S&W Performance Center Stealth Hunter

[Brass Balls]

Just received my Stealth Hunter with the Birdsong finish today. What an exceptionally nice revolver! The machining is very precise and detailed. The barrel is uniquely curvaceaous. The Birdsong finish is both striking and functional. It's built in rail will sure make mounting a scope for hunting a snap.

I was able to put 95 rounds downrange through her today consisting of 63 rounds of 240 grain PMC JHP, 18 rounds of Miwall 240 grain FMJ and 14 rounds of Miwal 240 grain +P+. The gun worked beautifully and the trigger has definitely seen the attention of a craftsman. The action cycled smoothly and with precision in double action. In single action the trigger is crisp as a winter's morning. Without a trigger pull gauge I'm guessing it at about 3.5 pounds.

It looks remarkable, it functions like a swiss watch, but what really is incredible is this gun's accuracy. Right off the bat, before any sight adjustments, I knew I was shooting a gun with great accuracy potential. Although the initial shots at 10 yards were low-left, they were grouped the size of a silver dollar. From there it only got better. With a few twists of the screwdriver the gun was matching POI with POA with uncanny accuracy. One of my best groups was with the +P+ at 15 yards all 6 rounds touching and overlapped.

I have an EOTech holographic sight which should work well on this gun, but I wonder if I should even bother after the results I achieved with the iron sights today.

It left me wondering, was it the gun, was it me, or was it just one of those days where everything comes together? What a gun! What a day!


S&W Performance Center 629-6, 7.5" Stealth Hunter .44 Magnum

 

[Preacherman]

Sounds interesting! Is the barrel ported, or not? I couldn't tell very well from the photograph. Also, if it's not a rude question, what did this set you back?

 

[Brass Balls]

Thanks Preacherman!

Yes it has two small oval ports running parallel with the barrel, located on either side of the front sight. Without shooting the same gun without the ports it's hard to say just how effective they are. I'm sure it helps somewhat, but by no means does it eliminate recoil or muzzle rise.

I bought the gun from www.sportingarms.com for $949 plus $20 shipping and a $25 transfer fee on my end, however I didn't have to pay sales tax.

 

[Obiwan]

I looked at one at my local shop the other day

Beautiful gun..felt great

I was glad it was ported.....otherwise I might have had to buy it.

 

[Brass Balls]

Thanks Obiwan!

Could you please expand on the reason why the porting alone would keep you from purchasing this gun? Just curious, thanks.

 

[uglygun]

I love OD Green finishes, "it's like a fungus, it spreads"


Did my Remington 870 a few years ago long before Wilson Combat started doing their job on the 1911s and their 870s.


When the S&W Stealth Hunter came out I was immediately attracted to it, it's the one gun of theirs that they have recently produced that I may consider owning.

 

[g_gunter]

15 Yards???

Congratulations on your new purchase!

I don't want to rain on your parade and am happy to hear that you were fortunate enough to purchase what I've been wanting for the past 2 years but it would seem to me that a real open-sight test of such a weapon would BEGIN at 25 yards. I mean, my Glock 19 and Kimber .45 will blow the center out of the bullseye at 10 and 15 yards. Since the Stealth Hunter is intended to be a hunting weapon I would be interested in how it performs at 25, 50, 75, and as far out as 100 yards with a scope?

Let us know as soon as you are able.

Once again, congratulations on the new purchase.

g_gunter

 

[Brass Balls]

Thanks g_gunter!

You're right this gun was crying out to be shot at longer distances. However I was shooting at an indoor range so my maximum shooting distance was 25 yards. The gun delivered a baseball sized group at 25 yards with a two handed non-bench rested hold. I only mention the 15 yard group because it looked more like a three round group than a 6 round group.

 

[Marshall]

Hey, great gun!

What do you plan to hunt with it? Whitetail, hogs, bear? I have a couple Rugers in .44 mag I use for hunting. I have an AimPoint on one of them, the Super Redhawk, and can down whatever I decide to shoot at out to 80-100 yards. I am sure you will with that nice Smith also! Enjoy!

 

[g_gunter]

#*@?! Indoor Ranges!!!

Hi Brass Balls:
I understand now. Those blasted indoor ranges! There should be more places to shoot these kinds of weapons outdoors (#*@?! liberals and sheeple!). Let us know when you get the opportunity to "wring er' out."

Hey Marshall:
I am really interested in what the Aimpoint can do. I too had a SRH and had a Leupold 2x scope but was not satisfied with its effectiveness beyond 50 yds (I felt I needed a bit more magnification). What kind of magnification do you get with the Aimpoint and how precise (MOA capabilities) can you get with this type of scope? What model and price range are we talking about? I'm considering going with the 629 Classic DX and need to consider what scope I'm going to mount on it?

Thanks,

g_gunter

 

[Brass Balls]

The first critter likely to fall to this new revolver is a wild boar. I may also carry it when I'm elk hunting in bear country.

 

[Marshall]

G_gunter,

Here's a site that will answer most of your questions, AimPoint.

I too switched from a regular handgun scope, I like a dot scope for handguns much better. Each to their own but, I am not fond of a lot of magnification in a handgun scope. The field of vision is not great at all to begin with and, I get too much shake. Being able to quickly place the dot on target go "boom" is great!

 

[Obiwan]

1. I just don't like porting...don't see the need for them outside of competition...feel that there are more negatives than positives

2. I really don't see the need on a hunting gun(YMMV)

I had a S&W .44mag and found it very controllable..without any stinkin ports.

But ...all of this only applies to me....it is a pretty sweet handgun even if there are extra holes in the barrel...enjoy!