To anyone who shoots the x-frame,
How well is this one holding up, Flame cutting, frame loosening up, etc..If any? After how many rounds?
The reason I ask is this, I have a 629 horton spcl. After only 400-500 rds, this one was flame cutting quite alot.

Also, how big are the grips, I wear large white mule work gloves, with a rather firm grip.

Thanks, Halfbreed

To anyone who shoots the x-frame,
How well is this one holding up, Flame cutting, frame loosening up, etc..If any? After how many rounds?
The reason I ask is this, I have a 629 horton spcl. After only 400-500 rds, this one was flame cutting quite alot.

Also, how big are the grips, I wear large white mule work gloves, with a rather firm grip.

Thanks, Halfbreed

I've shot a dozen rounds through mine. I didn't notice any flames or flash, only a heck of alot of smoke. The range looked like the inside of a smoking room.

Forgive a newbie for asking but what is flame cutting? I have seen it mentioned in several posts, and I would like to know what I should be looking for.

Sikowski, welcome aboard!
Flame cutting is, a condition where the cartridge gases literally cut a line across the bottom of the top strap. Between the forcing cone and the cylinder face.
This is real common for the mag type revolvers, my 629 was getting real bad, real quick. The smith cut the forcing cone, then squared the cylinder face, this should have been done at the factory.
Sometimes I have to learn the hard way :( I should have examined the pistol more closely!
I talked to one of the guys at S&W today, (tech service), I asked if they have addressed this problem, they said no.
I asked if they could cut the bbl. down to 5.5" in the custom shop, again they said no.
I was kind of intrested in a 500 S&W, Now I may just have to look elsewhere. Or call again and ask for someone in charge, that may help.
I really do not want to go the expense of a full custom.

Halfbreed

I have over 200 rounds through my S&W500 and over 300 rounds through my BFR 500MAG and neither gun shows sign of Flame cutting, frame loosening up.

Redhawk1, Thanks for the reply.
How do the 2 pistols compare, I am not trying to go cheap, I am looking for quality without having to buy both to figure out what is what.
How is the finish work on the BFR? It use to be sub standard. I mean they left a lot of tooling marks on the frame, How is the felt recoil compared to the X frame. What about trigger pull, is it smooth on one only, or both?
Around here anything other than 9mm, 45 auto, and 44mag, are special order. and you have to pay half up front wether you buy it or not.

Thanks,
Halfbreed

Halfbreed, I have likes and dislikes with both guns, none that would make me get rid of one or the other. The BFR finish is actually nicer than the Smith & Wesson. The S&W over all fit was good, but the gun needs to be buffed out to get all the machine and finish work cleaned up. Lots of scratches on the barrel. The BFR was real clean and everything works smooth. As far as likes and dislikes, the S&W is nose heavy which helps with recoil. The S&W is louder due to the compensator. The BFR seems more balanced. Trigger pull is about the same when the S&W is used in single action mode, a little heaver in double action. The recoil in the BFR is more noticeable than the S&W. The BFR roles back in your hand like all single actions and the S&W comes more straight back at you. The S&W is less expensive. The S&W is faster to reload. The BFR needs to be drill & tapped for a scope mount but the S&W come drilled & tapped and uses the same mount as the K,L,N frame. The BFR appears to be stronger made then the S&W. Either gun would be great. It really depends which one appeals to you personally. I could not decide when I wanted a 500MAG and while writing this I still could not decide which one I like the best. That is why I have both.. As fare as recoil goes, this gun really is not designed to just go plinken with, but some of us do. LOL :) When in a hunting situation you would not even notice it at all. Not for the recoil sensitive. Hope the helped.

Redhawk1, Thanks again.
It was probably the most informative reply I have heard in a comparison for the two.
I realize I will not be firing 200 rounds of this at a time, like I do my 44m 629, But I was wondering how many rounds will be fired in a session? Before It is time to call it quits, and how the recoil compares to a 454 Casull.

Thanks,
John

halfbreed, I had a Ruger Redhawk in 454 Casull and sold it when I got my S&W500. The recoil in the Smith & Wesson with 275 gr. Barnes bullets is very comparable to the 454. The 400 gr. and 440 gr. are a little more recoil than the 454 Casull. In the BFR it is even more noticeable. I shoot mostly 50 round sessions with shooters gloves and it is not a problem. I once shot a 100 round secession of 440 gr. full loads and had a bruise on the top of my palm. There are a lot of people shooting the S&W500 with lighter loads and lighter bullets and they compare the recoil to a 44 MAG full loads. The Smith & Wesson Forum reloading area has several good loads and as well as the Hodgen powder site. Here is the Smith & Wesson site. http://www.smith-wessonforum.com/cgi-bin/sandwcgi/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro
Any help I might be, please ask and I will do my best to point you in the right direction.

Redhawk1,
I think you have already pointed me in the right direction as well as any one possibly could have!
thank you for the high quality reports.

halfbreed

halfbreed, let me know what you decide and why?

Thanks Redhawk

Redhawk,
I also say, "Thanks for the info"! I bought some Corbon ammo in 500 S&W[wow $$$] and realized that the round is much shorter than the BFR's cylinder. So I decided to go with the Smith. Now I can't find a S&W 500 revolver, so I'll reverse my decision, again & go with the BFR. The 444 Marlin is much longer and does fill up the cylinder of the BFR. Do you think it matters that the S&W 500 round has that much "free bore travel" in a BFR? Hows the two compare as far as accurcy?

Rich Jimbo, The BFR and Smith are both very accurate, I reload so I do not know how factory bullets shoot. I have found that the 400 gr. bullets from Montana Bullet Works to be the most accurate with 34.5 gr. of W296 with CCI350 primers. The 440 gr. bullets are a little less accurate but would work just great for hunting. Yesterday I changed out my Bushnell Holo sight off my S&W500 and put my Leupold 2X scope on it. I sighted it in and then shot a 30 round group from 25 yards and they all stayed within a 1 1/2 inch group. This was off a bench rest. With the BFR I am getting the same accuracy. The cylinder travail does not seam to affect the accuracy. You won't be disappointed with either. But you may seriously want to consider reload to get the best performance and save some money, well you won't save money because you will be able to shoot more. :)

Everybody,
This is what I have out in the last few days,
I called the tech guys at S&W, They said they could not cut the bbl. down on the 500, they had not addressed the flame cutting issues, and did not really care,
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT ATTITUDE,

I contacted BFR custom shop today,
Jim, at the custom shop told me they could cut the bbl down to 6". that is where the ejector shroud starts at. They have cut the forcing cone 11 degrees, the cylinder to forcing cone is .002" and they have done many other things which I did not understand all he was talking about. I am not a machinist.
jim tried to explain things where I could understand them, mostly I did. but I wont try to explain them myself.
The long cylinder is not a problem, he explained the tolerances from the cylinder throats, to the lock up, to the cylinder face to the forcing cone, and the materials used in various parts.
Jim was helpful, knowledgable, and generous with his time.
Now I wonder who I will work with on my pistol. Someone who does not give a crap? Or someone who tried to be very helpful and was? Hmmm

Halfbreed

Everybody,
This is what I have out in the last few days,
I called the tech guys at S&W, They said they could not cut the bbl. down on the 500, they had not addressed the flame cutting issues, and did not really care,
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT ATTITUDE,

I contacted BFR custom shop today,
Jim, at the custom shop told me they could cut the bbl down to 6". that is where the ejector shroud starts at. They have cut the forcing cone 11 degrees, the cylinder to forcing cone is .002" and they have done many other things which I did not understand all he was talking about. I am not a machinist.
jim tried to explain things where I could understand them, mostly I did. but I wont try to explain them myself.
The long cylinder is not a problem, he explained the tolerances from the cylinder throats, to the lock up, to the cylinder face to the forcing cone, and the materials used in various parts.
Jim was helpful, knowledgable, and generous with his time.
Now I wonder who I will work with on my pistol. Someone who does not give a crap? Or someone who tried to be very helpful and was? Hmmm

Halfbreed


Well I guess I was right about the BFR being able to be cut to 6 inches. I am thinking of having mine cut down also. Also Magnaported.

Rich Jimbo, The BFR and Smith are both very accurate, I reload so I do not know how factory bullets shoot. I have found that the 400 gr. bullets from Montana Bullet Works to be the most accurate with 34.5 gr. of W296 with CCI350 primers. The 440 gr. bullets are a little less accurate but would work just great for hunting. Yesterday I changed out my Bushnell Holo sight off my S&W500 and put my Leupold 2X scope on it. I sighted it in and then shot a 30 round group from 25 yards and they all stayed within a 1 1/2 inch group. This was off a bench rest. With the BFR I am getting the same accuracy. The cylinder travail does not seam to affect the accuracy. You won't be disappointed with either. But you may seriously want to consider reload to get the best performance and save some money, well you won't save money because you will be able to shoot more. :)


Redhawk1,
What base are you using on your 500 and how do you like it?
Which do you prefer mounted on the 500, the scope or the holosight and what are you using to holster the beast?

Redhawk1,
What base are you using on your 500 and how do you like it?
Which do you prefer mounted on the 500, the scope or the holosight and what are you using to holster the beast?



On my S&W500 I have a B-Square mount. And on my BFR I have a Leupold mount. As far as the Holosight and Leupold scope. I like the Holosight for quick on target. The Leupold works good as far as accuracy. But I still have to get use to holding the gun out further to avoid the black out. I am leaving the Leupold on my S&W500 and keeping the Holosight as a back up. The Holosight is sighted in for the S&W, so all I would have to do is install it and do a check for point of impact. I will keep the Ultra dot on the BFR.
Both of my guns fit in my T/C shoulder holster. I have one that will fit a 15 inch Encore and it works great.