Is there a difference between 'The Hunter' and the 'Classic Hunter'?

[socal s&w]

I'm assuming that there is since the 'words' are different, but I don't know what the differences are.

I know that the 'Classic Hunter' has a non-fluted cylinder and I 'think' that 'The Hunter' has a slab-side style barrel, but not sure along with the non-fluted cylinder.

Any input?

Thanks!

 

[socal s&w]

Chirp....chirp....chirp....all I hear are crickets chirping from the lack of response....

No one knows????

 

[azalea]

I've always had an interest in the Performance Center Model 629 Stealth Hunter. But no actual experience with it or other S&W Hunter models, so I, too, would be interested in anyone's input.

 

[AveragEd]

The Classic Hunter was a 6" 686 with a ramp front sight and an unfluted cylinder. Mine is a -3 and is on the left in this photo.

According to the SCoSW, there were 5,000 made.

Ed

 

[socal s&w]

Nice rack Ed!!

Your Classic Hunter is as I thought it would be, B-U-T-Ful!! As are the rest in the pic. Thanks for sharing!

I'm still awaiting an answer on the original question too. Are they two different guns, or the same gun?

 

[Dale53]

I don't think Smith even knows the answer to that. I have a Performance Center "Light Hunter" that is pictured here. However, on Smith's own web site I have seen that called simply a 629.

Product: Model 629

Dale53

 

[socal s&w]

So....I'm guessing that there really is no answer to the question as stated.

"I don't think Smith even knows the answer to that."

Guess that settles it then!

 

[AveragEd]

According to my SCoSW, the only reference made to a "Classic Hunter" is the 686 with a ramp front sight and unfluted cylinder. However, I have seen some with a S&W/Hogue Monogrip that the owners swear is original equipment even though the box label states the stocks were "TS" - target stocks - so I'm guessing they were shipped with either one.

Ed

 

[bobf]

I know that the 'Classic Hunter' has a non-fluted cylinder and I 'think' that 'The Hunter' has a slab-side style barrel, but not sure along with the non-fluted cylinder.
QUOTE]

The 629PC 44 mag hunter is a slab side.

 

[GunTotinAmerican]

to my knowledge, the classic hunter line were limited runs of the magnum calibers and 10mm, with full underlug barrels, unfluted cylinders, and were not marked classic hunter. I have a 629-2 and 657-2 Classic Hunters. I think there was a second series of classic hunters in which the barrels were marked "Classic Hunter". I do not know what older models were called hunters, but the newer ones are usually black and either have a rail or fiber optic front sight

 

[AveragEd]

I for one wonder about the choice of names. How does an unfluted cylinder and sights that are harder to pick up under low light conditions make the gun better for hunting?

Ed

 

[socal s&w]

I have a 686-3 'Competitor' and thought that there was a 686 'The Hunter' that looked similar, but with the non-fluted/unfluted cylinder.

The 'Competitor' has the slab-sides, but not the non-fluted/unfluted cylinder, although I sent mine to the factory to have that cylinder installed back in '06.

Asking because I might have a line on a 'The Hunter' within my State and wanted to know the difference.

 

[jaymoore]

I'm assuming that there is since the 'words' are different, but I don't know what the differences are.

I know that the 'Classic Hunter' has a non-fluted cylinder and I 'think' that 'The Hunter' has a slab-side style barrel, but not sure along with the non-fluted cylinder.

Any input?

Thanks!

Old thread, but maybe some more input will muddy the waters further.

Firstly, there doesn't seem to be consistant logic to the terms, except that "Classic" means full underlug. Usually, "Classic Hunter" goes with an unfluted cylinder, but that has exceptions. See below:

Poor resolution due it being a close-up of another photo: ".41 Magnum Classic Hunter"

But neither (or is it three?) of my full underlug, non-fluted cylinder 29 "Classic Hunters" is labeled as such.

Replaced by unknown party aftermarket front sight, FYI.

As for PC revolvers, there's some named and others not:

"Hunter" but not "Classic"

PC with variable weights that's not "Classic", "Hunter", nor "Competitor". (Which has a heavier profile barrel.)

And then there's the "Light Hunter" as listed in the SCSW which means "???" (A PC 686+).

The .357 caliber "Classic Hunters" I've never seen. Thanks for the photos!

 

[madmikeb]

The original Classic Hunter was a 6" 29-3, full lug, unfluted cylinder, and a 4 position silhouette front sight. There was a contest run in Shootiing Times at the time where they came up with the Classic Hunter name.

 

[jaymoore]

The original Classic Hunter was a 6" 29-3, full lug, unfluted cylinder, and a 4 position silhouette front sight. There was a contest run in Shootiing Times at the time where they came up with the Classic Hunter name.

I may have an article reviewing an example of that revolver at home.

 

[Rocket3]

The original Classic Hunter was a 6" 29-3, full lug, unfluted cylinder, and a 4 position silhouette front sight. There was a contest run in Shootiing Times at the time where they came up with the Classic Hunter name.

Agree, I have one.

 

[2hawk]

And to add to the confusion, or knowledge base

Lew Horton told me my 629-4 was a Hunter (verified by serial #) and sent me that clip from and old brochure, but note mine has the unfluted cylinder.

S&W, always a variation out there it seems

 

[grip frame]

The original classic hunter was a 629-1/2 with non fluted cylinder, 6 inch full lugged barrel, black front ramp, hogue grips. 5000 were made in 1988.

They brought out 2500 8 3/8 inch models followed by 3200 3 inch models.

These were the original and first run.

They reintroduced the 6 inch 629 back again in 1991 with another limited run of 2000.

In 1998 they made a run of 5000 L frame 686 classic hunters in 6 inch.

Lew Horton contracted with SW to produce a run of 2000 .41 magnum classic hunters in 1991. The 657 had a 6.5 inch barrel.

An original run of 5000 610's were made in 1990-91.

In 1998 another run of 610's were offered. You can tell these by the laser logos instead of stamped.

So the name "classic hunter" was assigned to these specific guns/runs.

 

[jaymoore]

...Lew Horton contracted with SW to produce a run of 2000 .41 magnum classic hunters in 1991. The 657 had a 6.5 inch barrel...

...So the name "classic hunter" was assigned to these specific guns/runs.

And who contracted the 657-3 Classic Hunter 6 1/2"? (New extractor and rear sight.) In the SCSW there's only a product code but it states "not verified".

 

[Fishinfool]

The original stainless Classic Hunter is a one year only model (1988) 629-2, six inch barrel, full lug, non-fluted cylinder, with factory Houges, as pictured below, gun on top in photo.

 

[philbrook3]

RSR did a 6 1/2 fill lug barrel with a port in front of the sight and fluted or unflutted cylinder in 657-3 and there was also a 657-4 7 1/2 Classic Hunter with full lug barrel and unfluted cylinder. 250 were lightly engraved and marked 1 of 250 but box was not marked (of the ones I have seen. There was also at least 250 made where the gun was not marked but the boxes were. Just what I know and have seen

 

[jaymoore]

RSR did a 6 1/2 fill lug barrel with a port in front of the sight and fluted or unflutted cylinder in 657-3 and there was also a 657-4 7 1/2 Classic Hunter with full lug barrel and unfluted cylinder. 250 were lightly engraved and marked 1 of 250 but box was not marked (of the ones I have seen. There was also at least 250 made where the gun was not marked but the boxes were. Just what I know and have seen

Yah, none of the above. A good set of photos is in order, I reckon. Unfortunately, no box.

 

[SDH]

I'm trying to determine a fair market price for this 657-2 "Classic Hunt" as it says on the box label?

 

[petemacmahon]

I'm trying to determine a fair market price for this 657-2 "Classic Hunt" as it says on the box label?

I'll give you $450 for it right now!

 

[SDH]

I'll give you $450 for it right now!

Well that was a no class low ball, eh?

 

[jaymoore]

I'm trying to determine a fair market price for this 657-2 "Classic Hunt" as it says on the box label?
...
...

...

Were the additional holes in the topstrap part of the package or not? With the old style rear sight, first guess would be- no.
Which would run off the premium buyers. But not the folk who might actually use it.

 

[grip frame]

At least $600

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

The original stainless Classic Hunter is a one year only model (1988) 629-2, six inch barrel, full lug, non-fluted cylinder, with factory Houges, as pictured below, gun on top in photo.

I thought the 629-2 was called "The American Hunter?

 

[Warren91]

More 686 Classic Hunter info

I purchased my 686 Classic Hunter new when they came out in 1989. Although the box reads target stocks, mine came from the factory with Hogue grips. The 686CH was only made in 1989 with a total of 5000 produced. There is no other "686 Classic Hunter". This model was preceded by the 629 Classic Hunter in 1988, but it was also re-issued once or twice due to demand.

The attached pictures are the front and back of the brochure introducing the 686 Classic Hunter in 1989. You will notice on the back under specifications that the gun came with Hogue neoprene grips, but no mention of target stocks.

 

[Poke]

Here is a 686 classic hunter

Also a kinda rare 45LC Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter.