First Mountain Gun?

[Snapping Twig]

The first official mountain revolver was a 44mag IIRC, but IMO the real first mountain revolver/gun was the 4" 44spl.

Square butt, pencil barrel, short cylinder and handy.

Anyone else think this was the springboard for what was to become the mountain series?

At the very least, a 44Spl is identical to a 45 colt ballistics. Same weight bullet at the same velocity with only a slight diameter difference.

Look at this and tell me if you see a mountain gun in its lines.

FWIW, as soon as I finish a project I am in the middle of, these grips will be replaced with a nice set of smooth wood Hogues I've already picked out.

 

[twistedracer]

Other than not having the blackpowder bevel on the cylinder it looks alot like a MG

 

[ElToro]

conveniently im in the bay area as well... i will take that horrible mountain gun imposter off your hands..



nice gun

 

[Ron H.]

The first official mountain revolver was a 44mag IIRC, but IMO the real first mountain revolver/gun was the 4" 44spl.

Square butt, pencil barrel, short cylinder and handy.

Anyone else think this was the springboard for what was to become the mountain series?

At the very least, a 44Spl is identical to a 45 colt ballistics. Same weight bullet at the same velocity with only a slight diameter difference.

Look at this and tell me if you see a mountain gun in its lines.

FWIW, as soon as I finish a project I am in the middle of, these grips will be replaced with a nice set of smooth wood Hogues I've already picked out.

Sir, FWIW, in terms of lines, I think you need to go back rather further than a 624--more like the 1950 Target. And .44 special ballistics don't get into .45 Colt territory unless you're talking handloads.

JMHO.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Yeah, I'm talking handloads. Something @ 900fps.

I can see going back in history and I was concerned about where the real beginning was. I settled on the 624 because it is a modern N frame in stainless, but your point is well taken and valid.

Anyone else?

 

[lebomm]

No argument from me, but I've only got seven .44 Specials right now, including 4" 24-3 and 624. Had 3 others, but they got away.

Larry

 

[BUFF]

If we are looking back, perhaps the first 3-1/2 and 4 inch .357 Magnums (the Registered, 1935-era) were the first of this format.

That and Mountain Guns have round butts and say "Mountain Gun" on them.

 

[SuperMan]

I think the thing that many people overlook is that "real" Mountain Guns have round butts. Otherwise you could classify a Model 27 4" as a Mountain Gun.

If we're talking round butt N frame only (leaving out the 686 MG), the the first MG would have been the 625-4 Springfield Armory Commemorative. After that there was the 629-2 Mountain Revolver in 1989 with the 629 Mountain Gun coming in 1993.

Bob

 

[holo]

i like it mtn. gun or not

 

[Muley Gil]

I've owned a few Mountain Guns, but have pared them down to what I feel are the most useful: a M625 in .45 ACP and a M629. The former is the best fightin' revolver around, using full moon clips, and the latter is a great trail gun.

I once had a 4" M24-3. I roundbutted it after I got it, so I guess I owned the FIRST Mountain Gun. I bought the M629 MG to replace that M24-3, which it has done well; plus, I have the option using .44 Magnum ammo if I wish.

We have a number of critters here in the Blue Ridge for which that a heavy loaded Special would appropiate.

 

[tdan]

<If we're talking round butt N frame only (leaving out the 686 MG), the the first MG would have been the 625-4 Springfield Armory Commemorative. After that there was the 629-2 Mountain Revolver in 1989 with the 629 Mountain Gun coming in 1993.>

Actually, the the 625-4 SAC Mountain Revolver was a limited run of 500 for Lew Horton in 1994. The first Mountain Gun(as designated by the laser script on the barrel) was indeed the 629. As far as I'm concerned, if it does not say Mountain Gun on the barrel, it is not one!

 

[Alk8944]

While there are several earlier models which share some similar features with the "Mountain Gun" series, there simply was not a Mountain Gun until S&W (said there was) decided to use this as a model name.

As you. no doubt, know, A "Mountain Gun" is defined by:

Standard barrel
Beveled cylinder
Round butt frame
Adjustable sights
Stainless steel, for the most part
Fine bead-blasted finish
"Mountain Gun" roll-marked or etched on barrel

If any of these features is missing it may be similar, or even very similar, but it simple is not a Mountain Gun. Not even if it is a "Mountain Revolver".

FWIW, I have owned both a .44 Mountain Gun and a .44 Mountain Revolver (currently). If I could gave found a 4" 24-3 or a 4" 624 I would have been perfectly happy and never bought either .44 Magnum. Either will easily handle any load I wish to use in this type gun.

 

[Snapping Twig]

So, it appears the 4" 624 isn't really considered a mountain variety.

Gotta be a round butt, got to be 4" barrel and got to have a BP cylinder profile.

Here's some more from my "almost a mtn. gun" stash.

You got RB, but no BP scallop or 4" barrel.

Here's the magnum I made back in 89.

For all intents, I've carried this magnum as my personal Mtn. gun for the last 20+ years. It's exactly what the Dr. ordered IMO.

 

[one eye joe]

REAL Mountain Guns are so scripted @ the factory, and have 4" tapered semi-lugged barrels, beveled cylinders, and round butts. Anything else is a look-a-like, but not a TRUE Mountain Gun.

 

[SgtSam]

Well, a very interesting little thread.

I have a "blued", real Mountain Gun. It's an M25 in .45Colt. I found it at one of my local shops a while back. They had both the stainless, 625, and blued, 25, in .45Colt. I really wanted both, but simply could not afford it. So, I opted for the blued. It was a better looking gun, had some really nice wood stocks on it, not the typical you find on S&W, and it sorta' spoke sweet and softly to me and got my heart goin' pitter-patter! So I took her home. And it really does have the S&W engraving on the barrel that says "Mountain Gun". So, I guess she's the real thing!

Alas, she has found another soul mate in my gun cabinet. A Ruger, stainless Bisley Blackhawk Convertible, 45Colt/45ACP. I do get to take her out once in a while, but I think her heart belongs to the Bisley!

 

[one eye joe]

Well, a very interesting little thread.

I have a "blued", real Mountain Gun. It's an M25 in .45Colt. I found it at one of my local shops a while back. They had both the stainless, 625, and blued, 25, in .45Colt. I really wanted both, but simply could not afford it. So, I opted for the blued. It was a better looking gun, had some really nice wood stocks on it, not the typical you find on S&W, and it sorta' spoke sweet and softly to me and got my heart goin' pitter-patter! So I took her home. And it really does have the S&W engraving on the barrel that says "Mountain Gun". So, I guess she's the real thing!

Alas, she has found another soul mate in my gun cabinet. A Ruger, stainless Bisley Blackhawk Convertible, 45Colt/45ACP. I do get to take her out once in a while, but I think her heart belongs to the Bisley!

She won't be the 1st to fall in love with a Bisley......