 7 inch and 8 3/8 inch versions will add an extra fatigue factor the longer I shoot with it.

Has anyone tried them both? Do you guys think the extra length will make all the difference at 100 yards?

Any feedback would be appreciated!
 
I have the 8 3/8 inch version and I have shot the 5 inch model as well. The recoil is a lot more with the shorter barrel version. It is easier to shoot the longer barrel gun at long ranges. My 500 is just a novelty at best. I do not know many people that can handle a lot of shooting from one of these beasts.

If you want to shoot long ranges then you should really be looking at the S&W 460. I have one of those as well and they are much more useful then the 500.

Graydog
 
I just went with the 8 3/8" barrel for the obscene wow factor

I can usually bullseye at 25 yard and hit the gong at 100 yards with it

This was free hand @25 yards
image-4_zps9649dc03.jpg
 
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I had no real intention of getting one, until I shot the one my buddy acquired. With 'moderate' loads at about 1000f/sec velocity using a cast 440gr bullet with a gas check, off of a rest and at about 25yds, I put five rounds into one ragged hole about 1 1/2" in diameter.:eek:. Now I was interested, and;)'needed' one:). I've posted much of this info in past, but, shortly after 'trying' his, I picked up one of the same, an 8 3/8".



The first thing about the 500 that impressed me is the accuracy:D. Hot loads, light loads with cast and/or jacketed bullets, everything I've put through it seems to do well.



I did find that with bullet weights above 500gr, the groups did start to open up a little. The second thing that soon became apparent is how brutal the recoil was with heavy bullets in hot loads. Noticeably painful in some instances:redface: and has the ability to inflict pain, at both ends. A modified
set of Jordan Trooper stocks made by Herritt's seems to have tamed the recoil effects to a bearable level. With hot loads and using heavy bullets I can only imagine what you'd feel in a shorter version.
 
The shorter the better....just to mess with the anti-crowd(Just kidding or course). If I were 12(6) that's all I'd own.
For your intended use the longer the better.
 
If you're sold on getting one you're crazy if you do NOT also get into reloading for this round. First off factory ammo is crazy expensive. And as you've seen so far from the rest the gun can get the job done in fine style. So jump into reloading for it so you can maximise the use and justify the cost.

Longer distance use would seem to be a great option so the 8 3/8 barrel makes a lot of sense. And the gun just really stands out with that length. It'll also tend to hold more steadily thanks to the length and mass and it provides you with a longer sights baseline length to make aiming more accurately an easier job.

I think you're also going to find that with the right loads you can lob them out to even 200 yards in fine style. And it doesn't take much reduction in muzzle velocity to reduce the kick to where it's an all day shooter.
 
Thanks Gents, good advice.

I think I'll go with the longer barrel-looks cooler, longer range and better shooting experience.

Any fatigue can be compensated by lighter loads or exercising my shooting arm!

Also, I agree with the poster who commented the 460 would be a more versatile, usable platform. But since it'll never go anywhere but the range, I really want the full 50 cal experience.

Kind of like why people buy Hemi's...
 
johnl said:
Hey John, do you ever shoot your shiny toys? I'm heading out this afternoon. I'll bring the ammo:p
Click to expand...

You bet. If I don't, they get put up for adoption. With the hot weather, access to the range the local club has, is closed at the moment. That's why I joined the club down there as well. However,:( I have to stick close to home this week as I have a contractor working on some home upgrades.
 
When I decided to buy an x-frame, I decided to go with the 460 because it's easier to find 200-300gr .45cal bullets to reload, they are also quite a bit cheaper than .50cal bullets. Just something to consider.

Andrew.
 
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