Smith & Wesson PC Model 500 .500 S&W Magnum 10.5″ 5rd
Pros & cons
What works
- Performance Center hand-tuned action reduces double-action pull to ~8.5 lbs versus a factory-standard ~12 lbs.
- Integral muzzle brake reduces measurable felt recoil by an estimated 30-40% compared to an uncompensated barrel of the same length.
- 10.5-inch barrel yields approximately 150-200 fps velocity gain over the 8.38-inch model with full-power loads.
- Five-round stainless cylinder is heat-treated for a service life exceeding 5,000 rounds with full-power ammunition under normal conditions.
Trade-offs
- Massive 76 oz (4.75 lb) unloaded weight makes it impractical for any form of sustained off-hand shooting or holster carry.
- Ammunition is exceptionally costly, with quality hunting loads running $4-8 per round, limiting practical training.
- The large cylinder window and frame size create significant holster compatibility challenges; most require a custom kydex or leather order.
- Factory synthetic grips transmit substantial vibration; most users spend an additional $50-$100 on aftermarket recoil pads or grip replacements.
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 500 is a hand-tuned, large-frame revolver chambered for the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge, purpose-built to manage the recoil and energy of the world's most powerful production handgun round. This isn't a standard catalog item from Smith & Wesson; it's a Performance Center special run, meaning it's assembled and tuned by their master armorers for specific, high-demand use cases. Its 10.5-inch barrel, integral muzzle brake, and X-Frame construction define it as a specialized tool, not a general-purpose sidearm.What is the Smith & Wesson PC Model 500 used for?
This revolver is specifically engineered for handgun hunting of North American big game and for heavy-recoil target discipline training. The primary intent is delivering the massive terminal energy of the .500 S&W Magnum (over 2,600 foot-pounds from factory loads) from a platform that is controllable enough for a follow-up shot. Its long sight radius and accessory rail also make it an excellent candidate for a dedicated, high-power optics setup for taking game at ranges you'd normally reserve for a rifle, like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win.
How does the Smith & Wesson PC Model 500 compare to a Magnum Research BFR?
The Performance Center Model 500 offers superior out-of-the-box action tuning and recoil management compared to the standard-grade Magnum Research BFR in the same caliber, which typically ships with a heavier, grittier trigger pull and lacks an effective compensator. Where the BFR often wins on pure, brute-force ruggedness and slightly simpler mechanics, the Smith & Wesson's Performance Center hand-fitting and factory-installed muzzle brake make it the better choice for a shooter prioritizing immediate shootability and reduced perceived recoil in a magnum revolver platform. The Model 500's action requires approximately 8.5 pounds of pull in double-action versus the BFR's often-stout 12+ pounds.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded, this revolver weighs 76 ounces (4.75 pounds), with an overall length of 16.25 inches from the firing pin to the muzzle compensator. The cylinder itself has a diameter of 2.1 inches, which dictates the necessity of the massive X-Frame to house it. The 10.5-inch cold hammer-forged barrel reduces pressure and velocity loss compared to the more common 8.38-inch Model 500 variants, yielding an estimated 150-200 feet per second muzzle velocity increase with full-power loads.
Who is this NOT for?
This is categorically not a firearm for a new shooter, for general home defense, or for casual recreational plinking. The ammunition cost alone—often exceeding $4 per round for basic factory fodder—makes it prohibitively expensive for most range sessions. The sheer physical size and mass also make it impractical for holster carry; this is a hand cannon designed to be carried in a specialized field/scabbard for a specific hunting purpose, not concealed or worn on a belt.
What's in the box?
You receive the pistol, one five-round stainless-steel moon clip, a factory-installed, lockable cable lock, the original hard plastic Performance Center case, the owner's manual, and the Performance Center certificate of authenticity. Notably, Smith & Wesson does not ship these with any form of optic, rings, or speed loaders; those are considered mission-specific accessories to be sourced separately, much like pairing a Stevens 555 Sporting shotgun with the correct choke for your chosen game.
Is the Smith & Wesson PC Model 500 worth it at $1935.99?
For the shooter who demands the absolute pinnacle of factory-tuned performance in a .500 S&W Magnum platform for a specific hunting or competitive role, the $1935.99 price is justifiable as a premium over the standard, non-Performance Center Model 500. You are paying for the hand-lapped barrel, the meticulously smoothed and timed action, and the fitted compensator—features that would cost hundreds more in aftermarket gunsmithing. However, if your need is simply 'a big bore revolver' and not 'the most refined big bore revolver,' the standard model or alternatives like the BFR represent a significant cost savings for nearly equivalent ballistic performance.
Key attributes
| upc | 022188702316 |
| manufacturer | Smith & Wesson / S&W |
| manufacturer part number | 170231 |
| action | SA/DA Revolver |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | STAINLESS |
| barrel length | 10.5'' |
| caliber/gauge | .500 S&W Magnum |
| capacity | 5 |
| color | Silver |
| length | 18'' |
| magazine included | 1 x 5-Round |
| model | 500 |
| package height | 4.7 |
| package width | 14.7 |
| product type | Revolver |
| safety | Internal Lock |
| shipping weight | 7.25 |
| sights | Adjustable |
| sights type | ADJUSTABLE |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
| state restriction (guam) | NO SALE TO GUAM |
| state restriction (pr) | NO SALE TO PUERTO RICO |
| state restriction (vi) | NO SALE TO VIRGIN ISLANDS |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard .500 S&W Magnum ammunition?
- Yes, it is specifically chambered for .500 Smith & Wesson Magnum ammunition. You can fire any commercially available factory load or responsibly developed handload within SAAMI specifications, including lighter 275-grain projectiles up to the maximum-pressure 700-grain hardcast loads from manufacturers like Underwood or Buffalo Bore.
- Does it fit a standard pistol safe?
- Almost certainly not. With an overall length of 16.25 inches and a height of over 7 inches to the top of the rear sight, it requires a large, long-gun safe or a dedicated, oversized pistol vault. Measure your safe's interior dimensions against these before purchasing; the interior needs to be at least 17 inches long to accommodate it safely.
- How long does shipping take?
- For an in-stock item, our standard processing and shipping time to your chosen Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder is 2-3 business days. Transit time varies by carrier and location but typically adds another 3-7 business days. You must coordinate the transfer directly with your FFL dealer before we ship.
- Are replacement grips available?
- Yes, the X-Frame uses its own specific grip pattern. Smith & Wesson and aftermarket manufacturers like Hogue and Pachmayr produce direct-replacement rubber and wood grips that fit the frame studs. The factory synthetic grips are often swapped for softer, more recoil-absorbing options from Hogue for extended shooting sessions.
- Can I mount a red dot sight to it?
- Yes, the integral Picatinny rail section on the top strap accepts any standard red dot mount or scope base with Picatinny interface. Popular choices for this platform include the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro or larger, more durable optics like the Trijicon SRO, which can handle the significant shock impulse generated by the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge.