What is the difference between Smith's Model 29 Mountain Gun with the 4" barrel and a regular Model 29 with a 4" barrel? I know the regular Model 29 is not available but the Mountain Gun is on their website. Just curious as to the differences. I have a 629 Classic but want a revolver that is more just a carry gun for the woods instead of a hunter and thought the Model 29 Mountain Gun looked like what I want. I also have a .38 and .357, both S & W's, but really like the .44 mag.

Thanks in advance.

I think you just made-up your own mind. You prefer one more than the other! I respect your decision.

Cheezywan

The Mountain Gun has a lighter barrel like the older 44 Special models. Its a few ozs lighter and looks a little better IMHO.

Only difference is the lighter barrel. Both are very accurate guns. I like the Ruger Redhawk a little better simply because it's a tougher built gun. I especially like the 5.5 inch barrel on the Redhawk.

I carried and shot a Smith 29 with a 6.5 inch bbl for years. It was a wonderful gun, but I ended up shooting it to death. I understand the newer 29's are much tougher than when they first came out so I would'nt hesitate to buy one if I wanted it.

As for now I pack a 4 inch ported Taurus stainless Tracker. At 34 oz. it can be packed on a belt holster where even the 4 inch Smith Mountian gun is a little heavy and packs better in a shoulder holster.

If you like the looks of the 29 in the mountian gun frame go for it. I think you will find it shoots just fine.

I looked at Taurus' website Bob. I have to say the .44 Tracker looked very good with the 4" ported barrel. I liked the blued steel model best. The Rugers really don't do much for me and I am not sure why. It is like one of those Ford-Chevy deals I guess. But I do think now I am going to chose between the Model 29 Moutain Gun and the Tracker. One nice thing about the Taurus was the price. If they hold up well it would definately be worth it. It will no doubt be several hundred less than the Smith and I have a wife and a 2-year old.

I've had good luck with my tracker in 41 mag. Havn't had one in a 44. The porting works well. If your going to shoot it a lot I'd load it down a bit. I load the tracker down to 8-900 fps with a Lee 210 grain cast.

One advantage to the big Smith is it has a longer cylinder than the tracker giving you use of some of the heavier bullets available in .429. Thats something to think about if our planning on doing any amount of handgun hunting.

The Big Ruger again has a longer cylinder yet and takes more pressure for hot loads if that's your thing.

Frankly I spent a bunch of years handgun hunting with the 44 mag and found that for black bear and deer a 255 grain hardcast kieth style bullet at 1250 to 1350 killed as well as any of the hot loads and was pleasent to shoot.

Good luck and let us know which you get.

Here's a 5.5 inch Redhawk, a 7.5 inch Super Redhawk with an aimpoint 5000 on it and the 4 inch Tracker.

" I've had good luck with my tracker in 41 mag. Havn't had one in a 44. "

Curious as to why you chose the 41 over the 44?? Lighter weight? Narrower? Easier to carry? Better SD? Or because the whole world has a 44 and you just wanted something different?