By Mr. Bacon
We currently live in a time seemingly awash with nostalgia. We can postulate as to why this is, but for what it’s worth, I think it’s because of our desire for meaning and tangible realism in this world of fake images, articles, stupid reaction videos, and instant algorithm-fueled gratification.
We seem to long for this bygone age before the internet and social media took over. Back when our time was valuable and we used it to work towards tangible items of craftsmanship and care. A time where we still had to work for our dopamine hits.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s great things about the modern world, but it does come with a steep price. However, it doesn’t have to be paid in full constantly. We can choose to remove ourselves from certain aspects of modernity and thereby live slower and more deliberately.
Enter the Smith and Wesson 629 Mountain Gun. Industry powerhouse Lipsey’s approached Smith and Wesson with an ambitious project: the resurrection of the iconic Mountain Gun series of revolvers.
Lipsey’s provided a list of desired features (in addition to the traditional Mountain Gun specs) and Smith and Wesson delivered. Flash-chromed small parts, a patridge-style front sight blade with a brass bead, Tyler Gun Works maple bear hug style stocks, and, most importantly, the complete elimination of the long-hated internal lock.
Any discussion of the 629 Mountain Gun would be incomplete without a discussion of the cartridge that fuels it.
For those of us that get relaxation and escape by containing chemical accelerant explosions in our hands, the .44 Remington Magnum fills several roles well. Practicality? Check. It is by far the most trusted round for wilderness defense against unfriendly furries. Though they scare me less than urban furries (if you don’t know, you don’t want to).
Cool factor? Check. “Did he fire six shots or only five?” When Inspector Callahan was doing his work on the silver screen he brought the .44 Mag. to the forefront of American gun culture. Everyone wanted the “most powerful handgun in the world.”
Fun factor? Check. Shooting the .44 makes you feel like you’re in control of some serious power. Whether it’s blowing up soda cans, water jugs, or making some steel dance, it really is a fun round to shoot. You just have to be able to deal with the recoil—which is stout.
If anyone tells you that a 39-ounce Smith and Wesson chambered in .44 Mag. doesn’t hurt, they are lying to you. It hurts, but it won’t injure you. It will just test your mettle, and as men, we should welcome that. We can say it hurts, but pain is good and it’s frankly what makes this gun awesome.
In my view, Smith and Wesson (thanks to Lipsey’s giving them the perfect spec sheet) knocked it out of the park with the Mountain Gun. This is a faithful homage to the old Mountain Guns. A beautifully tapered four-inch barrel, beveled cylinder, a reasonably polished stainless finish, and beautiful wood stocks. The flash chromed small parts compliment the overall aesthetics perfectly.
I want to get the brief list of cons out of the way: the fit and finish. The pistol is well built, tight and precise mechanically, but there were some minor imperfections. The stocks don’t fit the metal perfectly, but it’s good. That’s unavoidable when working a production piece from a grip manufacturer to a different manufacturer’s pistol. Additionally, multiple screws were damaged by poor screwdriver technique. Not badly, only aesthetically, but it looks like a lazy gunsmith worked on it. All that said, I don’t care much because I intend it to be a working gun. It’s not going to look pristine for long.
Now the good. It can not be overstated how nice the trigger is. Most Smiths need some work out the gate and a little time with someone who knows black magic. This was not the case with my gun though. It is perfect for a big double action revolver. The pull of the double is smooth and reasonably weighted (I don’t have a trigger gauge and don’t care about the number: It’s the feel). The single action has absolutely no creep, minimal over travel, and breaks like a tiny glass vial. Perfect.
Now, the overall feel. The stocks feel great to my hand. I have big mitts and these stocks feel big. They are great for me as most guns tend to feel small. Under recoil, they keep the gun locked into my hand despite the complete lack of texturing. The controls are all easy to operate, and the grips stay out of the way when ejecting spent shells and loading fresh ones. All the while, you feel like you’re communicating with this pistol.
There’s something about holding wood and steel vs polymer and steel with modern heavy duty finishes. I’m of the opinion that wood and steel takes on life and personality. It has a story to tell because it has a soul. It takes on a piece of each person in its story.
It may not be the most practical thing in every situation but there’s something about slower loading, slower shooting, and a huge explosion of fire and lead.
The Mountain Gun requires more of you. More time to load, more time and effort to fire, more tolerance to pain, more strength, more thought. In return though, it gives more: More power down range; more accomplishment when you’ve tamed the beast; more joy when you admire its beauty; more connection when you hold it in hand.
Pick one up. You’ll have a working gun worthy of passing to your grandkids. Maybe they’ll still be nostalgic when they have laser guns and robots.
Cost: $1199.00
Pros: Great size; not too light to shoot, not too heavy to carry; beautifully utilitarian; phenomenal trigger; well priced for what it is.
Cons: It’s not free and it doesn’t take Glock mags.
