S&W 44 Mags

[Riomouse911]

The N-frame Mountain Guns are, IMHO, about the best large-frame compromise between trail portability and magnum load shootability. Any more size and weight and you’re probably looking for a chest holster to comfortably carry, any less and it can be brutal on the hands after a couple of magnums. For anyone who isn’t familiar with the 629 MG, the frame is the same size as the regular 4” N frame handguns but the barrel has a thinner profile so there is a bit of a weight savings.

4” Model 57 .41 Magnum barrel:



4” Model 629 .44 Mag Mountain Gun:



The Model 57 and 629 MG;



629 Mountain Gun and 6.5” Model 629 Classic .44 Magnum with a PowerPort and the heavy, full lug barrel:



The only negative with the MG is the price. Since they’re not common they average North of $1,300 bucks a copy on GB .

Stay safe.

 

[Rodfac]

Rio, that M-57 4" Smith is one of my "Grail" guns....and you're right on target with the current prices...I bit on a stainless 657 Mountain a year ago and bailed when it went over $1100...shoulda hung in there a bit longer as it sold IIRC for $1175. If you ever get a hankerin to thin your herd, I'd be interested in the 57. Best regards, Rod

 

[Ronald Burklund]

My 39oz 629 Mountain Gun is about as small as I wanna go with Magnum's.
It mostly see's 240grn loads at around 1100 fps, full house loads are a handful.

View attachment 1055493

I have a 44 Mountain gun and a 3" Weight is the same. Each has it's advantage and can not tell you yet which I prefer.

 

[Y-T71]

I got a couple of 6" 629's and I love em but I've always secretly yearned (I don't think ive ever said that word before) for a 4", I've just never been in the right place at the right time and had money in my pocket!

Because my wrists file grievances when I shoot full house magnums now, I don't think a 69 is in my future but, that elusive 4"....

 

[black mamba]

Elmer liked a 4" model 29 . . . and so do I.

 

[nofendertom]

A Mod 29 4in and a LSWC at 1000/fps go together like coffee and donuts.

 

[dickydalton]

I love them.

2957

• dickydalton
• Oct 31, 2022

Stags2

• dickydalton
• Nov 5, 2021

69now

• dickydalton
• Feb 7, 2020

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• dickydalton
• Dec 29, 2019

Craig Spegel

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• dickydalton
• Oct 18, 2018

 

[StrawHat]

A Mod 29 4in and a LSWC at 1000/fps go together like coffee and donuts.

A nice 44 S&W Special load.


Or 45 ACP or 45 long Colt!

I favor the ACP,



Kevin

 

[wcwhitey]

I posted earlier with a different set of stocks. Found a set of Hoque Miculek grips. What a difference. For my hands perfect, changed the trigger angle and dropped the perceived trigger pull quite a bit. I have been taking it on every range trip lately and just have a blast. MBC coated 240 SWC over 5.2 grain of Win244 is a honey. Recoil is slight, velocity is published at 840 fps from a 4” barrel. Pic is 15 yards DA offhand as fast of a cadence as I can manage. Revolver just keeps getting smoother. I have a good friend, RO and former Smith&Wesson armorer offer to slick it up some more. When I take pics I always show the lock. I see where some hide it, still don’t like it but it is what it is.

 

[earlthegoat2]

My opinion is that you want a 629 with a more uncommon barrel length or an uncommon configuration for a just because gun.

So 3” or 5” barrels or a Mountain Gun configuration to name a few of the top of my head.

 

[Derek Zeanah]

I shouldn't be reading this thread.

I OWB carry, and of late I've been on a revolver kick, carrying 4" .357 L frames.

I joined a new gun range and got to shoot a guy's Model 69 (with both light and hot rounds) and I liked it. In general I'm a "bigger is better" guy (low IQ indicator, I know), but...

I can't see what I'd use it for.

I spent a few hours watching gel tests on the Youtube, and from what I can tell if we're talking L frame, against bipeds, 125gr .357 is hard to beat. Performs better than the .44SPL loads I've seen, and it doesn't penetrate to 29" like some of the 44s do. I live in Georgia and we've had black bear on the property, but the odds of shooting one are low, and the 357 probably has that handled pretty well.

I'd love a model 69 (or even that sexy little Combat Magnum), but I can't justify carrying it (and therefore training with it) over a 357.

I can see the appeal, though.