Greetings All,

Brand new Forum member here, with a question or two for the S&W gurus.

I'm in the process of acquiring a really nice condition ("LNIB") nickel Model 24 "Classic". I realize that this is not as "desirable" as an original M24 or a 24-3, but I'm curious what you fellows would think is a fair price for it?

Anyone have any particular thoughts, pro or con, regarding this revolver?

TIA,
Jim

Well, looks like I'll be able to pick it up tomorrow. Just kind of bumping the thread here, to see if anyone has any thoughts to share re: the M24?

Is it the 3" model?

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

The basement price on any N-frame functioning starts around $600. I'd think your new LNIB Classic with the box might be worth $850, even with the lock. What are they asking?

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Thanks for the reply, Kernel!

I got it for $690, delivered. I think I made out pretty good!

Nope. 6-1/2". Did they make the Classic in a 3"?

That's far under what I saw them retailing for when they were available so I would say you did very well.

No they did not or they would have sold the dickens out of them.

That's what I thought, but wasn't sure. Only ones I've seen are 6-1/2".

There sure doesn't appear to be much info about them (or any of the M24's) online!

I found a S&W brochure that showed the MSRP at $1067, IIRC. I don't know what they actually retailed for, but I'm thinking $850-$900.

I'm happy! Doubt I'd ever have to take a loss on it - but I don't sell guns, anyway!

S&W did make a 24-10 in 2006 in 3". I don't think it's considered a "Classic" though. It's a Lew Horton run of 250. I've got one headed my way!

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

When it comes in post some in-focus, high res, well lit, photos. Including the box end label. You got a great deal. A well used M28-2 with rust will sell for $690. PM me if they have anymore.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Do you mean a 24-3? I've never seen a 24-10.

The "Classic" is the 24-6.

Sorry 'bout that. You're right, it's a 24-6.
Pics coming in a few days.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

So, did you get your M24 yet? I'm betting it's a 24-3!

Picked mine up the other day. Just got a chance to take a couple of pics.




The gun is perfect! Not a scratch, ding, or blemish anywhere that I could find. Just a faint turn line that's consistent with the 200 rounds the seller told me it had through it.

I am one happy camper!

I'm picking it up today. It is a 24-6 in 3". Square butt and serated front and back strap. I'll be emailing LH tonight to get the skinny on it.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Well???

C'mon, man - let's see it!!!

I've been putting in some long hours. I'll get it shined up and post it this weekend.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

[Ahem!!! Hello???]

Do those new Model 24's have Magnum length cylinders ?
The forcing cone looks more like a Model 29 than a model 24 length ?

I think there were several made 24-6 3" guns for Lew Horton; maybe 100 each blue and nickel, maybe more blue??

Don't think it was a "classic".

I am curious how close a .44 magnum cartridge comes to sliding all the way down in one of those chambers?

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USAF AMMO

Someone posted a few months ago about theirs chambering magnums.

Recently, at a LGS I acquired a NIB 3" Model 24-6 (ser no CLE 00xx) in a no cash deal by trading a used USFA 5½" 45 Colt (color case hardened frame, trigger, hammer) for it.

I just couldn't use the 45 Colt. It was too pretty. Besides, I already have an old model Vaquero 45 Colt that can handle +P Ruger loads.

I am very happy with the trade. Using Winchester 240 gr lead cowboy loads (box says 700 fps) I was shooting very small groups.

I can't wait to try my handloads.

Attached Images

model_24.jpg (54.8 KB, 57 views)

I'm pretty sure the cylinder is long enough to accommodate a .44 Mag. Whether the chambers are cut deep enough to take a Magnum, I don't know, and won't have a chance to check for a few days. I too have heard that some of the 24-6's would chamber .44 Mags. Seems like that would just make it a mis-marked M29, wouldn't it???

Or is it a long barreled Mountain Gun ?

I can't say that the cylinder in a 24-6 will or will not chamber a .44 magnum. I will say that in at least one instance a .44 Magnum cylinder was a drop in fit in a 21-4.

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S&WCA 1729

I think I'll bring my M24 into the LGS. I'll hand the gun to the owner and ask him to try to put a 44 Mag in it. I'm curious.

But even if it fits, I'll limit my loads to the lower side of 44 Spl +P.

Patience.....

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

I just tried last night and my 24-6 swallowed the 44 mag whole.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

Interesting...

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USAF AMMO

I just got back from the gun shop. The 44 Mags dropped right in.

So I called S&W about it. I asked whether I had a 29 mismarked as a 24.

He said no. He said the gun was marked and sold as a Model 24 44 Spl. That the chambers are wrong. He said that the legal department prevented him from saying whether or not it was safe to fire mags in it because the barrel is marked '.44 S&W Special CTG'.

But we did discuss the frame, cylinder, barrel, and forcing cone. They're the same in both models.

The only discrepancy is that the chambers do not match the cartridge marked on the side of the barrel.

I asked if there would be a product safety recall. He didn't think so.

I told him that I was going to stick to Specials. He said he shoots 38 Specials in his 357 Mag all the time.

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So he left it up to me.

I think I've got a 44 Mag. I'll stick with 44 Spl +P in it. Many 29 owners do the same thing.

My lgs had the only NIB s&w n frame was a 6 1/2" m24 for $750 about two years+ ago. It was the last nickel n frame he had and I caved in. It's all about the nickel finish. The 44 special isn't a caliber I was looking for at the time.

The barrel isn't the same as my m29-10. The m29-10 is thicker material. The m24 barrel looks similar to a 357 mag barrel thickness wise.

This is my only 3" bbl. S&W, an unfluted 610:

That nickel finish is freaking awesome.

S&w puts the darker colored wood grips on the nickel revolvers. I just ordered some black walnut grips for mine.

Saw your new M24 on the other thread, Mark. Wow! Beautiful!

I fit-tested .44 Mags in mine over the weekend. They wouldn't quite let the cylinder close, although it was real close! So close that at first I thought that it was indeed cut for Magnums. I probably could have forced it, but wasn't about to try!

I don't believe my chambers are cut a full 1/8" shorter than a .44 Mag - more like 1/32" shorter or thereabouts.

I guess it's just possible that they really are Magnum-length, but got enough lead shavings from the box of Specials I put through it that it would no longer chamber a Magnum. I had not cleaned it in between shooting the Specials and trying to chamber the Mags. I'll have to clean it well and double-check that.

Kilo, clean 'er out. The cylinder closes on mine easily.
Are you an electrician by trade?

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

While the .44 Magnum was introduced with a wide rib heavier barrel than the 44 special there are purpose built 4" tapered barrel .44 magnums known as "Mountain Guns".




Kinda figured the .44 specials built today were most likely the same frames as the .44 magnums as it just wouldnt make much sense to build small runs of weaker 44 special frames when the 44 mag line is up and running.

The biggest difference was the longer 44 mag cylinder with corresponding shorter forcing cone length and that the 44 mag/357 mag frames supposedly received some sort of additional heat treating making them stronger....

AS the factory confirmed the new 24 and 29 frames are the same its really a mismarked tapered barrel Model 29 IMO.

Engine, I don't think it's mismarked, it's done intentionally by S&W to distinguish between the spl and the magnum. Everything else is the same. Another way to save a buck. The older 624's and 24-3's all had shorter cylinders that would only take the spl round.

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

I would say you got a dang nice revolver at a good price! I bought the 6 1/2 inch in nickel when they first came out, love the tapered barrel and dislike the new target grip, swapped out grips and all is well. The nickel on mine was a bit cloudy here and there but cleaned up nicely with a bit of Flitz. Mine is a great shooter with 250gr Keith's. Now about the whole .44 Mag chambering in this critter, I never thought about doing it but now I will have to check, wont shoot em out of it though.

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Stay safe people!

Ooops!

I just realized I'd failed to answer your question. I am an Electrical Engineer + ham radio operator, making me a "sparky" twice over, I guess.

On topic - The M24 is proving to be a really nice shooter! I haven't tried .44 Mags in it again, and probably won't. No real point in it, 'cause even if they fit, I wouldn't shoot them.

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Regards,
Jim

Just agreed to purchase one. Is it in the Classic Series? Bluing and wood look beautiful.

Sorry for inserting in this thread. Couldn't find a way to start a new thread.