Les Jones

What exactly is the purpose of a snub nose .500 Mag? In case you want to simultaneously shoot something AND set it on fire with the muzzle flash?

You could light your cigar and braze copper pipes with it, too.

Well, if you actually had to use that .500 Mag snubbie for its alleged intended purpose...you had better hope that you can get the job done with the first shot. That thing looks like a sprained or broken wrist waiting to happen...

This reminds me of Ruger's ads for its big-bore Super Redhawk Alaskan revolver. Titled "The Bear Essentials," the ad features an oblivious fisherman fly-casting into a remote Alaskan stream with a .454 Alaskan snubbie on his hip, completely unaware of his surroundings.

Logically, I thought the follow-up photo should feature a tattered pair of hip waders and a broken fishing rod lying on the bank, along with a lot of bear paw prints and the .454 Alaskan, still strapped into its badly-chewed, slobber-coated holster...

But S&W has gone Ruger one better: they've thoughtfully provided more stuff for the bear to leave scattered on the riverbank after it's done mauling you. In bright colors, no less, so the game wardens will more easily find the place they should start looking for your masticated remains.

OK, I'm a cynic...

Doesn't look very practical for backpacking.

Well, if you miss, you could always beat the bear to death with it...

I don't know that its so bad....

Just because you or I wouldn't buy, doesn't mean there isn't a market.

"A difference of opinion is what makes a horse race."

Well, as an owner of a 4" S&W 500.....

My local Gun Pusher showed me the S&W emergency kits the last time I was in. The first thing that popped into my mind was "recoil." With no compensator that thing will be brutal. I tried one round of the 400 grain MagTechs through mine with the compensator removed. I won't do that again.

I chronographed some MagTech 400 grain soft points from my 500,and they came in at 1325 (the 325 grainers were 1420, and much more pleasant to shoot); shooting 5 rounds off the bench made me very glad it was not a six shooter. It's actually a 3 inch with a 1 inch compensator, so velocities from the 2 3/4" "emergency bear gun" probably won't be much lower.

I had a 12 round box of Cor-Bon 440 grain hard cast ammo on hand, and I still have 11 rounds left. I didn't chrono them because I wanted to fire the first one away from the screens to see what it was like. Now I know.....

We don't have much in the way of bears here in Florida, but we do have an awful lot of alligators. A 500 with 400+ grain hard cast bullets is just an easier way to carry a 12 gauge loaded with slugs, and around water I appreciate it being stainless. Had S&W offered the 500 in a 5" version as they do with the 460, I would have preferred that over the 4". The 6 1/2" is too bulky with the comp for convenient carry.

I must agree, though, that the emergency kits are pretty slick marketing.

I dunno... if I could afford one (and afford to feed it), I'd be interested. Though I don't think I'd buy the box set, just the gun. Heck, a good enough deal, and I might just get the box set. (Assuming, again, I could afford it) But then again, I'm basically still a little kid who's easily amused by loud and shiny toys. :)

Methinks it should come with a decent holster, however. It'd be tough to fend off the bear with your gun in a box.

Deb: agreed. I think people will buy them, and that's a good thing. I don't want S&W to do a Winchester and disappear.

AughtSix - Galco makes a very nice hip holster for the 4" 500, very comfy for that big a piece of steel. I don't contest that the kit should come with a holster. Then again, I bought only the gun, not the fancy kit, quite a while back.

As for fodder, Redding makes dies for the 500, a number of places offer hard cast bullets, several powder makers have reloading data, and you still won't want to shoot it much. A box of Cor-Bon is about $3 for each trigger-pull, the MagTech is about $1.80. Reloading gets it down to under half a buck per shot. Then the only thing you have to worry about is being able to make your hands work after a cylinder full.....

I used to feel inadequate, undersized even.

Then I took my 4 incher to a shooting range for the first time. The outdoor shooting range was equipped with both a pistol and rifle range separated by about 100 yards. I unloaded my little friend at a target and was admiring the tightness of the groups right out of the box. I was wearing both earplugs and external earcovers, so it didn't seem too loud to me. The next thing I knew was the rangemaster was screaming "Cease Fire, Cease Fire" over the PA system. Everyone at the rifle range was convinced that they were under attack from the surrounding hills by some madman with a large caliber sniper rifle. They had all ducked for cover.

I guess that was when I knew I was in love.

Imagine how proud I was after scaring the bejesus out of a bunch of gun nuts who had never heard my Maggy talk before.

I am pretty proud of my 4 incher now.

I would buy another 500 but it would feel like cheating on my wife.

To those people that think a 2 3/4 bbl to a 4 inch bbl makes a differance they are wrong. I have both the 4inch and the bear kit S&W gun and they shoot the same. I love this gun it is not a practical gun but still a good conversation piece. I would rather have this gun than any other out there in the wilderness. For those people bad talking it try acually shooting it befor you open your mouth. I am tired of people saying it is a "wrist breaker" that is false only if you are an idiot and not holding it right. It is like someone shooting a shotgun and holding it away from their shoulder of course they are going to get hurt.* Just dont hold the gun in front of your face single handed. LOL

That is my opinion!

Thanks,

Terry

i have a s&w 500 mag with 8 3/8 barrel this gun is very controlable it come straight back instead of rearing up but its not bad if you can shoot hot 44 mag loads u can shoot this "baby" gun but wear ear protection, and watch all the people at the range go "what the heck was that" just like they do every time i shoot mine its a beautiful thing

To lower 48rs the survival kit probably seems odd. However as an Alaskan I can tell you that I know several bush pilots, recreational fliers, boaters and guides who have thrown one in there survival kit. Ok, actually I only know two people, and they are both a little flaky at that, but backyard BS over the BBQ seems to indicate that general opinion appreciates the potential utility of the thing. Granted, you need take the book out – after all, if you go down 200 miles into the interior about the last thing you have time for is reading horror stories about bear attacks – but if you replace the book with a first aid kit and cut out some foam to make space for a few emergency dry rations, you have a fairly complete setup when the motor on your boat or plane gives out and you have to spend a few days waiting for help. I personally opted for the 4” and carry it comfortably in a shoulder holster. It doesn’t interfere with my backpack straps and it’s easy to access on short notice.

Buying the 2 3/4" barrel is a waste of money. It's better to buy a gun you can use for other purposes, that will be easier to shoot, and can double as your survival weapon (i.e. the 8 3/8" version). More than likely 95% of the snubbys will sit - never used - in their boxes.

Another issue with the survival kit: Which will be easier to carry, the kit or a full sized Smith in a shoulder holster? (Hint: you'll need a spare hand to carry the kit).

You simply don't realize how badly you need a BIG bore bullet that's QUICKLY unholstered until you've been tangled up in an Alaskan alder patch.

A center-chest holster for my 2.75 inch .500 is the WAY to go in Alaska. I mountain bike, hike, trail run and generally stomp through whatever terrain I want. I never notice the .500 b/c the center-chest holster rests it perfectly. If my dog and my stench don't make the bear wander away, then my dumb a** will hide behind five fat 1/2 bullets.

If I'm hunting, I never worry about pushing through the creekside alders on the way to another fireweed clearing. If the bear decided to play peek-a-boo despite all my noisy advances, he'll suck on a big fat lead bullet. (Which by the way, a 4 inch barrel does NOT unholster easily when you're cocked-eyed in an alder patch with one leg hung up and your rifle occupying the other hand.)

The kick? What kick? It's called gun control. If you can't fire a sawed off 12 gauge pistol grip, then don't hunt in Alaska. I'd take the kick off this 2.75in .500 rubber grip any day than the slicked wood stock of a 6" .44. At least it stays in my hand and the muzzle drops right back into the sight picture.

Concealed carry? Why yes I can. In fact, the center-chest holster is the same one I used for my .357. It's neck sling can connect into a corner loop to allow an armpit carry. Once the .500 slipped into that holster, the .357 has collected dust in the closet. The .500's frame is like a K frame versus the J frame of the .357. So out and about in town, it's a REALLY BIG BARRELL that some punk will look down if he messes with my honey and me.

Once you've mountain biked and trail ran with a .500, you'll never carry bear spray again.