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Smith & Wesson Model 500 .500 S&W
.500 S&W • Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson Model 500 .500 S&W

Model: 163501

5
CAPACITY
8.38"
BARREL
4.3
LBS
Revolver
ACTION
.500 S&W
CALIBER
$1,699
MSRP

Full Specifications

Series Model S&W500
Action Type Revolver
Trigger Single/double action
Safety None
Optic Ready No
Overall Length 15.0"
Barrel Length 8.38"
Height 6.38"
Width 1.92"
Weight 69.1 oz (4.32 lbs)
Frame Material Stainless steel
Frame Finish Silver (satin stainless)
Barrel Material Stainless steel
Grip Type Synthetic (rubber)
Country of Origin United States
Includes: Two interchangeable muzzle brakes (one for jacketed bullets, one for lead bullets); removable high-efficiency compensator

About This Firearm

The Model 500 is Smith & Wesson's five-shot X-Frame revolver in .500 S&W Magnum, introduced in 2003 for handgun hunters. S&W rates the cartridge at 2600 ft/lb of muzzle energy and bills the gun as the most powerful production revolver in the world. This version has an 8.38" barrel, runs 15.0" overall and weighs 69.1 oz. It rides in a chest rig or on a sling, not a belt holster.

The Ruger Super Redhawk in .44 Magnum weighs 16.1 oz less, holds one more round, comes optic-ready and costs $150 less; for deer and black bear it does the job with far less recoil. The Smith & Wesson Model 629 Stealth Hunter costs $280 more and is optic-ready from the factory, but it is still a .44 Magnum. The Magnum Research Desert Eagle Mark XIX in .50 AE weighs within an ounce of the Model 500 and fires faster from a magazine, but its cartridge is far less powerful and its $1,917 price is higher.

Buy the Model 500 if you hunt elk, moose or big bears with a handgun, or you want a backup for dangerous game. Skip it if your game is deer and hogs: the Super Redhawk handles them, takes an optic without extra work, and is easier to shoot well.

Best For

GOOD
Hunting/Woods Carry
S&W describes it as a hunting handgun for any game animal walking. The long barrel and compensator keep velocity high and muzzle rise manageable for a follow-up shot.
FAIR
Range/Target
It is a heavy, accurate revolver on the bench, but the recoil limits how many rounds most shooters fire in a session. Treat range time as practice for the hunt.
FAIR
Collecting
S&W designed the X-Frame around the Model 500, and it is still the revolver that defines the .500 S&W Magnum.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths
  • The removable compensator comes with two muzzle brakes, one for jacketed bullets and one for lead bullets, so you can match the brake to the load.
  • The HI-VIZ red front sight is interchangeable, which helps when you change loads or need a brighter bead in low light.
  • The stainless frame and barrel hold up to wet hunting conditions better than a blued or black-oxide gun.
Limitations
  • It is not optic-ready from the factory, while the Super Redhawk and the 629 Stealth Hunter are.
  • Full-power .500 S&W loads are punishing even with the compensator. Practice sessions tend to be short, which works against a gun you need to shoot well in the field.
  • It is a burden to carry all day, even on a chest rig.

Where to Buy

No prices available at this time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which muzzle brake should I use?

Use the brake marked for the bullet type you are shooting. S&W supplies one brake for jacketed bullets and one for lead bullets with this revolver.

Is the Model 500 overkill for deer?

For most deer hunting, yes. A .44 Magnum like the Super Redhawk kills deer cleanly with less recoil. The Model 500 makes sense when the game is large or dangerous.

Does the Model 500 have a safety?

No. It is a double-action/single-action revolver with no manual safety lever.

Can I shoot lighter loads in it?

Yes. Lighter .500 S&W loads are made for practice and for smaller game, and the lead-bullet brake is there for cast-bullet loads. Swap to the matching brake before you change bullet types.