I held the larger 8 3/4 SW .500 and it felt too front heavy for my likings. I can appreciate the weight in taming the recoil but it just doesn't seem doable for the stands from which I hunt. I feel the 4 incher may be too short. Does anyone have any ideas regarding the accuracy of the 4inch setup? I would shoot no further than 60 yds. Any ideas if it will be offered in 6 inch?

You might want to check out smith-wesson revolver forum. Some of the members have the inside track on information like that. I have used this forum several times and the response always comes back in bunches.
http://www.smith-wessonforum.com/cgi-bin/sandwcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=S|AMP|W+Revolvers+1945+to+the+Present&number=13&DaysPrune=10&LastLogin=

Thanks, looks like lots of info is available there!

I haven't herd of them coming out with a 6" yet, the 4"er's aren't even out yet.
I have the 8-3/8" 500, and took two deer last year. If you can
shoot big bores, you can shoot the 500. I can't see why it would be any problem shooting from a stand, I shot both of my deer offhand, one at 45yds. the other about 60yds.


http://www.hunt101.com/img/138602.jpg (http://www.hunt101.com/?p=138602&c=500&z=1)

has anyone yet fired the 4" bbl .500 SW?

I've got a Redhawk conversion in 500 Linebaugh with a 3.5" barrel. Have been shooting some 525 grain Buffalo Bore loads through it recently. It's got some slap to it, but is controllable. I knew the 500 S&W is a bit faster round, but given the differences in gun weight, bullet weight, barrel length, it should be manageable. My revolver is not ported.

I also did not like the S&W500 for the balance. I sold my S&W500 and I kept my BFR in 500MAG. I had the barrel cut down to 5 1/4 inches, that is the shortest you can cut it down due to the extractor. It was well balanced with the 7 1/2 inch barrel and even more with the 5 1/4 inch barrel. I do like the S&W500 look with the 4 inch barrel and without a compensator.

I guess everyone has their own preference, I thoroughly enjoy shooting my standard model S&W 500.

The hottest loads I have fired in it are some of my own 400 grain hunting loads as well as the Corbon 400 gr Sierra JSP, all of which are pretty stout but still controlable. It fires some of my "plinking" loads (335gr JFP/12.5gr Titegroup) with recoil comparable to my 45 ACP with at least twice the energy. I like the balance and the feel as well as the way it carries in my cross-draw holster. It pushes the maximum limits for size as far as I'm concerned though.

In my opinion it will take the place of a long gun in many instances, but it will be much more convenient to carry.

I believe the Perfomance Center is building 6" .500's. Personally, I like my 8 3/8" standard model. I carry mine in a Bianchi Hushs system bandolier and it seems to be an excellent combo for my purposes. I also have shooting stix to use when hunting from a stand, too.
Rich

I have one of the performance center 6" models, #86
I have dubbed "the 'ol 86er" :)

should be just fine, it's nice and accurate

I do not have the 6" I do have the 10" , named it festus .