The comp IS removable on the SW 500 -4" ONLY.
ALL others NO
Sean

Scrollcutter, (and everyone with info on these)
I see you are doing some posting on these shootin' irons. Are you driving one? I've got a question for a customer that has one and I'm not getting any answers from S&W. Is it possible to remove the comps?? The first email was answered "they are not removable" Then I told them about the 6 or 7 page write-up that I read that gave results with and without the comp, and it looked to be the same pistol all the way through the article. They wrote back "which model is it?" I told them two weeks ago and again last week with no response.

The early 500s had the compensator held on by a hex head screw. Often times these shot loose, so they've changed it to the lockable comp that you currently see on the new models. It should still be removeable, though I've yet to try to take one off (it may actually require a special tool).

Lee Martin
www.singleactions.com

Thanks for the info guys. When I last wrote to S&W I asked if the one in the article might have been a prototype gun or something, but they have not answered yet. If I find out something I'll let you know.