Performance Center 629s, Stealth Hunter or Competitor

[Kytann]

I have the hankering for a 44 magnum. Long barrel, accurate, and interesting looks are my wants. I may someday use it for hunting, as in the area where I have family we can use either a handgun or shotgun, no rifles.

I've narrowed it down to the Stealth Hunter, with it's 7.5" barrel,

Or the Competitor, with it's 6" barrel.

I think the barrel on the Stealth Hunter is just a little too slab sided, so the weights on the Competitor make it better looking for me. However, I don't plan on ever competing in anything.

Also, the Stealth Hunter is ported, which I would think would foul up a scope. If I do go hunting, I'd buy a scope for it.

Opinions?

 

[Kytann]

Here are some pictures

 

[jaymoore]

I much prefer the Stealth Hunter variant (Mine's a little older with the Birdsong green.) I thought the Competitor would handle as well, but even with the weights it isn't quite as stable. Rotational moments of inertia and all that sort of thing...The porting doesn't seem to mess with optics. Would prefer without, but that's not currently an option.

 

[frdm]

I prefer the Stealth Hunter too, mine is incredibly accurate and it's not that heavy. The only thing that bothered me was the grip which I quickly changed for a pair of Nill grips. But eventually, I think that you must (like i will) buy both !

 

[jaymoore]

Stupidly enough, I bought the Competitor because it had no porting so I could shoot IHMSA field pistol. That and the rear sight. Italian made, I think. But it really was a frustration buy. Can't find a decent 8 3/8" 629 Classic locally (much less a DX) and recently sold the rough but still shooting 29-3 8 3/8" Classic Hunter. Oddly, having spent all that money, they still haven't come pouring out of the woodwork!

Old photo, but it's still about:

 

[Kytann]

Jaymoore, thanks for your insight. Interesting that you've owned both, but you like the way the stealth hunter shoots better. Thanks for your opinion.
Still not sure what I am going to do.

 

[SAWMAN]

I think its going to come down to what you like the look of better. Any performance center gun is going to shoot well. I have a stealth hunter for hunting... Topped with a Leupold scope it will shoot scary accurate at 100 yards!

But with that said... I also plan on getting a competitor

 

[wlp624]

This may not be an issue for you, but the stainless finish on the Competitor will hold up much better than the black or birdsong green of the Hunter, which scratch easily and are tough to clean without marring the color. In addition to a more pleasing look, this will also make resale value higher for the Competitor.

 

[Kytann]

Hmmm. Finish longevity is important to me. DO you have one of these guns wlp624?
My understanding is the coating is Melonite. It's a more durable finish than the old method of blueing, or black oxide.
If even the Melonite finish scratches easily I may have to scratch that one off of the list.

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

Competitor all the way for me. The LPA rear sight (really nice), stainless finish and more normal barrel length have the edge.

IC

 

[jaymoore]

This may not be an issue for you, but the stainless finish on the Competitor will hold up much better than the black or birdsong green of the Hunter, which scratch easily and are tough to clean without marring the color. In addition to a more pleasing look, this will also make resale value higher for the Competitor.

Old photo, but it hasn't gotten all that much worse:

The targets and deer don't seem to care...but I just finished spraypainting my 657 Classic Hunter dark brown again. Hideous! So consider the source.

 

[jaymoore]

Jaymoore, thanks for your insight. Interesting that you've owned both, but you like the way the stealth hunter shoots better. Thanks for your opinion.
Still not sure what I am going to do.

Not saying that the "S.H." is more accurate, but that it's easier for me to shoot well in the field. Benchrest results don't count.

I'd suggest handling both if possible beforehand. Little differences can make a big impression in overall utility. And then don't be afraid to swap 'em off. Have done that only three or four of times with PC guns, and it wasn't due to any great fault of the revolvers! As far as regular S&Ws go, I probably buy only 1/2 to 1% of those I actually bother to pick up. And may still end up not keeping them. Which only occasionally turns out to be a boo-boo...

 

[wlp624]

Hmmm. Finish longevity is important to me. DO you have one of these guns wlp624?
My understanding is the coating is Melonite. It's a more durable finish than the old method of blueing, or black oxide.
If even the Melonite finish scratches easily I may have to scratch that one off of the list.

I own a number of different stainless models of the 629 Hunter/Competitor series, but so far not the black or birdsong, so I'm going on my own experience with the stainless, and what I have seen of the others. No matter how durable, you will probably manage to scratch it eventually, and even a minor one will show up much more noticeably (light color scratch against a black background). Also, look at the cylinder of the birdsong green model after firing in the photos above. 'Nuff said.

 

[jaymoore]

What puzzles me is that the 686 Competitor has what appears to be a standard 1913 "Picatinny" rail, whilst the .44s continue to feature only three Weaverish slots. (They're square bottomed rather than round bottomed.) The slot width is way too narrow for many common optic mounts. And it limits scope useage somewhat. Couldn't use any of my 4x scopes on the 629 Competitor without buying higher rings, and even then one would have to be an extention due to the short 1" tube between the eyepiece, turret and objective bell. Annoying, that! (Could remove the front sight, but that's just silly...)

 

[ultratec00]

I picked this variant up a couple years ago and couldn't be happier. I was debating between this and the stealth hunter. The stealth hunter weighed in with an additional 6 oz, which was the deciding factor. Primary function is hunting and hip holstered.

Product: Model 629

 

[Cal44]

I picked this variant up a couple years ago and couldn't be happier. I was debating between this and the stealth hunter. The stealth hunter weighed in with an additional 6 oz, which was the deciding factor. Primary function is hunting and hip holstered.

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I like the looks of that one also. Only saw one once in a LGS.

Should have bought it.

I think it's called the "light hunter".

All the right features, but not such a massive barrel as the others.

Only complaint: It seems like a gun of that size and caliber should have a square butt. But that is easily fixed with a round-to-square grip.

 

[329]

I have not shot either but I like my 629 classic 6" with a Burris Fastfire 3 mini dot and Allchin base. Plenty accurate and stout enough to tame most heavy loads.

 

[amazingflapjack]

I have an earlier competitor with 7.5 barrel-I have heard that there weren't many of them made-but I'm not sure. It is a terrific piece.

 

[ultratec00]

I did a cruise of gunbroker and there are quite a few 629s of all variants available. Prices were going rate.

My only complaint with it was the wood grips. Gorgeous grips, but all show, no go. Glad it came with a set of hogues. The porting definitely reduces muzzle flip compared to my 6" 629 classic. I also like having the option of mounting a scope. My 629s are all open sights for hunting, but I put a scope on when working up loads and shooting for group.

I like the looks of that one also. Only saw one once in a LGS.

Should have bought it.

I think it's called the "light hunter".

All the right features, but not such a massive barrel as the others.

Only complaint: It seems like a gun of that size and caliber should have a square butt. But that is easily fixed with a round-to-square grip.

 

[series guy]

I have the exact Stealth Hunter in the Birdsong green that Jaymoore posted a photo of. Shortly after I bought it Midway had Aimpoint 9000SCs in camo on sale. The perfect pairing. I call the gun Big Ugly and it's helped more novice shooters clear a table of pins than any other gun in our club. I swear if it's pointed down range it hits dead on. I've had some stupid offers for this gun but I could never give it up. You can't go wrong with a Stealth Hunter.