Wheelgun Wednesday: Smith & Wesson 629-9 Mountain Gun Review

Welcome back to Wheelgun Wednesday. Over the last few months, Smith & Wesson has dropped a number of modern variants of their classic line, with the Model 29, Model 19 as well as the Model 10 all having variants released as a part of their classic line. One of the newest additions to the classic line is the Mountain Gun variant, which brings a modern take on the classic wheelgun era. I received a copy chambered in .44 Magnum for review and over the last few months, I've been taking it for range sessions. Let's take a closer look at the new 629-9 Mountain Gun.

Specs

When the classic Smith & Wesson 29s came out, they were glorious nickel and wood finishes for someone who didn't want the simpler blued variants. Models came out of the factory with a high gloss finish, along with wood grips and some models even came with presentation cases. Smith & Wesson is coming back and releasing new models of the N-frame that call back to the classic 29s of the 70s and 80s. This Mountain Gun comes standard with simple yet effective walnut grips, a gold bead front sight and a clean stainless steel finish. Continuing the Mountain Gun theme, it comes standard with a lightweight tapered barrel for reduced weight.

Chambered in .44 Magnum, this model offers massive amounts of firepower in a relatively compact package. The classic look also includes the removal of the internal lock affectionately known as the “Hillary hole”. This gives the 629 a much cleaner original look that resembles the classic options. Smith & Wesson decided to install a target trigger as well as a target hammer for easier manipulation and a better shooting experience. One thing to keep in mind is that this handgun is a Lipsey’s exclusive, so they won't be widespread, but they are definitely worth keeping an eye out for since they are so different from other models currently available. Small details like the wood grips, gold bead front sight, and polished finish make this gun feel very special compared to other options. The 629-9 Mountain gun is currently shipping with an MSRP of $1,199.99.

Range Time

So far, I have roughly 540 rounds through the 629-9 Mountain Gun. The ammunition used for testing was Magtech 240-grain lead flat-nose .44 Special rounds, as well as PMC 180-grain JHP 44 Magnum ammo to get the full experience. I also had a couple of boxes of Hornady 220-grain ammunition. With 44 Special, the 629-9 Mountain Gun is one of the easiest handguns to shoot with virtually no recoil. If you have recoil-sensitive shooters in your family, shooting the lighter-loaded .44 Special is a fantastic way to enjoy this handgun without being completely abused. The double action is roughly 10 lbs on my trigger scale, but it's a clean, predictable double action with a very light 3lbs single action.

The target trigger and hammer really do make a world of difference when at the range doing target practice. I’ve always thought the thicker triggers and hammers were a much more enjoyable experience, and this Mountain Gun is no exception; it's fantastic to shoot. I am a huge fan of the original N-frame revolvers of the 60s and 70s, and although the 629s from today are great with stainless finish, they often have lost some of that charm from the original. This Mountain Gun has that heart and soul that made Smith & Wesson a powerhouse in the gun world.

Accuracy and Reliability

In terms of accuracy, I tested it with Magtech .44 Special and the PMC 180-grain jacketed hollow points. For the testing, I did 3 groups for each ammo with 5 rounds per group for a total round count of 15 rounds per ammo type. I shot each group at 25 yards from a rested bench with a rest to take out as many of the variables as possible. The average group for the Magtech .44 Special was 1.75” with a flyer usually opening the group up. If I took the flyers out, I had an average of 1.30”, but some of the flyers were 2 inches or more. The 44 Magnum rounds from PMC were much more consistent with an average group of 1.20”, which isn't bad at all. I was happy with the performance.

When it comes to reliability, it's hard to go wrong with a revolver. During all of my testing, the Model 629 did fantastic with no issues or oddities at all. This is pretty predictable, though, since revolvers are known to be extremely reliable inherently by design. I think Smith & Wesson leaning into the rugged western appeal when it comes to their firearms is a really smart move. Semi-autos are great for capacity, but in terms of reliability and power factor, it's hard to beat a big-bore wheelgun.  

There aren't many guns that feel like it has a soul to me when it comes to modern production, but this Mountain Gun is a rare exception that has buckets of charisma and every time I take it to the range, it feels like an event. This sense of drama and presence in a firearm makes me believe the 629-9 will be an instant classic since there's only a set number to be produced. There are certain guns that just feel different from other options on the market and this Mountain Gun is certainly one.