You guys know anything about this gun? From what I am finding in my research, it is a rather hard one to find, but I have one here at the local gun shop that I might purchase tomorrow. It is stainless, .44mag, a 3/4 barrel lug, and is very clean. My only concern is the short barrel. I think it is only 4.5 or maybe 5" at best. I've not hunted with any revolver shorter than a 12" 460, so I have no experience on what this barrel length can do.

I am VERY interested in this little jewel, but wondered if you guys might know some more "history" of this gun, and why it is so hard to find. It has a bear head engraved on the right hand side if that helps ya with anything.

The main thing I can tell you is they are very popular but they have been replaced by the 329PD as the "must have" packing side arm. I'm not sure if they are still in production or not, one of the big time S&W guys may know better. I wouldn't worry about accuracy or power. The difference in an iron sighted 6" vs 4" at applicable ranges will be negligable. I had a 4" model 57 I used to pack and I wouldn't have hesitated to hunt with it, the gun was extremely accurate and in normal iron sight ranges out to 50yds I would have complete faith in it's power and accuracy, I was the only factor that limited it to that yardage actually.

They are hard to find because SW did not make tons of them, and they are well built and tend to be niche type guns. The folks that have them have very specific needs that this gun fills nicely

They seem to fall more into the category of folks who want to pack a gun as either a handy self defense gun, or if purpose hunting want to not be burdoned with large holstered affairs. When you look at 44 mag published reloading/ballistic info, you will find most loads are worked up with either a long pressure barrel, or an 8 and change inch barrel typically seen on the model 29. So, your actual velocities will be a bit slower than what you see in the books. And it does not have the typical extra cylinder length that is found in other makes of revolvers, so you will be a bit more limited if you want to shoot the very heavy for caliber type bullets.

They are not "tank" built like a Ruger, but they do posess a great deal of style points

I know if I found one sitting on the shelf of my one and only local shop, I would have a VERY hard time not purchasing it. If it were in 45 Colt, no chance of not walking out with it.

Craig

Thats why I like my 4" Redhawk. Its my "mountain gun" that will stand up to a steady diet of stout 320 gr hardcast loads. Not quite as small as the S&W but in a Galco holster I really don't notice it on my belt while I'm hiking.

Hmmmm.... Thanks guys. Sure thinkin about it today. He is closed today, so my first shot at it will be tomorrow morning.

I know what he is asking for it, but what would be a reasonable price at, lets say, 95% condition.

I would take a look at gunbroker and see if there are any on there and what they are going for. A new 629 is about a grand and used I've seen them between 500.00 and 900.00. I know that doesn't help a whole lot but maybe you can find something on line.

I bought a blued four inch Model 25-13 .45 Colt Mountain Gun around ten years ago. Smith & Wesson advised against any +P loads, so it has never gone hunting.

rap, I have 2 Mtn. Guns. A blue 44mag and a stainless 45Colt. I have carried the 45 on my hip and find its easy to pack and loaded with a 280gr SWC-GC at a little over 900FPS it takes care of almost everything....

R.T. you should have it.

X2

As far as I know the "mountain gun" was never produced with bear on it...it may have been added as a decoration by the previous owner. They all came with a 4" thinned down barrel and this makes them a little lighter than the full sized N-frame.

There have been several N-frame variations that did have the bear engraved on them from the factory.

I have a standard 4" 29 and really like it...it is no redhawk as far as strength. But the redhawk feels kind of klunky compared to the Smith.

I have never felt handy-capped by the short(er) barrel.

I'm thinkin I'm going to go talk to him in the morning and see if I can work a deal with him. I know it is a mountain gun, it says "mountain gun" on the barrel. Bear engraving could have been done after the fact, which is fine with me. I've been looking on the net for some info, but am having trouble finding much.

Thanks for the thoughts fellas.