What makes a pistol a MOUNTAIN GUN

[1sailor]

I have seen several pistols labeled by S&W as being Mountain Guns. Some looked obviously different than their standard counterparts but some just appear to be standard short or medium barreled versions with the words Mountain Gun emblazened on them. What exactly constitutes a Mountain Gun. How are they any different.

 

[NHKen]

Here's a start. Lots of posts about Mountain Guns.


http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/359125-mountain-gun-defined.html

 

[HarrishMasher]

 

[oldgranddad]

S&W determines what a Mountain Gun is by putting "Mountain Gun" on the barrel...see post #3.
They are usually larger caliber, short to medium length barrels that one may want to carry while hiking in the mountains/woods/etc. I have not seen any .22, .32 or even .38 caliber Mountain Guns.
Last, but not least, (with a smile) they are mostly revolvers,not pistols.
I'm sure there are exceptions to each of the above and someone with more experience (and knowledge) will come along and correct this.

 

[1sailor]

So is the label Mountain Gun as used by S&W more or less a marketing thing. I have seen pistols labeled as Mountain Guns and always assumed that in some way they were designed to be easily carried in rugged terrain but with enough punch to get the job done if it's owner was confronted by an aggressive animal. I guess I just always assumed a scandium alloy frame would be part of the package. It looks to me now though like the biggest difference is the laser printing on the barrel. Apparantly the biggest physical difference is a tapered barrel and maybe different grips. Not trying to say anything bad about them just not what I had thought a Mountain Gun would be.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Sort of like Rick's World's Famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop.
When asked, why is it world famous?
Rick replied- Because that's what painted on the side of the pawnshop.

 

[Nframeguy]

Mountain guns (Revolvers) have round butts and lighter barrels.

Kevin

 

[Shootbrownelk]

S&W determines what a Mountain Gun is by putting "Mountain Gun" on the barrel...see post #3.
They are usually larger caliber, short to medium length barrels that one may want to carry while hiking in the mountains/woods/etc. I have not seen any .22, .32 or even .38 caliber Mountain Guns.
Last, but not least, (with a smile) they are mostly revolvers,not pistols.
I'm sure there are exceptions to each of the above and someone with more experience (and knowledge) will come along and correct this.

Well, years ago all handguns were pistols. Billy the Kid was the west's deadliest "Pistoleer". Wyatt Earp sported a Colt Buntline special Pistol. Semi-auto's are being called pistols NOW, but years ago revolvers were pistols too. JMO

 

[Neumann]

Officially designated "Mountain Guns" have 4", tapered barrels, a short extractor shroud, an N frame and round butt. Some have a wide chamfer on the front of the cylinder, called a "black powder chamfer." Most are chambered for .44 Magnum or .357 Magnum. The only non-magnum Mountain Gun I've seen was chambered for .45 Colt.

I have a 29-8 .44 Magnum which conforms to the specs above, except the cylinder is not chamfered. It's about an ounce lighter than a 3" 629, and makes the palm or your hand sting a bit.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

They are meant to be OTB holstered.

 

[whataboutbob]

taking your gun to the mountains.right now all of mine are "suburban guns"

 

[NEURON]

To be correct......: a gun used by mountain artillery and capable of being transported on muleback
Merriam-Webster

 

[rwsmith]

Is the general idea?

Is the general idea to have a fairly compact pistol for toting in mountains but with big bullets in case you encounter something that lives in the mountains, like.........bear?

I have hardly any need for a mountain gun. My house is 32' above sea level and you have to drive 6 hours to see a mountain.

 

[Shooter6br]

The engraved "Mountain Gun" and a 4 in N frame

 

[theoneff]

They are one of the finest balanced revolvers ever made.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

You need a "mountain" of money to buy one, these days.

 

[Watchdog]

What makes a pistol a MOUNTAIN GUN?

The Advertising & Marketing department.

 

[j38]

I would add that the 686-5+ Mtn. Gun has an L frame and a 7 round cylinder - the only version without the chamfer on the front edge of the cylinder.

Jerry

 

[Kid44]

Maybe you should start with the difference between pistol and revolver. I've yet to see a pistol with the Mountain Gun designation.

 

[4barrel]

I think this may be one. The logo on the slide states it is for shooting bears.

 

[Engine49guy]

A S&W revolver with Mountain Gun" factory engraved or laser etched on the barrel,

All MG's have these features in common:
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) Steel frame and cylinder (No airweights)
6) Fluted cylinder

Features usually present:
7) Chamfered leading cylinder edge. (except 686 MG)
8) Rubber grips (except 29-8 MG)
9) Caliber beginning in"4" (except 686 MG's)
10) 6 shot N frame (except 7 shot 686-5 MG)
11) SS finish (except 29-8 MG)
12) Magnum caliber (except 625 MG)

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I have a short barreled 624. It's probably not a Mountain Gun.
It could be a Foothills Gun?

 

[Absalom]

I think this may be one. The logo on the slide states it is for shooting bears.

Actually, the slide seems to indicate that some bear won a magazine. What's with that?

 

[NHKen]

A S&W revolver with Mountain Gun" factory engraved or laser etched on the barrel,

All MG's have these features in common:
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) Steel frame and cylinder (No airweights)
6) Fluted cylinder

Features usually present:
7) Chamfered leading cylinder edge. (except 686 MG)
8) Rubber grips (except 29-8 MG)
9) Caliber beginning in"4" (except 686 MG's)
10) 6 shot N frame (except 7 shot 686-5 MG)
11) SS finish (except 29-8 MG)
12) Magnum caliber (except 625 MG)

The Model 25 MG and 57 MG are also Blued and also have wood grips.

 

[MEMPHISBELLE]

My new to me mountain gun is a 625 in .45acp

 

[theoneff]

My three. 629, 625acp, 686. Fortunatly I bought two before the prices took off. The third, the 686 which is the rarest for sale, cost me more than the other two combined.

 

[CWH44300]

Here's one that doesn't say mountain gun on the side.
629-2
Smith called it a,
Mountain Revolver

 

[one eye joe]

Here's one that doesn't say mountain gun on the side.
629-2
Smith called it a,
Mountain Revolver

DOES IT SAY, "MOUNTAIN REVOLVER" ON THE BARREL ? ? ? IF NOT, WHERE IS IT REFERRED TO AS SUCH ? ? ? IT APPEARS TO HAVE A SATIN, OR BEAD BLAST FINISH. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, MOUNTAIN GUNS ARE NOT FINISHED THAT WAY. NONE OF MY THREE HAVE THAT FINISH. BELOW, L TO R : 686+, 625 IN .45 COLT, AND 629……..

 

[one eye joe]

The Model 25 MG and 57 MG are also Blued and also have wood grips.

I'LL GO WITH Engine49guy's DEFINITION, WITH THE ADDITION OF THE BLUED VERSIONS, BY NHKen………….

 

[tipoc]

If we look at the Standard Catalog of S&W pg. 421 we see this definition of: "Mountain Gun: Originally the lightweight version of the Model 629 44 Magnum, with tapered lightweight 4" barrel, round butt, and chamfered cylinder. 1989 production only. Later used to indicate other similar configuration lightweight 4" N frame guns."

Below that we see:

"Mountain Revolver: Similar to Mountain Gun, drilled and tapped for scope mounts, standard production beginning 1993."

There were a lot of variations of these produced over the years and not just in 44 as has been noted. Most are listed in the SCSW.

tipoc