S&W Mountain Gun .44 Mag 4"

[Whopper Stopper]

I have been looking at the Smith & Wesson Mountain Gun in .44 Mag and was wondering if anyone on here has one? I went down to our local Sportsman's Warehouse yesterday and felt on a bunch of handguns for packing while traveling the wild country. They had one of the Mountain Guns and it felt pretty good. How is the recoil out of a 4" barrel? I also thought the Taurus Tracker felt nice and it was even ported, however after reading reviews both off this board and others it would seem my money would be better spent going with the Smith&Wesson. Has anyone ever sent a Handgun in to get it ported? If so where did you send it and what would that cost. I am leaning toward the .44 Mag for a couple of reasons. I like the idea of being able to use snake loads, 44 special, 44 Russian and also if the urge ever overcame me the .44 Mag for the bears. I also always try to look down the road and for re-sale purposes I would have to believe it a bonus to have it in this chambering. As always and comments or advice is always welcome. Thanks for any time you can give me!

                         WS

[southern utah]

I pack either a Mtn Gun in 44 or a 3" 657 in 41 on the trail for hiking. The big thing you need to do is shoot it enough be comfortable with it. try some different weight bullets to see how they recoil. You might even find some mild bullets loaded with lead semi wad cutters. I won't use ported pistols  as the noise level goes up unless you are wearing ear muffs. i figure if i need it in a pinch I don't want the extra noise to make me flinch worse. It may be hard to recover the price of the porting if selling down the line and a lot of buyers look for pistol as they come from the factory.

[Mikey]

I have a Mountain Gun in 44 and love it.  I like heavy slugs and use the 295-300 gn cast swc.  I also have a bunch of jacketed stuff I need to load up and shoot.  Recoil isn't bad with the heavy slugs - more like a stiff push that a snap as you get with the lighterweight bullets. 

If you like the easier shooting of the 44 spl you will really like that Mountain Gun.  I prefer S&W over any other brand of da revolver.

Get it, shoot it, and enjoy.  JMHO.  Mikey.

[dubber123]

I have an older 629 Mountain Gun.  It is one of my favorite handguns.  Recoil can be stiff with max loads, but not a killer by any means.  This specimen is very accurate, 1" or so at 25 yds. with loads it likes.  I think they are a good combo of power and portability.  I like mine, and think you will too.  Not that it may sway you, but I have nothing good to say about Taurus, with good reason I think.

[Whopper Stopper]

Thank you very much for the tips and advice. I appreciate it a lot!

                           WS

[jcn59]

I've had a pre-clinton hole 629 MG for several years & I'm happy with it.  I'm kinda blind but I can hit a 3" target at 25 yards with it.  The biggest baddest .44 mag rounds aren't fun in the MG but then I don't find them much fun for extended shooting sessions in any .44 mag..  I find that 300 grains at 1100 fps is a pleasant load that I enjoy shooting in the MG.  I think the MG is a better gun than anyone's non-ferrous alloys:  enough weight to be pleasant to shoot & not too heavy to carry.   Buy it.


I have a Taurus Model 44 in .44 mag that seems to be a nice, well finished revolver but it has a full underlug and it's heavy by comparison to the MG.  It took me 6 months and a letter to the FL attorney general to get a replacement rear sight for it.  Don't buy it.

One of the things to consider is the Smith may depreciate $100. bucks the first day but the Taurus will depreciate close to $150. the day you buy it.  This makes a used Taurus a good buy.

[Hook686]

You might look at the 329PD. The light weight I find a real plus in the foothills/mountains of California. I carry the 1st two chambers with snake shot, followed by handloads of 200 GDHP, 240 JSP, 300 XTP/HP (at 1000-1100 fps), then a Hornady 300 grain XTP/HP, or Buffalo Bore low-recoil 255 gr. Keith-Style GC (1350 fps me. 1032 ft.lbs).

http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#low44

While only 900 ft-lbs in the 4" 329PD, I figure it is more than a poke in the eye, with a sharp stick, and is the max I really care to shoot, using the 329PD. Did I say the 329PD is easy to carry ?

[OLDHandgunner]

Really had my mind made up to buy a S&W Mountain Gun in 44 Mag a few years ago for a carry gun. After looking around many gun shows & gun shops for a good buy on one I ran across a S&W 696 in 44Spl. This 3" beauty was just what I wanted for a carry gun. I still like the Mountain Gun so I'll probably buy one if I run across one at a good price. Can't never have to many .44's. 

[Rogue Ram]

I find myself looking for a lighter carry weight big bore for woods use and have no clue where to look.  Mountain gun? New Redhawk 4"?  Gun wouldn't get shot all that much with full power loads, but can the Mountain Gun take some of the heavier loads now and again?

How do yall carry one in the woods......strong side hip, shoulder, etc  ?

Thanks

RR

[S.B.]

Yep, been there done that. I love mine but, wish they were square butted.


629-4 Mountain Gun:

[drdougrx]

Yep....me too.  Mines' blued.  Kinda awful to shoot with 300gr loads and 240's can be tough to control with hot loads.  Mag-na-port would be helpful I think.  Pachmeyer decelerator grips or any rubber grip that coveres the back strap also helps.  Depends what you use it for though...great choice.

[Bear Wallow]

I've had 2 in .44 and they were great.  Found a regular 629 to replace them and I like it.  Just picked up a MG in .45 Colt blued and it's accurate and easy to carry.  I also like the looks.

[the_shadow3]

I own and carry both 44 & 45 mountain guns.  both excellent carry and shooting guns.  The 44 is nasty to control with heavy magnum loads.  When loading I try to keep the 275-300 gr. loads between 900 and 1,000 area.  I carry in a uncle Mikes shoulder holster with 2 speed loader on the other side.  I believe either gun will get me out of any trouble i get into.
James

[Lloyd Smale]

You found yourself on of the most perfect packing pistols ever made. I just love my 696.

Really had my mind made up to buy a S&W Mountain Gun in 44 Mag a few years ago for a carry gun. After looking around many gun shows & gun shops for a good buy on one I ran across a S&W 696 in 44Spl. This 3" beauty was just what I wanted for a carry gun. I still like the Mountain Gun so I'll probably buy one if I run across one at a good price. Can't never have to many .44's. 

[OLDHandgunner]

Lloyd Smale

Ain't it a perfect packing gun. I was looking at the Mountain Guns in 44 Mag or a nice S&W 24 or 624 for quite sometime, when I ran across this S&W 696 at a gun shop in NH. It was love at first sight. It had a patridge front sight ( which I prefer ). Give the man $ 425 and had it shipped to my dealer. This gun goes everywhere with me. It's like the American Express Credit Card commercial, Don't leave home without it.
Still looking for a nice S&W 24 or 624 in 6 1/2".

          Have a good Day.   

[S.B.]

I have an older 629 Mountain Gun.  It is one of my favorite handguns.  Recoil can be stiff with max loads, but not a killer by any means.  This specimen is very accurate, 1" or so at 25 yds. with loads it likes.  I think they are a good combo of power and portability.  I like mine, and think you will too.  Not that it may sway you, but I have nothing good to say about Taurus, with good reason I think.

What do you consider an older Mountain Gun? The Mountain Lion was before the M/Gs, wasn't it? What is you dash number or doesn't it have one? What year was it manufactured in? I've never been able to find out details like how many of each dash # were made, or how many total units were made. I've even emailed S&W with my questions. Curious.

[Hammerdown]

Hello
I don't have the 44 Mountain gun, But I do have the 45 Mountain gun and Love it. Low recoil and Very Big holes. Hammerdown.

[Lloyd Smale]

you stole it. Ive seen them go for twice that! I bought mine about 4 years ago before the prices went through the sealing for 300 bucks and wouldnt sell it for any price.

Lloyd Smale

Ain't it a perfect packing gun. I was looking at the Mountain Guns in 44 Mag or a nice S&W 24 or 624 for quite sometime, when I ran across this S&W 696 at a gun shop in NH. It was love at first sight. It had a patridge front sight ( which I prefer ). Give the man $ 425 and had it shipped to my dealer. This gun goes everywhere with me. It's like the American Express Credit Card commercial, Don't leave home without it.
Still looking for a nice S&W 24 or 624 in 6 1/2".

          Have a good Day.