Let's talk Mountain Guns

[Dave T]

Believe the 24-3 is a round butt, look again.

The 4" 24-3 is a SB, the LH 3" did have a RB.

Hey guys, being able to carry a gun in the mountains does not a "Mountain Gun" make! Good grief, every thing then becomes a mountain gun, even semi-autos. By definition the MG is the immediate descendent of the Mountain Revolver. My understanding, and what I based the blue 45 ACP version I had built upon, was a 6 shot N-frame of sufficient caliber for defense against things that might hurt you (number of legs not specified). They had tapered 4" barrels, round butts and beveled cylinders, all to take a few ounces off the weight. Those I've seen (mostly stainless versions) had a frosted or mat finish, since deep pre-27 type bluing would be wasted on a hard service holster gun.

I think (but he can correct me) that's what the OP had in mind. I've even read a few posts claiming the L-frame MG doesn't belong in the family but, since S&W included it that argument is kind of weak. (smile)

Dave

 

[Engine49guy]

Mountain Guns are at the top of my favorite S&W revolver list.

Chattcat as Dave T points out the 4" 24-3 was a SB frame ,
The 4" posted above is a RB conversion but its chambered in .44 special so is it a MG ? Im not sure yet what makes a MG a MG except the barrel marking.

The thread title invites us to "Talk Mountain Guns" but unless the basic criteria that makes a Mountain Gun can be etablished, how can we decide what is and isnt one ?

Problem is S&W set the standard then kept changing the features,
The 686-5 + MG doesnt have a Chamfered cylinder , is the only L frame , the only 7 shot revolver and also the only one with a caliber beginning
with a "3" in the MG group but S&W put Mountain Gun on the barrel so it is one .

OK so ultimately if S&W calls it a MG it is one but what about the Springfield commemorative that meets the basic criteria and has more of the original MG features than the 686 MG like the chamfered cylinder , N frame , caliber beginning in "4" etc but it does not say MG on the barrel ?
If the two were layed out side by side and you had to choose the "Mountain gun" which one would you select ?

The point is S&W didnt make it easy when they set the standard then kept changing it.

 

[irish_11]

Can I play? I only have one "Mountain Gun" as well, but its actually a 629-5 "Mountain Backpacker". 3" barrel that the PO had ported. I actually just picked it up last Friday and put it through its paces Sunday. Needless to say it put a smile on my face. I was looking for a 4" Mountain Gun in .44 but the came up and I'm glad I went for it. Hopefully it fits in here with everyone else impressive models.

 

[Engine49guy]

Cool Mountain Backpacker that made me realize two other characteristics all Mountain Guns have in common,
The fluted cylinder and steel frame.

1) Round butt frame.
2) Tapered 4" barrel with ejector rod shroud.
3) Target site with Blue Baughman FS blade.
4) Smooth .375 Combat Trigger / .400 Semi Target hammer.
5) SS or Blued steel frame and cylinder (No airweights)

Optional
6) Chamfered cylinder. (except 686 MG)
7) Rubber grips (except 29-8 MG)
8) Caliber beginning in"4" (except 686 MG)
9) 6 shot N frame (except 686 MG)
10) SS finish (except 29-8 MG)
11) Magnum caliber (except 625 MG)

Did I miss any ?

 

[wingnuut]

The Govenor is the mt. gun #4 in 1st cyl for partridge 2 45long colt for any thing in the woods or 45 acp , if all else fails you have a nice club!

 

[Snapping Twig]

My favorite, this one, the precursor - the original.

624 no dash

 

[Marshal Tom]

I was asking about original MTN Guns not all the other stuff and probably should not have said anything about the model 24-3 and the 624 as possibly being MTN Guns. What one do you like the best and Why? Is that better?

Tom

 

[Engine49guy]

My favorite is the 686-5 + Mountain gun, 7 rounds of Magnum firepower than can shoot cheap .38 special at the range and is lighter than a Model 66, They need to offer this configuration in a SB as a regular production model.

My second choice is the .44 mag version,
Another 2 caliber combo gun that is the logical step up in power if .357 Mag might not be enough to get the job done.
.45 and 41 are OK but one has no factory ammo option to step up to Magnum power off the range
The other has no step down to non magnum power when off the "mountain" and at the range.

 

[gssp]

Really? Poor 45 Colt ammo selection?

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=1

Standard and heavy. I realize the N frame is not designed for the heavy loads but it will stand up to the few that you might need in a life or death situation.

Alan

 

[ILLWIND]

I had until recently an original 7 shot .357 Mtn Gun and traded it away to a LGS for a 696. I loved my Mtn gun and didn't really want to sell it but wanted something else more. I was also thinking at the time that I would prefer to have a 625-6 Mtn gun and have it converted by TK to shoot 45 ACP as well. I consider the 4" 624 and 24 to be in the same catagory.

What is your favorite Mtn gun and why?

Hi Marshall Tom, How's it going. (I sold you a set of Cokes a few years ago.) Hope all is well.
I only have a 625-4 SAC 1/500....kind of the predecessor to the Mountain Gun series. Excellent feel to it. I wish for more.

 

[Mike Grasso]

My 45 Colt MG, just right with GD front, Extreme Duty rear & Spegels.

 

[inspcalahan]

Got me thinking (and no I'm not selling it ) - what are these going for due to this? With case, all papers and in excellent condition? Maybe fired 100 rounds over the years..

A little information for those that have and/or had the 686 Mt Gun. This model is the hardest of all the Mt Guns to find because there was only 2000 made as a stocking dealer promo in 1998!
jcelect

 

[5Wire]

I have a ten-year track on this model and while the frequency of availability seem to be pretty constant at "hardly ever" the average used price keeps climbing. That probably doesn't surprise anyone on the forum.

Keep in mind my last datum is a year old and that the trends are for average prices and average monthly numbers sold. Better examples of the model would command higher prices, especially with case, papers, and so on, somewhere between $850 and $1200.

 

[NHKen]

I love my 625 Mtn Gun in .45 Colt. I'm having trouble finding a Mtn gun in .357....what in S&W's line up is closest to a 686 Mtn Gun?
Thanks!
Ken

 

[NHKen]

Or better, anyone know of a 686 MG for sale at a reasonable price?
Thanks!
Ken

 

[pumpgun]

i only have one MG, a 29-8 outfitter series. i love it, lock and all. it shoots like a dream and with the hogues, its not bad with full house loads either. with the stock wood grips, not so comfortable.

 

[5Wire]

Or better, anyone know of a 686 MG for sale at a reasonable price?
Thanks!
Ken

Keep looking! and when you find one, buy it, is my advice. "Reasonable" is what you have to pay for one.

 

[shooter1911]

629-5 Roys Pancake Holster

This gun has been with me in the field for many years. It is loaded with 250gr Keith HC Bullets in either 44 Magnum or 44 Special depending on the occasion or geography. Texas gets the Specials and Colorado gets the Magnums. As a reloader this gun is hard to beat for versatility.

The Roy"s Original Pancake Holster is older than most of you guys out there.

 

[NHKen]

OK, I found my 686 MG. Were any 686 MGs produced WITH the internal lock? And were some 6 shot and the other run 7 shot? Thanks for the info,
Ken

 

[5Wire]

No 7-shot 686s with the IL that I know of, it preceded the lock days.. More recent MG re-issue is a 6-shot with the lock.

 

[mic214]

I couldn't find a Mountain Gun, so I had one made. I had a M-625 with a 5" heavy barrel in .45acp. I picked up a 4" tapered barrel for it from Midway and had that installed by a local smith. It is much easier to carry and makes a great pistol for packing around in the woods:

 

[rbswede]

Mt. Guns

Here are a 2 that I have. I would not trade either one! the 625 in .45 Colt has had many trips to the range. This round is one of the most accurate rounds I have ever shot. It has stood the test of time since its introduction in 1873. I picked up the model 57-5 a few years back. The .41 Mag. is also a fun round to shoot that being said you need to hand load to enjoy it. Both of them are stock, same as they shipped. For big bore revolvers with tapered bbls they are light but easy to manage on recoil.

Thanks RB

 

[.45mtngun]

I have a 625-7 Mtn. Gun I bought new in 2002 for $529.00. I find the .45 Colt to be a very versatile cartridge to load for. I have packed it many times in the field and will never part with it. This one was put together very tight and shoots very well with cast bullets. Only 750 made on this run according to S&W.
Jim

 

[Frizzman]

My Mountain Gun is a 625 in .45 Colt. I am a handloader so ammo is no problem. I have a thousand rounds of .45 Colt Starline brass. I have even shot it with some of my BP and Triple 7 cowboy loads...I have six other revolvers in the same chambering. The 625 and my Colt New Frontier are my favorites.

 

[cbvanb]

My favorite is this 625-6. A horse rancher in central Arizona bought it in 1996, wore it twice on horseback rides, then put it back in the safe. He decided to sell it last year for exactly what he paid 18 years ago. I couldn't make the drive fast enough to get to it! I added the Grashorns, developed a handload with a 270 gr. Keith hardcast at 950 fps, and I wear it every day I'm on my own ranch.

 

[armenius]

5Wire's graph is interesting.The time to buy is now until late summer,and don't buy at Christmas.My love of the 45 Colt since I bought a SAA in 1956(new) for $150.00 has recently been revived after finding a 25-5 and reading Longbaugh's article showing how the 45 Colt can compete with the best of them for hunting.Much less recoil than the 44 Mag.Now I need to find a MG in 45Colt without a lock.

 

[normamag]

 

[S&W357]

I want in on this... What is a mountain gun? Does this make it into the class ? I'm thinking a mountain gun is any gun that will kill anything that lives on a mountain --like bigfoot ???

 

[jcs266]

I only have one Mtn Gun... a 629-3 that I bought used / like new in April 1997 for $400 at a local gun shop. I've carried that gun perhaps more than any other revolver. It was my EDC for years, including my duty gun as an LEO when I first got it. It's accurate and packs a serious punch with the old Elmer Keith load. For EDC it's 200gr Gold Dots at 900fps.

Outdoors in the wilderness it's my #1 pick.

 

[S&W-Keeper]

I have a 629-6 Mountain Gun, that I like a lot.I like the tapered barrel.