One of you guys can probably answer this question. I was offered this 629-2 and was told it was a "Mountain Gun", it has the 4" non pinned barrel w/fluted cylinder. According to the production code (103652) on the box the pistol came with which matches the serial number BDZ-000X it is supposed to be a 629-4 w/unfluted cylinder. Curious is all and I couldn't turn it down for the price he wanted.
According to him he was told by the guy that sold it to him that it was a very early 1st run of the "Mountain Gun". The only marks on the pistol are a faint turn line, otherwise ASIB w/all the tools unwrapped, papers, etc.

If it has the early non-MIM parts with the firingpin on the hammer and a matte stainless finish then you have what was called a Mountain Revolver....

Top and bottom ones should look like yours... The barrels were not marked other than the caliber...



Bob

Thanks Bob, Yeah its identical to the top one. It has non-MIM parts and firing pin on the hammer, has a solid black front sight and Pachmeyer grips. I prefer my Smiths to have the firing pin on the hammer, this is my first S&W pistol manufactured after the 70's, also my first stainless S&W.

The 629-2 "Mountain Revolver" is the forerunner to the
Mountain Gun" Series revolvers.

I LOVE these handguns, kinda looks like a Stainless Steel 27 or 24 but in .44 Mag.
,
If you are handy u can make a grip adapter and fit some classic
factory target grips.
Here it is with a Model 66 for comparison.

Took the 629-2 out to the range today to see how it runs, first off I tried some 240g SWC target loads I had worked up for an old 29-2 6.5" I had, not too bad in fact put a smile on my ole gray muzzle. I then tried out some of Mr. Keith's 240g SWC with 17g of 2400, not as pleasant to shoot as the old 29-2. After about 25-30 of those bad boys I began to feel a bit of discomfort in the web of my hand, I think the rubber pachmeyers lack in width in that area. I then tried some full-house magnum loads with 240g JHP and was not happy with the resulting punishment, I understand that this is not a target pistol and the pachmeyers really are not up to spreading that impact out around the web of my larger than normal hand. I've sent it off to Mag-na-port for a 4 port dual trapazoid job and will look for a way to get some decent S&W target grips on it.
I've always enjoyed shooting 44 special in my 44 magnums and with target grade ammunition this pistol is fun to shoot, I like to be proficient with whatever I shoot and usually all it takes is a slight adjustment like grips, etc. to solve the problem.

Congratulations. Enjoy your "Mountain Revolver".

Is there much difference in point of impact between 44 special loads and, say, the Elmer Keith loads?
John

Hey Bob, those are some handsome sixguns you got there

My all time favorite 44, the Mountian Revolver, they just get better with age.

2400 is a bit too slow-burning for the short-barreled Smith. Drop back to a medium rate powder such as Unique or AA7 to take best advantage of the barrel.
Years ago I was working up pre-fragmented loads in my 629 and ended up "killing" my chronograph as one of the shot-filled rounds I was testing spit out a pellet into the Chrony's LCD display!