Learn me on Mountain guns and Revolvers please

[Token]

Howdy all,

Long time S&W user but reasonably new to the forum.

Back around 1991 I bought, very lightly used, a 629-2 "Mountain Gun" (serial BDZ6XXX), or so I thought. It does not say Mountain Gun on the barrel, but it does say "MOUNTAIN" on the S&W box, the serial on the box matches the serial on the weapon, and the revolver has the slimmer tapered barrel and partial lug.

So I have always called it my Mountain Gun. But recently, at the range, a buddy of mine commented that he thought all MGs said MG on the barrel. So I started researching. And I came across something called a Mountain Revolver. But I have not found a lot of data on the MR.

So, does it sound like my pistol, which looks like a Mountain Gun but does not say Mountain Gun on it, might be a Mountain Revolver instead?

Today the pistol has some wear, I have carried and fired it extensively. Including a fair number of some pretty heavy loads, which my brief reading might indicate is not good for this early model. But, the lockup is tight and it still shoots extremely well. And I am not worried about value, it is more of a working tool to me. But I would like to figure out what I have.

(edit) Adding pictures

T!

[s&wchad]

The 629-2 Mountain Revolver was the first iteration. They weren’t marked as such, but had a tapered 4” barrel, a glassbead finish and the front of the cylinder was heavily chamfered. I believe about 5000 were produced.

Edit:
I see you added photos. Definitely a Mountain Revolver! Those Pachmayr Grippers were supplied by the factory.

Here's mine with Combat stocks added:

[Token]

Originally Posted by s&wchad

I see you added photos. Definitely a Mountain Revolver! Those Pachmayr Grippers were supplied by the factory.

Thanks, I will figure this forum out in a day or two.

In looking for the box and the information written there I found the receipt for when I got it in July of 1991, I paid $275 out the door for it from a local gun shop.

I have put thousands of rounds through it over the years. I used it for combat pistol competition in the mid 1990's and it is my favorite handgun for hunting backup.

T!

[s&wchad]

Originally Posted by Token

... I got it in July of 1991, I paid $275 out the door for it from a local gun shop.
T!

That was a great price, even back then! I paid twice that for a used one maybe 10 years ago, but it did come with a set of Combat stocks.

[6518John]

The bottom is our .44 Mag Mountain Revolver. I personally think it is one of the most versatile revolvers ever made. It is not so light that it is difficult shooting full-house magnum loads and it shoots specials like a .22.

I am a huge fan and frankly, would take it as my only gun, if responding to those “what if you could only have one gun” threads. It is amazingly effective with shot loads, shoots magnum loads well, and is a dream with .44 special. What more could one ask of a revolver?

[Buford57]

So now we know where 4 of the 5,000 went.



I am aware of at least 1 or 2 others in the hands of forum members. It is a versatile revolver and mine is not for sale.

[oldman10mm]

A pic of the box end label would be appreciated.

[Token]

Originally Posted by oldman10mm

A pic of the box end label would be appreciated.

Here is mine:

T!

[6518John]

I still have the original rubbers but I like shooting a .44 with target grips—those are John Culina’s on mine.

[TheHobbyist]

Thanks for your post. One of the best variants S&W developed for hunting, targets/plinking, and carry.

[hkcavalier]

I have a Mountain Revolver from 1991. Swapped the Pachs for Ahrends boot grips.

Mountain Guns are a fun sub-segment and one of the few S&Ws in IL form that have some collectibility.

[CWH44300]

There’s a few up in my neck of the woods
Mines been smoothed over a bit

[Tenn2]

Here is another one. Got it from my BIL in the early 90s.

[SLT223]

It’s kind of funny how the tapered barrel ejector shroud was standard and Smith moved away from it in favor of full lug bull barrels. There seems to be no lack interest in the old style barrel profile....for good reason if you ask me.

[UncleEd]

Originally Posted by SLT223

It’s kind of funny how the tapered barrel ejector shroud was standard and Smith moved away from it in favor of full lug bull barrels. There seems to be no lack interest in the old style barrel profile....for good reason if you ask me.

This, especially in regarding my thoughts about
the L-frames. Wished L-frame included the
tapered barrel/non lug configuration after
that frame size's introduction with the
Python-style profile.

Guess one could think of the Model 686 SSR as
a later-day iteration.

[emptymag]

The Mountain Guns are super-handy N-frames...
... and a 3-incher is even 'lighter' and handier!

[Acroyer]

My 625-6 in 45 Colt

[SLT223]

Originally Posted by UncleEd

This, especially in regarding my thoughts about
the L-frames. Wished L-frame included the
tapered barrel/non lug configuration after
that frame size's introduction with the
Python-style profile.

Guess one could think of the Model 686 SSR as
a later-day iteration.

This is exactly why I bought a couple 620’s. Though two-piece bull barreled they are typically 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of 686 MG, and still balance better than any full lug. When it comes accuracy the 620 is an absolute smoke show.

[Hank Dodge]

I really like the looks and the balance of the tapered barrels. Not able to find a .44 Special 4" anywhere, I stumbled upon a Mountain Revolver. It's a nice shooting handgun that travels well in a holster. I mostly run Specials through it, but the ability to carry full house Magnums is kinda' cool. Not liking the stock rubber grips, I installed a nice set of wooden grips. These are certainly worth picking up if you can find one at a fair price. I like that they don't have the "Mountain Gun" billboard down the side of the barrel.

[1911-10MM]

Love those Mountain Guns,

[oldman10mm]

The 357 in the above picture does not have the chamfered cylinder, is that a rare variation ?

[seldon14]

The 7 shot no lock 686 mountain gun is the only L frame I lust for.

[jack the toad]

Originally Posted by 1911-10MM

Love those Mountain Guns,

Me too...
(Poor pic so can't tell but same lay out as 1911-10MM)

[CH4]

I am also a huge fan of the Mountain Revolver and Gun.
In addition to my 629-2 I have two 629-4s and a 625-6. For my purposes they provide a lot of utility and are nice looking.

[Nemo288]

Welcome to the forum Token!
This is THE place for S&W knowledge and experience.
I am in awe of many of the members.

Looks like the Forum has a good percentage of those 629-2 MR's.
I got a Mountain Revolver when they first came out.
Still enjoy that bead blast finish every time I look at it
The recoil of full magnum loads had the gun pointing straight up at the sky.
(I use the Elmer Keith tight hands, loose elbows style hold.)
Sent it in to MagNaPort so as to destroy any collectors value as thoroughly as possible.
Glad I did.
(It also got a ball-detent crane lock and some other goodies.)
Easy and pleasant to shoot now even with the extra muzzle blast.
I used the S&W 500 grips until I got Herretts to make me a custom set that carries easier and looks way better.
My only complaint would be the huge chamber throats.
Mine measure .433" but will shoot well if the bullets are given a swift enough kick in the pants.
The little piece of rubber glued on the back of the trigger is an easy trigger stop.
Give it a try.

[CWH44300]

Originally Posted by Nemo288

Looks like the Forum has a good percentage of those 629-2 MR's.
I got a Mountain Revolver when they first came out.
Still enjoy that bead blast finish every time I look at it
The recoil of full magnum loads had the gun pointing straight up at the sky.
(I use the Elmer Keith tight hands, loose elbows style hold.)
Sent it in to MagNaPort so as to destroy any collectors value.
Glad I did.
(It also got a ball-detent crane lock and some other goodies.)
Easy and pleasant to shoot now even with the extra muzzle blast.
I used the S&W 500 grips until I got Herretts to make me a custom set that carries easier and looks way better.
My only complaint would be the huge chamber throats.
Mine measure .433" but will shoot well if the bullets are given a swift enough kick in the pants.
The little piece of rubber glued on the back of the trigger is an easy trigger stop.
Give it a try.

Beautiful sixgun
Those Troopers are amazing
chris

[Nemo288]

Originally Posted by CWH44300

Beautiful sixgun
Those Troopers are amazing
chris

Herretts always made nice grips for decades and are sorely missed.
Their extra figure walnut is the nicest I own and some of the nicest I have ever seen.
I lucked out big time.
Those N-round grips did start life as Troopers but were too big.
Herretts cut them down some (no cost!) and they resemble Shooting Masters now.
I have since added another coat of Dembart "London Oil" finish and the figure stands out more.
Look more like the N-square Troopers on the 624:
Done right, Dembart gives you that "3D" effect where the figure changes as you move the gun like you are looking down into the grips.
(Sorry for the thread creep but I love my Herretts)

[CWH44300]

Originally Posted by Nemo288

Herretts always made nice grips for decades and are sorely missed.
Their extra figure walnut is the nicest I own and some of the nicest I have ever seen.
I lucked out big time.
Those N-round grips did start life as Troopers but were too big.
Herretts cut them down some (no cost!) and they resemble Shooting Masters now.
I have since added another coat of Dembart "London Oil" finish and the figure stands out more.
Look more like the N-square Troopers on the 624:
Done right, Dembart gives you that "3D" effect where the figure changes as you move the gun like you are looking down into the grips.
(Sorry for the thread creep but I love my Herretts)

More thread creep, sorry but lots of us love nice stocks
I have a nice set on an old 629 but I like the darker marble on yours. Makes them really stand out on the stainless.

[Puller]

So, is the shortened and tapered ejector shroud the primary characteristic of a Mountain Gun?

[StrawHat]

As I understand it the Mountain Guns shared the following specifications, 4” tapered barrel, standard ejector shroud, beveled edge kn the cylinder, and a rounded grip frame.

Kevin

[ladder13]

657-4. 41mag

[richcory]

I’m in. Picked mine up used. It actually just came back from the mothership with the master action package done to it.

Cory

[Nemo288]

Originally Posted by CWH44300

More thread creep, sorry but lots of us love nice stocks
I have a nice set on an old 629 but I like the darker marble on yours. Makes them really stand out on the stainless.

Had I seen one available locally, I would have ended up with a standard 4" 629 like yours instead of the MR.
I used to haunt the LGS's on a weekly and sometimes daily basis in the 80's and 90's.
At this point I can't tell you what appealed to me about the MR other than it looks identical to the 4" 624 which I had at the time.
I was kind of disappointed that it (a) had drastic muzzle flip compared to the 6" standard 629 and (b) was a round butt unlike the 624.
However I love the frosted finish then and now.
After getting it fixed up to my liking I grew to enjoy it way more.

Originally Posted by StrawHat

As I understand it the Mountain Guns shared the following specifications, 4” tapered barrel, standard ejector shroud, beveled edge on the cylinder, and a rounded grip frame.

I could swear that when they were looking around to make an exotic version of the 629* someone said "Hey! Lets put a 624 barrel on a 629. Easy Peasy."
So they hauled out the 4" 624 barrel drawings, put whiteout over the "624" and typed "629-2 MR" over them.
The only difference I see is a slight taper on the right front side of the ejector shroud of the 624 which they did away with**.
Only S&W (maybe) could tell us now whether they changed the metallurgy or heat treatment.
They sold out fast enough that the concept was extended and re-marketed as Mountain Gun in several calibers.

*Possibly at a 3 martini lunch.
** I see some later Mountain Guns went back to the 624 style taper on the right side of the shroud.

[bdGreen]

Originally Posted by StrawHat

As I understand it the Mountain Guns shared the following specifications, 4” tapered barrel, standard ejector shroud, beveled edge kn the cylinder, and a rounded grip frame.

Kevin

Yep, that pretty much covers it.

enjoy,
bdGreen

[Loyaljeeper]

Originally Posted by emptymag

The Mountain Guns are super-handy N-frames...
... and a 3-incher is even 'lighter' and handier!

Give us the specifics. Is it exactly 3”? Who did the work?

[Nemo288]

Originally Posted by Loyaljeeper

Give us the specifics. Is it exactly 3”? Who did the work?

Well as long as I am promoting thread creep, here is a tapered barrel 3" N Frame:
Lew Horton specified and sold most of these.
I actually prefer the L Frame 44's to 3" N frames.
They are better balanced and shoot better IMHO.

[emptymag]

^^^^Loyaljeeper>>>>
I did the work on this Smith five years ago (sold it on Gunbroker, shortly thereafter). It was a -2, and I believe it already had those grips on it when I bought it.
As a 4-incher, it was already QUAD ported...,
so I chopped it right behind the first set of ports, and decided on 3 and 1/8 inches to give ample distance to the remaining ports. Blended and re-crowned muzzle.
I re-machined the barrel's ramp, and the front sight blade, to allow use of the original orange-insert blade. I also machined a little off the rear sight blade and notch to correct the 'sight picture'.
I re-profiled the (usually quite distinct) ejector shroud to somewhat mimic that of a K-frame's. I also rounded the front/bottom portion of the frame (below the crane's pivot point). All of that by hand.
I did the usual re-shaping of the cylinder latch for speedloader use. Polished the ejector rod and screw heads, then fresh glass-beadblasted the rest.
I am currently working on another similar project, and shopping for grips.

[StrawHat]

Here are two of mine that follow all the specifications for Mountain Revolvers. The stainless one actually is a Model 625-6 Mountain Gun. The other is the Foothills Revolver I built back in the 80s.

Both are chambered for the 45 ACP cartridge.

Kevin

[richcory]

Here's two more shots of my MR. I also included some real ****** photos of a Mountain Gun, it's a newer Model 29. I had some other photos, but I can't find them.

Cory

[reccpd101]

I have all the calibers of Mountain Guns EXCEPT the 22LR. Anyone out there want to part with theirs?