Non-ported compensator for S&W 500 Mag?

Phxdog · November 6, 2007, 10:34 AM

Smith & Wesson offers a non-ported 'end cap' for the 460 magnum. I have often wondered why something similar is not offered for their 500 magnum. A brave (crazy?) soul on another forum modified a 460 blank to fit his 500 magnum (see below - edited).

This is how I did it:
Face the back of the compensator . . . a little bigger at .550 inch. It locks up snug in my revolver and it looks factory but it’s not!

He seems to be happy with the results, is still alive, and has all his fingers. Any thoughts from you Smiths?

Harry Bonar · November 6, 2007, 08:19 PM

Sir:
Enlighten me - how are the 500 Smith bbls secured - are they "tensioned" like the Dan Wessons were - or?
Harry B.

Phxdog · November 7, 2007, 02:51 PM

H.B.-

I was not very clear . . . here are some picts that should help explain. He purchased the blank compensator made for the .460 Magnum (made by S&W), and had a gunsmith or machinist make a few changes to fit his 500 mag. He only machined the insert, no barrel modifications were made. The blank 'end-cap' (as S&W calls them) is attached via the allen screw like the original.

Would you shoot this thing?

Pdog.

Harry Bonar · November 11, 2007, 10:57 AM

Sir:
Thanks! Evidently the 500 bbl. screws to the frame in a normal threaded way and the end configuration is fastened another way. That's a pleasant suprise. I had thought it was a tensioned bbl. like Dan Wessons were.
Harry B.

laea7777 · March 20, 2009, 06:25 AM

I was wondering about this exact thing and found this thread googling.

I want to try firing my S&W 500 8 1/2" without the compensator but I think the muzzle blast may wear the protruding portion of the barrel shroud. This 'end cap' is exactly what I need. Any news on whether S&W ever offered one for the 500? I don't know why they would make this for the 460 and not the 500.

In case anyone's wondering, the reason I want to see if I can handle this cartridge without the compensator is mainly out of concern for my hearing. I read somewhere that even with foam plugs and ear muffs, you can still sustain permanent hearing loss with a round that blasts as much as this one does. I also read from numerous sources that a compensator increases decibels around the muzzle. Additionally, if I ever have to use it to defend against a charging bear, I probably won't have time to put ear muffs on.

I went to S&W's website and could not find an end cap for either the 460 or the 500.

I am aware that this thread is rather old but I still want to make a reply.

wyobohunter · September 9, 2009, 08:58 AM

I would still like to get a blank compensator or "blank endcap" for my 500 S&W. My reason differs from the original poster as I'd like to handload some shotshells for the occasional Grouse/Ptarmigan while backpacking. I just got off the phone with S&W, they actually carried them for a very short time but they were a flop as far as sales go so they are no longer available.

Does anybody know where to get one of these without having a custome job done at a machine shop?

jjdeneen918 · September 28, 2009, 11:26 AM

I just heard back from S&W too, via email. I found this posting via googling.

They no longer sell the blank end-cap.

Hopefully someone is sitting on a pile of new old-stock 460 end caps who would be interested in selling them...hopefully

anyone....

Crosshair · September 29, 2009, 10:09 PM

A word of caution. My friend tried shooting his 500 S&W without the brake with some of the ammunition I loaded for him.

No problem with the 300 grain loads loaded to 50 AE specs.

Shooting the mid-range 400 grain loads was, according to him, "A very bad idea." That muzzle brake is there for a very good reason.

jjdeneen918 · September 30, 2009, 12:46 AM

I intend on shooting this revolver (assuming I can obtain a blank end-cap) in 45-colt.

If I were hunting, I'd be loaded with 460, ported end-cap configuration.

Mrproffitt · March 22, 2022, 04:36 PM

I’m new here and have searched the net until I’ve came to this site. I have a 500 Magnum and wanted one of these “blank end caps”. I’ve taken the measurements and the part is being made. What I’m wondering is, how well does it shoot after this is installed? Anyone have experience with it? My 500 is a 4” barrel with wood grips and I’m looking to get rid of some of the sideways muzzle blast. I know this thread is OLD as dirt, but I’m surprised there’s no more information available anywhere. Hopefully I can post pics of the entire process once I have the new end cap from the machinist and start fitting it to the barrel.
If you found this as I did, the ONLY way to have the Blank End Cap is to have it made. 460 and 500 both.

**Unclenick** · March 23, 2022, 08:11 PM

Welcome to the forum.

The last reply to this thread before yours was almost thirteen years ago. The original participants are mostly gone, some to their final reward. It is best, in this situation, to start a new post to get current readers to check it out and then include a link to this thread as background if you want them to see the photos. You will be more likely to get a useful responses that way.

November 6, 2007, 10:34 AM	#1
Phxdog Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Location: Phoenix Posts: 236	Non-ported compensator for S&W 500 Mag? Smith & Wesson offers a non-ported 'end cap' for the 460 magnum. I have often wondered why something similar is not offered for their 500 magnum. A brave (crazy?) soul on another forum modified a 460 blank to fit his 500 magnum (see below - edited). This is how I did it: Face the back of the compensator . . . a little bigger at .550 inch. It locks up snug in my revolver and it looks factory but it’s not! He seems to be happy with the results, is still alive, and has all his fingers. Any thoughts from you Smiths?

November 6, 2007, 08:19 PM	#2
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	500 Smith Sir: Enlighten me - how are the 500 Smith bbls secured - are they "tensioned" like the Dan Wessons were - or? Harry B.

November 11, 2007, 10:57 AM	#4
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	500 Smith Sir: Thanks! Evidently the 500 bbl. screws to the frame in a normal threaded way and the end configuration is fastened another way. That's a pleasant suprise. I had thought it was a tensioned bbl. like Dan Wessons were. Harry B.

September 9, 2009, 08:58 AM	#6
wyobohunter Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Back in Wyoming Posts: 1,125	Bumping an old thread I would still like to get a blank compensator or "blank endcap" for my 500 S&W. My reason differs from the original poster as I'd like to handload some shotshells for the occasional Grouse/Ptarmigan while backpacking. I just got off the phone with S&W, they actually carried them for a very short time but they were a flop as far as sales go so they are no longer available. Does anybody know where to get one of these without having a custome job done at a machine shop?

September 29, 2009, 10:09 PM	#8
Crosshair Senior Member Join Date: December 16, 2004 Location: Grand Forks, ND Posts: 5,333	A word of caution. My friend tried shooting his 500 S&W without the brake with some of the ammunition I loaded for him. No problem with the 300 grain loads loaded to 50 AE specs. Shooting the mid-range 400 grain loads was, according to him, "A very bad idea." That muzzle brake is there for a very good reason. __________________ I don't carry a gun to go looking for trouble, I carry a gun in case trouble finds me. Last edited by Crosshair; September 30, 2009 at 06:40 PM. Reason: Spelling

November 7, 2007, 02:51 PM	#3
Phxdog Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2006 Location: Phoenix Posts: 236	H.B.- I was not very clear . . . here are some picts that should help explain. He purchased the blank compensator made for the .460 Magnum (made by S&W), and had a gunsmith or machinist make a few changes to fit his 500 mag. He only machined the insert, no barrel modifications were made. The blank 'end-cap' (as S&W calls them) is attached via the allen screw like the original. Would you shoot this thing? Pdog.

March 20, 2009, 06:25 AM	#5
laea7777 Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 26	I was wondering about this exact thing and found this thread googling. I want to try firing my S&W 500 8 1/2" without the compensator but I think the muzzle blast may wear the protruding portion of the barrel shroud. This 'end cap' is exactly what I need. Any news on whether S&W ever offered one for the 500? I don't know why they would make this for the 460 and not the 500. In case anyone's wondering, the reason I want to see if I can handle this cartridge without the compensator is mainly out of concern for my hearing. I read somewhere that even with foam plugs and ear muffs, you can still sustain permanent hearing loss with a round that blasts as much as this one does. I also read from numerous sources that a compensator increases decibels around the muzzle. Additionally, if I ever have to use it to defend against a charging bear, I probably won't have time to put ear muffs on. I went to S&W's website and could not find an end cap for either the 460 or the 500. I am aware that this thread is rather old but I still want to make a reply.

September 28, 2009, 11:26 AM	#7
jjdeneen918 Junior Member Join Date: September 28, 2009 Posts: 2	I just heard back from S&W too, via email. I found this posting via googling. They no longer sell the blank end-cap. Hopefully someone is sitting on a pile of new old-stock 460 end caps who would be interested in selling them...hopefully anyone....

September 30, 2009, 12:46 AM	#9
jjdeneen918 Junior Member Join Date: September 28, 2009 Posts: 2	I intend on shooting this revolver (assuming I can obtain a blank end-cap) in 45-colt. If I were hunting, I'd be loaded with 460, ported end-cap configuration.

March 22, 2022, 04:36 PM	#10
Mrproffitt Junior Member Join Date: March 22, 2022 Posts: 1	I’m new here and have searched the net until I’ve came to this site. I have a 500 Magnum and wanted one of these “blank end caps”. I’ve taken the measurements and the part is being made. What I’m wondering is, how well does it shoot after this is installed? Anyone have experience with it? My 500 is a 4” barrel with wood grips and I’m looking to get rid of some of the sideways muzzle blast. I know this thread is OLD as dirt, but I’m surprised there’s no more information available anywhere. Hopefully I can post pics of the entire process once I have the new end cap from the machinist and start fitting it to the barrel. If you found this as I did, the ONLY way to have the Blank End Cap is to have it made. 460 and 500 both.

March 23, 2022, 08:11 PM	#11
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,061	Welcome to the forum. The last reply to this thread before yours was almost thirteen years ago. The original participants are mostly gone, some to their final reward. It is best, in this situation, to start a new post to get current readers to check it out and then include a link to this thread as background if you want them to see the photos. You will be more likely to get a useful responses that way. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle