I bought the only 24-3 that has come my way. It was a 6 1/2", I never really warmed to that length barrel. After a decade or so I came across a new 4" barrel on Ebay. I had to send the revolver and barrel back to S&W to have the new tube mounted.

The 6 1/2" barrel had to be sawn to get it out, evidently the early non pinned barrels were screwed in really tight. S&W got the 4" tube in and I added some Skeeter Skelton stocks and a standard hammer and trigger.....