My best wife in the world has given me the OK for my next grail.

Why? Like you, I LOVE older S&W wheel guns. My happy spot is 1980s stainless steel. Just personal preference. Main use will be range fun, and some occasional carry in the woods. She'll be a safe queen more than anything, but will get used a few times a year.

Now... The .357 Mag or .44 Mag? It must be either the 4" 686 or the 4" MG. I'm not interested in anything else... "For now". Eventually I'll have a safe full of variety though.

I've always wanted another pre-lock 4" 686 like I used to carry as a LEO back in "the day". There is a large sentimental factor here.

I've always wanted a .44 mountain gun. There is no sentimental factor here, BUT I can feel more confident woods walking with it. I do not live where there are grizzly bears. Only black bears, mountain lions and hogs.

So... I already have ONE j-frame .38/.357, AND one .44 Mag 5" v-comp. I do NOT want to add another caliber to the mix as I already have one of each... Eventually I will have BOTH, but it might be a few years before I can get the other.

Which "for now"? Decisions, decisions. THANKS GUYS!

__________________
Veteran, Former LEO, NRA Lifer

Follow your HEART!!!! You only "go-around once".

Considering the description of the wildlife in your area, I'd go with the 629!

__________________
Ed

I can’t imagine the fun of touching off a 240gr 44 magnum load out of a mountain gun.

(Probably one reason why I bought a 4” 686.)

If you reload, the 44. If shooting factory loads, the .357.

Hard choice, very hard. You'll buy both over time.

You will have a much easier time finding a 629 MG and it sounds like it would suit your needs better.

I already have a M29 and two M629s, but I'd trade my M686 in a second for another M29.

I really need another 4" so I can reenact this picture:

Attached Images

Elmer Keith.jpg (41.2 KB, 218 views)

I wanna see that!!

__________________
Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Get the 686 and take the 5" v-comp for woods walking. You'll have the best of both.

I have a M629 Mountain Gun and you should have one too!

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Out of my two 686's this no-dash 6" is my favorite shooter with a High Patridge front sight and a Millet rear sight

My other one is a -6, 5" 7 round 686.

.357s are my favorite.

There are far fewer pre lock 629 mountain guns than there are standard prelock 686. They will become harder to locate as time goes on. A prelock 686 plus 4inch would be a closer challenge to locate as a mountain gun.

If looking for the six shooter 686, get the mountain gun first. If the 686 plus prelock, flip a coin.

My favorite was my 686+ 3"
Until I bought a 629 6"
I bought a 686+ 6" after that but still favored the 629
Then I bought this 686-1 , 4", and there is just something about this gun. I'm thinking it may be my favorite now.

Attached Images

	20181029_173839.jpg (150.2 KB, 23 views)
	20181029_173623.jpg (144.8 KB, 26 views)

Here's my take:

I recently got interested in revolvers again. Acquired a six inch 686. But I also had the itch, so I got a 6.5 inch 629.

Since I handload, I can do anything I want with the .44. Slow target stuff (800 fps) to grizzly loads. The .357 is kind of superfluous. I plan on hanging onto it, just because, but really, if you load, the .44 will do it all.

If you don't load, however, you have a decision to make. 44 mag commercial ammo is all loaded pretty hot, so you're stuck with that. If you want more moderate recoil, go with .357.

Get a 629 6" and have it cut down to 5" so you don't have to deal with that ugly full lug! I did this, had Mark Hartshorne do the work plus some extra. I'll make a separate post with pictures but it was my "grail gun" since Smith and Wesson never really made one.

No doubt. Buying one (either one) cannot satisfy the desire for the other.

Yes... That makes perfect sense. I came to the same conclusion probably about the same time that you were typing this. I already have a full size .44, but do not have a full size .357. Done, I'll get the .357 now and the MG later. The PC V-Comp is a tack driver. She'll do for now. It's been reworked by the S&W custom shop and I am VERY happy with it.

Hmmm... Now this post has me thinking. I never put much thought in the "plus", but I like the idea of the extra shot just for fun.

I have NO experience with the "plus". Is it cylinder diameter much larger to accommodate the extra round? IF I can find a pre-lock version, I might seriously consider this route.

Thanks everyone... I love this forum.

__________________
Veteran, Former LEO, NRA Lifer

How about a 686 Mountain gun S&W made one pre IL version in the seven shot 686-5+ MG but it has an internal firing pin and MIM parts.

The 629 MG is a bit stout and leaves my palm bright red after 6 rounds of Magnums with RB to SB wood conversion grips, .44 Specials are no problem ,
plan on getting rubber X frame grips that cover the backstrap for Magnums.

If you prefer the older hammer mounted firing pin the seven shot 686-4+ is the high water mark in its evolution.


Would have been easier to buy a 5" full underlug and remove the extra lug, have seen this done on a 586 that came out very nice.

OK guys... The 686 it is for now. DONE!

So... 6 shot or 7 shot with no lock??? I'll settle for a 1990's version if it's what it takes to get a 7 shooter... IF I want a 7 shooter... I don't know if I want a 7 shooter.. Pros/Cons??

Dang... Too many choices. I guess that's a good problem to have.

__________________
Veteran, Former LEO, NRA Lifer

I thought so too! I went back and forth on it but the machinists and smiths I spoke with were very concerned about being able to keep the barrel evenly cooled while doing it. Price wise it was sixes so I opted for the cut down and got DX style sights out of it.

For woods carry/backpacking I carry a MG, either in 44 mag or 45 Colt.

Here I am a month ago carrying my 45 Colt MG in a Galco Alaskan chest rig while trekking through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. A great companion!

Attached Images

	90B626D0-5D9B-412A-B324-9A53629F226C.jpg (103.9 KB, 30 views)
	2EAB84F0-0B91-4DD3-B660-E9B0945F3BEA.jpg (130.1 KB, 32 views)
	1D01C65F-AF1C-4BA6-9705-76A3708929BF.jpg (102.7 KB, 34 views)

I have two 7 shot L frames and IMO they are awesome.

The seven shot times much faster than a 6 shot K, L or N frame revolver because the distance between the stop notches is closer , this means less distance the hand has to advance the cylinder to the next charge hole.
You will also quickly notice the trigger doesnt have to be pulled as far to cycle.....You get used to it very quickly and I like it.

While that extra cylinder hole reduces weight more importantly it reduces "cylinder weight" which is a moving part so helps even more,
(There is a saying in bicycles that shaving an oz off a wheel is like shaving a lb off the frame because it is moving weight)

While an extra round is a huge plus in itself another advantage is that an odd number cylinder (5 or 7) puts the stop notches over solid steel (behind the cylinder flutes) where an even number cylinder puts the stop notches right over the charge holes where they are the thinnest (weak spot).

The only cons are that the Pre IL/MIM 7 shot L frames fetch a premium but you recoup that if you ever sell it ... they say price is quickly forgotten but quality lasts.

686-5 MG wearing older S&W stocks
[IMG][/IMG]

Good luck on your decision

It's funny, but I suspect this is a common experience. Getting my first 44 pretty much instantly relegated my 38s and 357s to the safe. The only 357 that gets play these days is my Chiappa Rhino, due largely to how incredibly awesome it is.

And I agree wholeheartedly about handloading, but will add that shooting factory 44 SPL is an option if you don't reload. Precision One sells reasonably priced 44 SPL practice ammo.

Here's my 5" 1/2 lug 7 shot 686-6. I know, its not a 629.
This was a Stocking Dealer Exclusive and less than 400 were made.

Well, I kinda have what you asked about.



My 686+ is a -6 and was bought new in 2012 ... yes, it has the stupid lock but it hasn’t made a peep in over 3K rounds (about half magnums)

My 629-3 is from 1990 (almost 1980’s) but as a 6” it isn’t a MG.



My heirs will have to decide which one goes first, because I’ll never sell either of them. They’re both incredibly accurate. My 686+ was a constant woods companion for years, until this year when I bought the 629. For now, it reigns supreme on my hip in the woods.

Either one would be an excellent choice, and I envy you for getting to select one!

However, I also pity you for being forced to leave one behind for now.

For myself there is no appeal of firing 44 Magnum loads in relatively light short barreled revolver. I would chose the 4" 686 over a 44 Mag in a Mountain revolver. Then again I may shoot several hundred rounds of 357 every year.

In your shoes I would probably pick up which ever I could find first at a livable price.