I shoot a 4" barrel model 500 S&W.
The gun comes with 2 comps. One that does not have holes in the top, only in the sides, and one that has holes in the top and sides. They can be switched out via a hex screw in the end of the barrel. The screw does shoot loose. I have not used the one with no holes in top, and have only used the one with holes both places, shooting both jacketed and cast bullets, without any problems. Someone said one is for cast bullets and one for jacketed. I don't know.

Boy this just gets more interesting...sounds like in a short time they have made a lot of variations. This particular pistol does not have a set screw associated with the comp. From what I can find out it is an early production gun, but I still have had no response from S&W. I'll keep bugging them till they give me an answer.



Thanks for your time and information all.

I think that it might depend. Sean said that it's only removeable on the 4" model but I'm not so sure about that because as far as I know the comp on the 4" model is basically just a ported barrel.

Now, here's the kicker. Smith & Wesson made some changes on the 500's because I've noticed some things that are mentioned in articles, like you did, that are different on my gun. Now whether these were running changes that were made after production started, or they integrated all the changes before they ramped up production, I don't know. Here's what I do know. The comp on the 8 3/8 model is obviously a separate piece so it should be removeable. I think it's a twist-lock kind of setup where it basically just needs to be turned to come off. Another thing that I noticed in an article was a comment about the front sight. In the article they pointed out that the front sight was pinned and showed where the pin was in the picture etc. and my gun, the same model, has no pin.

I can't remember which magazine had the specific comments about the comp. it wasn't one of the big ones like G&A or ST. It was something like "Shootersworld" or something like that. I still have it at the house, if I can find a picture or something I'll see if I can pass it along.