I've shot just under 200 rounds (Mostly 44 Mag./HPR,Magtech) from my Performance Center 7.5" 629 Stealth Hunter and upon cleaning what I thought was heavy residue above the ported area, just under the front sight, revealed that the matte black finish was blasted off exposing bare metal. Is that to be expected from escaping fire blast? Or is damage to the finish a defect? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Yes Sir, that's the way life is brother, they're only babies for a while, then they "grow up", just like people,,, nobody gets through their teens without a few scrapes and bare spots in the finish..

But yes, those hot gasses are vented out the ports, torching whatever they touch, and those ports are like jet engine nozzles, directing the exhaust upwards, and the muzzle down...

its called thrust, and all good handguns deserve to be loved and shot, they all do, they're NOT paper weights...

Haha! Well Said Brother, now I can Sleep! Thanks for the reassurance. Guess I have to give that area extra TLC while it sits till next outing. Your Input is Greatly Appreciated!

Yes just hose it out with a good cleaner/lube after using,, they do tend to build carbon,,, so you may need to scrub it out with your kids toothbrush??? LOL, just joking, use your wifes...

Hahaha! Got it! Will Do! Thanks Again!

The barrel is stainless steel under the Matte Black finish, so I personally wouldn't worry about it as long as it's just damage to the finish itself. Seems the Matte Black finish is prone to damage and wear, and have heard that under some scenarios, S&W will refinish one time under warranty. IOWs, just the nature of the beast. Being a hunting type firearm, it is going to see scratches, holster wear and other patina from being out in the field under various conditions. One needs to accept that fact when they purchase one. Some magnum type powders can cause excessive erosion tho, and I would try another ammo type and see if anything changes.

I have a ported 629-2 and after shooting cast bullets some lead residue has built up between the ports and the front sight on the barrel.
I just leave it as scrubbing it off would probably damage the bead blast finish.
That's now just part of the unique look of this revolver.

__________________
NEMO
"Everything 44"

I would scrub those ports, they need to be open to perform their mission. I'm not a fan of ports due to their muzzle flash and noise,, but they should be kept well lubed and clean, in order to keep the muzzle down for follow up shots.

While they are quite effective, they do indeed increase noise, and even a few rounds without hearing protection can cause permanent damage, so consider wearing earplugs under your muffs for maximum protection..

in the meantime, keep you firearm clean and well lubed, that "patina" that comes with use actually build character, LOL!

The ports themselves are clean.
They tend to be self-cleaning from the blast going thru them.
The lead deposit is on the outside of the barrel above the ports.
Not worth fooling with IMHO.

This is the only gun I have ever even considered porting as the muzzle rise was excessive with full power loads.
Using the "let it go" method expounded by Elmer Keith, the gun would end up pointed straight up at the sky.
After a Mag-Na-Port it is highly controllable with the recoil mostly straight back which I am used to.
And yeah, I wear both ear plugs and muffs for most shooting unless the muffs get in the way of a rifle.

The first picture is from before I started shooting cast bullets and got the lead on the barrel exterior.
(Finally found a pic of the lead smudge on the barrel)
I now mostly shoot "Skeeter" loads thru it in magnum brass.
The new coated bullets should eliminate some of the lead vapor deposit.

Attached Images

	MountainRevolver500GripsR800.jpg (263.8 KB, 72 views)
	4in629-2LeadSmudge.jpg (67.9 KB, 82 views)

__________________
NEMO
"Everything 44"