Model 69 Combat Magnum
Model 629 Mountain Gun
For the purpose of a packing sidearm in the woods how would you compare these two? To be hunting legal, whatever carried needs a 4" barrel locally so clearly these two would be very good choices. This would be used in the the mountains primarily as a defensive sidearm against whatever happens upon you in the mountains which is carried a lot and shot very little.
The 69 is 5oz lighter, 1.5" shorter, and has the improved ball detent lockup. While it has the internal lock, a delete kit is available and sights could easily be swapped to a brass bead or fiber optic at home. The lower bore axis of the smaller frame will have marginally more linear recoil.
The 629 Mountain Gun has the advantage of another round on board and a few factory upgrades in grips, sights, etc. It looks much nicer but that doesn't necessarily mean it shoots better. More mass will help tame 44mag recoil more but also makes you carry more as a sidearm all day. No stupid internal lock not only looks better but removes unnecessary mechanical complexity which is nice, though I've never had any problems with the lock in function.
I'm excited about the new mountain guns. I have one of each on order. My favorite firearm at the moment happens to be my 69. It just carries like a dream and shoots well. It gets a little zesty with full power magnum loads but shooting 310gr at 1100fps is plenty comfortable for under 100 rounds and will stop most any threat or game animal in the Ozarks
- Weight 34.19 oz
- Width 1.55 in
- Height 6 in
- Length 7.8 in
- Capacity 5-shot
- Ball-Detent Lock-Up
- Lower bore axis to grip on L Frame
- pinned in sights allow for changing to user preference
Model 629 Mountain Gun
- Weight 39 oz
- Width 1.71 in
- Height 5.88 in
- Length 9.63 in
- Capacity 6-shot
- no lock
- pinned in sights allow for changing to user preference but upgraded from the factory
For the purpose of a packing sidearm in the woods how would you compare these two? To be hunting legal, whatever carried needs a 4" barrel locally so clearly these two would be very good choices. This would be used in the the mountains primarily as a defensive sidearm against whatever happens upon you in the mountains which is carried a lot and shot very little.
The 69 is 5oz lighter, 1.5" shorter, and has the improved ball detent lockup. While it has the internal lock, a delete kit is available and sights could easily be swapped to a brass bead or fiber optic at home. The lower bore axis of the smaller frame will have marginally more linear recoil.
The 629 Mountain Gun has the advantage of another round on board and a few factory upgrades in grips, sights, etc. It looks much nicer but that doesn't necessarily mean it shoots better. More mass will help tame 44mag recoil more but also makes you carry more as a sidearm all day. No stupid internal lock not only looks better but removes unnecessary mechanical complexity which is nice, though I've never had any problems with the lock in function.
I'm excited about the new mountain guns. I have one of each on order. My favorite firearm at the moment happens to be my 69. It just carries like a dream and shoots well. It gets a little zesty with full power magnum loads but shooting 310gr at 1100fps is plenty comfortable for under 100 rounds and will stop most any threat or game animal in the Ozarks
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