My New S&W 500 Arrived Today

[Fiveshooter]

I took the thing to the range today. The ammo I had on hand was all handloads consisting of a 380 gr. pure linotype cast bullet(meant for the .50 AE)in front of 41 grs. of H110.
Since I did not have a lot of time I did not bother with the cronograph. This load did not seem to produce any severe recoil but the cylinder stop let the cylinder turn during recoil over 60% of the time.
It made little or no difference how tight I held the gun the problem persisted. Other shooters had the same thing happen.
Total number rounds fired was just over 100. The frequency of the problem was very alarming. The problem made the gun anything but fun to shoot.
I just installed a much heavier cylinder stop spring and will try the gun again Sunday.
If this problem is not solved by the heavier spring this gun will be going back to S&W.
I was telling my dealer about the cylinder unlatching problem that Tim Sundles and Jeff Quinn reported the other day on the Sixgunner MB. Today as I was picking up my gun he informed me that he had asked his S&W rep. about this problem as was informed that there was no such problem.
I will have to let my dealer know that his particular rep. is either not "in the know" or a liar. The problem first occured for me on the second shot.
I hope to have better news to report after I get to shoot it again with the heavier spring. I am fairly confident that it will be fixed. I find it very hard to believe that S&W could have overlooked the problem in the first place.
 :evil:

[Fiveshooter]

Last night I replaced the cylinder stop spring with a heavier one that I had in my parts boxes. I am not even sure what the spring was for originally but it was a little heavier wire, a bit longer and fit just fine. The "Good News" is that the new spring cured the cylinder unlocking problem. :grin:
The "Bad News" is that after only 15 rounds today the firing pin broke. :eek:
It looks like I will be replacing the original  spring and sending the gun back to S&W for them to replace the firing pin and install their heavier cylinder stop spring.
I have every confidence that S&W will have the thing fixed and working properly in short order. :wink:

[Kenneth L. Walters]

A smith representative quoted on another board has indicated that there is NO such problem.  The claim is that shooters are pulling the trigger a second time during recoil.  Unfortunately the Smith person quoted is well known for claiming problems are the fault of the shooter rather than the gun.  It will be interesting to see if you get any satisfaction when you send your gun in.  When you do send it I would suggest including a letter specifically asking them why the problem occurred.  Sometimes Smith's answers to such questions is beyond belief.

[daddywpb]

I just had problems with Smith getting a new extractor for a 4506. They told me it had to be "factory fitted", and didn't want to send me the part. It took a lot of bitching and complaining and sitting on hold while they transferred me to the next idiot. I honestly don't think anyone in the building has ever fired a gun before. I finally got the part yesterday. All their claims about "new management" and reorganization are a bunch of crap. Their service is the worst in the industry, and the quality of the stuff they're shipping out of there is second rate. My local dealer has recently sent three brand new handguns back to the factory because they didn't function properly, or for cosmetic flaws. Personally, I wouldn't buy one, at least not now.

[HR2D2]

Well mine was born on June 23rd. and I have had no trouble with it and lots of fun.  I had some custom molds made by Mountain Molds and have had fun expermenting.  First mold is an ogival flat point at 435 grains, plain base and 2 grease groves and a crimp grove.  The projectile is accurate at a full range of velocites.  I don't know the exact fps since the clubs cronograph is broken but have tried loas of 20 and 30 grains of 2400 as well as 12.7 grains of unique.  The second bullet is a 270 grain wadcutter again plain base 2 and 1.  It shoots with 10 grains of unique.  The third mold is 450 with one grove at gass check.  Nose above crimp grove is .70 inches which should be maximum for S&W cylinder.  I  have not used this one as I am waiting for gas checks to arrive.  

You will note that these loads are quiet a bit below the charges listed by Cor-Bon in their reloading data.  I don't think you need to use this round at total full power as bullet caliber, shape and weight will carry the day unless you hunt the African big 5.

The only thing I have changed on the gun are the grips, put on an old pair of Herret target grips with thumb and palm rests, they distribute force over a very large area of the hand and are quite comfortable.  Yes they are big, but the whole gun is big so I see no down side.

[Fiveshooter]

HR2D2,

 With loads as light as you listed I wouldn't expect you to encounter the problem. Many people out there are shooting the 275 gr Cor-Bon loads with no problems at all.
 I can surpass the ballistcs of the loads you mentioned with my 5.5" barrelled 500 Linebaugh. I did not buy the HUGE S&W to load it to levels that my .500 Linebaugh can surpass.
 S&W still claims that there is no such problem with the guns. In fact they are telling people that they have never heard of the problem at all.
 For a first hand account of the problem of the cylinder rotating under recoil please read the article by Jeff Quin http://www.gunblast.com/SW_500.htm
 He mentioned in this article that he made S&W aware of the problem himself. Also Tim Sundles of Buffalo Bore Ammo has the same problem with his gun. I spoke to him personally by phone about this.
 The folks at S&W will never admit that there could be a problem with thier new "Flagship" revolver.

[Fiveshooter]

I recieved a brand new 500 S&W today because S&W said mine could not be repaired. The gun was at S&W since July 17th. I understand they usually have a 2 week turn around but since they replaced the gun for free I can't complain.
 The new gun looks a bit better than the one I had. I will let you know if it performs any better.

 Best Regards,
                      Billy