629-6 Hunter Plus Two-Tone

[Areoflyer09]

A few weeks back I picked up my first 44. It's a 629-6 Magnum Hunter Plus. It was a local sale that had it incorrectly listed as a Stealth Hunter.

Given the incorrect listing, I've been digging through any forums that I can find referencing this model. There just isn't a lot of chatter on it. I ended up contacting S&W and picked up some pieces of the puzzle. A friend that is a S&W fan recommend I share with the forum and see what the collective knowledge has.

Here is what I have found out:
7.5" ported barrel
Unfluted cylinder
Two-tone black and stainless
SKU# 170307
Build date: 9/22/2008
Production quantity: 305 produced

Anyone else have one or know anything else about these?

Thanks!

 

[TXSIG]

Looking forward to a range report.

 

[75Vette]

First off, welcome to the forum. You started off with a very nice shooting gun from the Performance Center (although it looks like the previous owner obviously didn't care about marring the finish ). My info says there were only 100 made for Lipsey's Dist. Did S&W tell you 305? Mine came with the smooth aluminum case but no cardboard box with label. This is how it came from the factory with the Burris 2X scope & rings. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have mine. It's a very accurate gun.

 

[Areoflyer09]

I'm the third owner. From what I was told, been carried for hunting for a fair portion of its life. The second owner didn't use it much. It's definitely a shooter grade (not a collector) though, which is what I was looking for. I'm not a collector, so pre-done wear and tear alleviates the first scratch fears. Lol

Based on 75vette's, my grips aren't original, confirms that suspension. One of the previous owners swapped them for what appears to be X-ring grips.

S&W did tell me the production was 305 for the SKU number. Would have built more after the Lipseys run?

 

[75Vette]

I'm the third owner. From what I was told, been carried for hunting for a fair portion of its life. The second owner didn't use it much. It's definitely a shooter grade (not a collector) though, which is what I was looking for. I'm not a collector, so pre-done wear and tear alleviates the first scratch fears. Lol

Based on 75vette's, my grips aren't original, confirms that suspension. One of the previous owners swapped them for what appears to be X-ring grips.

S&W did tell me the production was 305 for the SKU number. Would have built more after the Lipseys run?

With S&W, there's always that possibility. I forget where I got that spreadsheet screen, another forum member I'm sure. Even at 305 that's a very small run. There were a lot more of the all SS finish version of this gun and they're demanding stout prices. Shoot it and enjoy it. I'm now running a Burris FFIII on mine.

 

[Areoflyer09]

The plan was to shoot it and hopefully enjoy it!

S&W did confirm they can re-finish it. If I enjoy it, I will probably pursue that at some point.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

With S&W, there's always that possibility. I forget where I got that spreadsheet screen, another forum member I'm sure. Even at 305 that's a very small run. There were a lot more of the all SS finish version of this gun and they're demanding stout prices. Shoot it and enjoy it. I'm now running a Burris FFIII on mine.

Why are these "magnum hunter plus" models?
Did the "plus" signify anything? A different attribute?

 

[75Vette]

Why are these "magnum hunter plus" models?
Did the "plus" signify anything? A different attribute?

No idea Lou. Maybe to distinguish it from the 44 Magnum Hunter? I almost wish the factory had come up with more names for their PC guns. There are quite a few variations made but they tend to clump them all under "Light Hunter" names. When you call it a Light Hunter it could be one of about a dozen guns.

ETA: PLUS sounds more cooler too!

 

[Klagz13]

Really cool first revolver and post!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Areoflyer09]

Really cool first revolver and post!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks! This one is actually my 6th, but it is my first big bore.

I've had:
-Taurus 22 Magnum
-Dan Wesson 15-2 358
-Dan Wesson 15-2 22LR
-S&W 686 SSR
-S&W 60-4

Currently it's just S&Ws that I still have.

 

[Nightowl]

Apparently, Smith made some different versions of the PLUS model. I have two, both pre lock. The first one is finished in Birdsong BlackT, with an unfluted cylinder and is not Magna ported. The second, I just got a couple of weeks ago is all stainless, fluted cylinder and Magna ported. Both came with the Performance Center cases and I have no ideal of the SKU number.


This one has a V style rear sight.

 

[Areoflyer09]

Apparently, Smith made some different versions of the PLUS model. I have two, both pre lock. The first one is finished in Birdsong BlackT, with an unfluted cylinder and is not Magna ported. The second, I just got a couple of weeks ago is all stainless, fluted cylinder and Magna ported. Both came with the Performance Center cases and I have no ideal of the SKU number.


This one has a V style rear sight.

I've seen the stainless model you picked while trying to research mine. I did not across the all black one like that that though.

 

[AKtinman]

This is the 629-4 version done for RSR.

 

[Areoflyer09]

Got to the range today with all three revolvers. Had a blast with the 60 and the 686. I can't say the same for the 629.

It's as accurate as the other two and recoil is easily tamed by the weight/porting/grips, but I left the range feeling very indifferent on it. There isn't anything wrong with it, but I didn't have more fun because of it. Of the 3, it's the one I had the least enjoyment from shooting.

I tried something new and learned that either I'm not a 44 fan or this particular 44 didn't light the fire for me. I like the uniqueness and limited nature of it, but I'm not a collector so this one will probably go down the road.

Thanks for all of the information on this particular model everyone!

 

[Lou_the_welder]

Sometimes the shooter picks the gun, and sometimes the gun picks the shooter!
Has happened to me plenty.

 

[mokuloa]

Smith calls a lot of their guns "Hunters." But the Performance Center "Hunters" of the 1990s actually had the word roll marked on the barrels. Beginning with the "Hunter" model 629-3, commonly known as "Heavy Hunters" because of their mass. Theses were followed by the contoured version known as "Light Hunters" these limited run editions were built on 629, 657, 625, and 686 platforms. The N Frame Light Hunters came in 2 barrel lengths, the 6" variants are marked "Magnum Hunter" and the 7.5" variants are marked "Magnum Hunter PLUS."

 

[75Vette]

Smith calls a lot of their guns "Hunters." But the Performance Center "Hunters" of the 1990s actually had the word roll marked on the barrels. Beginning with the "Hunter" model 629-3, commonly known as "Heavy Hunters" because of their mass. Theses were followed by the contoured version known as "Light Hunters" these limited run editions were built on 629, 657, 625, and 686 platforms. The N Frame Light Hunters came in 2 barrel lengths, the 6" variants are marked "Magnum Hunter" and the 7.5" variants are marked "Magnum Hunter PLUS."

That's a great piece of trivia to know. I'd wondered about the "PLUS" myself.