Author Topic: S&W 500 trouble (again) (Read 1420 times)

dubber123 · « **on:** February 12, 2007, 01:29:33 PM »

Took my brothers 8-3/8" 500 to the range today, first real range trip since it returned for repairs. ( the cylinder locking bolt in the frame wouldn't hold and allowed the cylinder to rotate back to a fired round on recoil). Well 50 rounds in, the second round in the cylinder was a click, and when opened, only one primer hit, meaning it had once again rotated backwards. The load is a 460 at 1,275 fps. with H-110. Not a heavy load at all. I guess it's back to Smith again. I'm glad he doesn't need it for big bear protection.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:01:04 PM »

I thought S&W fixed that problem. Is the gun a newer model or one of the older models?
I guess I have had good luck, I have not had that happen to me at all. I hope they get it fixed for you right away.

dubber123 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:28:04 PM »

Redhawk, I bet my brother you'd be the first to reply, I said you've got radar for any 500 S&W posts! This is one of the newer models, less than 1 yr. old. You are right that we thought it was fixed, this gun hasn't been fired that much, probably less that 400 rounds so far. After the repair, it made it less than 100 rounds before it did it again. I could understand it if we were shooting proof loads, but this load is pretty tame by 500 standards. I guess we'll have to let Smith take another stab at repairing it.

454Puma · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:41:11 PM »

Buy a Ruger 454 SRH !

Shoot you could buy two SRH's for what you paid for that S&W!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:46:26 PM »

Yea the 500 Mag is my passion.

It has been a long time since I heard of anyone having this problem again. I would call them and let them know you are not happy and see if they will throw in a shooting bag or something for your trouble. I sure hope they get it right for you. It is sad when you spend that much money on a gun and have problems.

454Puma, come on... but you are right, I could get 2 SRH's for the one S&W, but then I would be stuck with two guns I don't like....

dubber123 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:55:42 PM »

I think all it needs is a little more spring pressure on the locking bolt. If they can't get it fixed, I think I'll give it a shot and swap in a stiffer spring. We'd like to load this up to potential, but not the way it is. I Ruger would chamber the 454 in a regular Redhawk, I'd probably have one. The supers aren't my cup-o-tea.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2007, 01:15:13 AM »

dubber123, let us know how it works out for you.

myronman3 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2007, 08:20:29 AM »

maybe this is the real reason that smith bought t.c.....they couldnt get the 500 to work right in a revolver, so they needed a single shot to save face.....lol

jro45 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2007, 08:55:48 AM »

I hope they get it fixed for your brother. I read about it in a forme one time tho but with my 8 3/8" barrel on my S&W 500 I guess I'm lucky. Never happened. If I were you I'd stay on them

dubber123 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2007, 10:06:19 AM »

It'll probably be going back shortly, I am pretty sure I can fix it myself, but that's not the point. They were pretty prompt last time, even to the point the gunsmith working on it called my brother at work to let him know what he found out. The service thus far has been very good, just not effective unfortunately. I guess we'll try a little nastier tone in the next letter, that's what worked with Ruger anyways!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2007, 10:38:51 AM »

dubber123, it is not a real big problem and an easy fix for S&W to do. I would just let them do the fix.

myronman3, I don't think that is such a serious problem and it is not a common occurrence. The 500 Mags I have work great and have for over 3 years with over 3000 rounds of heavy loads. S&W bought T/C because they could.

blhof · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2007, 12:57:46 PM »

That was an apparently frequent problem on the first models, I was going to get one when someone at the range had one; brand new with the box. He was a little apprehensive to fire it as his only other gun was a 357mag. I said that I'd be happy to try the first round, if he didn't mind; fired the first shot and 2nd was a click, checked and sure enough, it was only one primer dent. Fired again and got 2 shots before a click. Told him to bring it back and get a refund. Saw him a month later with a new 500 and no problems with it. He only used factory ammo. The dealer took it back and gave him another that worked fine. I saw a few blogs at another site back then with the same problem, I decided to stick with 357 Max Dan Wesson, and TC with several optional barrels at my discretion.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2007, 05:26:37 PM »

blhof, it was not as frequent as you might of thought it was. I know a few guys with the first run 500 Mags and they still to today that don't have that problem. My buddy has my first 8 3/8 inch 500 Mag and never experienced that problem. It was a spring issue, that was all.

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2007, 06:56:34 PM »

they having these kinds of issues with the 460 smith all so?

timothy · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2007, 11:27:31 PM »

You could try holding it a little lighter maybe?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2007, 01:40:17 AM »

Quote from: SLAVAGE on February 13, 2007, 06:56:34 PM

they having these kinds of issues with the 460 smith all so?

Never heard that one, I am on the S&W site and never heard that. Could you please direct me to that information.

I have owned 6 of the 460 Mags and not one has done that. I also know a lot of guys here in Delaware that own the 460 Mag, because 2 years ago Delaware opened it first handgun season and that was the most bought caliber. Not one of them has had this problem that I am aware of. Again please direct me to that information or location where that information is posted.. Or is this hear say??

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 14, 2007, 01:45:47 AM »

Quote from: timothy on February 13, 2007, 11:27:31 PM

You could try holding it a little lighter maybe?

Not that problem here, What you are describing is the double fire.
For those of you that don't know what that is, it is when someone is holding the grip so tight on the 500 mag and actually pulls the trigger twice. The recoil of the first round makes them squeeze the grip so tight that they pull the trigger a second time. Because they are not use to the recoil. It happens to some of the new shooters of the 500 Mag.

dubber123 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 14, 2007, 04:20:07 AM »

Redhawk, I think Slavage meant it as a question, as in "ARE they having these kinds of issues with the 460". I agree with you, in that I have never heard of a 460 acting up. The one I shot had significantly less recoil that he 500's, but we were shooting factory loads with a lighter bullet, so that's not a fair comparison. I am positive the problem is with the stout recoil the cylinder lock is pulling away. It just needs a little more spring tension.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 14, 2007, 04:28:07 AM »

dubber123, I have shot some heave 390 gr. cast bullets in all of my 460 Mag and never had an unlatch problem. Maybe I misunderstood Slavage, but I have not heard of any problems with the 460 Mag with the same issue.

dubber123 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 14, 2007, 04:44:19 AM »

Redhawk, nope, never heard of a 460 unlatching either, like I said, I haven't shot a 460 to full potential, but I would still expect the 500 to have the most recoil in the end due to the much heavier bullet. I'm sure they use the same spring in both cals., and the fact the 460's never have a problem only tells me they need maybe a 1 lb. stiffer spring in the 500's. I think it is just the little extra recoil that is unlatching it. If Smith can't fix it I can, and will post a note outlining my findings. Maybe they'll get it right this time, and I won't have to fiddle with it.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2007, 05:02:47 AM »

You are right about the recoil of the 500 over the 460 Mag. I also hope they make it right with you and I am sure they will.

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #21 on:** February 15, 2007, 05:57:13 AM »

yeah sorry about that guys i should of added the ""Are "" in ther ...was asking if they have had issues at all..
once the irs says i can have some money back im buying the 460 just cant figure out what one i want an what kinda scope mount i should get an a scope...i have a bushnell tropy red dot wounder if that would hold up too some 454's out of it

Dave

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 15, 2007, 06:09:48 AM »

Quote from: SLAVAGE on February 15, 2007, 05:57:13 AM

yeah sorry about that guys i should of added the ""Are "" in ther ...was asking if they have had issues at all..
once the irs says i can have some money back im buying the 460 just cant figure out what one i want an what kinda scope mount i should get an a scope...i have a bushnell tropy red dot wounder if that would hold up too some 454's out of it

Dave

Check out my add in the classified, I have a 5 inch 460 Mag for sale.