I agree. My 357 MG barrel is roll marked 'S&W 357 Magnum' on one side and etched 'Mt Gun' on the right side. I was thinking about sending it to Bowen or someone else to have the 'Mt Gun' roll marked.
Looking to buy a S&W Mountain Gun ???'s
- Thread starter uymike9
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webley green
Member
My Mountain Gun is .45Colt. It was an easy choice for me as I reload. It can be loaded up or down the scale for the intended use. To each his own, and mine's the venerable .45 Colt.
They are all good choices. You can't go wrong with any of them, comments about .41 and .45 being better for the handloaders being correct, IF you don't mind the round-butt frame. That is where the 624 4" comes in for those of us who prefer the square-butt frame and like 44-caliber. I think it beats the Mountain Guns at their own game.
Of the three N-frame calibers, I like the .45 best. I find 44 difficult to shoot accurately with magnum loads. It can be done, but I don't enjoy it. The .41 is noticeably easier, but still a handful. The .45 seemed to handle "reduced" loads (i.e., normal .45 Colt factory loads) better than the other two and I thought it more than adequate for my needs with upper-level handloads (a 260-270 gr Keith bullet at 900-1000 FPS). But in the end, I preferred the square-butt gun and the 624 is the only one I have left. JMHO.
Of the three N-frame calibers, I like the .45 best. I find 44 difficult to shoot accurately with magnum loads. It can be done, but I don't enjoy it. The .41 is noticeably easier, but still a handful. The .45 seemed to handle "reduced" loads (i.e., normal .45 Colt factory loads) better than the other two and I thought it more than adequate for my needs with upper-level handloads (a 260-270 gr Keith bullet at 900-1000 FPS). But in the end, I preferred the square-butt gun and the 624 is the only one I have left. JMHO.
My Lou Horton limited edition 624 3" light tapered barrel and Round Butt is my 1st choice. Kind of a Mt Gun before they called them "Mt Guns".
For concealed carry I like the factory combat finger groove wood grips. For woods carry and/or hot loads I use the factory 5oo Mag rubber Hogue Tamer grips with the backstrap cushion. Very comfortable to shoot with any 44 Spl load.
For concealed carry I like the factory combat finger groove wood grips. For woods carry and/or hot loads I use the factory 5oo Mag rubber Hogue Tamer grips with the backstrap cushion. Very comfortable to shoot with any 44 Spl load.
thomasinaz
US Veteran
My recommendation is for the 45 Colt MG. Shoots a big, fat, heavy bullet with minimum recoil and blast. And doesn't weigh all that much, for an all steel N Frame.....
There are a lot of interesting opinions here. Of course, the original poster will have to figure out which ones actually apply to him.
My first interest in a mountain gun came when I climbed Mt. Washington and, at the top, found that I had drenched my 4" M29 in sweat. This was in September, as I recall! Fortunately, it had not rusted before I caught it, dried it off, and re-RIGGED it with grease left in the frame cutout under the grips. Not long after that, I was looking for a 629. However, the Mountain Gun that I found kicked too much. It seemed like forever before I could get off a second shot, so I shelved that idea for a while. Eventually, however, I came across a PC double-Magnaported 3" 629, which I bought, and it kicked no more than my 4" standard M29. It was also easy to conceal even on the belt (I had carried the 29 in a Summer Special). I eventually ended up with even better grips for it, and consider it a reasonable response to the situation for which one ordinarily envisions mountain guns - not too much weight in a powerful gun that can actually be fired more than once at a large animal.
I also have a 520 which can handle any .357 load, and has the obligatory standard-profile barrel, and it's certainly a fine gun, but I think that most folks who are discussing mountain guns are talking about big bores, even though they are probably not necessary except for hunting or when planning for surprise encounters with bears, which I am told are best handled with shoulder arms, which are not going to be seriously discussed by people who are concerned about the weight difference between a standard-profile barrel and a non-tapered barrel.
The last paragraph is the second-longest sentence I ever wrote.
Good luck with your search. Do try to fire the model you select before you buy it, with ammo that is what you'll use and grips that fit your hand.
My first interest in a mountain gun came when I climbed Mt. Washington and, at the top, found that I had drenched my 4" M29 in sweat. This was in September, as I recall! Fortunately, it had not rusted before I caught it, dried it off, and re-RIGGED it with grease left in the frame cutout under the grips. Not long after that, I was looking for a 629. However, the Mountain Gun that I found kicked too much. It seemed like forever before I could get off a second shot, so I shelved that idea for a while. Eventually, however, I came across a PC double-Magnaported 3" 629, which I bought, and it kicked no more than my 4" standard M29. It was also easy to conceal even on the belt (I had carried the 29 in a Summer Special). I eventually ended up with even better grips for it, and consider it a reasonable response to the situation for which one ordinarily envisions mountain guns - not too much weight in a powerful gun that can actually be fired more than once at a large animal.
I also have a 520 which can handle any .357 load, and has the obligatory standard-profile barrel, and it's certainly a fine gun, but I think that most folks who are discussing mountain guns are talking about big bores, even though they are probably not necessary except for hunting or when planning for surprise encounters with bears, which I am told are best handled with shoulder arms, which are not going to be seriously discussed by people who are concerned about the weight difference between a standard-profile barrel and a non-tapered barrel.
The last paragraph is the second-longest sentence I ever wrote.
Good luck with your search. Do try to fire the model you select before you buy it, with ammo that is what you'll use and grips that fit your hand.
And a masterpiece it is! - possibly missing a comma or two, and maybe an "and."
I couldn't agree more with the comment about bears and nimrods obsessing about barrel profiles on guns. I know very little about bears, but I was just last evening speaking with a fellow whose neighbor was severely roughed up by a smallish female grizzly. Unfortunately, it was the familiar scenario of a sow with her cubs and the fellow got too close, completely unaware. He was able to save himself with a very ordinary Ruger .41 Magnum single action and three rounds. An unfortunate story for all concerned. Listening to it was a bit hard to fathom by a flat-lander here in Indiana.
Fresh from hearing that one, I think any handgun is better than none, but I would want something bigger than a .357. Any of the .4x calibers would suit me, if given the right cartridges.
Stainz
Member
The rounded edges, tapered tube, ramp sight, etc, of the MG style may be better appreciated when Mr. Bruin stows your MG in a normally 'EXIT only' orifice. After all, you came into his home - with a loaded firearm.
An often overlooked self-protector, if you are not alone, is a .22 rimfire revolver - actual ammo not of great importance. When Mr. Bruin attacks, simply shoot a less appreciated member of your party in the foot - and retreat as fast as you can. You don't have to be the fastest - you just don't want to be the slowest.
Stainz
An often overlooked self-protector, if you are not alone, is a .22 rimfire revolver - actual ammo not of great importance. When Mr. Bruin attacks, simply shoot a less appreciated member of your party in the foot - and retreat as fast as you can. You don't have to be the fastest - you just don't want to be the slowest.
Stainz
Stainz,
Enjoyed your dissertation, thx. Frankly though, in bruin country, even my 44 Mag would not make me comfortable for a back up gun. It would be my (with me at all times) hunting partner and his rifle, a handgun of 454, 500M, etc. AND a can of pepper spray if not all three!
Enjoyed your dissertation, thx. Frankly though, in bruin country, even my 44 Mag would not make me comfortable for a back up gun. It would be my (with me at all times) hunting partner and his rifle, a handgun of 454, 500M, etc. AND a can of pepper spray if not all three!
one eye joe
US Veteran
The .44 Magnum revolver has been used to kill every large animal walking North America. This includes Alaskan Brown Bear, Grizzly and Polar Bear. A heavy hardcast solid bullet will penetrate and smash the skull, spine, or pelvis and stop a charge. Would it be my weapon of choice (of those that I own) on a big bear hunt ? ? NO ! I'd take my Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70, loaded with heavy hardcast Garrett solids. BUT, if I was up in Alaska fishin', I'd be totin' my model 629 Mountain Gun, in my Sourdough Pancake holster.........
Whether huntin' or fishin' you can run into the same kinda' bears.
But I don't disagree with you and do have plenty of respect for the ability of the 44 Mag. It's just that when Mr. Griz comes for me, I want the edge, as big a one as I can get.
mes227
Member
I'm sure this is true, and the .22LR has killed many people. There are abundant stories of large bore handguns failing to stop a bear. Last summer in my neighborhood a homeowner shot a modest sized black bear in his house with a .44 Mag. The bear shook it off. Yes, a properly selected round properly placed could would have stopped the bear....this does not mean that a .44 Mag is a good choice in serious bear country. Which is why I carry a .454 Casull loaded with Buffalo Bore hard casts.....and I'd love to pick up a 45-70 Guide.
Nemo288
Member
I own a .22. I also own a few .44's. Guess which one I will
be wearing in northern Wisconsin where bears are frequent?
Unless Stainz is a troll I suggest this thread is about done.
be wearing in northern Wisconsin where bears are frequent?
Unless Stainz is a troll I suggest this thread is about done.
one eye joe
US Veteran
mes227;135946151 Yes said:
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