Thread: Check out this Pig

Originally Posted by Bruno

I'll be the first to admit that I have only a basic knowledge of guns (though I know that the side with the hole should point away from you) but if even someone as experienced and -probably- strong as GW has problems shooting a 50, then why on earth do they make these things?

Is this some sort of 'mine is bigger than yours' contest to prove your manliness?
Hey dude I shoot a 50...
Because then you might as well buy a 308 sniper rifle, remove the stock, saw off most of the barrel and mount it on a revolver grip.

Whether you are pro or anti guns, the first premise of handguns is that they are meant to shoot with in a controlled fashion.
If that is not possible, why bother?

Bruno, your statement concerning your limited knowledge of guns is more true than you know.
308 hand guns have existed for quite some number of years.
There are quite some number of other calibers that are also available in the Thompson Contender
There is a small selection of barrels here.
http://www.bullberry.com/TCbarrels.html


I have also fired these in 308, 243, 22, and a couple of JDJ cartridges.
None of them have the recoil of the Smith 500.

I have a program that will calculate recoil based on various factors, gun weight, payload, powder charge, ect.
I ran the 500 with a 440 grain bullet, 40 grains of powder, 4.5 pound gun.
54 pounds of recoil energy

I also ran the 308 contender with a 150 grain bullet, 42 grains of powder, 3.5 pound gun.
27 pounds of recoil energy.

Double the recoil.

Saying that I "have trouble shooting" one is not correct though.
I simply don't want to shoot the 500.

Why??? Simple, negative reinforcement.

Do you like sticking your fingers in a light socket or a rat trap??
Who does?

I can hold the gun just fine. I can align the sights no problem. I have trouble not flinching.
I caught myself starting to flinch once and put the gun down for 2 hours and when I picked it back up I managed to shoot 3 more before I caught myself starting to flinch again.

I shoot a lot, like 300 or 400 rounds a week and the last thing I want to do is develop a flinch shooting some hand cannon to show how tough I am.
Even a small flinch can suck to try to work through.

The unexperienced shooter (and some experienced) will anticipate the negative effects of pulling the trigger and will wince and move off of target.

The 500 was designed for experienced handgunners who want to take very large game. The ballistics are similar to a low pressure 45-70 loading and the 45-70 has been used to take the big 5.

mmmm.....big 5.......... imagine rhino horn razor scales from a rhino that you shot yourself or ivory off your own elephant.....I'd give my left nut for some rhino scales...or cape buffalo horn..... thems some mean sumbitchin scales !!