Author Topic: Don't pick up a S/W 500 4" !!! Why? (Read 1882 times)

OrangeWing · « **on:** November 28, 2004, 02:01:47 PM »

Boy's they did there homework with this one. It is balanced real well & fits my hand like a glove. After picking it up & dry firing it I can see one of these will be in the house real soon. The trigger was very good out of the box. I have several heavy hitters that I have carried with me when bear hunting. I think when I buy one of these the others will be collecting a lot more dust. I have been really researching this new cal. and there is no doubt it will be a good bear stopper. Oh, I picked up one of the 8 1/2" ones and they are quite barrel heavy.

BIG JAKE · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2004, 03:50:20 AM »

I have one with the 8 3/8 inch barrel and you appreciate the weight when you pull the trigger. :biggun: :lol: :lol:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 01, 2005, 03:41:08 AM »

I had the 8 3/8 inch S&W500 and sold it and kept my BFR in 500MAG. Well now I have the 4 inch S&W500. I do not notice any difference between the 4 inch and the 8 3/8 version. I do notice a difference between the BFR 500MAG and the 4 inch S&W500. But then again they are on totally different frames.

I am planning on using my S&W500 on my booked bear hunt in Maine this year. :-D

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2005, 02:10:26 PM »

Should be great for hunting Black Bears. But bet my life or the life of a loved one on a pistol for protection against a bear? No thank you. Lawdog

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2005, 05:30:30 PM »

Quote from: Lawdog

Should be great for hunting Black Bears. But bet my life or the life of a loved one on a pistol for protection against a bear? No thank you. Lawdog

If it was your last resort, you would be glad you had one and in a 500MAG at that. :wink:

Smokem · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2005, 01:52:41 AM »

300 grainers from my 454 will just fine on a Maine black bear.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2005, 02:44:16 AM »

Fired a Smith with 440 grain at 1600 fps. It left the hand stinging. 270 grain express loads are pretty hot, but nothing like the 440's. I don't think I could shoot very fast with it.....

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2005, 07:57:42 AM »

Quote from: victorcharlie

Fired a Smith with 440 grain at 1600 fps. It left the hand stinging. 270 grain express loads are pretty hot, but nothing like the 440's. I don't think I could shoot very fast with it.....

No need to shoot fast if you get the first one right.

I actually enjoy the 440 gr. after shooting the 575 gr. :-D

Lawdog · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2005, 11:12:51 AM »

Quote from: Redhawk1

Quote from: Lawdog
Should be great for hunting Black Bears. But bet my life or the life of a loved one on a pistol for protection against a bear? No thank you. Lawdog

If it was your last resort, you would be glad you had one and in a 500MAG at that. :wink:

Not really. When in bear country I always carry IN MY HANDS a rifle. I have seen too many people that were excellent pistol shots that, when under stress, couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with all the doors and windows closed. And I have seen many a hunter/hiker carrying a handgun in a holster that had either their backpack, coat, or whatever covering/blocking access to the handgun. Protecting ones self from a bear doesnt give one a lot of time to get the job done. Sorry but a rifle in the hand is quicker and more accurate than a handgun in a holster on your hip/shoulder. Lawdog

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2005, 11:35:32 AM »

Lawdog, like I said I would choose a rifle first but a handgun "as a last resort" is better than a club, bear spray or a knife.

But for my black bear hunt my 500MAG will be my primary weapon.

But to each his own. :grin:

OrangeWing · « **Reply #10 on:** January 04, 2005, 11:42:54 AM »

Ok Lawdog I have a question for you. Do you ever have to do work out in the woods where you need the use of both hands. If so, just where do you carry your rifle? If you have to set your rifle down to do work, what do you do when you have to walk with both arms carrying say wood, bait, lumber, or something else that makes you use both arms? Just how far do you go away from your rifle that has to be set down? That 500S/W is just hanging there in the holster ON my body. Sure I would have to drop what ever I am carrying, BUT I would not have to try to run to where I sat the rifle down. Now just where did I sit that rifle? I see your point, but a pistol still has it's place when in the woods.

IntrepidWizard · « **Reply #11 on:** January 04, 2005, 11:49:38 AM »

Right--Dead on Law,never get into a pistol Bear situation,always carry a big gun for bear,I have had close encounters alone and with other "Gunslingers" and they did all but hit the Bear and/or their foot.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 04, 2005, 04:49:39 PM »

Lawdog and IntrepidWizard, I am not trying to flame or get you up-set, but where do you gather your experience with bears. Do you hunt for them? Are you in bear country? My reason is neither one of you are looking at the piratical side of a handgun for bear defence. Do you realize a 500MAG has the knock down power equal to and maybe a little more than a 30-06 rifle at a short range. Also no one knows how they will react in a situation of a bear attack, either with a rifle in hand or a handgun. But while I was in bear country my rifle stayed close to me but not 100% of the time was I able to carry my rifle and do things around camp with it in my hand. But my 3 inch Ruger 454 Casual was on my side 24/7. And I felt a lot better knowing I had it and not trying to get to my rifle, I set down to complete a task around camp. :-) Like I said none of this is to get you up set, just want to see where your experience plays into this.

Thanks

BIG JAKE · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2005, 02:51:16 AM »

Anything is better than a hand with just skin on it. :? :? :?

OrangeWing · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2005, 01:54:26 PM »

Very well put Big Jake.

Lawdog · « **Reply #15 on:** January 05, 2005, 02:05:24 PM »

Redhawk1,

Quote

I am not trying to flame or get you up-set, but where do you gather your experience with bears.

Since you asked at this point in time I have taken;

1 Polar Bear
1 Inland Grizzly Bear
3 Coastal Brown Bears
120 plus Black Bears

I would rather hunt bears than any deer and I have been hunting them for close to 50 years now. I have taken Black Bears in 12 different states and in Canada. I have also been in on the kills of another 9 Brown Bears taken by my in-laws in Alaska(we go there every year to visit them). I have taken Black Bears with bow & arrow, handgun, muzzle loader and rifle(never felt the need to try to take one with a shotgun). When hunting with archery equipment or handgun or muzzle loader I always have someone else along carrying a rifle just in case. I live in bear country. Had one a few years ago that was trying to tear it's way into our barn to get after the colt's inside.

OrangeWing,

Quote

Do you ever have to do work out in the woods where you need the use of both hands. If so, just where do you carry your rifle? If you have to set your rifle down to do work, what do you do when you have to walk with both arms carrying say wood, bait, lumber, or something else that makes you use both arms?

Although I don't work in the woods anymore for a living(did before going into the service) I still cut 20 or more cords of firewood every year for use by my family and take care of our animals(horse, mule, cows and such) on our place. I never go out and cut wood by myself. Besides the other person, usually my son or wife, I take my Bluetick hound with me. I always manage to drive my truck up close to where I am cutting. The rifle is always close by within easy reach. Lawdog

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 05, 2005, 03:04:14 PM »

Lawdog, very impressive.

I am still going to use my 500MAG on my bear hunt, the guide will have back up as usual. But I am confident in my shooting ability also.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2005, 06:59:58 AM »

Another thing I like about a handgun for bear defence is, when you are in your tent sleeping, it is impossible to maneuver a rifle in a confined space. With a handgun it is easy to maneuver in a tent if you had to. There are a lot of cases where a handgun would be an advantage over a rifle. But like I said if I had to defend myself with a handgun, make it a 500MAG.

armymp71 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 07, 2005, 03:43:19 AM »

I am looking at all the models now, since this is just backup, I am gonna go with the 4" barrel, I think a shorter barrel will be easier to maneuver in my tent and up close. 2600 Ft pounds at the the barrel is gonna hurt.

msorenso · « **Reply #19 on:** March 07, 2005, 04:25:04 PM »

How bad is the recoil ffrom a 500 S&W? :shock: Thanks.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 07, 2005, 07:22:52 PM »

Quote from: msorenso

How bad is the recoil ffrom a 500 S&W? :shock: Thanks.

It is hard to describe. Recoil is perceived differently for everyone. What may be light to me may be heavy to others. It also depends what weight bullet and charge you use. I know I did not answer your question, but I have 2 friends that think totally different about the recoil of my S&W500. One shot it only once and said he would never shoot it again and the other thought it was not bad. :grin:

armymp71 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 17, 2005, 05:53:46 AM »

I just picked up my 500 in the 4" model yesterday, I plan to shoot it soon. This will be nice to carry during my blacktail hunt.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 17, 2005, 06:43:00 AM »

armymp71, good luck with your 500MAG and keep us posted.