Thoughts on 629-4 Mountain Gun w/ Magnaports

[Longhorn90]

Looking for thoughts on a Mountain Gun....

In a LGS theres a 629-4 Mountain Gun (44Mag, pre-lock, pre-MIM, stainless) with Magnaporting (one slot on each side of front site) in really nice condition that I think I could get for $850'ish. No box, papers, etc. Reportedly Magnaporting done by S&W PC.....not that it matters I guess.

Not looking for a Collector piece so could care less about the box or that the Magnaporting wasn't a factory issue option. Just pondering something comforting for hiking/camping with the kids. We're in North Carolina so nothing bigger than black bears.

Have kicked around a S&W Mountain Gun, S&W 3in 44mag, Glock 20 Gen 4 (when they come out) or Glock 29SF. Typically carry concealed, under an untucked shirt, just to not raise eyebrows; hence hoping to avoid the 'carry a rifle' advice I'm sure will pop into many peoples minds.

Anyway, I know the $850 isn't a steal, which is why I'm on the fence. So really just tossing this out there to see if anyone's well articulated input sways me one way or another and/or perhaps gives me something to think about that I hadn't considered.

Thanks.

 

[Captain Hornet]

The magnaporting is a deal breaker for me at any price but for $850. you should be able to find a good clean revolver that has not been butchered. David

 

[oldtimer]

Captain Hornet, I have a 625 45Lc. rev that was ported by S@w , and I love it. whats wrong with porting if made that way by S@w?

 

[ENH]

I have several Sc/Ti revolvers Mag na Ported and to me it adds value to them and to the non belivers well, it does work.

 

[StatesRightist]

There are some who turn their noses up at porting, which is silly. Most of their arguments are myths. I've owned ported guns, they have their advantages and disadvantages. My main issue with a ported gun is if you use non-jacketed rounds for plinking it dirties the sight up and you'll have to eventually replace it. The porting does reduce muzzle flip.

My thought on this would be the porting issue is not the main issue. $850 is not that good of a price. I posted a blurb earlier about a 99% 44 MG that was listed at $540 at the time, it sold for $633. Porting will cut down on potential buyers, if you ever decide to sell it and since your on the fence about porting and could care less, why buy a marginal resale gun at top dollars? JMO.

 

[Longhorn90]

Thanks so far to everyone.

StatesRightist- I saw the one you mention on GB that went for $633, it was a 29-8 MG. Key detractors for me was it was blued (one I'm looking at is Stainless) and the one on GB was a new model with Internal Lock. Having actually had a S&W revolver I was dry firing in a LGS intermittently fail to cock, and the store owners best guess was the IL had started to engage, I just don't take that chance since with a bit of looking I can find what I want without. Still not making the argument that $850'ish is good, just making sure others reading know full price comparison details. Thanks, as I hadn't give resale much thought yet!

 

[Doug M.]

I bet $850 is fair, if the gun is in otherwise good condition. It depends on how much you value the magna-porting. From I have read here lately, the standard 629-4 is likely to go for $650-700 range. If there is an MG variant of that model (I don't know), it is probably worth a premium. The magna-porting will cause the purist/collector type crowd to gag and retch. While I am not in that crowd by a long shot, you would need to determine how the pros and cons of that modification for the purposes you intend in order to discern the value. If the the magna-porting is a positive to you for your use, then by all means have at it. It would be dumb to buy a non-magna-ported gun and then decide you want the porting!

I think the 629-4 is about the pinacle of that model, based on Bowen's writings. I bought one for $700 plus shipping as the platform for a custom revolver directed at my needs. I am aware that the purists will try to hunt me down and burn me at the stake, and may not show it here after it gets back and I have a chance to shoot it. My guns are safety tools, and collector value is mostly a non-issue to me.

 

[Engine49guy]

If the main purpose of the gun is concealed carry for woods critter defense its hard to beat the Scandium Titanium guns in .44 magnum and .357 mag.

The one that I like is the 329 PD Airlite Sc in 44 mag. with 4" barrel.
They make one in .41 mag as well in the 357 PD,
The 357 version is the 386 Sc Airlite and Mountain lite.
There is a 44 special396Ti but I would keep it in the Magnum calibers.

 

[Magnumdood]

Magnaporting

While Magnaporting does reduce muzzle-flip it has one real problem besides the "purists" turning their noses up at it. When it gets low light to dark, a 3" (or 4") barreled 44 mag is gonna' spurt up two bunny ears of burning powder and gas that WILL leave you with ZERO night vision. The 3" barrel alone will shoot a ball of flame out 1.5' long and 1' thick at its widest point as the gasses and unburned powder exit the muzzle. And, while that is bright too, it's nothing compared to those two 1' high bunny ears of flame's effect on your vision.

 

[team sidewinder]

Not a fan of Magnaporting on any S&W revolver and even worse on a 629 4inch.

 

[Magnumdood]

Magnaporting

I'm not a fan of Magnaporting (or any porting) any handgun or long gun. You suffer increased muzzle blast and sight impingement for a very small return of gun control afforded by the Magnaporting...if any.

 

[catcus-jack]

The magnaporting is a deal breaker for me at any price but for $850. you should be able to find a good clean revolver that has not been butchered. David

x2 I agree with you.

 

[Sebago Son]

I've got 4" 29's and 629's that are both ported and unported. Shot side-by-side, there is a difference in percieved recoil. However, I find that switching the stocks from Magnas (my preferred configuration for belt gun carry) to Smooth Targets makes a bigger difference. It is true that Magna-Porting cuts the .44's resale value, in my experiance, by about 25%.

There is no way that a 629-4 is worth $850 around here, even as a 4" gun and without the ports. As described, the price is too high by $250-$300 at least.

Drew

 

[BCDWYO]

You aren't looking for a collectors piece, but to me $850 is darn near collectors price for a gun that has been altered and has no box. If all you really want is a good woods shooter, then I think you should be able to find what you want for a $200-300 less. As much as I love Mountain Guns, I'd probably pass on that one for that price.

 

[Photog]

I don't like magnaporting, so I would find the cost of a new barrel installed, subtract
that cost from the price of the gun, and that would be what I would pay.

 

[Clean Break]

4" 629s are loud enough as is; I wouldn't want to have one made louder by intentionally cutting holes in the muzzle. Hit what you aim at with the first shot & you're less likely to need follow up shots anyway, fast or otherwise. CB

 

[Tom C]

Magnaporting is a matter of personal preference. I prefer Not, but that is just me. I have spent money and effort to get a solid, non-ported comp for my 4" .500 and have sleeved the comp of my 6 ½" 500 PC Hunter to eliminate the effects of the ports. Then again, you may prefer the ports. You are considering buying it, not me.

 

[Smee78]

"You aren't looking for a collectors piece, but to me $850 is darn near collectors price for a gun that has been altered and has no box. If all you really want is a good woods shooter, then I think you should be able to find what you want for a $200-300 less. As much as I love Mountain Guns, I'd probably pass on that one for that price."

+1 on the above statement, I picked up my 629MG prelock for $6 ish at my LGS, I believe you can do better.

 

[batmann]

I know several shooters that love their Mag-n-port, but I never warmed up to them. I like my barrels 'clean' and IMHO ( I have a 629 MG) you can do better on price.
I know a MG with full house mags can be a handful, but I put the X-frame Hogue grips on mine and they made a huge improvement in felt recoil.

 

[jdickson397]

It seems to me that the loss of "night vision" is a huge dealbuster for a gun you intend to pack on hiking trips. Like a swimming pool in your backyard, porting turns away more buyers than it attracts.