S&W Model 57-5 Mountain Gun
- Thread starter GJack
- Start date
FloridaVeteran
New member
GJack - will keep an eye out for you, since that is a rare caliber to find for-sale in that gun. I am looking for a primo-condition PRE-LOCK Mountain Gun in .45 LC, in case you see one.
I am not sure of the origin of the term "Mountain Gun," except as a marketing tool. It seems to be a "-dash" version of Smith&Wesson's N-frames, presumably all with 4" barrels. Apparently they eventually added those #@%^ locks to them, so the version matters. All I want is a pre-lock stainless 4" Smith in .45LC with Masterpiece hammer, trigger and sights, though a front Trijicon would be plenty OK.
Too new to the forum and too old to remember what I had for breakfast - what is the best way to remember how to get back to you if I spot what you want?
FV
I am not sure of the origin of the term "Mountain Gun," except as a marketing tool. It seems to be a "-dash" version of Smith&Wesson's N-frames, presumably all with 4" barrels. Apparently they eventually added those #@%^ locks to them, so the version matters. All I want is a pre-lock stainless 4" Smith in .45LC with Masterpiece hammer, trigger and sights, though a front Trijicon would be plenty OK.
Too new to the forum and too old to remember what I had for breakfast - what is the best way to remember how to get back to you if I spot what you want?
FV
FloridaVeteran
New member
GJack - LOL - that has to be the "How the Fork Would I Know?" question of all time, since that was your first post. However, the posters here are good folks and someone will bail us both out.
orionengnr
New member
Great choice in cartridge and in S&W N-frame.
I bought a 6" M57 about five years ago, and then found a 4" M57 (which met my criteria as a true carry revolver). I subsequently sold the 6" (big mistake).
My 4" M57 is not a Mountain Gun, but my 4" .45 LC (M25) is.
I bought a 6" M57 about five years ago, and then found a 4" M57 (which met my criteria as a true carry revolver). I subsequently sold the 6" (big mistake).
My 4" M57 is not a Mountain Gun, but my 4" .45 LC (M25) is.
FloridaVeteran
New member
GJack - thanks.
I owned a Ruger Blackhawk, first series in .41 Magnum, but traded it away. Most unfortunately, what I traded for it was a Spencer Repeater in really good condition. But my shooting buddy with whom I swapped in turn traded the Spencer and now we both regret the error.
Kudos to you for sticking with a caliber you like. Best news, ironically, is that it likely is one of the last that will be confiscated, comrade.
I owned a Ruger Blackhawk, first series in .41 Magnum, but traded it away. Most unfortunately, what I traded for it was a Spencer Repeater in really good condition. But my shooting buddy with whom I swapped in turn traded the Spencer and now we both regret the error.
Kudos to you for sticking with a caliber you like. Best news, ironically, is that it likely is one of the last that will be confiscated, comrade.
FloridaVeteran
New member
GJack - don't know if you reload, but if you do not, one of the best investments you can make is to buy a set of reloading dies. My strong preference is RCBS, but that is just me. Don;t forget to buy a shell plate for your primer-seater.
If "things change," you'll still be able to find or use a press, but dies for .41 will be super-scarce. Buy 'em, grease 'em and store 'em in a really safe place.
If "things change," you'll still be able to find or use a press, but dies for .41 will be super-scarce. Buy 'em, grease 'em and store 'em in a really safe place.
Thanks FL VET. (Pensacola is my hometown!)
I am a dyed in the wool 41 fan. My late uncle was a Sheriff's Deputy, competitive shooter and close friend of Bill Jordan and Elmer Keith. He had the magnificent Model 57 and a Model 25. They were the first guns I ever shot as a preteen. I remember watching my uncle hold a 12 gauge shotgun under his right arm, roll out his arm to shoulder level, drop the shotgun, draw his revolver and fire one round "point shooting style," holster and CATCH the shotgun before it hit the ground. I was there the day he could no longer do it as the hand of time caught up to his reflexes. It was the only time I EVER saw tears well up in his eyes and he was a big, big man. At 6'4" and about 290, he was my idol.
He passed away in 90s and sadly, his firearms collection went to fractured family members who had absolutely no interest, appreciation or respect for the historical aspects of his broad collection. I later learned that many of them were later sold for quick cash.
However, I will never forget holding that piece of cold steel in my hands with the beautiful blue lustre gleaming in the southern sun. The feel of confidence and awe of the 41 cracking the silence of an early morning and the smell of gunsmoke in the air mixed with the familiar smell of his pipe and his broad toothed grin as he taught me his craft. I later went on to become a pistol master and the military further honed my skills (I'll leave it at that.) However, it all started because a true American hero took the time to instill in a young man the importance, responsibility and appreciation of firearms.
To own a 41 again would be the culmination of all that I have done and bring me full circle to middle age. At 47, I now approach retirement and find myself with a grandson of my own now. Yes, he thinks I'm cock of the rock too.
I am a dyed in the wool 41 fan. My late uncle was a Sheriff's Deputy, competitive shooter and close friend of Bill Jordan and Elmer Keith. He had the magnificent Model 57 and a Model 25. They were the first guns I ever shot as a preteen. I remember watching my uncle hold a 12 gauge shotgun under his right arm, roll out his arm to shoulder level, drop the shotgun, draw his revolver and fire one round "point shooting style," holster and CATCH the shotgun before it hit the ground. I was there the day he could no longer do it as the hand of time caught up to his reflexes. It was the only time I EVER saw tears well up in his eyes and he was a big, big man. At 6'4" and about 290, he was my idol.
He passed away in 90s and sadly, his firearms collection went to fractured family members who had absolutely no interest, appreciation or respect for the historical aspects of his broad collection. I later learned that many of them were later sold for quick cash.
However, I will never forget holding that piece of cold steel in my hands with the beautiful blue lustre gleaming in the southern sun. The feel of confidence and awe of the 41 cracking the silence of an early morning and the smell of gunsmoke in the air mixed with the familiar smell of his pipe and his broad toothed grin as he taught me his craft. I later went on to become a pistol master and the military further honed my skills (I'll leave it at that.) However, it all started because a true American hero took the time to instill in a young man the importance, responsibility and appreciation of firearms.
To own a 41 again would be the culmination of all that I have done and bring me full circle to middle age. At 47, I now approach retirement and find myself with a grandson of my own now. Yes, he thinks I'm cock of the rock too.
It's on my bucket list as well. Great cartridge, accurate, powerful and a bit of a cult item for me...I've got three of them...and that short barreled Smith would really round out my stable....Ever think about finding one of the Marlin 1894 Carbines in .41?....It's probably #1 on my list and each one of them I've found on Gunbroker has gone for way more than I had on hand. Good luck, Rod
The term "Mountain Gun" denotes that the gun has the lighter tapered barrel rather than the heavy barrel usually found on those particular models. As far as I know, none of the models which normally come with tapered barrels, such as the M27 and M28, have ever been offered in a "Mountain Gun" configuration as they're already set up that way to begin with.
Because Mountain Guns use tapered barrels rather than heavy ones, they're usually a few ounces lighter than their heavy-barrel counterparts. The purpose of the reduction in weight is to make the gun more easily and more convieniently carried by hikers and other people who might carry such a gun in the back country, hence the name though this weight reduction comes at the price of increased recoil. I've always kind of viewed the Mountain guns as the stepping stone between the standard all-steel models and the extremely lightweight scandium-frame models. Were I in the market for a lighter weight bigbore revolver, I'd be looking much harder at a Mountain Gun than one of the scandiums because the Mountain Guns do not, in my opinion, have as many design compromises as their lighter weight countarparts.
I am not sure of the origin of the term "Mountain Gun," except as a marketing tool.
My belief is that S&W appropriated the term "Mountain Gun" from a traditional name for lightweight cannons that were fairly easily totable (at least, compared to full-size artillery) into rugged terrain, yet packed a fair amount of punch.
My belief is that S&W appropriated the term "Mountain Gun" from a traditional name for lightweight cannons that were fairly easily totable (at least, compared to full-size artillery) into rugged terrain, yet packed a fair amount of punch.
Gjack - I applaud you on your search for the elusive 41 mag Mountain Gun. Last year I was also in the hunt for one, and had told a friend that if he ran across one to let me know. I had no sooner said that to him, and one appeared for sale on one of the forums for a very good price, in close to new condition. I contacted the seller and bought it right on the spot. Mine is the 657-4 model, and I like it VERY much! Keep looking, and you'll run across one. I think the 41 mag cartridge in the somewhat lighter Mountain Gun model is a great combination. I think it's perfect for the n-frame. Good luck. jben
FloridaVeteran
New member
Webleymkv - thanks very much for your insight into the Mountain Gun series. I have a dozen "Long Colt" revolvers and rifles, including a long presentation 25-3, but all are blued and I want just one cherry short-barreled (~4") stainless, pre-lock, with Masterpiece hammer and trigger, for my night-stand gun. I want an old-fashioned floating firing pin that directly whaps the primer. I haven't been able to figure out what model designations to look for on the sale sites, to narrow down this particular revolver, especially so I can disregard any recent ones with that ugly lock-hole on the left side. You seem to know this stuff inside-out, so any advice regarding model numbers or other determinants will be greatly appreciated. Would also like to know if there are non "Mountain Gun" designated S&W revolvers that otherwise fit my criteria - no-internal-lock, no transfer bar, N-frame, stainless, .45LC, 3-4" barrel. Thanks.
FV
FV