can a person weighing 125-130 lbs handle a .500 caliber s&w revolver? what about a .460?

Question

its a big gun. would the recoil be too much? if it is what is the biggest gun you can suggest for that weight?

.50 caliber
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=14777&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15707&isFirearm=Y

by the way i shot .38's, 9mm's, and .45's. and handled them pretty well.

Answer 1

Well Gorgeous, I admire your courage but I'm thinking it is too big. When the .50 Caliber Action Express first came out I was purchasing practice ammo for my Glock Model 20 in .10mm. The sales person handed me the big Desert Eagle. Just holding it stretched the palm of my right hand causing pain as I tried to accommodate it one-handed reaching for the trigger. (I'm thinking your hands are going to be smaller than mine, I'm 5-9, 214 lbs.)

Since you like revolvers and apparently have no problem spending big bucks for a .500 or .460 Smith, why don't you just buy a standard-sized Colt Python .357mag., a handsome gun available (used) in many finishes with plenty of stopping power? If that's too small, try the S&W .44 Magnum which you can start out by shooting .44 special ammo.

The biggest gun I'd recommend for someone your size is the .10mm Glock Model 20, and that's only if you can comfortably reach the magazine and slide release with one hand.

It is no crime to be petite (I'd like to get down to under 200 lbs., but I like food too much!) Get a gun you can handle that won't punish you. Shooting should be fun.

Best,
H

Answer 2

Probably, as someone else said, maybe try a .357 and and for sure a .44 first, the .500 really is more than I thought even. The S&W X-Frame is gonna do a world of difference in reducing the felt recoil (if it's a Magnum Research BFR stay away, they shoot good, but the recoil is really unmanagable). Also, the 4" one is gonna feel like a lot more kick than the 8 3/8". 10 1/2" helps even more, but it's a beast just to hold out there. Also bullet grain is gonna make a huge difference, shoot whatever the lightest you can find. Now the .460, although I haven't shot one yet by all accounts is WAY easier on the hands. Especially with a 200Gr bullet comin out of a Smith X-Frame, can't be that bad, even at 2200 fps. I'd prefer its preformance anyway, unless you're planning on hunting cape buffalo, the flat trajectory and speed of the .460-well, that'd be my choice, but...only one way to find out what works for you.

Answer 3

I am 6' 3" and weigh around 300lb
The first time I shot my .454 Casul I think I got a compression fracture in my wrist. The next day my wrist was swollen and there was a lump the size of half a golf ball.
This was my fault because I was trying to hold the gun back.
Learn to shoot it with one hand with your body diagonal to the firing line.
Let your body twist to absorb the recoil.
My friend also shot it and took 2 days off work.
He is an electrician and could not reach above his head.
This was not my first heavy magnum.
I also own a few .44 mags and had a 50AE
Try a .357 mag first.
If that is OK try a 44 mag
Auto's do not have the recoil of a revolver
Then if you can-get off the porch and play with the big boys.

The thing that also gives more perceived recoil is the noise or concussion.
Wear ear plugs under head phones.
Some competitive shooters wear a full face motorcycle helmet

Answer 4

Recoil is definetly stout but not beyond what a shooter,even a 130 lb shooter could handle.Yes it's more powerful than the other guns youv'e shot but it is also much larger and heavier which will help soak up some of the recoil but this alo works against you as the gun will be difficult for a small person to hold steady and place perfect shots.same for the .460.If you want the hand cannon go right ahead but i'm curios as to why unless you plan on hunting big hairy things that can eat you.Not that you need a reason.

Answer 5

Continue working up and see what your limit is. You said you've fired .45's, so move on to .44 Magnums, before you try the .460 and .500. It's a good idea to be able to try some guns before you buy too many, if possible. I have a custom .500 Linebaugh "Bisley" that kicks up to three times as much as a .44 Mag. I weigh 320 pounds at 6' 1" and bench press over 600 pounds, so I can handle it. One of my lovers weighs 125 pounds at 5' 3" and bench presses 180 pounds. She has shot my .44 and .500, but she's not wild about the latter with heavy loads. Another lover is 5' 0.5" and weighs 97 pounds, and she sticks to 9mm's and .357's. Trying is the only way to know for sure.

Answer 6

Nah... Too big. You're going to flinch, or anticipate the recoil. You'll never hit your target that way. Start small, (.308, or .38) and build up. That way you're used to the progressively larger kicks as you move up in caliber size.

Answer 7

You could but its gonna hurt if you can even hold onto it. Im only 5' 6" 135lbs but im gonna try it if my dad gets one. But ive been shooting since i was 4, and .38s,9mm's, and .45's are easy and fun to shoot but this .500 is gonna be alot different.

Answer 8

just go out and practice with it. it would not be that great of a gun to use for recreational shooting or for personal protection. so im gonna assume your gonna use it for hunting. in that scenario your probably going to fire one round, and its doubtful your going to have the opportunity for a follow up shot. just remember aim small, miss small.

Answer 9

it's probably too big, unless you are really strong for your weight

Answer 10

a 500 cal ?

You shooting a tank?