Were Mountain Guns strong sellers in the early 2000s

[SLT223]

I really can't remember. They were scarce in my area when they were new. I miss the tapered 4" barrel offerings.

Edit:
Didn't intend for this to be a picture thread, but should have known better. Now I feel left out, so here's mine

25-13 - Culina Cocobolo




629-4 with red ramp (old pic from old phone...sorry)

[SAFireman]

I know that they hit a lick with a few of us

I would guess that they were not that great, or we would still have them in the current offerings......

[hkcavalier]

No. Some versions are uncommon and others downright rare. Being IL guns there's not much collector interest though. This one might be destined for a new home soon --- I found a 1989 Mountain Revolver

[murphydog]

The .44 Magnum version was seen in several types, the .45 Colt/.357/.41 Magnum in smaller numbers. Except for a few details the 4” model 624 in .44 Special is similar.

[CH4]

Yeah, I can’t remember either, but don’t remember seeing many around. I have several including one of the original 5000 Mountain Revolvers. Like many I like the tapered 4” barrel and chamfered cylinder face.

629-4
625-6 .45 Colt
629-1 Mountain Revolver
629-4
25-13

[shottist]

In my experience they have always been strong sellers. I am lucky enough to have them all with the exception of the ultra rare 617 and they are all pre-lock!

[CH4]

I know where there’s a 657 MG, but I don’t want it bad enough to pay $1400. I have a 4” 28, so I am not looking for the 357. I didn’t know they made a pre lock 617 MG. I also agree that IL versions may never have the same appeal to collectors, at least not for awhile.

[1911-10MM]

I too am still looking for the 617 MG.
Was fortunate enough to find these, took several years of hunting.

[75Vette]

Originally Posted by 1911-10MM

I too am still looking for the 617 MG.
Was fortunate enough to find these, took several years of hunting.

I wish we could give more than a 1 thumbs up!!

[75Vette]

I've shown it before but this is my one and only. A 629-4 Mountain Gun wearing Culinas.

[andyo5]

my 45 Colt version shoots surprising well.

[Jessie]

I started drooling when I saw the title because I KNEW there would be pics!
One of, if not the best looking gun S&W ever made.

[walnutred]

If I remember the story correctly Ivan the Butchers father-in-law help inspire the design of the MG. Ohio had recently allowed revolvers of a specific configuration for deer hunting. He contacted S&W and said he thought a revolver in a certain configuration would be ideal for deer hunting. A month or so later a stainless prototype showed up at his door in 41 mag, the caliber and material he requested. Year or two later I started seeing the same configuration show up in the LGS listed as the Mountain Gun. His F-I-L never claimed to help design the Mountain Gun, but the finished product was pretty close to the design he requested.

[31FordA]

Well they were popular with me. When I read about the .45 Colt Mountain Gun, and that they were going to be a limited issue, I literally ran right to the gun shop and ordered one. Never regretted it. I did the same for the .45ACP version. A couple of years back I picked up a 629-4 Mountain Gun as a 44th birthday gift to myself. I’ve also got the 4” 624, which is effectively a unofficial Mountain Gun.

One of my biggest gun regrets was not buying the 686 Mountain Gun. The shop was doing a S&W promo in 1998, I could’ve gotten it brand new for $425. During an uncharacteristic display of fiscal responsibility I decided to not spend the money. Dumb! If I ever find another one for less than a grand I’ll buy it.

[Engine49guy]

I have always been a fan of the "Mountain Gun" and "Mountain Revolver" series.
Not sure if there is 1 common MG characteristic that SW hasnt side stepped along the way as we see them in K, L and N frames, Magnum and non Magnum calibers, Center fire or rim fire, 6, 7 and 10 shot cylinders, Blue , Stainless or bead blasted finish, RB and at least one SB frame IIRC....Ive even seen an unfluted cylinder 6.5 barrel 44 mag MG with blue finish and SB grip frame....

Would have liked to have gotten one of those 617 MG's to fit its barrel to another frame ...but... the high water mark cats *** top of the heap of all MG's is IMO without a doubt the SWCA anniversary Model 29-6.

[PR24]

The 386 was pretty slick! I wanted one really bad when it came out but I was still pretty new on the department so that was the last thing I need to be spending money on at that point in time. That was the ‘Mountain Lite’ L frame 7 shooter.

[bdGreen]

I only own two Mountain guns.

enjoy,

bdGreen

[StrawHat]

I have a 45 ACP Mountain Gun and a 45 ACP Foothills Revolver.

Kevin

[SuperMan]

I think for whatever reason they were made to be a limited production gun...maybe S&W didn't think the configuration would be as popular as the standard barrels...

The first configuration was the 629-2 Mountain Revolver in 1989. Then the same gun but Mountain Gun 629-3 in 11993 and again in 1994.

In 1994 was also the 625-4 Springfield Armory Commemorative in .45 ACP...

All were limited production runs/stocking dealer specials... The other calibers were not made till between 1996 and 2001.

I have had:
629-2 (2)
629-5
625-4
625-6 (2) (ACP)
657-4 (2)

Since 2002 there have been several MGs released but again on a very limited basis...who know with S&W...

My only one left is a 657...would not mind having another 629 or 625 .45 ACP....one of those guns that no matter what the caliber they were just great shooters...

Nothing balances like MG...

Bob

[Cloewen]

Folks
The model 617-6 is the designated Mountain Gun. Unfortunately, it has the dreaded IL. I called S&W and they confirmed there was less then 50 in circulation. Have since been told 42 were made. They were sent to a distributor, where they sat on a shelf for a year or two. Then sent back to S&W to be sold. The last one I saw on G. B. Had a BIN for $2500. It sold.

If anyone has the .41 magnum, pre lock, in original box. I’m looking for one. It’s the only one I don’t have. Please contact me at [email protected].
Thank you

[SweetMK]

If there are only 42 617 MG's, does that mean I have almost 5% of them?



I would trade them for a nice mini excavator,,,

[Shark Bait]

I have only this one. It clearly has a few miles on it, but it is one of fifteen 629-3's made in a special run for the Alaska State Troopers academy staff. The serial number range for these is AST0000-AST0014.

The correct grips would be non-medallion Hogue Monogrips, but I felt this gun deserved medallions.

[ladder13]

My one and only, 657-4 41 mag.

[BAM-BAM]

Only ever saw one in a LGS ...... a .357 was all over it until I realized it was a 7 shooter.... been shooting six shooters and owned a pile of Safariland speed loaders...... I was an "old dog" and saw myself shooting 6 and dumping #7; plus there were no speed loaders for them at the time........

[Shark Bait]

Originally Posted by BAM-BAM

Only ever saw one in a LGS ...... a .357 was all over it until I realized it was a 7 shooter.... been shooting six shooters and owned a pile of Safariland speed loaders...... I was an "old dog" and saw myself shooting 6 and dumping #7; plus there were no speed loaders for them at the time........

I'd like to find one of those at a reasonable price. That's tough though.

[Shuz]

I've had a 629-4 Mtn Gun since they first came out in the early 90's. Mine now wears the Hogue X frame grip, and I installed a Patridge front sight and did a trigger job by installing an 11 lb Wolff rebound slide spring.I'm not sure of the exact count, but I figger I've put at least 10,000 cast boolit rounds thru this revolver in the past 25 years.

[The Norseman]

I am not sure how popular the Mountain Guns were in the 2000's.

I believe the MG has always been popular. I am always on the
look out for them. I have always been awhere of them, just
don't see them much.

In the Fall of 2016 I ran across a S&W MG 45Colt at a Gun Show.
Go figure, a Colt Collector I know had it, who would have known,
someone I know. Got it for a reasonable price several days later.

No Hammer Block or Hammer Block I'll take'em, they say
Mountain Gun on the Barrel. They shoot the same.

As usual no pretty pictures from this guy.
My small collection.

[CWH44300]

Here’s my one and only
Mountain revolver

[Engine49guy]

Imo the .44 Magnum version is the cream of the crop mainly because it can fire .44 Special or full Magnums (Btw which are punishing to the palm).
The other plus is that the .44 Mag version can be found 3 iterations of pre MIM/IL configuration, 629-2, 629-3 and 629-4 the last two having the Endurance package to boot.
Of those models the dash 3 gets a + for its flash chromed hammer trigger but a - for having a rear site that only fits that revision.
The dash 2 is the grandaddy but does not have the endurance package, for these reasons the 629-4 is the king mac daddy of all S&W Mounain gun revolvers.
Honorable mention goes to the SWCA 25th anniversary Embellished 29-5 MG which are truly a treat to the eye.

On a side note ,
While the first .357 Mountain gun was a 686-5 (Pre IL, with new internal firing pin) a friend has created a close rival to the 629-4 by swapping a MG barrel onto his 686-4+ .

Lastly while it has never been defined IMO the "Mountain Gun" concept was a series of features that would lend themselves to aid the intended purpose implied by the name being a lightweight but powerful revolver for hiking in rough terrain where both weight and portability matter as well as the ability to defend one's life against any large formidable, hungry and angry critter they might encounter while climbing or hiking in the mountains.
If the most dangerous critter in your mountain is a rabbid squirrel then the 617 MG makes sense to me, otherwise it's really just a marketing gimmick IMO.
On the other hand if weight of the gun is more critical the 629 MG platform is overshadowed by the 4" AirLite 329 PD Series of alloy frame. 44 magnums revolvers.
Btw before starting a 41 vs 44 debate I would add that the 44 has a non Magnum counterpart in the .44 special round (for practice) and is a cartridge option in far more other commercially available weapon offerings like semi auto carbines, lever guns and bolt actions etc and the round is also more readily available on store shelves when traveling.

[BAM-BAM]

Ya...... a .22 "Mountain Gun" IMHO would have to be a 4" 63....... aka a "Kit Gun"

Given their lower peaks the "Appalachian Mountain Guns" would be three inch Model 65,66s and 60-10 and -15s.

[hkcavalier]

I like my 29-8 version, but it's way too pretty to take out into the woods.

My incoming 629-2 one is factory upgraded already with the Endurance package, bonus for me.

[VictorLouis]

Originally Posted by walnutred

.... Ivan the Butchers

father-in-law help inspire the design of the MG. ... He contacted S&W and said he thought a revolver in a certain configuration would be ideal... A month or so later a stainless prototype showed up at his door in 41 mag,.

O/K, I gather that Ivan is a member here. WHO is his F-I-L to warrant Smith's attention....and an ostensibly FREE GUN? John Taffin? Jerry Miculek?

[DR505]

Here is my 625 MG .45 Colt in front of my 25-9 .45 Colt. The original MG owner swapped in a red ramp front and white outline rear sights. I took the Goodyears off and added Ahrend's stocks made of Cordia wood.

[CH4]

Originally Posted by 75Vette

I've shown it before but this is my one and only. A 629-4 Mountain Gun wearing Culinas.

Good choice!
If you’re going to own just one MG, the 629-4 is the one to have!

[CWH44300]

[QUOTE=hkcavalier;140741850]

My incoming 629-2 one is factory upgraded already with the Endurance package, bonus for me.


Did the seller tell you that?

[m657]

About 12 years ago I bought a ANIB Mod 57 Mtn Gun in 41 mag that's one of my most accurate revolvers. It's very popular with anyone that shoots it.

[PALADIN85020]

I have two - this is the one I treasure, modified somewhat to conform to my tastes. It's a 625-6 from 1996.



The second one is a more recent blued job. I have no photo to show, because I'm ashamed to admit that I have it. It's one of those with an ugly hole in the left side of the frame....

John

[robvious]

my one and only (so far) is a 2005 625-9 in 45 Colt... have thought about having it cut for moonclips to add 45 ACP to the fun...
I wish the 617 MG would just be a catalog item...

[Joed49]

Originally Posted by walnutred

If I remember the story correctly Ivan the Butchers father-in-law help inspire the design of the MG. Ohio had recently allowed revolvers of a specific configuration for deer hunting. He contacted S&W and said he thought a revolver in a certain configuration would be ideal for deer hunting. A month or so later a stainless prototype showed up at his door in 41 mag, the caliber and material he requested. Year or two later I started seeing the same configuration show up in the LGS listed as the Mountain Gun. His F-I-L never claimed to help design the Mountain Gun, but the finished product was pretty close to the design he requested.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. To hunt deer in Ohio with a revolver the minimum barrel length is 5". The MG comes with 4" barrel.

[SuperMan]

"The second one is a more recent blued job. I have no photo to show, because I'm ashamed to admit that I have it. It's one of those with an ugly hole in the left side of the frame...."

John...I feel your shame... I bought one of the 57 MGs but never could bring myself to shoot it... The problem solved itself when one of my friend's son-in-laws who lives in Kalifornia wanted one so it was shipped where it was needed...

Bob

[DESERT ED]

Love my Mountain Revolver

[American1776]

I like the tapered barrel look on the n-frame.

I wish S&W would make a 4 inch, taper barrel N-frame with fixed sites. Like the M58 but with a tapered barrel. Or like the old .45 acp N-frames.

[InTheWoods]

This edition is rarely seen or mentioned. I bought this Grizzly Bear edition new from Graf and Sons right after Clinton put his famous gun restrictions in place. It came with a properly labeled box and papers explaining the nature and purpose of this special edition. Note that in addition to the Grizzly on the side plate, it has a white-outline rear sight and a red-ramp front sight. Unfortunately, I did not save either the box or the papers. I don't make that mistake these days!

A brief mention of this edition was made an early edition of the Standard Catalog, but it is not mentioned in the 3rd or 4th edition.

I have posted this gun before, and although a few other folks seem to be aware of this edition, few (or no) other specific examples seem to pop up. I don't know if SW made 20 of these or 200. I would love to find some one else in possession of the original special edition papers so I could get a copy.

Never shot a grizzly with it, although it has been carried while hiking in grizz county. It has killed four Missouri Whitetails, though.

EDIT: Just found the box, but not the special edition papers.

[reccpd101]

I don't think the grizzly would care if he got shot with the "grizzly marked" gun or not. He'd be equally unhappy till a few more from the same cylinder arrived.

I have 3 Mtn Guns. The attached photo shows my 686 and 629. My 625 is on loan to my brother right now and I don't have a photo. They are not pretty but the old round butt Pachmyr Compacts fit my small hands better than any other.

Smith could sell a bunch of 617 Mtn Guns if they'd advertise them
or bring out a 618.

When I was buying mine, they were so popular they were hard to get even new.

[reccpd101]

CURIOSITY got me. I just looked on Gunbroker for completed sales of the mountain gun no IL in 45 Colt and found one for $800 on 3/24. Durn, why couldn't I have been the blind hog that found that acorn. ?!!!!

[DR505]

Originally Posted by reccpd101

CURIOSITY got me. I just looked on Gunbroker for completed sales of the mountain gun no IL in 45 Colt and found one for $800 on 3/24. Durn, why couldn't I have been the blind hog that found that acorn. ?!!!!

Sorry you missed out on that. I got mine on gun broker...me and one other guy bidding...I think I got it for $730, but that was 4 or 5 years ago.

[jcs266]

I've had my 629-3 since 1997 when I got it used for $400 iirc. It's one of my most-carried handguns. THE perfect S&W revolver by my standards.

[needsmostuff]

I have bought every one I have found for sale. Sadly that is only one.
Not even a dollar short,,,,, I'm just always a day late.
This is it ,,,my WHOLE collection of mountain guns.

[Rule3]

Originally Posted by hkcavalier

No. Some versions are uncommon and others downright rare. Being IL guns there's not much collector interest though. This one might be destined for a new home soon --- I found a 1989 Mountain Revolver

I have the same one, so not posting a picture. It is one of my favorite revolvers. Actually loading some ammo for it now on my bench. One cartridge that reloading really pays for itself!

[kennethg]

To be specific, the 657-4 MTN gun in 41mag was not a big seller in 2000.
I bought a 629-5 MTN gun as well as the 657-4 mentioned above from RSR on 10-18-2000. I wanted the 629-5 at $455.10. The 657-4 was on sale for $394.08. Sandly, I only bought one 657-4. That is the only MTN gun I own that I have not fired and it will remain unfired as long as I own it. The 45ACP and the 45 Colt are a hoot to shoot.