Stealth Hunter in 44 MAG.....longevity, issues?

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gehlsurf

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Hi guys,

So getting a 44 Mag, and I know this is a S&W forum, but it's a toss up between a Super Redhawk and a Stealth Hunter. While I like the idea of strength in a SRH, I can't keep from looking and druelling over the stealth hunter. While it's nice to be able to load hot stuff, honestly, I load for a 10mm now, and never load the "hot Norman loads", so I doubt I'd do it in a 44 magnum.

With all that said, my only concern about a Stealth Hunter is the Magna ported barrel. Can you run lead reloads through them (one of the reasons I don't own a glock)? How long do the barrels last? Getting that ramped magna ported barrel will probably be impossible 10 years from now. Or do 44 mag barrels not wear out that much? I shoot about 300 rounds a month.

Thanks for any advice!!
 
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Haha, guess you're right rustypipes12, it's a Chevy/Ford thing I suppose.

I was just curious about longevity of the barrels, being such a custom type item. Thus is actually what steered my away from a Steyr rifle, guess they wear out faster than other brands. I will tell you one thing though, my varmint barrel Winchester 70 has a ton of rounds through it, and still accurate as all hell. Maybe it's not the same with revolvers? I honestly don't know. Seen revolvers that are 40 years old still being used, but doesn't mean they shoot worth a hoot, haha. I just dunno.
 
When I had my Model 29, 8-3/8" barrel, the last thing I was worried about was wearing out the barrel!! :D You say yer not gonna be running any really hot/large loads in her so you should be OK with no worries about barrel wear....

For what it's worth, I used 240gr SJHP Remington OTC rounds or 240gr lead SN, UMC in mine except for one box of 170gr JHP Federals which made the gun kick like a mule eating briars and was not at ALL accurate!!

Me personally, I'd stick with either jacketed or plated bullets if yer reloading.......

Have fun with her and Be Safe!! :cool:
 
l have a 629 Magnum Hunter with 8,000+rounds thru it.. 0ver 90% lead with a brake.. No problems so far...l do get a lead build-up at times on the brake. 10 or so Magnum rds is all that's needed to ''Blow the Carbon/Lead 0ut''...Bore is still shiny, lands/grooves still sharp...

Reason Glocks don't shoot lead well is because the rifling lands/grooves shoulders are ROUNDED. Not Sharp like S&W rifling.. Glock calls it ''Polygon"...Aftermarket ''cut rifled'' barrels are available for Glocks...
Making them into fine lead bullet shooters
 
Bottom line is...

S&W typically has the better trigger.

Ruger can digest hotter loads.

After that, it's a matter of which one looks better to you.
 
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gehlsurf said:
Seen revolvers that are 40 years old still being used, but doesn't mean they shoot worth a hoot, haha. I just dunno.
Click to expand...

There should be no assumption that a 40 year old S&W revolver shoots any worse than it did when new, assuming it has been properly cared for, even if it has been shot a lot. In fact, 40 years is nothing -- that's just a gun from the 1970s. ;)
 
stealth hunter,hands down...I have had mine for several years now and it shoots like a laser.the barrel you mention has been used on a number of models for a number of years.you aren't going to wear it out
 
I would recommend renting/borrowing both pistols before buying one. I own and shoot the S&W and the Ruger, both fine pistols. Wouldn't worry about shooting the barrel out of either one. Cast bullets are no problem. you might get some lead build up. I haven't. Biggest difference is the trigger,I think the S&W is a bit smoother. Get yourself a good alaskan style holster for either one if you plan on hunting with it.
 
If bought new by you, your Stealth Hunter will be warranted for the rest of your life. If there were any legitimate concerns about barrel life, they would be resolved by S&W sending you a prepaid shipping label and a coupla weeks later the gun returned to you...... good as new.

That said, the Magna-porting will not shorten barrel life, nor will it be a significant factor when shooting lead. Only downside I have heard about the Stealth Hunters is the ease of which the black finish scratches and reacts to certain types of solvents, but that is just a cosmetic issue, not a longevity issue.

l have a 629 Magnum Hunter with 8,000+rounds thru it.. 0ver 90% lead with a brake.. No problems so far.
Click to expand...

I have a Lew Horton P.C. 629 Magnum Hunter with well over 5000 rounds thru it. I too have not had any issues but the extractor rod loosening up(pretty standard for any S&W revolver that gets shot). Mine is not duo-toned and has a unfluted cylinder. Trigger is so very sweet and the gun itself scary accurate. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a first class hunting .44. Too bad S&W doesn't sell them anymore without the red-dot.
 
Another vote for the Stealth. As noted above, about it's only weakness is the finish. But it's stainless underneath that, so....

You'll give up before the barrel if you shoot lead bullets, even quite stout loads. Mine typically gets HiTek coated 240gr. lswc bullets over a nice charge of H110 for hunting purposes.

The usual old photo:
2014-01-04jmoorestuff037_zps5289b942.jpg
 
Get yourself a good alaskan style holster
Click to expand...

Plus 1 on that. I have a tanker holster for my 629 (with an 8 3/8" barrel) which is very similar to what people are calling Alaskan style holsters. I can draw from that holster a lot quicker than from any hip holster. The gun comes out aimed at the right spot nearly every time and it's sitting right in my hand also. I've gone with shoulder type, cross-draw holsters for a lot of my handguns. I have some really nice IWB holsters that have never been broken in because I rarely use them.
 
gehlsurf said:
Hi guys,

So getting a 44 Mag, and I know this is a S&W forum, but it's a toss up between a Super Redhawk and a Stealth Hunter. While I like the idea of strength in a SRH, I can't keep from looking and druelling over the stealth hunter. While it's nice to be able to load hot stuff, honestly, I load for a 10mm now, and never load the "hot Norman loads", so I doubt I'd do it in a 44 magnum.

With all that said, my only concern about a Stealth Hunter is the Magna ported barrel. Can you run lead reloads through them (one of the reasons I don't own a glock)? How long do the barrels last? Getting that ramped magna ported barrel will probably be impossible 10 years from now. Or do 44 mag barrels not wear out that much? I shoot about 300 rounds a month.

Thanks for any advice!!
Click to expand...

I have shot both Ruger and Smith and Wesson revolvers in 44 magnum, including an early 44 Flat-top that I could kick myself for selling, one of the most comfortable accurate 44s I have ever fired, even with heavy loads... several Smith 29-2s and a 29-5 Classic DX, sadly gone, and shot like a house on fire.

The Ruger on the other hand is big, heavy, and the handle reminds me of a "plow handle", I did not like it.

I didn't care for the Classic DX with the small Merado wood grips that came with it, and used the hogues for most business, but hands down the most uncomfortable painful 44 I owned was a 44 Super Blackhawk in Stainless with a 5.5 inch barrel. It was a "KICKER", and I felt like my pinky was going to depart my right hand, NO FUN.

Stick with the Smith.
 
Powder coat your lead bullets. It's easy, inexpensive, and you'll never have any kind of leading problems ever again. Adoption of this technology is a major leap forward for lead bullets.
 
Texas629 said:
Biggest difference is the trigger,I think the S&W is a bit smoother.
Click to expand...

No comparison for me. My worst S&W's trigger was better than my best Ruger's trigger, out of the box.

Get the new S&W. If you wear-out the barrel S&W will warranty it, but I doubt you'll need it.

.
 
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