SW500 and lead

[rug480]

I know it has its detractors but I just can’t ignore the X frame itch you guys. I’ve narrowed it down to the 6.5” half lug and the 7.5”PC but can’t decide which.

Will mostly be shooting cast slugs, aesthetically the 7.5” looks beautiful but the 6.5” is a solid 10oz lighter (either one will be carried in a chest rig), figure is better balanced and to my understanding includes a brake specifically for lead boolits. Unfortunately no luck handling either model in person.

The one I pick will be a hunter, "plinker", show piece.
Any advice, input?

[whitworth]

I personally like the way the 6 1/2-incher looks the best. What do you intend to do with it?

[rug480]

Thanks Max,


Honestly, it would be 80% "shock and awe" "just to have" / 20% hunting down here in the Southeast.

Slowly stocking up components but I know most of my reloads will be cast. So far I have the Lee 440gr mold and a 540gr LFN PB I've been toying with.

[bigbore475]

I got the 6.5” version. Very pleased with it, tight fitting and accurate

[450ak]

Really like the four inch. Lots of fun with trail boss and medium loads with AL8. Factory stuff is insane recoil and blast. I made kydex chest holster for it one morning and went on a five mile walk. Comfortable and even hides under my vest. Bears will be out soon so I better start practicing with it. Maybe some dot torture targets as it warms up.

[warhawk]

I’ve owned 4 different 500s, a four inch, a 6.5 inch, and a 7.5 inch PC version. All these went down the road. The one I kept is a 5 inch John Ross Performance Center Gun. It’s got a faster rate of twist for heavy bullets, and no compensator. The weight is 57 ounces. $1500


www.gunblast.com/LT_SW-JohnRoss500.htm

[450ak]

I was going to buy the John ross five inch but someone that had a four inch owes me money. At least I got something besides BS from him.

[warhawk]

The four inch was my second favorite of the 500s. My main objection was that I don’t like ported barrels.

[450ak]

The ported extension is needed for full power loads I think. Tried some factory Hornady 350 loads in my imported four inch versus Wally’s ported four inch. I only touched off two rounds and quit that silliness. Vicious blast but much less recoil from Wally’s ported 500. We went back to fun shooting 450 and 400 loads at 1200.
Testing factory loads in an 18” carbine versus the four inch ported was interesting. The only factory load I would use in the sixgun is the Hornady 500 grain. Much less blast.
Thank you Smith and Wesson for an outstanding revolver.

[rug480]

Thanks for the input guys,

Decided on the 7.5" PC.. ordered from Buds and am waiting for her.. 

but then I started getting a fever.. a fever for more Smith & Wesson, so I traded a Blackhawk for this 15-3 plus a little cash.. 




which I put towards a 629 Deluxe 3"



..think I'm developing an addiction. 

[rug480]

Picked her up on my lunch break. It is a beast in every respect but I am relieved it is immaculate. I see no faults in the fit, finish and trigger; at least up front. Provided there's no hiccups on the range I don't see ever parting with such a beauty. 

Now the wait for the 629 3" deluxe, I'm giddy about these smiths.. 

[firedude]

Congrats on the new 500. These Smith's can be a wicked addiction for sure.

[matt56]

I have the 10.5 inch version of that gun but I haven't shot it yet.

[AxeHandle]

Played with the 500s when they first came out. Ended up with a mid length barrel performance center gun. This gun did not like lighter 501 cast bullets. Went to clean the barrel and saw no lands and groves. There were humps! This gun had the Lothar Walther barrel with polygonal rifling. The boys that shoot them a lot told me that they would not shoot cast bullets well until you went over 500 grains.

[450ak]

Shot a dot torture at four paces with my four inch. 11grains of trail boss and 395 grain NOE semi wadcutter. Dropped two out but I’ll be back . Bears are coming out in northwest Wyoming so practice is needed.