Mountain Gun vs Mod 69 combat magnum

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Casual Smith Nut

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To those of you who may own both the 44 Mountain Gun and the 4 inch model 69, how do they compare in:
-feel/balance (very subjective i realize)
-recoil with warm specials to moderate magnums (1,000 fps 240gr ballpark and under), no wrist-breakers
-any other points to consider

The Mountain Gun will have 6 in the cylinder vs 5 capacity. It also holds more value from a collector standpoint than the newer sleeved barrel mod 69. However I’m interested to hear some feedback and opinions from the standpoint of the shooting experience.
 
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Own both & honestly to me, the differences in shooting are very minor. Both of mine had action jobs done by S&W, they both wear X-frame rubber stocks also. I have carried them both when hunting in Montana. I like them both & wouldn't sell either one

Cory
 
I owned 2 629 Mountain guns and enjoyed shooting them.One was a dash 3 the other a dash 4.
With the Hogue rubber grips on them and shooting mid power loads of 240gr LSWC over 8.5 gr of Unique powder in .44mag cases I enjoyed my days at the range.
I at one time was interested in the Model 69 2.75" but those that I looked at all had cosmetic and assembly issues(canted and over torqued barrels.
IMO 44mag is best in an N frame.
 
I don't have a 69 but my 625-6 MG in .45 Colt is just a honey as far as balance, weight and shootability. But for the finish, it's as close as one can get to the modern, pencil barrels and half shrouded N frames of old. A .44 would be a tiny bit heavier but not enough to worry about. I have a set of the late, great Tedd Adamovich's stocks on mine. He also made me a set of grips for my 24-3 and if I had it to do over, I'd have had him make me a set of round to squares for the MG as the squares he made for my 24-3 are just the best feeling revolver stocks I've ever handled.
 
I should add that I carry the M69 more often than my M629-4 MG. It's just because it weighs ever so slightly less & I don't need the extra round.

Cory
 
The only real question is, how big is your hand? The shooting difference really lies in the grip and how the gun handles. I feel that the 69 defeats the purpose of an N frame mountain gun.
 
I have both a standard 4 inch barrel 629-4 and a MG 629-4. The differences between the two are noticeable enough when handling and shooting that they really are different animals. I imagine the the difference is comparable between the MG and the 69?
 
I carried a Mountain Gun for about 10 years in Montana and northwest Wyoming.
I didn't find the recoil bad but I was younger then.

The 4 inch 69 I have now surprised me, there are no "wrist breaking" loads.
The L frame .44 has a slightly lower bore to hand ratio, and even a 265 grain @ 1300 doesn't slam back against the web of my hand.
It does lift your hands and arms up though.

My 66-8 with full power loads is more unpleasant in the recoil department than the M69.
While the N frame is the "standard" for the .44 mag., I'd rather have the L frame .44 any day.
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I have a 4 inch Model 69 and own a 29-3 4 inch. In the past i have had other 29s and 629s. My favorite and best shooting 44 magnum is the model 69. I have Pachmayr's on it now and they take the bite out of the high end magnums but I really shoot very little of those. The sleeved barrel is very accurate in the examples I have used. Also a canted barrel per se is impossible a canted sleeve yes but I personally have never seen one and have looked at several 69's. Just having 5 shots is no big deal for me.
For the purists the sleeved barrel and the lock are problems but for me it is all about real function and shooting and the model 69 is at the top IMO.
 
Spent a lot of time carrying a 4 inch N frame in the woods. Then I bought a 2.75 inch model 69. Loaded with 250 grain wide flat nose cast at about 1000 fps, it is now my "go to" woods walking rig when I am in bear / moose country. Very controllable, and just as accurate at 25 yards as my 4 inch N frame guns.

Even though there is only a couple ounces difference, and a small decrease in size compared to an N frame, the way the 69 handles and carries makes it feel notably smaller.
And the shorter trigger reach on the L frame compared to an N frame helps with people who have smaller hands.

Yea, love my N frames, but I have become a big 69 fan.

Larry
 
Last edited:
I have had a 69 for a few years now , it has become one of my favourites.
The 69 has excellent balance and with good fitting stocks points instinctively and is quite manageable
I have fired some heavy “ bear defence” rounds through it and did not find it to be a “wrist breaker”
I have no experience with the mountain gun but love my heavy barrel 4 1/4” 629 I like it more than the 69 but just barely, if it was to be carried very far I’d take the 69
 
I've had both, still have the M69s (both barrel lengths). I agree with the above posts extolling the virtues of the M69. I have around 15,000 rnds thru several m69s of both bbl lengths - my favorite revolver platform!

Here are some measurement comparisons:

629 Mtn Gun weighs 39 oz
M69 L Frame weighs 37 oz

629 Mtn Gun Cylinder Diameter: 1.70”
M69 L Frame Cylinder Diameter: 1.56”

629 Mtn Gun Cylinder Length: 1.705”
M69 L Frame Cylinder Length: 1.670”

(Note: The M69 cylinder is 1.670 inches and isn't recessed for cartridge rims -- a 1.712" hand load fits, but is right at the face of the cylinder. Lymans No 49 edition shows OAL w their 425421 Keith Bullet is 1.710". A .429 minus plug gauge will enter all throats a .430 plug will not.)

629 Mtn Gun Frame Window - Height: 1.735“
M69 L Frame - Frame Window Height: 1.600“

629 Mtn Gun Frame Window – Width: 1.880“
M69 L Frame - Frame Window Width: 1.820“

629 Mtn Gun Cylinder Wall at Narrowest Point: .095” -- (.0900” between chambers)
M69 L Frame Cylinder Wall at Narrowest Point: .060 “ -- ( .130 “ between chambers)
(629 Cyl Bolt Cuts are over the chamber while M69 bolt cuts are between chambers)

629 Mtn Gun Frame Top Strap – Width: .665“
M69 L Frame - Frame Top Strap Width: .665“

629 Mtn Gun Frame Top Strap – Height: .220“ to top of frame (includes sight mortiss)
M69 L Frame - Frame Top Strap Height: .210“ to top of frame (includes sight mortiss)

629 Mtn Gun Barrel Shank OD: .630“
M69 L Frame - Barrel Shank OD: .620“

629 Mtn Gun Frame Over Barrel OD: .900“
M69 L Frame - Frame Over Barrel OD: .880“

629 Mtn Gun Trigger Reach: 3.10“ (same grips for both 629 & M69)
M69 L Frame - Trigger Reach: 3.00 “

Brian Pearce -- Bolt notches weakest point - M69 thicker than M629 at this location

FWIW,

Paul
 
Mike said:
I have owned mountain guns, 24's, 696 and 624's forever......I have no need for a 69.
Click to expand...

I had the exact same ideas about the 69 until I shot and handled a friends. I found one on GB and bought it the next day. I guess that says how impressed I was. Still like the N frames but the 69 is great.
 
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