629 Stealth Hunter: Anyone here have first hand experience?

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I have REALLY taken a strong liking to the 629 Stealth Hunter as of late. The low gloss matte finish, optic ready, a bit more bbl length than my the 629 Classic 6.5 I already own, and ported muzzle for better or worse. The looks of that wheelgun really speak to me, and the hunting oriented design is something that interests me. All of my wheelguns are either stainless or blued and while I am very happy with all of them, the Stealth Hunter has been haunting my dreams.

Anyone here own one or have any kind of first hand experience with one? They have a pretty heavy price tag on them, worth it?

Here is a link for reference: PERFORMANCE CENTER(R) Model 629 Stealth Hunter | Smith & Wesson

 

[Hairtrigger]

A buddy has one. He shoots it very well. I have not yet had the opportunity to fire it.
I’m thinking if I do shoot it I will probably end up with one myself

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I wonder if S&W still sends guns to Mag-Na-Port, in Michigan, to have the ports cut; or have they licensed the technology and do the electrical discharge machining (EDM) in-house.

 

[Mr.Lee]

I have been eyeing her too! Thanks for posting this thread. I have been having trouble finding a leather holster to put on a gun belt with loops.

Anyone feel 6.5" is too long to carry around in the woods?

I have 38/357's right now. This would be my first 44 mag. I feel I am ready for a caliber upgrade.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I have been eyeing her too! Thanks for posting this thread. I have been having trouble finding a leather holster to put on a gun belt with loops.

Anyone feel 6.5" is too long to carry around in the woods?

I have 38/357's right now. This would be my first 44 mag. I feel I am ready for a caliber upgrade.

Well, the Stealth Hunter is actually 7.5". I already own a 629 Classic with a 6.5" bbl and for hunting purposes when ease of concealment is a non-issue, it is no trouble to carry it in a good hip holster on a legitimate gun belt. It's no J-frame, so it's obviously there, but this is a hunting weapon where longer barrels generally rule the day. My 629 Classic is far and away the one I have on my hip the most often when heading to the woods. Others I own so you can see the competition it beats out are a 36-7, 4" 19-3, 6" 19-3, 6.5" 28-2, 4" 29-2 and a 460V 5".

I know that my 629 Classic realistically fills my needs for hunting, and arguably every bit as good as the Stealth Hunter other than the matte finish. But I remain enamored.

I'm not even sure what my main hip holster is that I carry the 629 in as far as make and model. It is kind of a western styled, open bottom, low hanging holster. The grip is a tad below my belt when it's in the holster.

I would suggest looking at Diamond D for a holster. I have their Guides Choice chest rig for my 460 and the quality is excellent. I have been eyeing their hip holster for a couple of my other wheelguns... I want to try a good cross-draw holster and theirs are number one my my wish list.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I wonder if S&W still sends guns to Mag-Na-Port, in Michigan, to have the ports cut; or have they licensed the technology and do the electrical discharge machining (EDM) in-house.

I'm guessing they send it to Magna-Port as it is noted in the specs as being "Magna-Ported".

 

[ImDrRich]

629 Stealth Hunter

I just can't see carrying a gun that weighs 1/2 as much as I do.

My 3" 629-6 is an exception, despite its weight, because of barrel length. Don't want to spoil your fun, though, but steadying that thing on big game such as a bear would make me uneasy.

Please forgive the two cents.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Hey, no apology needed. We all have different taste, that's what makes the world go round.

As far as the weight, I don't see the Stealth Hunter being much if any heavier than my 629 Classic that a carry in the woods regularly.

 

[BKDinTexas]

It works.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I'm guessing they send it to Magna-Port as it is noted in the specs as being "Magna-Ported".

Your probably right, but if the technology was licensed from Mag-na-port they could also be licensed to use the name. Smith does so few Mag-na-ported guns I doubt they could justify the expense for the equipment and the training for the skilled labor to operate it.

 

[Creh123]

I picked one up new last year and really like it! I mounted an ultra match dot II and is quite accurate. I’d shoot a braced shot out to a hundred yards. 44 specials are a lot more enjoyable to just plink with. As far as the weight, it is a whole lot easier climbing around with a heavy 29 than a rifle over your shoulder. In Ky. The walks are usually pretty thick with cover and I like having both hands free. Action is good but not great. Just don’t compare it to an early P29. I’d buy it again!

 

[buck460XVR]

I too looked at a Stealth Hunter, but went with a 629 Magnum Hunter....very similar. The gun is a tack driver and the P.C. trigger outstanding. I'd assume the Stealth Hunter is every bit as good.

I just can't see carrying a gun that weighs 1/2 as much as I do.

My 3" 629-6 is an exception, despite its weight, because of barrel length. Don't want to spoil your fun, though, but steadying that thing on big game such as a bear would make me uneasy.

Steadying any handgun on big game past 30 yards takes some form of rest/support other than your hands......period. You owe it to your quarry to do so. While your 3'' 629 might be easy to walk around in the woods with, in many states that require a minimum barrel length, it wouldn't be legal to hunt with. Having a revolver on your hip as a back-up gun, "for those close up shots" is much different than having a revolver as a primary firearm. I deer hunt with three different calibers of revolvers, .357, .44 and .460. All are very accurate and all have successfully taken deer. All have barrels 6" or longer. Terminal performance and accuracy are what dictates a hunting revolver to me, not how easy I can quick draw from a pancake holster. With proper chest/shoulder rigs, my long pipes carry and draw just as easily as my CWC handguns.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

The rig you choose to carry the larger hunting revolvers is definitely crucial and not something to try and go the cheapest route with after spending north of a G on the gun IMHO. I think that a good, quality chest rig is the best method of carrying these types of revolvers and for the purpose at hand.

Most of the time, my revolver is my secondary for the possibility of the weak side shot presenting itself, but I do occasionally go out with just a wheelgun. And when I do that it's either the 6.5" 629 Classic or the 460V.