This question came up at the range this past week. I like 44 specials, so I own one. Many of the other guys there felt it was not necessary to own a Mod. 24 if you already owned a 44 magnum, i.e. 29/629 as you can shoot specials in it.

Other than 44 specials are cool, and you have to clean a 44 magnum more when shooting specials out of it, what reasons would you give for owning a Model 24?

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Aaron Terry

The following is my opinion, worth nothing but to me.

A four inch M24 with magnas handles like no M29 four inch can. It's "lightness" might be measured in mere ounces but it somehow feels lighter than a M29.



The appearance of any S&W .44 Special is unlike any other. It is sleek, it is graceful, it is iconic. The history of it is of a special niche.



A .44 Magnum can indeed be loaded down to a .44 Special, but then it loses its "aura" as "The .44 Magnum". That is another subject.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

4 inch 44 mags are a dime a dozen.4 inch model 24s aren't.

The inherent accuracy of a purpose built 44Spl is a thing to behold.

I have several 44 mags, but they don't shoot Spl level loads as well as the 24/624.

Because they are there. Anybody can find a Model 29. That's like asking why bother to own a Model 10 when you can have a .357?

In my opinion it takes a shooter who is interested at a level higher than just making noise or having a powerful handgun. An interest in the golden age of double action revolvers gives a deeper appreciation for this caliber. Being a handloader can result in more interest also, because the 44 special is definitely one of the most versatile calibers to load for. If they don't get it, you'll never be able to explain it.

Because it was designed for the round. I don't shoot .38 spl. in a .357 and I don't shoot .44 spl. in a .44 mag.. Ever since I drove 70 miles to shoot and couldn' chamber a magnum round because of shooting the shorter round, I use the proper cartridge in the firearm it was designed for. I also believe that the special rounds (.44 spl. & .38 spl.) actually shoot slightly better in revolvers chambered for the round.

Good shooting,
Steve

I had a faux M-24 made up with a genuine M24 bbl but a rebored cylinder...on a M-28. shot VERY well and the balance was nice too.

When the 624's came out I bought a 4" model and that balances (to me) even better.

And in my opinion a standard 4" 24/624 loaded with .44 special loads simply wortks very well. I've killed deer with one, wouldn't think for a moment it wouldn't work in a defense situation and the combo is very accurate.

Many shooters immediately try to make the .44 Special into a .44 magnum. Don't understand THAT. Try the cartridge in a 24 or 624 and it's hard to NOT fall in love with the combination.

FN in MT

I own .44 Specials because it's America and I can do anything I damn please.

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David Wilson

What I like is the collectability of a model 24. Owning various models is fun. The more the the better. If I was restricted to just one handgun it would be a 4" .44 mag. But I like shooting a .44 special. I can down load a magnum but the heft is there, a disadvantage in my opinion. I have 4 specials, 696, ( a class in its' own), a 3" 624 ( a better carry gun than a 629), a model 24 four inch, and a Colt SAA. Each one is "special", not just a "same old calibar thing".

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JIM
NRA Pistol Instr

I'm not sure, but I really would like to have one.

i asked myself the same question....until i purchased a M24 4" such a nice one!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Several years ago I was really wanting a model 24, but could not find one in nice shape that I could afford at the time. So I settled for a 624 with a 6" barrel instead. Seemed like a good fit for me since I already had a 29-2 with a 4" barrel and a 29-3 with an 8 3/8th barrel.
I`m glad I decided to get it. Turned out to be one of the most accurate Smiths I own. It will hold it`s own against my model 14-2.
Still would have prefered a blue model 24, but I`m very happy with the 624.
It`s a great shooter and fits in nicely with my other N Frames.

I think the model 24/624 with the 3" barrel is the cat's meow. Love the tapered barrel and the general looks of the gun.

I shoot mostly 44 specials in my 629's and enjoy shooting the 624 just as much.

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

First one disclaimer. That would be a .44 magnum mountain gun.
Yes, a 29 will shoot a special. Lets go deeper. Except for the mountain gun or possibly some 5 shot snub nose cannon that I dont know much about, you will find a 29 version with the heavy straight barrel and longer clyinder to feel a lot bulkier and heavier than the spec sheet states.
First, do you really need a mag? You can load the special up close to the low end loads of a mag. 1,200 fps with a 240 gr?
The differance is in the guns made for the special. They (Meaning the model 24 and colt saa) are more portable and a sweetheart to handle. I own a 29-2 in 5". Also have owned them in 4" and 8 3/8s. I own 7 .44 specials. A ruger flat top besides these smiths and colts pictured. I started out many years ago with haveing a ruger 357 BH converted to 44 special when the first ones did it. I am experianced with the different feel between guns. Carrying a 29 feels like carrying a softball bat in comparison to a hardball bat. To me it`s beyond just saying well, a 29 will do everything a special will and more. Do you want to wrestle with a sweetheart or a heavyweight?
Here are my .44 specials.

Because they're better. Who really "needs" to carry a magnum unless you live where the critters will eat you for breakfast? They're an old school American icon. They carry, handle, and shoot like a big friendly puppy but make big holes. But most of all chicks dig them.

I have an assignment for you: Find some books by Elmer Keith and Skeeter Skelton. Read them and you will fully understand.
Jim

I have had several 29's and 629's over the years. Guess what my most common load was? Something like 8 grains of Unique under a 240g RCBS Lead GC bullet. I have never hunted large game with any of my 44 Magnum S&W revolvers.
That load always did everything I needed it to do, and was pleasant to shoot.

My one and only 24 was a 3" Beauty, like the one pictured above beside the 624. A buddy of mine still has it, and I think it may be unfired to this day.

If I still owned it, I would be carrying it in a Lobo Model 1 Pancake quite often.

The Model 24 in 44 Special has always just been Special. The 44 Special has all the power I need in a 44 that I just carry for general purpose, and SD. I do not need a deafening muzzle blast, and my knuckle wrapped by the trigger guard on every shot.

Bob

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ICORE MO2908

The great reasons exist and they can go on forever but the bottom line is:
"If they hafta ask, they'll never understand the answer anyway!"

My answer is: don't ask before trying one and the rest of the answer is a secret they have to figure out for themselves. If they just don't have the genes, oh well, there's just that many more 44s for us to divide up amongst us!

And so far I only have 18.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

A couple 24 questions.

What is the difference between the 24-3 and 24-4? Is it just the yoke retention system?

How common was the 4" barrel? If I recall, there were no 4" barrels made until the 24-3, and only about 2500 were made in 24-3 configuration. Not sure about the 24-4.

p.s. I think a 4" 24 with a square butt and the tapered barrel is a much better "mountain gun" than any of these round-butt concoctions S&W has come out with lately... just another reason I love the 24

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Aaron Terry

removed PC

Isn't the point of aim different with the model 29 between the 44mag and the 44 special rounds??

I been wanting one because i hate to clean the ring in the cylinder left from the shorter 44 special case when used in the 44 mag.

I load all my 44magnum brass using jacketed bullets and magnum loads. I load the 44special with the 240gr round nose flat point lead cast bullets. Mainly because i get better ballastics with the shorter brass case with the lead cast over the longer 44mag case. Plus why waste the 44mag brass with the lead cast load.

I think there is a nitch with the 44 special n frame S&W. I want both n frames now. Bill

Right now i'm impressed with my new S&W in 41mag.

Seems to me I read that elmer keith claimed the .44 special hit to the same point of aim with light or heavy bullets. Doesnt make sense you would think but I once experimented and thought it so too. Another cartridge I read that about is the 7x57. In mine I found it also would shoot different weights to the same poa.
I dont know how many ways I can say this: First, the special can be loaded up to do probley 95% of what the mag can do. Of the other 5% I wouldnt be surprised if there would be less than 5% differance in the outcome of game shot with it.
The guns made for 44 special all handle like sweethearts compared to the heavier straight barreled 29s.
Another cartridge in the same catagory is .45 colt. However, here again, there is hardly any differance at all, if any in weight between the model 29 and the model 25 as both have the same heavy, straight barrel. The thing with the 45 colt guns, is the scary thin metal under the clyinder notchs. The .45 colt does good work with the larger volume case with less pressure counteracting that concern. Another point against the 45 colt as opposed to either the 44 mag or special is the fact that for whatever bad reason, it seems that there are many guns out there with the wrong either too sloppy or too tight throats to bore measurements. Seems even colt cant get it right. I dont know why companys seem to have such a problem getting it right!
I have 4 or 5 .45 colts. Some are right, and a couple wrong. It can be overcome by getting the right bullets, but they are hard to find. It seems the .44s whether special or mag doesnt have that problem. If you can find a good .45 colt in a model 25-5 (I have one), or ruger or colt saa, then you have just as good of a gun as any smith.
I recently bought one of those ruger flat tops in .44 special. They also make em in .45 colt. I bought mine for about a $100s under list. If you like a single action they are hard to beat for the price!

I own a few 44 magnums...But my 44 Specials get to go along for all the cool chores & BBQs




Su Amigo,
Dave

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

No, the 24-4 has the entire 'endurance package' and larger cylinder stop notches introduced in 1990. When Smith claimed their “final and limited production run” of blue 44 Spls in the ‘80s, the 24-3s, it was before the “Endurance Package” was added to strengthen their N frame guns. The -4 of the 24-4 denotes that engineering change, and since these were made in 1990 it also has the longer cylinder stop notches, so in affect these 24-4s are the strongest 44 Spls ever made.

Lou Horton commissioned 5000 sets of twelve engraved revolvers in 1990 of different configurations, calibers and themes. The 44 Spl theme was “Through The Line”. They were 24-4s with a 6.5” barrel, came with standard hammer & trigger, Baughman ramp sight, target stocks with cut-outs on both sides so the engraving on the sideplate wasn't covered up, and the endurance package (see page 198 SCSW under Mod 29 24-3E and -4).

S&W usually makes a few extra of special editions in case some do not pass final inspection. If not needed for the original order these extra or ‘over run’ guns are then finished without the engraving or special markings and sold thru regular distributors w/o any explanation of what they are or why they are different from regular production. It falls to collectors to seek these out and identify them for the rare guns that they are. But the 'over-run' guns have standard target grips of the period.

Since few if any of the 24-4 engraved guns will probably ever be fired, the regular finish 'over-run' guns are the strongest ‘shootable’ example of a 44 Spl N frame.

Four inch barreled guns are scarce but they were made from 1950 to 1966 when the 24s were eliminated. However estimates suggest there were less made than the 2500 run of 24-3 4" guns.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I agree. Lou Horton ordered another exclusive Model 24 in 2006 which were 24-6, with 3" barrel and sq butt in blue and nickel (about 250 total). This would be my ideal Mtn Gun, but they had the disgusting (to some) internal lock.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

The shorter cylinder, and light pattern barrels make them balance "differently", some think better. The 4inchers feel like part of my hand.

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

Here is my M624 no dash; square butt and tapered barrel.

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There were also the Model 24-5's, the Heritage Series guns from the Performance Center in 2001. 6-1/2 inch, 4 screw frame, in both blue and color case hardened finishes. I think there were 150 or so of each. They didn't look much like previous 1950 Targets/Model 24's in that they had skinny barrels without ribs on top, which makes the front sights look really tall, and they had round butts. I have a c.c.h. one.

I believe that any of them with a 4 or 5 inch barrel makes a pretty great all-around handgun for anyone who gets out and about on occasion.

Yes, they look gorgeous and I know shoot excellent because a friend has one too. They resemble a large size pre war Kit Gun which I always liked. They are such a hybrid but don't have the MIM parts or IIRC, the lock.

I decided to buy a pre 24, 1955 99% 5 screw available at the time for the same price.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Same reason for owning anything , because I wanted one!

I wasn't going to reply to this thread, but DCWilson's reply prompted me to ---

"I own .44 Specials because it's America and I can do anything I damn please. "

I will not ever own a model 24 because I see no need to, but I will defend your right to own one. Good enough reason for me DCWilson!
Buy all you want, all of you, because you can!!!

John

I own two - a Model 24-3 Lew Horton, and a newer Model 21-4. They're both great guns. The N frame makes the .44 Special feel like a .38 Special. Like the .45ACP, they've had over 100 years to perfect the round. I think the succeeded beyond their vision!

PS - Yesterday, I saw a "Pre-Model 21", 5" barrel, box, tools, etc. What I wouldn't give to own that one. The owner was at $2,500 but he and the other guy were still dickering. It was a superb example of the genre.

I shoot this 44 Special a lot more than my 629 Classic --- in fact I carry it some every week. I enjoyed working up the handloads that make it very versatile and a lot of fun. I doubt I'd be that enthusiastic about it if I didn't handload.

I carry a Special every day. The 21 and 24 balance better than the 29. As far as use goes, I carry handguns for personal defense against man. Special level power is all that is needed, and for that matter it's just fine for the black bears that I run into in my timber.

I also get better accuracy on follow up shots with the special. The mags are fun to shoot, and I can shoot them well, but you get better, quicker follow up shots with less recoil.

Aesthetically, the 24 just looks better than the 29, the lines are more graceful and it looks less blocky.

Nice to read all these opinions. Can't add anything in that regard. I just picked up a pre-24 (6" bright blue, circa 1955, 98% condition) and went to the range today. Absolutely beautiful gun but initial loads are a bit disappointing - the best going around 2.5" @ 25 yards. Will work up others. Slugged the cylinder and barrel - very tight. Has anyone tried .429 cast bullets (aka .44-40) in one of these? What have you folks found to be a good bullet/propellant combination? Agree - this is NOT a .44 mag. The Special is what it is and should be kept lower pressure.

I could not have said it any better and i love my 24-3 Lew Horton

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thats wicked pissah

I own 44 Special because of Skeeter Skelton. Plain and simple. Also because that 18 oz 396 rides on my hip in a Lobo Leather pancake and I can almost forget its there, very light weight. But when I need it, its there, and it shoots good, very good. Why do I need anything else. That dang 6 1/2 barrel on my 29 is a beauty, but its not something one wants to carry around all day. I did that in my younger days, no more.

I love the 44 Special, too. I'm having great luck with 240 Missouri Bullet Co Cowboy bullets at 12 BHN. A load of Trailboss filling the case to just less than compressed gives a soft target load. A medium load of HP-38 gives a little more oomph and great accuracy. The Skeeter Load at 7.5 grains Unique is tops in performance and accuracy, at least for me and my 24s. Caution, that Unique load requires working up.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

Well my lgs had the last brand new m24/6 1/2" barrel in nickel a few years back. It's in the safe sleeping. Dang nickel has me hooked. Plus I want all the 6" & 6 1/2" N Frames in different calibers.

I haven't taken my M29-2 6" out more the 2 or 3 times since I got a deer with it in 1976.
Now, my M24 -5 target, M24-3, Target 1923 and M21 see more time at the range and hunting it seems.
That bad guy Skeeter caused it for sure...

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Cuz it's a Smith, it's a revolver, it's cool, it's blue and I want it!

Great Lazarus Post...
I didn't get it either until I shot one....


The .44 Magnum Mountain Gun has the same barrel profile but is slightly different.

The model 24 is a "Shadow of the Past"
A past it is nice to return to.
Believe me.
Own a M24--shoot and reload with cast Bullets.
Enjoy
J. W.

What dimension is "very tight"?

You must mean .427" bullets (.44-40). No I have not. .429 44 Spl bullets shoot too well to try undersize bullets.

240 gr SWC with Unique powder.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hondo - The bullets I bought from Buff Arms are .429 and are intended for the 44-40, black powder. They have SPG lube and weigh 200 grains. I'm gonna try them. The five different types of bullets I've tried so far measure .431 (standard cast for .44 magnum and special). As for the slugging... I measured the lead slugs again and can't say that this is accurate but the cylinder measures .430 exactly and the bore is less than that. How much? Can't measure it very well because of the odd number of rifling.
As for this thread, might as well ask me why I love my dog. The .44 Special is the finest cartridge ever devised for a handgun and the model 24 is without a doubt the best firearm ever produced to fire it. For years I have wanted one and finally I have one. Second choice (one I'm still looking for) is a 2nd gen Colt, 5.5" or 7.5". Third would be the Colt New Frontier (current "production"). But for the coolness factor, the model 24 is it. I have a model 21 (4") and she points and shoots great but nowhere near as cool as the model 24. I just need to figure out a good load - I know the gun can do better than the one range session I've had with her. Thanks - m

Actually there is NO good reason, so if yours is a 24-3 or before, let me know your address and I will send you a check for $400 and take it off your hands.......

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Have Canon, Will Travel

Never, EVER, buy a 44 special revolver!
To paraphrase the old potato chip commercial: "You can't buy just one".
Skeeter got me into the original 624's, then I discovered the L frame jobs which IMHO are built better and shoot better as they have modern throats.
I now have 6 S&W 44 specials and am looking at a couple of others that are different yet.
God forbid I ever start getting into blue steel.

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Nemo

Aside from the well-formed female human anatomy, there are no sexier lines in the world than those of a tapered-barrel N-frame.

The .44 Special on the N-frame is the perfect coupling of cartridge to gun.

The cartridge is powerful enough to handle 85% of six gunning tasks, accurate, and generates as much or more energy with less pressure and noise than the .357.

Give us more!