so called "mountain guns"
- Thread starter kcub
- Start date
Jim Watson
New member
I wish I had bought one of the S&W .45 ACP/AR Springfield Armory Commemoratives with tapered barrel. Best of the breed in my opinion.
I have 44 specials in 2", 2.5", and 3". All are fun to shoot. So is my 3" 45colt. I would expect 45acp to be about the same as the other two.
I have no desire to shoot a light, shorter barreled revolver in 44 magnum (or something more powerful) on a regular basis. A few shots on a rare occasion is okay, but I will stick with my 6" for volume shooting.
I have no desire to shoot a light, shorter barreled revolver in 44 magnum (or something more powerful) on a regular basis. A few shots on a rare occasion is okay, but I will stick with my 6" for volume shooting.
This is one of the original Smith & Wesson 44 magnum "Mountain Guns". I don't remember when I bought it; back in the '90s sometime. There was a previous version called the "Mountain Revolver" which had the same tapered barrel and chamfered cylinder. I think the "Mountain Revolver" was a special run. I really liked the concept, and when S&W came out with the "Mountain Gun", I bought the first one I found.
This one originally came with rubber grips; I put the square butt conversion grips on it because I just liked the look...
Whirlwind06
New member
I picked up a 22-4 (.45 acp) the first Thunder Ranch model its like a pencil barrreled model 10 square butt N frame. It's a fun gun to shoot I have a holster being made for it.
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Deaf Smith
New member
Mountain guns? Did someone say 'Mountain Guns'?
S&W 629 Mountain gun on the left.
Nuther on the far left.
I have two of them, both .44 S&Ws along with Ruger .454s, S&W 629s, .357s, and soon a .41 S&W 57.
Yes a bit lighter and nice. But only about 3 ounces lighter than a regular 629. No biggie.
Still if you have one, keep it and use it!
Deaf
I have lots of big bore revolvers. I like shooting large magnums talons ranges for fun. My XVR can hit steel silhouettes at 300 yards. It is just fun.
I just returned from an elk hunt in Wyoming. In real "bear country" I carry a .44 Mag. For years I carried a 4.2 inch Redhawk. I recently purchased their 2.75 inch Redhawk with a round butt. Man it carries easy. I always carry bears pray.
Bears don't scare me, mouse do! I have walked up on them laying down. When I got too close they stood up, yikes! I did not see em laying in a ravine or over a ridge etc. I always slowly back away. More people are hurt by mouse than bears.
I just returned from an elk hunt in Wyoming. In real "bear country" I carry a .44 Mag. For years I carried a 4.2 inch Redhawk. I recently purchased their 2.75 inch Redhawk with a round butt. Man it carries easy. I always carry bears pray.
Bears don't scare me, mouse do! I have walked up on them laying down. When I got too close they stood up, yikes! I did not see em laying in a ravine or over a ridge etc. I always slowly back away. More people are hurt by mouse than bears.
I mentioned a "Mountain Gun" I used to have, but didn't think about the one I do have, because it's not called a "Mountain Gun", yet it serves the same purpose.
Smith & Wesson Model 69, L-Frame, half lug, five shot, 44 Magnum, with a 4.2" barrel.
I wish the barrel was more tapered, but you can't have everything. I think of it more as a 44 Special that will take magnums, but that's because the only place I shoot it is at an indoor range. Those cardboard targets don't take a lot of killing.
Smith & Wesson Model 69, L-Frame, half lug, five shot, 44 Magnum, with a 4.2" barrel.
I wish the barrel was more tapered, but you can't have everything. I think of it more as a 44 Special that will take magnums, but that's because the only place I shoot it is at an indoor range. Those cardboard targets don't take a lot of killing.
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
my 396 says Mountain Lite on the side of the barrel, its a 5 shot 44 Special, with a 3" barrel... IMO, it's the perfect carry gun for city or country 
Driftwood Johnson
New member
Howdy
While not marketed as a Mountain Gun, this Model 624 probably fits the description. 44 Special, not 44 Mag. When I bought it used a bunch of years ago it had oversized target grips on it. I replaced them with Magnas. A very pleasant gun to shoot.
While not marketed as a Mountain Gun, this Model 624 probably fits the description. 44 Special, not 44 Mag. When I bought it used a bunch of years ago it had oversized target grips on it. I replaced them with Magnas. A very pleasant gun to shoot.
Magnum Wheel Man
New member
DRIFTWOOD... I'd love to find one of those for range use, as a trainer for my 396, to keep the round count lower on my 396...
Pathfinder45
New member
Yeah, there are a lot of ridiculous guns that have been made and still are. What's truly ridiculous, though, is that enough people will buy them that they can even be made at all. I could mention some prime examples, but it might be stepping on some toes.....
I actually do hike into and camp in Black Bear country and have had numerous encounters, several quite close. At least three of those were face to face on mountain trails within 20 yards, one was less than 15 yards and I drew down on him but didn't have to shoot. If it's hunting season, I'm carrying a rifle. Otherwise, I'm packing into a mountain lake with a fishing rod. Unless I'm hunting, my code is to not discharge a firearm in the wilderness unless absolutely needed. The other rule, is to have one just in case it's needed.
So, yes, I definitely have a, "mountain gun", capable for large game or whatever. Mine is a Ruger stainless Vaquero in 45 Colt, carried in a homemade crossdraw holster and stoked with 255 grain handcast bullets loaded to 1075 fps. I keep it loaded with six and carry a limited amount of spare ammo, as you can't devote too much weight to something you will not be using on a several day hiking trip deep in the wilderness. I shoot this gun a lot; just not in the Wilderness.
Where? High Cascades, usually, and Siskiyou Mountains occasionally.
I actually do hike into and camp in Black Bear country and have had numerous encounters, several quite close. At least three of those were face to face on mountain trails within 20 yards, one was less than 15 yards and I drew down on him but didn't have to shoot. If it's hunting season, I'm carrying a rifle. Otherwise, I'm packing into a mountain lake with a fishing rod. Unless I'm hunting, my code is to not discharge a firearm in the wilderness unless absolutely needed. The other rule, is to have one just in case it's needed.
So, yes, I definitely have a, "mountain gun", capable for large game or whatever. Mine is a Ruger stainless Vaquero in 45 Colt, carried in a homemade crossdraw holster and stoked with 255 grain handcast bullets loaded to 1075 fps. I keep it loaded with six and carry a limited amount of spare ammo, as you can't devote too much weight to something you will not be using on a several day hiking trip deep in the wilderness. I shoot this gun a lot; just not in the Wilderness.
Where? High Cascades, usually, and Siskiyou Mountains occasionally.
Although it wasn't limited to the Mountain Gun series, I always liked the bead-blasted stainless finish that S&W produced for a lot of their guns. I do not know if other makers had similar finishes or not. I also liked the satin (my term) blue finish that used to be used on a lot of revolvers both Colt & S&W back when revolvers were more popular than today. And while I'm at it, I also like the looks of a Parkerized finish, too. Very business-like.
I have a Taurus Titanium 41Mag and a SW 329PD. There is nothing ridiculous about them, they are made for a specific task. It's not fun to shoot a cylinder of full-power loads on the range (though loads north of 44Spl are still enjoyable). They disappear on your hip while you hike deep into grizz country, but it something bity and scratchy tries to eat you you won't notice the recoil.
More than once, I have seen steel revolvers left in the truck after the first day of hiking. They don't do one much good in their case.
More than once, I have seen steel revolvers left in the truck after the first day of hiking. They don't do one much good in their case.