S&w 24-3

[29yrsreload]

Went to an estate auction Saturday looking to buy reloading stuff; wasn't planning on buying any guns as I've been spending my money on NOE and MiHec moulds :Bright idea:
There were several Smiths and Rugers, but really hadn't looked at any; then they started to sell the Model 24. Someone in the crowd popped up and said that there was a recall out on the 24-3 models because barrels had been blowing up :shock:
I had heard of no such ocurrence (sic) and decided that either the "gentleman" didn't know what he was talking about, or was trying to reduce the number of bidders. I then decided that even though I have a very nice 629, I just maybe needed a Model 24 44 special also.
As I had absolutely no intention to purchase a gun this month, I have come to the conclusion that this particular gun is evil and can warp the thoughts of anyone witing eyesight :evil:

31802

31803

[Dale53]

The Model 24 S&W along with the 624's are some of the finest revolvers Smith has ever made. I have a Model 24 (6½") and both a 4" and a 6½" 624. YOU DID GOOD!:drinks:

My comments are from the prospective of a shooter...

A 4" Smith in .44 Special falls squarely into the category of John Tappin's "Perfect Packin' Pistol"...

Dale53

[stubshaft]

I bought a 624-3 from Lew Horton years ago. Like yourself I never intended to buy it but boy was I glad i did. What a sweetheart! Good buy.

[Lloyd Smale]

there a wonderful gun!!!

[2 dogs]

I suggest you exercise them demons right out of that sixgun. I recommend UNIQUE demon launching powder!

[MT Gianni]

Recall on 624's for bad steel in the cylinders certain SN#'s. That mod 24 is a real beauty.

[GLL]

Evil indeed !
They are to be avoided at all costs ! :) :)

Your 4" is one of my VERY favorite shooters !!! Great find !

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/827002BF6938115/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/1708B2EBEE5F40A/orig.jpg

[Ben]

Jerry :

You certainly know how to make it hard on all us
poor folks with all those beautiful 44 Specials photos.

[ReloaderFred]

That's the one S&W revolver I've been lusting after, but unable to locate for less than the cost of a new truck. I'm envious........

Fred

[MT Gianni]

I'm there Fred. I walked away from one 12 years ago because I had a Bulldog and when sanity returned 3 days later it was gone. I have not seen a nice affordable one since. The 624 I had was not a great shooter but the 4" I walked away from was a safe queen from the 50's.

[Dale53]

Mine shoots pretty good (cylinder full, standing at 25 yards):

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/img030.jpg

This was the 6½" Model 624 with the Skeeter load (7.5 grs of Unique behind the 250 gr Keith at 950 fps).

Dale53

[Dframe]

Congratulations. The model 24 is one of smiths finest. I'm lucky enough to have two of them

[Wally]

I have one in the 6.5" barrel..the cylinder throats are .434" oversized but it shoots fairly accurately. Sadly I use my Ruger SBK more when shooting .44 Spls as it is more accurate...probably because it has .4295" cylinder throats. I use the 429348 Lyman WC bullet in the Model 24 and just enjoy shooting both.

[doghawg]

29yrsreload....Nice catch on the model 24-3.

My 24-3 and 624 both have .433" throats and the best accuracy with both guns has been with an old 4 cavity Ideal 429244 GC that drops .434" bullets. I size them in a Star die that runs at .4325" and accuracy has been outstanding. I'm thinking of getting a custom .433" mold with a plain base bullet....BRP maybe?

[Gunsmoke4570]

Great pick up! I have the 24-3 in the 6 1/2" barrel and it is a sweet shooter. You won't regret it!

[GLL]

Dale:
What are the throats on your 624s?

It is interesting to hear that so many have oversized cylinders on their 24-3s.
I own several 24-3 and 624 revolvers and all measure a very uniform 0.431". using pin gauges.

Jerry

[Dutch4122]

What are the throats on your 624s?



Jerry-

The throats in my 624 run .432" - .4325" measured with pin gauges.

[Frank46]

If the 24-3 is a 4" bbld one according to the guys at the S&W forums they only made about 2600 for one year. Think it was 1983 or so. I bought one recently and although it has a couple problems (its going back to S&W) its one I'll never part with
also have a 6.5" bbld 624 in 44 special caliber. Large slow moving hunk of lead. Frank

[29yrsreload]

Dale53, I hope mine shoots as good as yours (going to be hard to tell, I can't shoot as good as you!:awesome:
I may have time to shoot it later today or tomorrow; am going to compare to my 6 inch 629; loaded up NOE 429421 with 7 grains of Unique Demon Launching Powder:lol: and same bullet with 6 grains of Hodgdon Clays.
I'm afraid I'm now headed for a severe case of Smith & Wesson Disease; Fortunately I'm not in as dire shape as GLL. I only have one of each: Model 66, 18-3, 629-1, and 24-3. Unfortunately, I hear a Model 27 whispering my name on the wind :not listening: