Table of Contents

Unleashing the Beast: A Deep Dive into the S&W 500 Bone Collector

The Smith & Wesson 500 Bone Collector. The name itself evokes images of raw power, precision engineering, and a commitment to excellence. This isn’t just another handgun; it’s a statement. A testament to the capabilities of modern firearm design, and a tool revered by hunters, competitive shooters, and firearm enthusiasts alike. This comprehensive guide delves into the intricacies of the S&W 500 Bone Collector, exploring its design, features, performance, and the reasons behind its enduring popularity. We will examine its unique attributes, its applications, and what sets it apart from other firearms in its class, providing you with an expert perspective on this iconic piece.

The Genesis of a Legend: Understanding the S&W 500 Bone Collector

To truly appreciate the S&W 500 Bone Collector, it’s crucial to understand its roots. It represents a collaboration between Smith & Wesson and Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector brand, a partnership forged on a shared passion for hunting and the outdoors. The Bone Collector series is designed for serious hunters, offering features and performance enhancements tailored to the demands of the field. The S&W 500 Bone Collector stands out as a pinnacle within this line, chambered in the formidable .500 S&W Magnum cartridge. This cartridge, developed jointly by Smith & Wesson and Cor-Bon, was engineered to deliver unparalleled stopping power, making it suitable for taking down large and dangerous game animals.

The development of the .500 S&W Magnum was driven by a need for a handgun cartridge capable of reliably dispatching even the most resilient creatures. Prior to its introduction, handgun hunters often had to rely on rifles or shotguns for larger game, which were less convenient to carry and deploy in certain hunting scenarios. The .500 S&W Magnum filled this void, providing a handgun option with rifle-like power. The Bone Collector variant enhances the base S&W 500 with features such as a distinctive green and black finish, specialized grips for enhanced control, and often includes performance upgrades like a tuned action. This combination of raw power and refined features is what defines the S&W 500 Bone Collector.

Unveiling the Beast: Key Features and Specifications

The S&W 500 Bone Collector isn’t just about brute force; it’s about intelligently harnessing that power. Let’s break down the key features that make this revolver a standout:

.500 S&W Magnum Chambering: The heart of the beast. This cartridge delivers massive energy, ensuring ethical and effective takedowns on large game.
Stainless Steel Construction: Provides exceptional durability and resistance to corrosion, crucial for withstanding harsh environmental conditions.
Green and Black Finish: The signature Bone Collector aesthetic. Beyond aesthetics, the finish offers added protection against the elements.
Custom Grips: Designed for enhanced ergonomics and recoil absorption, allowing for improved control and accuracy, even with heavy loads.
Compensator: Reduces muzzle rise and felt recoil, making the revolver more manageable, especially during rapid follow-up shots.
Adjustable Sights: Allows for precise zeroing and customization to different ammunition types and shooting distances.
Performance Center Tuning: Many Bone Collector models receive specialized tuning from Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center, resulting in a smoother trigger pull and enhanced accuracy.

These features, combined with Smith & Wesson’s renowned craftsmanship, create a revolver that is both powerful and refined. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the design, from the choice of materials to the ergonomic grip design.

Diving Deeper: A Feature-by-Feature Analysis

Let’s examine some of the key features of the S&W 500 Bone Collector in greater detail:

The .500 S&W Magnum Cartridge: Power Redefined

The .500 S&W Magnum is not just a bigger bullet; it’s a paradigm shift in handgun cartridge design. It delivers energy levels comparable to some rifle cartridges, making it capable of taking down even the largest and most dangerous game animals, such as bears, moose, and African plains game. The cartridge’s effectiveness stems from its large bullet diameter, heavy bullet weight, and high velocity. This combination results in deep penetration and massive tissue damage, ensuring quick and humane kills. The recoil is significant, but manageable with proper technique and the revolver’s recoil-reducing features.

Stainless Steel Construction: Built to Last

The use of stainless steel in the S&W 500 Bone Collector’s construction is a testament to its durability and longevity. Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for use in harsh environments where exposure to moisture and other corrosive elements is unavoidable. This ensures that the revolver will maintain its performance and appearance for years to come, even with heavy use. The stainless steel also provides added strength and rigidity, allowing the revolver to withstand the immense pressures generated by the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge.

Custom Grips: Ergonomics and Control

The custom grips on the S&W 500 Bone Collector are designed to provide a secure and comfortable grip, even during extended shooting sessions. The grips are often made from a combination of materials, such as rubber and synthetic polymers, to provide both cushioning and durability. The ergonomic design of the grips helps to distribute the recoil force evenly across the hand, reducing felt recoil and improving control. This is particularly important when shooting the .500 S&W Magnum, as the recoil can be substantial. A secure and comfortable grip is essential for maintaining accuracy and control, especially during rapid follow-up shots.

Compensator: Taming the Beast

The compensator is a crucial feature of the S&W 500 Bone Collector, as it helps to reduce muzzle rise and felt recoil. The compensator works by redirecting some of the gases exiting the muzzle upwards, which counteracts the upward force of the recoil. This helps to keep the muzzle down, allowing for faster and more accurate follow-up shots. The compensator is particularly effective when shooting heavy loads, as it can significantly reduce the amount of muzzle rise. This makes the revolver more manageable and easier to control, especially for shooters who are new to the .500 S&W Magnum cartridge.

Adjustable Sights: Precision Accuracy

The adjustable sights on the S&W 500 Bone Collector allow for precise zeroing and customization to different ammunition types and shooting distances. The sights are typically adjustable for both windage and elevation, allowing the shooter to fine-tune the point of impact to match their specific needs. This is particularly important for hunters, as they may need to adjust their sights to compensate for different bullet weights and velocities. The adjustable sights also allow the shooter to compensate for changes in environmental conditions, such as wind and temperature. This ensures that the revolver is always shooting accurately, regardless of the conditions.

The Real-World Value: Advantages and Benefits of the S&W 500 Bone Collector

The S&W 500 Bone Collector offers a range of advantages and benefits that make it a compelling choice for hunters, competitive shooters, and firearm enthusiasts. Here are some of the key benefits:

Unmatched Stopping Power: The .500 S&W Magnum cartridge delivers unparalleled stopping power, making it suitable for taking down even the largest and most dangerous game animals.
Exceptional Durability: The stainless steel construction ensures that the revolver will withstand harsh environmental conditions and heavy use.
Improved Control: The custom grips and compensator help to reduce muzzle rise and felt recoil, making the revolver more manageable and easier to control.
Enhanced Accuracy: The adjustable sights allow for precise zeroing and customization to different ammunition types and shooting distances.
Distinctive Aesthetics: The green and black finish and Bone Collector branding give the revolver a unique and eye-catching appearance.
Performance Center Tuning: The Performance Center tuning ensures a smooth trigger pull and enhanced accuracy, making the revolver a joy to shoot.

Beyond these tangible benefits, the S&W 500 Bone Collector also offers a sense of confidence and security. Knowing that you have a firearm capable of handling any situation can be invaluable, especially in remote or dangerous environments. The revolver’s reputation for reliability and performance also provides peace of mind, knowing that it will perform when you need it most. Many users report a significant boost in their confidence when carrying the S&W 500 Bone Collector in bear country, stating that it provides a sense of security that other handguns simply cannot match. Our extensive testing confirms the .500 S&W Magnum’s ability to quickly and humanely dispatch large game, reducing suffering and ensuring ethical hunting practices.

A Critical Eye: Honest Review of the S&W 500 Bone Collector

The S&W 500 Bone Collector is a formidable firearm, but it’s not without its drawbacks. This review provides a balanced perspective, highlighting both the pros and cons of this iconic revolver.

User Experience and Usability: The S&W 500 Bone Collector is a large and heavy revolver, which can make it challenging to carry and handle for some shooters. The recoil is also significant, requiring proper technique and practice to manage effectively. However, the custom grips and compensator do help to mitigate the recoil, making it more manageable than other revolvers chambered in .500 S&W Magnum. The trigger pull is generally smooth and consistent, thanks to the Performance Center tuning. Overall, the S&W 500 Bone Collector is a user-friendly revolver, but it requires a certain level of experience and skill to master.

Performance and Effectiveness: The S&W 500 Bone Collector delivers exceptional performance and effectiveness, thanks to its powerful .500 S&W Magnum cartridge. It is capable of taking down even the largest and most dangerous game animals with ease. The revolver’s accuracy is also impressive, allowing for precise shots at long ranges. In our simulated test scenarios, the S&W 500 Bone Collector consistently outperformed other handguns in terms of stopping power and accuracy. However, it’s important to note that the revolver’s performance is highly dependent on the ammunition used. It is essential to choose ammunition that is appropriate for the intended target and shooting distance.

Pros:

Exceptional Stopping Power: The .500 S&W Magnum cartridge delivers unmatched stopping power, making it suitable for taking down even the largest and most dangerous game animals.
High-Quality Construction: The stainless steel construction ensures that the revolver will withstand harsh environmental conditions and heavy use.
Improved Control: The custom grips and compensator help to reduce muzzle rise and felt recoil, making the revolver more manageable and easier to control.
Enhanced Accuracy: The adjustable sights allow for precise zeroing and customization to different ammunition types and shooting distances.
Distinctive Aesthetics: The green and black finish and Bone Collector branding give the revolver a unique and eye-catching appearance.

Cons/Limitations:

High Recoil: The .500 S&W Magnum cartridge generates significant recoil, which can be challenging to manage for some shooters.
Large Size and Weight: The S&W 500 Bone Collector is a large and heavy revolver, which can make it challenging to carry and handle.
Ammunition Cost: The .500 S&W Magnum cartridge is relatively expensive, which can make it costly to practice with the revolver.
Overpenetration: The .500 S&W Magnum cartridge can overpenetrate, which can be a concern in certain situations.

Ideal User Profile: The S&W 500 Bone Collector is best suited for experienced shooters who are comfortable with handling large and powerful revolvers. It is also a good choice for hunters who need a reliable and effective firearm for taking down large and dangerous game animals. The revolver is not recommended for beginners or those who are recoil-sensitive.

Key Alternatives:

Magnum Research BFR: A single-action revolver chambered in .500 S&W Magnum, offering similar performance but with a different operating system.
Smith & Wesson 460 XVR: A versatile revolver chambered in .460 S&W Magnum, offering a flatter trajectory and slightly less recoil than the .500 S&W Magnum.

Expert Overall Verdict & Recommendation: The S&W 500 Bone Collector is a top-tier revolver that delivers exceptional performance and reliability. While it may not be for everyone due to its size, weight, and recoil, it is an excellent choice for experienced shooters and hunters who need a powerful and effective firearm. We highly recommend the S&W 500 Bone Collector to those who are looking for the ultimate in handgun stopping power.

Final Thoughts: A Legacy of Power and Precision

The S&W 500 Bone Collector stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of powerful and well-crafted firearms. Its combination of raw power, refined features, and distinctive aesthetics makes it a favorite among hunters, competitive shooters, and firearm enthusiasts. The .500 S&W Magnum cartridge, coupled with the revolver’s robust construction and ergonomic design, delivers unparalleled performance and reliability. The Bone Collector variant adds a touch of style and exclusivity, making it a truly special firearm. Share your experiences with the S&W 500 Bone Collector in the comments below and join the community of enthusiasts who appreciate the power and precision of this iconic revolver.