Less than 1 hour to decide- S&W 21 Thunder Ranch or S&W 625 Mountain Gun

[chaim]

OK, I have a chance at a very good deal on a barely used (possibly never fired) S&W 21 Thunder Ranch (N-frame, .44spl revolver) or a brand new S&W 625 Mountain Gun (N-frame, .45LC revolver).

I have about an hour to decide which to buy (they are auctions, and one has a bidder who just outbid me). Price isn't really a determination since both are well under the going rate and they are about $50-70 apart (with the new gun being a little more). Both seem to have reputable sellers so that isn't a consideration.

Both are guns I'd really like. I do like that the 21TR is blued with fixed sights (it may occasionally be carried so the sights are an advantage, and I just like blue revolvers a lot better than stainless) but I like that the 625MG is .45LC (I have a lever rifle in .45LC so I won't be adding a caliber, and .45LC can be loaded for good bear defense woods loads). The sights can always be changed out and I can have the stainless bead blasted to improve the looks (I like matte stainless almost as much as I like blue), but both options would cost extra money. I don't currently reload for either caliber (I don't even have a .44spl or .44mag pistol) but I could easily add either.

I've long wanted the 21TR but the $680-750 they typically go for on auctions was far too high. I've long wanted a .45LC but other things kept getting higher priority.

So, which would you pick?

 

[smee781]

???????

S&W 625 Mountain Gun, more load options if you decide to reload.

 

[Rover 'n Rugers]

I would second the 625 MG. The sight can be replaced with a Bowen Rugged Country or a C&S fixed sight if you desire more ruggedness.

 

[chaim]

Oh, I forgot a couple important considerations.

The main use of the gun will be home defense. I live in an apartment so for overpenatration concerns, I'd prefer a larger slower bullet to a smaller faster bullet (more power from size instead of velocity means a lower chance it will exit an attacker's body and be a threat to innocents in the next apartment, or my roommate). Right now my revolvers are either .38spl (minimum caliber for defense in a revolver, and I'd prefer a little more), or magnums (a lot of overpenatration potential).

I may occasionally carry it when in a carry state. An N-frame is a little large for carry, but both of these guns are a little more compact than the standard N-frame (they have half and not full underlugs) and the weight is within a couple ounces of a 4" K-frame. In an OWB belt holster they should be doable. The 21 might be a little better for this role (if for no other reason than the fixed sights won't snag anything). However, I don't live in a carry state, and I do have several more suitable carry revolvers and autos, so I wouldn't use it in this role that often (well, I don't think I would).

For woods carry I have a S&W 57 in .41mag. For most loads that would be safe in a S&W N-frame I doubt I could load more power in a .45LC than the .41mag has. However, the stainless would be nice when the weather isn't so nice, the lighter weight would be nice (the Mountain Gun has some weight cutting touches like the half lug, and it is a 4" barrel while my 57 is a 6"). Also, my 57 is from the first year of manufacture, and is in great shape, so I hate taking it into the woods when camping. So, I suspect the 625 would get a lot of woods time if I bought that gun (I doubt I'd take the 21 much out of concern for the caliber should I encounter a black bear, though that is a pretty unlikely scenario, and the bluing means no advantage in the woods over my 57).

 

[chaim]

Hmm, the more I write, the more the answer seems obvious (for my purposes). While I feel more of an emotional "want" for the 21TR (I love blue revolvers) the 625 Mountain Gun really does seem to make a lot more sense. I guess I've decided how to use my tax "rebate"

So, anyone interested in the 21 Thunder Ranch, there is about 20 minutes left on the auction, it is at $502 currently (next bid is set for $507), shipping is $25. If you hurry you may be able to get it:

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=98443944


I'm still interested in hearing what people think though between these two guns. Maybe add the S&W 22 Thunder Ranch to the comparison for interest (I don't see such a good deal on a 22 right now, but I think for the future I'll be looking between the 22 and 21 for a fun addition later). The 22 has the advantage of cheaper and more available .45ACP ammo, the 21 has the advantage of the more revolver appropriate .44spl.

 

[Deer Hunter]

I would go with the 625 Mountain Gun.

I'd love to have one of those.

 

[Gladius]

Another vote for the 625.

I have one of those.

I've also had a model 21 (standard, not the "Thunder Ranch" version). I dunno, I just could never bond with it, for some reason... maybe it was the fixed sights? The grips (which I didn't really care for, but could have changed if I cared to spend a little extra)? Anyway, I traded it off for a 10mm pistol...

 

[Stainz]

I got rid of my 24s - and bought new 629s as .44 Special launchers. I like SS. If I wanted a 21TR, I'd check CDNN - they had them new for $599. Of course, if you like blued, why get a SS MG?

Look below - I'd get the 625MGs - despite my -6 & -7.... neat old cartridge. Load that Speer #4484 250gr GD to 840 fps from that 4" tube - and what a stopper - that won't make it through several apartment's walls. Of course, the 200gr GD (#4429) in .44 Special (CCI Blazers or GA Arms in brass) is a similar speed performer. Your decision...



Stainz

 

[ewayte]

I just bought one of the new 625-9 Mountain Guns. I have the Thunder Ranch 21 and two 22s, so the N frame bug bit me hard!

Chaim - please let me know if your Mountain Gun has the S&W logo on the side plate. Some of the new ones do (mine), and I've seen that some don't (Jeff Quinn's over at gunblast.com).

 

[chaim]

OK, I made my choice and did it

Oops, meant this to be a new thread...
http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4485125#post4485125

I got the Mountain Gun.

Ewayte, from the photos, it appears to have the logo on the sideplate.