Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns S&W .500

Just wondering If any one has had the opportunity to shoot the .500 yet. Have heard it's quit a hand full. Looking for some input as a hunting handgun!!

I havnt shot it. But I have talked to some people that had them. They seemed to like them alot

Really neat gun till you shoot it! I am no recoil weenie, but when the damn thing near sprains yur wrist with 300 grainers............................. I will stick with my .44 M-29!

'Sides it is so heavy it should be classed as a crew served weapon. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've got a 500 and love it! Mine has the longer barrel from the Performance Center and is even heavier than the standard model but I'm not complaining. I find it very easy to shoot accurately to at least 100 yards. I've taken two pigs and two turkeys with mine, the furthest being about 80 to 90 yards on a dead run. It swings great and stays on target. I believe I will only hunt with the 275 grainers from Barnes (or are they 285?) since they are great performers. I've shot the 440 grain hard cast and they are too much unless big bears or Africa is on the ticket. They hurt too! The "light" bullets are no problem in the recoil department. Actually I think they kick less than the 250 grain loads from my Raging Bull Casull and 240's out of my 5.5" Redhawk 44.

Going to be shooting mine this thursday........if I can find ammo.

You may have a perpetual grin for a few days. I did. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I CANT wait! Had it for three months,never shot it.I imagine its recoil is substantialy more than a 44mag desert eagle.

I'd strongly suggest getting the lighter weight bullets like 275's up to 325. The 440's hurt me and I doubt you would like them either. I could shoot them in a heartbeat if needed for a big nasty, but I doubt I'll ever have to worry about that. I can't afford those kinds of hunts. The 275's should handle anything else out to 150 yards or so. They grouped about 4 to 5" at 100 yards for me with three quick shots off a sandbag about dark to see where it was at that yardage. I've gotten 2.5" groups from them at 50 yards. It's as accurate a gun as I need in a pistol and hits like a freight train. Everything I have shot with it has dropped on the spot.

Thanks for the tip! Ill try to find them,but I may only have one choice in ammo.....if I even find any.

I got ripped of on ammo.All they had was the 500S&W special with a 350 grain bullet, and the normal size cartridges with 400 grain bullets.The 500 special was stll an eye opener,but kicks noticebly less than the standard loads.I had myself ready to be hit with the force of a train,so the kick from the 400 grain normal stuff was........unique...but not at all bad.If somebody had handed me the gun without telling me anything and said,pull the trigger,I would have been more startled because of not expecting anything,but the recoil was very managable for a cannon.I also found the gun to be very accurate.I will have that smile for a few days!We had been stapleling targets to a tree and shooting them with a 357 mag.The 357 would only punch some holes and pull some bark off if it hit at an angle.When the first shot with the 500 was fired,it ripped a huge chunk off the side of the tree.The tree wasnt very big,but it wasnt small either.That tree was RIPPED UP when we were done.I have a great respect for this cartidge.It can do some major damage,and its kick will be noticed.So,to those of you that dont have one,this is my advise to you.......handload the ammo and GET ONE! You will make dirty harry seem like an old lady that carries a 9mm glock.

I shot the 4" version this summer at OWAA. I have two .44 Mags and a Taurus Titanium Tracker .41 Mag, so I have a little acquaintance with recoil in handguns. So, truth to tell, I was a little, umm, anxious about shooting the big .500.

After shooting a cylinder full or two, I found it to be no more difficlt to shoot than my 22 oz .41 mag. It is certainly not a pistol I would recommend for your first handgun, or even your fifth handgun -- but it is quite shootable.

I have no particular interest in such a monstrous hand cannon -- for that much weight and bulk I'll carry my Win 94 Timber Carbine .444 -- but for those who want something like it, the .500 is a dandy.