S&W Performance Center - reduced offering?

[surfinUSA]

I agree with the expense of producing them, but the sales resulted from the industry forcing the stainless models down the consumer's throat. Anything new came out in stainless.

Thats not what I've seen. When I became a cop in 81, S&W couldn't keep up with the demand for stainless. Everyone wanted a 66 or 686 and a 60 to go with it. It was no different with the guys that carried Colt.

I used to love blued guns when I just used them for fun. But now its stainless or plastic, even for my non work guns.

 

[Rich357]

Apparently the 629 Stealth Hunter (the green one) is still available through Camfor. This info is from a knowledgable person on the S&W Forum.

Maybe Camfor has other S&W wheel guns no longer listed on the Performance Centers pages.

Rich

 

[Sarge111]

Surfin'...

"Everyone wanted a 66 or 686 and a 60 to go with it. It was no different with the guys that carried Colt."

Well, not everyone. My academy class before mine (1981) was 24 deputy sheriff cadets, all issued the then-new 686. 18 of 'em had to go back to S&W for gas-ring problems, after they locked up with magnum loads.

I kept my old 4" Model 28, which was about as light as the 686's anyhow- and still shot better. I never owned nor desired a 686 after that, and would still prefer a 36 to a 60.

"I used to love blued guns when I just used them for fun. But now its stainless or plastic, even for my non work guns"

To each his own, but I sure like this one for both-

If that makes me an old-timer, I guess I'll just have to plead guilty to that one.

 

[Round Gun Shooter]

Apparently the 629 Stealth Hunter (the green one) is still available through Camfor. This info is from a knowledgable person on the S&W Forum.
Rich

Camfour shows a lot on their web page but are currently out of stock on most. Only way to find if they are still available is to call them. They are not always quick to update their web site.

Regards,

 

[PigPen]

They might try removing those locks.

PigPen

 

[Tamara]

I can come to terms with the fact that they need those locks to sell their product in certain states (and that list will only get longer in the near future, believe you me), but could they have put them someplace less noticeable? With a Springfield Armory 1911, HK USP, or most Taurii, you'd hardly know the gun had a lock on it without looking closely. Heck, even the Bersas and the Walther P-22 blend it in better than the Smith wheelies, and they don't even have any aesthetics to worry about.

 

[Black Snowman]

I was in my local gunstore yesterday and fondling the .500 when I mentioned people saying they wanted one in a carry size when the owner chimed in that according to his S&W rep he should be able to order the 3.5" barreled model soon. Don't know what time frame "soon" is or how fast delivery follows "order" but sounds like a good move on S&W's part.

 

[Highland Ranger]

3.5" 500:

I will need one of those.

How is pricing looking? Are these things commanding a premium?

Seems like they can't keep them on the shelf.

 

[Big Man]

there are a couple threads around here on the 31/2" 500. It looks good.

 

[MrPink]

I don't think fewer PC guns listed on the S&W website means they are producing any less. I talked with a customer service rep a few weeks ago about an L-comp that was listed, he said they just didn't have anybody to clean up the website and they were listing guns no longer available (BTW, the L-comp is being recommissioned by Camfour and will be available in a few months!)

I think S&W cleaned up the PC section when it went to refresh the website for all the SHOT announcements.

 

[tex_n_cal]

stainless versus blued...

When I was in college, 20+ years ago, the first M629 to hit Lubbock, Tx, sold in a shop for $1000, over twice the list. That's how bad demand was for a stainless .44.

The first Ruger Redhawk? it went for $750.

 

[mec]

It may be that the low production/ low sales of the Heritage Model did not represent a total marketing failure. The CAD/CAM manufacturing process makes low number runs more feasible than in the past.

A lot of people hated the Heritage Series because they were expecting a re-issue of the Triple Lock and got something entirely different instead. Others became enraged over such non traditional feataures as the strenthing dohicky on the frame and the color case hardening finish, and the round butt. -and some people just think they are butt ugly.

Nevertheless, the Heritage Series had extremely fine fit, metal work and finish and are well liked by hundreds or even a few thousand owners. One proactive dude has even used one of the .44 Magnums to kill a bear.

This one has produced a number of one inch and slightly under bench groups:

I happen to think it's kind of pretty in an off the wall kind of way. Of course I also prefer the women on the side of the Miss Clarol cans who haven't sprayed that junk on their hair.

 

[Brass Balls]

I think that for whatever reason all of the offerings by the PC aren't listed currently on their website. Take for example this PC version 629. I haven't seen it on the website, yet it was just recently approved for sale in CA. Why would S&W jump through the hoops of the CA DOJ approval process if they didn't plan to continue production?

clic pic




I was considering the purchase of this gun, but decided instead on the PC 629 Stealth Hunter with the Birdsong finish. I just ordered it from www.sportingarms.com for $949 and should receive it this week.

 

[Highland Ranger]

I've seen the ATV 629 but never that one with the weights under the barrel. Possible that it is an older design or maybe not a Smith at all?

The guy references "PFC" guns. . . .different from PC?

Interesting . . . .

 

[Brass Balls]

This is the CA DOJ Recently added handguns list. The list refers to a S&W 629-6 Black Comp. Hunter/Stainless steel .44 Magnum Revolver 7.5".

Here is another listing of this same gun by a different party on Gunbroker:
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=16499582

I'm not postive, but it sure appears that the CA DOJ list is refering to this same gun. It is pretty interesting and the adjustable barrel weights is unique. However in the end I think the Birdsong coated Stealth Hunter will be a better field gun, although it did cost a bit more.

 

[Highland Ranger]

Yeah, looks like it.

No flutes in the barrel and those ugly weights . . . . wonder what/who they are selling it for/to . . . . .

 

[Brass Balls]

Yeah the adjustable barrel weight feature is unique but kinda odd too for a field gun. At least my take on it is a field gun with the long barrel and built in scope mounting rail. It looks like another cranny to collect mud and grime. Seems like it would be more useful on a smaller caliber target gun, but hey that's just one guy's opinion.

The pricing is interesting in that it's more than $100 less than the Stealth Hunter yet it has that extra feature and it comes with both sets of grips pictured. The additional cost is probably due to the Birdsong coating which is supposed to be excellent.

I'm wondering if the Stealth Hunter is being dropped because it was at one time on S&W's website under the PC offerings and now it's not. I called and talked with someone from the PC and he couldn't tell me if it was being discontinued or not.

I'll post something in this forum once I get some trigger time on it. Hopefully I'll be receiving it tomorrow.

 

[tex_n_cal]

I've seen at least one of those green and black .44's for sale in the state, so they are approved in CA. While they are pretty funky looking, I bet they also shoot very, very well. They should be a good launching platform for heavy cast bullet loads, within reason.

I've noticed that there are some 945's out with "wave" serrations. I'm not really sure I care for the wave, but they are still a big, honking last-forever, made-like-a-watch .45. Pity it's not a 10mm

When I am through moving & have the money in the bank I might just go for a 952, they are pretty impressive.

And I may be in a very small minority, but I wish they would do a .44 Russian replica, including the trigger spur. Ditto a replica of the various break open target .22's that they made some decades ago. One of those in .17HMR or .17 HMT would be fairly amusing.

 

[Brass Balls]

While they are pretty funky looking

Hey now don't be talkin' trash about my new ho that way!