Why own a Model 24?

Hondo44 · #**101** 12-18-2018, 07:22 AM

You know what we say, right?

If no photo, it didn't happen..........

Irate45 · #**102** 12-18-2018, 05:59 PM

Man, you guys are tough! OK, here's the proof. I even included the old sight and mount, which I still have.

1.jpg

2.jpg

3.jpg

4.jpg

5.jpg

Hammergun · #**103** 12-24-2018, 05:57 PM

Thanks to the enthusiasm of this post I hunted and shopped and just bought my first Model 24-3 4” blued with walnut target grips used but in the box from GB. Now I want to get some diamond magna grips for it, replace the front orange insert site with a solid blued one and a thumb snap holster for it to carry in the woods. Thanks for the advice.

Xfuzz · #**104** 12-24-2018, 07:09 PM

Old...1922 second model sent back to the factory in 1946 for a refinish and a third model barrel installed.

Modern..24-3 picked up a couple weeks ago.

I have tried the three inch 24's and 624's..just did not have
the right feel for me.

Great caliber

jack the toad · #**105** 12-25-2018, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammergun

Thanks to the enthusiasm of this post I hunted and shopped and just bought my first Model 24-3 4” blued with walnut target grips used but in the box from GB. Now I want to get some diamond magna grips for it, replace the front orange insert site with a solid blued one and a thumb snap holster for it to carry in the woods. Thanks for the advice.

Congrats.
Now please refer to post #101 (top of page 3)

BigBill · #**106** 12-25-2018, 01:05 AM

I purchased a nib, m24/6 1/2” in nickel finish. Why I’m not sure. It was there in the case shiney and purdy. Plus I don’t like shooting 44 spec out of my 44 mags. I get weak in the knees when I see colt or s&w nickel.

Hammergun · #**107** 12-25-2018, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack the toad

Congrats.
Now please refer to post #101 (top of page 3)

I don’t know how to post the photos

Nemo288 · #**108** 12-25-2018, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammergun

I don’t know how to post the photos

Try this:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/faq.php...b3_attachments
It's actually easier than it sounds.
Only takes a couple of mouse clicks once you are in "advanced".

Hammergun · #**109** 12-25-2018, 05:37 PM

Okay thanks to the boards help here is my used Model 24.
What is the preference on original Magna versus reproduction Magna grips for our classic guns.
Thanks for the advice if not bad influence.
Jeff

bronco45 · #**110** 12-25-2018, 06:16 PM

Here's my Special Special with it's brother a 629-2 Mountain Revolver

Hammergun · #**111** 01-01-2019, 01:35 PM

I received my 24-3 on Friday and my Magnas for it yesterday. So I have just about the way I want it.
I would like to replace the front sight ramp with a solid blued ramp with no inserts. But I don’t see a pin for it like others have. Any thoughts on this.
I have ordered a Bianchi Cyclone Lined Thumb snap holster for it.
Thanks for the good influence you all are.
Jeff

Nemo288 · #**112** 01-01-2019, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronco45

Here's my Special Special with it's brother a 629-2 Mountain Revolver

Excellent choice.
By coincidence, I happen to have those same 2 44's, just not nearly as fancy versions.
Sometimes finding the exact right holster that fits you and the gun takes patience.
I like it quite a bit when I can carry more than one in that favorite scabbard depending on the circumstances.

For carrying around 44 specials I have now gone to the L frames.
I found that the somewhat rare holsters that came with the 3" 24 (29?) and 624 in the mid 1980's fit the L's perfectly.
My other fave for the L frame 44 is the Mernickle cross draw w/safety strap.

Nemo288 · #**113** 01-01-2019, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hammergun

I received my 24-3 on Friday and my Magnas for it yesterday. So I have just about the way I want it.
I would like to replace the front sight ramp with a solid blued ramp with no inserts. But I don’t see a pin for it like others have. Any thoughts on this.

Before going to a dark front sight I would shoot the gun or at least test it out in several lighting situations.
The solid blue is almost impossible to see in low light.
The inserts are fairly easy to change and are available in a variety of colors.
I much prefer the red insert to the solid blue and have put green fibers on a couple I carry often.
On a couple of rifles I have put a white dot on the front ala Elmer Keith and also the rear underneath a V notch.
Makes a HUGE difference.
My hunting Redhawk got a gold bead that I then painted white.
It also has the V notch rear like the double rifles of old.
Old Elmer knew what he was talking about.

Looking at your neat 44, I can't help but see Skeeter Skelton patrolling the border wearing that same gun.
It's the perfect service revolver.

Hammergun · #**114** 01-02-2019, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemo288

Before going to a dark front sight I would shoot the gun or at least test it out in several lighting situations.
The solid blue is almost impossible to see in low light.
The inserts are fairly easy to change and are available in a variety of colors.
I much prefer the red insert to the solid blue and have put green fibers on a couple I carry often.
On a couple of rifles I have put a white dot on the front ala Elmer Keith and also the rear underneath a V notch.
Makes a HUGE difference.
My hunting Redhawk got a gold bead that I then painted white.
It also has the V notch rear like the double rifles of old.
Old Elmer knew what he was talking about.

Looking at your neat 44, I can't help but see Skeeter Skelton patrolling the border wearing that same gun.
It's the perfect service revolver.

Thanks for the great insight. You are probably right. I will shoot it and give it some thought.

snowman.45 · #**115** 06-06-2019, 11:55 AM

I have a 624 N/D that I can't say has ever been fired. I'm sure it has been, but it can't be much as there is no carbon transfer on the cylinder face. I know I've never fired it. I got it in a trade several years ago and it went into the safe and was largely forgotten. There are a couple of others I'm interested in getting right now, so I may end up selling it.

THE PILGRIM · #**116** 06-06-2019, 12:37 PM

I own several 44 Specials and several 44 Magnums.
It’s news to me that I need to justify my choices,
Especially on a Gun Forum!

HamHands · #**117** 06-06-2019, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CelticSire

Skeeter's opinion:

The 44 Special - A Reappraisal

Fantastic Short read... thanks for referencing that! Skeeters .44Special referenced and "generally accepted" max-load of a 250grain pill loaded to 1200fps generates 800foot-pounds of energy is eye opening to me. This equates to soft shooting .44Magnum energy levels... yet is almost 40% hotter than what I've found to be the perfect "Woods-Load" in my .44Special; which is a 255grain "Keith" loaded @ 1,000fps that generates 566ft-lbs of energy! The .44 Special is "Special" indeed in my opinion! Underwood makes 2 very good loads that my .44MagSnubbies love, one for .44Special and one for .44Magnum. The aforementioned 255grain Keith @ 1,000fps and a 305grain "Keith" @ 1,325fps that is really excellent as well that can be safely shot in an M29/M629 Revolver. Both the .44Special .44Magnum are so versatile I really can't think of another caliber that is so!

Another great read by the Late Great Skeeter Skelton is this one called: "The Long & Short of 6Gun Barrels that everyone should read if they haven't yet...:
The Long & Short Of Sixgun Barrels

CH4 · #**118** 06-06-2019, 03:14 PM

I like the sexy tapered barrel, to my knowledge the only 44 mag with a tapered barrel is the mountain gun/revolver.

delcrossv · #**119** 06-06-2019, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HamHands

..... Both the .44Special .44Magnum are so versatile I really can't think of another caliber that is so!

Probably second after the .460. Fits 4 cartridges that go from "is that a squib?" to "my nose is bleeding".
.45 Schofield, .45 Auto Rim, 45 LC, 460 Mag.

HamHands · #**120** 06-06-2019, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delcrossv

Probably second after the .460. Fits 4 cartridges that go from "is that a squib?" to "my nose is bleeding".
.45 Schofield, .45 Auto Rim, 45 LC, 460 Mag.

I've shot a .460S&W with Hornady 200 FTX SST rounds thru a buddies 8" barreled (I believe it was 8" anyways) and that was enough for me! It split the webbing near my thumbs on the gloves I was wearing. Can't you shoot .454Casull's thru a 460S&W too?

Which brings me to another question... Can you shoot .44Russian thru a .44Special/Mag??? I don't see any reason you can't but have zero plans to, purely academic here...

delcrossv · #**121** 06-06-2019, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HamHands

I've shot a .460S&W with Hornady 200 FTX SST rounds thru a buddies 8" barreled (I believe it was 8" anyways) and that was enough for me! It split the webbing near my thumbs on the gloves I was wearing. Can't you shoot .454Casull's thru a 460S&W too?

Yes, you can. So that makes 5.

HamHands · #**122** 06-06-2019, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delcrossv

Yes, you can. So that makes 5.

YouTube

Then you could have the cylinder machined for Moon's and shoot .45ACP, .45Super, and even .45GAP... in addition to .45Auto-Rim without using Moon's along with all the other aforementioned cartridges in our previous posts to make the modern day "Medusa" of .45Caliber Revolvers.

The .38/.357/9mm caliber "Medusa" was always an anomaly to me ever since I heard of it in the mid 90's when I was a kid and the way it could hold & shoot semi-rimmed cartridges without the use of Moon's and still shoot the rimmed cartridges was an absolute ingenious design! I'm actually surprised it's design isn't springboard-ed off of/borrowed from and introduced again in a modern Revolver...

LinK
Medusa Model 47 - Multi Caliber Revolver

delcrossv · #**123** 06-06-2019, 10:20 PM

Cool! Very similar to the S&W 547.

Frank46 · #**124** 06-07-2019, 03:49 AM

I've always had a want for a S&W revolver in 44 special. But never has the money. One gun show almost at the door and talking to the dealer he told me that is a stainless steel version of the 24-3 cost me $700 but as I found out worth every penny. Then a few shows I found the 24-3 with the 3" barrel. Then came the 24-3 with the 4" barrel. And you know what? If I chanced on a 4" bbld 624 I'd scarf that one up so fast it would make your head spin. But you better hurry for a couple reasons. First they were made in limited numbers roughly 2400 4" revolvers. I forget the break down on all pistols. Prices keep rising I could sell the 24-3 for close to a grand easy. And since they are in our favorite caliber 44 special a lotta guys are out there looking for them.And they ain't making them anymore.
I rest my case. Frank

StrawHat · #**125** 06-07-2019, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xfuzz

Old...1922 second model sent back to the factory in 1946 for a refinish and a third model barrel installed.

Modern..24-3 picked up a couple weeks ago.

I have tried the three inch 24's and 624's..just did not have
the right feel for me.

Great caliber

Love that 2/3 Model.

I agree with what you say about the three inch N frame. For me, the balance is not there. In my hand, the 4” tapered barrel is the right choice.

Kevin

keith44spl · #**126** 06-07-2019, 08:50 AM

HamHands · #**127** 06-07-2019, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delcrossv

Cool! Very similar to the S&W 547.

YouTube

You had to go and show me another must have Smith in 3" barrel form didn't you, Delcrossy??? Now I'm looking for one waiting for the rain to stop on vacation!

Found one!

Hondo44 · #**128** 06-07-2019, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith44spl

Gorgeous!!

Did that beauty start life as a Reg. or a NRM?

delcrossv · #**129** 06-07-2019, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HamHands

You had to go and show me another must have Smith in 3" barrel form didn't you, Delcrossy??? Now I'm looking for one waiting for the rain to stop on vacation!

3" Round butt, 4" square butt. The RB is somewhat more common.

HamHands · #**130** 06-07-2019, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Gorgeous!!

Did that beauty start life as a Reg. or a NRM?

I love that top strap stippling! Should be standard on any serious use Revolver! None of mine have it but maybe my M629-3 "MBP" will receive 25lpi treatment along the top strap all the way until the barrel screws in, in the future.

keith44spl · #**131** 06-07-2019, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hondo44

Gorgeous!!

Did that beauty start life as a Reg. or a NRM?

RM No. 141

It had been re-blued and cut off a time or two before I got hold of it.

I decided to make it the best it could be.

.

HamHands · #**132** 06-07-2019, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delcrossv

3" Round butt, 4" square butt. The RB is somewhat more common.

That is Exactly what I'm finding Delcrossy!

I will only buy/use/carry Round Butts for CCW... I can always go with the Round to Square conversion grips if I wished but never the other way around without paying for a mill-butt/frame job and a refinish... so I just go with the rounds. I like what they did with the semi-short hammer jobs on these. Do you by chance have one? These are very cool guns and with the Magna stocks, and a Tyler-T grip could just very well be the perfect 9mm, +P, and even a HEavy-Hard-Cast, "Woods-Loaded" 9mm Revolver! I love the fact it mimics the Model 13 profile as well!

Nemo288 · #**133** 06-07-2019, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrawHat

I agree with what you say about the three inch N frame. For me, the balance is not there.

I'm with y'all on that as well.
For a 3" 44 I much prefer the L frames.
The full lug out front helps them balance and shoot much better for me than the 3" N frame especially the tapered barrel ones.
They are more comfortable to carry as well if you don't mind giving up a round in the cylinder.

If, God Forbid, we were limited to one handgun, I would probably choose my 696-1.
It carries and shoots like a dream instinctively and I know how to smith it if needed for the most part.
Also would not tell the authorities about the backups buried in the back yard (pictured below).

HamHands · #**134** 06-08-2019, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAG-NUM

The .44 specials are shooter friendly but still pack a wallop. The short barreled guns with the combat grips not only fit my hand like a glove but are very controllable and accurate. I love these two! Bob

Love em'! The "Combats" really fit my hands like they were made for them as well. Add a pair of Svelte "Cop-Gloves" when shooting and it's an almost perfect marriage! Nice stainless and blued pair for sure!

YeshuaIsa53 · #**135** 06-08-2019, 07:35 PM

I like the .44 Special, which is all the reason I need.

Mike, SC Hunter · #**136** 06-12-2019, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithman

I don’t get the attraction...at least in the 4” length. The 629 mountain gun does all a 4” 24 will do and then some.

I got "em" both......And like "em" both.

Nemo288 · #**137** 06-12-2019, 03:31 PM

Amen to that Brother!

ladder13 · #**138** 06-12-2019, 04:56 PM

How about a 624?

mikeruns · #**139** 06-13-2019, 01:49 PM

They are classy....like a 38/44 Outdoorsman is classy....they have their place and they are fun to look at and wonder about the trails and paths they have been toted along....

HamHands · #**140** 06-13-2019, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladder13

How about a 624?

Very Classic, very attractive, very desirable M624!

HamHands · #**141** 06-13-2019, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike, SC Hunter

I got "em" both......And like "em" both.

Sure enough! A 250grain Hard Cast "Keith" loaded to 1200fps in an M24 is a sweet spot Load that is entry level .44Mag sauce while still being quite controllable.. yet will still go snout to button-hole on most any pelted predator! Short excerpt from a well known Texas Sheriff & Case in point below...

"The .357 Magnum, with much justification, has enjoyed a heyday since 1935. Smith & Wesson's advertising for this revolver used to proclaim, "The S & W '.357' Magnum Has Far Greater Shock Power Than Any .38, .44, or .45 Ever Tested." With factory loads, this was true. Handloaded, the .44 Special made the .357 - also handloaded to peak performance - eat dust. It was the case of a good big man beating hell out of a good little man.

Basic mathematics made it obvious to experimenters that if the .44 Special were loaded up to its maximum velocity - generally accepted as 1,200 fps at the muzzle with 250-grain bullets - it could skunk the 158-grain .357 slug at 1,500 fps.

Topped with cast bullets in Hollow-point form, both the .357 and .44 Special handloads ran several times higher than their closest competitors on General Julian Hatcher's scale of relative stopping power. Significantly, the .44 had almost double the stopping effect of the .357 when this scale was applied, in spite of its moving at 300 less velocity."

-Charles A. "Skeeter" Skelton

Nemo288 · #**142** 06-13-2019, 05:19 PM

Any 44 Specialist who hasn't read everything they can find written by Skeeter is missing out on a lot of knowledge and fun.
He is pretty much single handedly responsible for getting me to acquire all the 624's when they originally came out.
My enjoyment of the 44 special has not ceased since then although I have gone to mainly shooting the L frame versions.
Of all the 44's it's the cartridge I shoot the most by far.

Skeeter Skelton
A RevolverGuy Tribute to Skeeter Skelton - RevolverGuy.Com
Sixgun Heros | Barranti Leather Co., LLC
I am not going to link to Amazon's version of "Good Friends, Good Guns, Good Whiskey" because of the outrageous prices.
Possibly eBay might be a better source for his books.

delcrossv · #**143** 06-13-2019, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HamHands

That is Exactly what I'm finding Delcrossy!

I will only buy/use/carry Round Butts for CCW... I can always go with the Round to Square conversion grips if I wished but never the other way around without paying for a mill-butt/frame job and a refinish... so I just go with the rounds. I like what they did with the semi-short hammer jobs on these. Do you by chance have one? These are very cool guns and with the Magna stocks, and a Tyler-T grip could just very well be the perfect 9mm, +P, and even a HEavy-Hard-Cast, "Woods-Loaded" 9mm Revolver! I love the fact it mimics the Model 13 profile as well!

Sorry for the late reply, but Yes, I have the 4". It a lot of fun, sort of the "range buddy" to my 940.

Nemo288 · #**144** 06-13-2019, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raljr1

How is this for a reason?

Attachment 371535
Exactly!
While the magnum is also capable of accuracy, for me the special is easier to shoot to this level.
It's also easier to find good loads.
The 4" 624 and the 696-1 seem to digest just about everything and put it on target.

Fairly early on it became apparent to me that my budget required me to specialize and limit the scope of my collecting.
I went with stainless as I am a function over form kinda guy and they were more available at the time (mid '80s).
I agree there is nothing like the classic look of cold blue steel. I just never acquired any revolvers that are blued.

ladder13 · #**145** 06-13-2019, 08:42 PM

Someone say 24?

ladder13 · #**146** 06-13-2019, 08:44 PM

Pair of shoeless 624’s.

ladder13 · #**147** 06-13-2019, 08:48 PM

Wolf and Klar.

HamHands · #**148** 06-13-2019, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemo288

Attachment 371535
Exactly!
While the magnum is also capable of accuracy, for me the special is easier to shoot to this level.
It's also easier to find good loads.
The 4" 624 and the 696-1 seem to digest just about everything and put it on target.

Fairly early on it became apparent to me that my budget required me to specialize and limit the scope of my collecting.
I went with stainless as I am a function over form kinda guy and they were more available at the time (mid '80s).
I agree there is nothing like the classic look of cold blue steel. I just never acquired any revolvers that are blued.

An old friend of the family... named "Ron Brown" (he passed recently) and both he and my step father worked with him. He got me into reading Skeeter Skelton... Skeeter said the .44Special was the most accurate handgun and load he'd ever shot and I believe he shot them all big and small. So before I could source a true M24 I got an M29 LHS and shot .44Specials out of it and its an extremely inherent round/load by it's nature even out of .44Magnum Revolvers. Shooting a true M24 Lew Horton Special and I have to agree with Skeeter Skelton and our friend Ron Brown. The .44Special IS the most accurate round/gun I've ever owned and shot! I thought .45ACP was the best thing since gunpowder was invented but even it is only 80% what the .44Special is in a true M24 with 240 to 255grain pills and loads in my experience!

My M24 shoots every one of these factory loads pretty much the same and lights out but with an extra modicum of accuracy going to the 240 and 255 grain loads! .44Special on Left, .44Mags on Right. I've found .44Magnum M29/M629 to be the 2nd most accurate gun/load right behind the .44Special.

All these Factory .44Mag loads my M29 and M629 have shot really well too! My brother and I have finally got our progressive loading set up, up and running so I'm thinking the true potential of both .44Special and .44Magnum is yet to be untapped for us!

keith44spl · #**149** 06-14-2019, 10:22 AM

Two of the last custom 44 Specials to come off the bench.

This'n went to Austin, Tex

I've been sporting this'n for a spell,

I'm a luck man....There been a bunch of 44 Specials pass through my callused hands.

An Outdoorsman Becomes a Triple Lock....

The .44 Spl. and The Scapegoat Mtn. Bull

.

HamHands · #**150** 06-14-2019, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith44spl

Two of the last custom 44 Specials to come off the bench.

This'n went to Austin, Tex

I've been sporting this'n for a spell,

I'm a luck man....There been a bunch of 44 Specials pass through my callused hands.

.

Those are all lovely and "Special" for sure! Tell me more about the first one and the fourth one from the top down please! I usually don't jump up and down about a 4 screw... I like them, don't get me wrong. But these two are great!