One of the great breakthroughs in modern revolvers of power is the S&W X-frame in.500 S&W Magnum. This monster of a gun throws huge, half-inch bullets that weigh as much as 450 grains. That's just over an ounce. When you consider that the extended length of the case permits a veritable sugar scoop of powder, you get lots of velocity and recoil in the extreme.

I fired the guns extensively when they came out and recognize them for the advance in handgun power they represent. But I am not complaining about the lack of any more assignments to write them up.

I was looking at one in a gun store not long ago while a fellow shooter was looking over my shoulder. When he asked about the gun's recoil, we got into a conversation about grips, recoil and the real-world practicality of using one of these beasts.

With heavy bullets, the recoil is so bad that most people will not shoot one of these big guns. The only thing that I have found that will tame them down a bit is a pair of Herrett's trooper stocks.

Originally designed by Bill Jordan and Walter Roper, these stocks are made to fit the hand of the individual shooter. Their main feature is a shape that vectors recoil into the palm of the hand. Fast DA shooting was the original purpose, usually on light S&W revolvers. These same principles make them a good idea for making .500 shooting a bit more bearable.