Originally Posted by k22fan

Mountain Guns were a series of small production runs of lighter weight but still all steel revolvers. All except the .357 Model 686s were .41 and larger caliber N frames. Among the N frames .44 Magnums are most common followed by .45 Colts then .41 Magnums. .45 ACPs are the least common and definitely less common than .357 Model 686s. Whether stainless or blued the defining characteristics are light tapered barrels with skinny barrel ribs and ejector rod shrouds, round butts, all black sights and a "black powder bevel" on the front of the cylinder. When they were introduced nearly all other 4" N frames and most 4" L frames had square butts. Later in the 1990s they became less different from standard production when S&W discontinued all square butt frames.

While standard full lug 686s were heavy for belt holsters the Mountain Gun version matched the 36 ounce weight of 4" Model 66s. There were two distinct vintages of Model 686 Mountain Guns. The first were dash 5 seven shooters made in the 1990s. Those are the ones that fetch high prices. Comparing their value to the later 6 shooters with internal locks is comparing apples to oranges.

The name Distinguished Combat Magnum dates back to the introduction of the L frame about 1979. So far as I know that name does not distinguish any L frame variation form the others.