Help with 629 Performance Center differences.

[Hey_Joe]

Hi, new to the forum with my first post. I am looking to buy one of these two 629 Performance Center revolvers....(links at bottom). It will be my first revolver bought since 1992 so I'm a little out of the loop so to speak. Anyway, I've been looking at both 629's on the S&W website and for the life of me I can't figure out why the Stealth Hunter is priced more than the Magnum Hunter with red dot. Now, the Stealth Hunter has a pc trigger but the website makes no mention if the Magnum Hunter does or not. Do all of these 629 Performance Center revolvers leave with the same trigger? Here are the two models in question:

Product: Model 629 .44 Magnum® Hunter

Product: Model 629 Stealth Hunter


I sure would appreciate some feedback from members here on the major difference between these two beacause the S&W website is pretty vague. It's a big chunk of coin so I want to make sure I know what I'm getting. Thank you and have a great day!

 

[amazingflapjack]

Choices...

I have the 629-6 PC that is similar to the stealth, albeit in regular stainless finish, and it is a marvelous piece. I have a good quality long eye relief 1 1/2 power Nikon scope on it, and I can shoot it with confidence out past 100 yards, no problem. I also like the way it looks in comparison to the other gun. Mine has the weights that can be changed. It is a very special gun, and I really hadn't envisioned owning something of this quality. Having said that, there are similar guns on GB from time to time that are barely used that can be purchased and refined by S&W PC if so desired. I bought mine there. My wife actually finished the auction while I went to VA. She got it for $860.00 with both cases and 2 sets of grips! It had reportedly been shot 18 times. The way things are, I would probably go that way again, if it were me. Go safely. Flapjack.

 

[Hey_Joe]

So other than the Magna-ported barrel on the Stealth are there any other differences between these two? Most interested in the trigger systems. I'm wondering if there are different triggers in the Performance Center line up. Reason I'm asking is because I was readinga review on line that the single action trigger pull on the Magnum Hunter is around 5.7 lbs. That's too heavy if you ask me. My 5" 629-3 Classic DX is around 3lbs.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Best to call S&W and discuss it with them.

 

[buck460XVR]

I have a older Lew Horton model of the Magnum Hunter, all stainless, unfluted cylinder and no Red Dot. It's scarey accurate and I can guarantee you, the SA trigger pull is not heavy. I prefer compensators to magn-porting and am not a big fan of S&Ws black finish on their revolvers.

 

[mikeydio]

I have a 629 Magnum Hunter like buck460XVR has displayed in his post. Mine is also scary accurate. It is a 3 piece barrel system with a shroud, a screwed on muzzle brake that acts as a nut and an internal barrel that is match grade and manufactured by Lothar Walther. Using this system, the barrel/cyliner gap is held to .005". The weight and muzzle brake really tame recoil. Count me among those who hate porting but love the muzzle brakes. I know that the Performance Center uses better barrels for its revolvers but I am unaware of the origin of the barrel used for the Stealth. Good Luck.

Mike

 

[Rolex24]

I have a 629 Magnum Hunter like buck460XVR has displayed in his post. Mine is also scary accurate. It is a 3 piece barrel system with a shroud, a screwed on muzzle brake that acts as a nut and an internal barrel that is match grade and manufactured by Lothar Walther. Using this system, the barrel/cyliner gap is held to .005". The weight and muzzle brake really tame recoil. Count me among those who hate porting but love the muzzle brakes. I know that the Performance Center uses better barrels for its revolvers but I am unaware of the origin of the barrel used for the Stealth. Good Luck.
Mike

Can you elaborate on why you prefer the muzzle brake versus porting? I have an SP101 with a hypbraported barrel that I really love but it's much different from magna porting.