In the 1980’s and 90’s, Smith & Wesson made a lightweight, packable revolver dubbed the Mountain Gun. Available in various chamberings, the Mountain Gun became a popular sidearm for packing in the woods and as a backup gun until production stopped in the early 2000’s.
Collectors Bought Them Up
Collectors started buying them for their collections. This year, Smith & Wesson and Lipsey’s brought the Mountain Gun back, alongwith a few new and welcome changes! Available in a seven shot model 686+ 357 magnum and a model 629 44 magnum.
I opened the box and inspected the revolver when I picked it up from my FFL. In the box was a manual, sticker, and lock which is the standard with most handguns.
Grips and Sights
The grips were the first thing to catch my attention. The walnut Bear Hug grips from Tyler Gun Works are fit perfectly to the gun and feel great in the hand. The palm swells give a positive grip and are very similar in shape to the old “Coke” grips S&W made in the 50’s, minus the checkering.
The brass bead front sight seemed easy to acquire in the adjustable rear sight. A four inch thin tapered barrel helps to reduce the overall weight.
NO LOCK
One of the big changes brought out on this gun is the “No Lock” frame, meaning the internal safety lock hole is now a thing of the past!
Trigger Pull and other Specs.
Once I got home, I inspected the Mountain Gun a bit more. With a Lyman digital trigger scale, the single action trigger pull measured between 3 pounds 7 ounces and 3 pounds 10 ounces. Double action pull averaged 9 pounds 6 ounces.
The barrel cylinder gap measured 0.004” under every chamber. On the postage scale, the gun weighed exactly 39 ounces, making it light enough for a working field gun. Built on Smith & Wesson’s bigger round butt N frame, this gun should be able to handle a load for any application.
Does it shoot?
This gun shoots phenomenal! I shot jacketed bullets, hardcast lead, and even a few softer lead plinking rounds I loaded. Nothing shot over a 1 ½” inch group. Even the 44 Specials I tested shot great, which is a great option for someone that can’t take the recoil of 44 magnum loads.
Test targets were set at a measured 25 yards for testing and shot resting the grip on a small rest bag. All groups were six shots, one full cylinder. Velocities were taken with a Garmin Xero C1 chronograph and are the average of a six shot string.
| Ammunition/Handload | Group Size in Inches | Average Velocity in FPS |
| DoubleTap Hardcast Solid – 240 gr. | 1.02 | 1422 |
| Hornady Handgun Hunter – 200 gr. Monoflex | 0.99 | 1321 |
| Handload – 240 gr. XTP / 23 gr. W296 | 1.2 | 1215 |
| Doubletap Hardcast Solid – 240 gr. (44 Special) | 1.36 | 916 |
Snake shot works great in the Mountain Gun too! I thought I’d try a few rounds of DT Snakeshot from DoubleTap. Of the five rounds I shot, it averages a 24 inch pattern at five yards.
The lighter weight and compact design of the Mountain Gun make it a great sixgun to pack for a hiking and woodsbumming gun, or a bear defense sidearm.
Custom Leather
I’ve been carrying mine in a “Hiker” thumb break holster from Nixon Leather. This type of holster allows for a fast draw when needed and secures the gun, so it won’t fall out on the trail.
Perfect Package
I was more than happy with the groups I shot, and the gun as a whole. The grips fit my hands great and give a positive hold through the shot, even with the harder recoiling loads. The brass bead front sight is another great feature, allowing better sight visibility and acquisition for quicker shots from the holster. With over 200 rounds through the Mountain Gun now and sights adjusted, this gun is ready to work.
Lipsey’s and Smith & Wesson hit a home run with this one! The fit, finish, and quality are great on the Mountain Gun, leaving me with no complaints. The removal of the internal locking system, together with the tapered barrel and Bear Hug grips, bring back the classic look and feel of a fine revolver.