New 500 unlocking when fired

[dubber123]

My brother has a new (2 month old) 500 with the 8 3/8" barrel.  He has fired only a couple hundred rounds, all reloads.  His load is a cast 460 gr. lead bullet at 1400 fps. using H110 powder, which I don't believe is hot for these guns.  He recently got a misfire, and I remembered early guns having a problem with the cylinder rotating backwards, giving you a fired cartridge when the trigger was pulled again.  We tried to see if this is the problem and it was.  Is this still a common problem, or just a fluke with his?

[Redhawk1]

The cylinder going backwards was on some of the first 500 Mags that came out, S&W solved that problem.  I have had and shot many of the older 500 Mags and the newer ones without any problem of the cylinder rotation backwards.  Sounds like it may of been a fluke.

[dubber123]

Redhawk1, I understood that it was a simple fix for Smith on the early guns, I believe just a stiffer locking bolt spring.  Do you think it is possible he  somehow got a weak spring in this newer model?  This is supposed to be his new primary hunting gun, and this problem has happened twice in the last 3 cylinders.  He will return it to Smith and Wesson, I'll try to keep you posted.

[Redhawk1]

It is possible, I am sure S&W will get the problem resolved with a quick turn around.  Let us know how things go.