Big Horn Armory 89

[Shawn1974]

The last few years I have been really getting into pistol-caliber carbines. I have some Rossi's and a couple Henrys. Last year I started searching for a Rossi 92 in .480 Ruger. It's the worst one to want since only 100 were ever made in that caliber. The few that did pop up on GunBroker went for craaaaazy money ($1700+). I figured for a few hundred more I could get a big horn armory .500 S&W...if you want to put a deposit down and wait for it to be built. So I'm at work on Dec. 23 and I just Google BHA 89 and one pops up used in a Cabela's in Billings, MT. I got a wild hair and called about it, and in a moment of weakness, purchased said firearm. On the 27th, our local Bass Pro called and said it has arrived. I was not ready for what I saw when they opened the case. I don't think of myself as a gun 'snob'. I buy a firearm for function, so I don't care that the checkering is not crisp or the figure in the wood isn't purty...but... This is one beautiful weapon. Perfect wood to metal fit, sharp checkering, some nice wood, too. I could not find any indication of it ever having been fired. To fire this gun is to feel it...the concussive blast in the chest, a huge fireball, and the muzzle jump. I love it. 20 shells later I got the skinner peep adjusted so I was hitting in a 3 inch circle at 60 yards. The 350 grain jacketed bullets were listed at 1725 fps from an 8-3/8" barrel. I figure they were hitting over 2000 from the 18" barrel. Can't wait to start ringing gongs with it.

[leverjc]

Nice rifle. I shot a 500 S&W once from a 3" revolver, didn't want to shoot it twice. I t still probably hits you hard in a carbine.

[fortyshooter]

Congrats and that is a beast of a lever rifle! Are you going to load your own for it?

[brm4450]

So cool!

[Shawn1974]

Yes, fortyshooter, I am spiraling down the rabbit hole. Dies and pilot for the case trimmer are ordered. Wanna do some hard cast 440+ grain pills.

[BigAl52]

Congrats beautiful levergun for sure. I know someone who just bought one off GB a while back.

[Headhog]

Congratulations! That is a fantastic looking carbine. I'm not sure I'd want to shoot it, but if it works for you - enjoy.

Paul

[Shawn1974]

It's not bad if your offhand or off a shooting bench of correct height. Unfortunately, the only shooting bench we had was a folding plastic table. So I had to hunch over to shoot it. After 20 rounds I was done. Shoulder hurt for 3 days lol. But it was so worth it. Some may say I have more money than brains but truth be told I don't have much of either. You only live once and you can't take it with you. I literally have no need for a 500 S&W...hell I don't even need my 45-70's. I have worked far more hours over the past few years and I felt I needed to treat myself. I am happy with my decision! Good day, guys!

[Ernie]

Good looking carbine but I don't think I want to shoot it either.

[Travlin]

There was a write up in GUNS OF THE OLD WEST a couple of years ago about the Big Horn rifle. Those things are very high quality as you found out. It is based on the 86/92 action so they split the difference to get the model number. You might want to consider getting a PAST recoil shield so that shooting that 500 will be more enjoyable.

[Vaquero]

Mighty fine lookin firearm there Shawn, and no I don't want to shoot it.
Where's Mark he has one of those in a Hand Cannon.

RP

[Shawn1974]

I cannot imagine shooting a handgun in this caliber! It's waaaay overboard. But in a long gun...that's more like it. When I start handloading I'm going to get some heavy hardcasts at moderate velocity. I like my bullets like me...big, heavy, and slow!

[Vaquero]

I cannot imagine shooting a handgun in this caliber! It's waaaay overboard. But in a long gun...that's more like it. When I start handloading I'm going to get some heavy hardcasts at moderate velocity. I like my bullets like me...big, heavy, and slow!

Shawn, I shot one years ago, definitely a Hand full.
There's a 4" model for sale somewhere, I saw it last night, may have been over at the Marlinowners.

How does that compare to the ole 45-70?

RP

[Shawn1974]

Ballistically I don't think there is really anything the 500 can do that the old 45-70 couldnt do with the proper handloads. Recoil-wise the 500 is a bit snappier. I learned long ago that hot rodding the 45-70 is certainly not needed for what I do with it. Nowadays my 1895 SBL shoots a 405 cast lead bullet at a leisurely 1400 fps or so. There's not much that stops that freight train. I will probably load some 500 s&w about the same way. Who would of thought...buying a 500 magnum just to load it down!