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]

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]

... 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]

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]

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]

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,