Value and age of 624

[mrstang01]

I have a friend who has offered me what he thinks is a Lew Horton 624 in .44 Special, serial number ALW55XX. Can someone tell me the shipping date, and what these are going for?

Thanks,

Michael

[rbmac52]

My 624 3" serial ALV12XX is a 1985 gun.

Value is at a minimum of $1000 and probably a lot more at auction. The original box and accessories add quite a bit to the value. I have the full package as I bought mine new and I would not take less than $1500.

If the original box is available to inspect, you'll want to see a red C inside a circle stamped on the end label. This means the gun has been inspected by the factory to assure it is free of a recall defect.

[mrstang01]

Unfortunately, this is just the gun, no box.

[rbmac52]

Without the box, the only way to know if the gun you are looking at is subject to the recall is to contact Smith & Wesson. If it is within the known recall serial number range, they'll want to examine it. The risk if you send it to the factory is that if the gun in question fails the test, they won't return it.

In my opinion, there is no risk to a user of a Model 624 subject to the recall so long as the ammunition used is factory .44 Special ammo, and if handloads are used, care must be taken not to load exceedingly hot rounds.

Also, if the original factory combat grips are missing, that is a big negative as far as value is concerned. A replacement set of factory combats can run $250 to $300, depending on color and grain pattern.

Good luck in your evaluation of the gun. It is one of S&W's finest creations.

[mrstang01]

What is the nature of the recall? How do they reimburse you if they don't send the gun back? Thanks!

[rbmac52]

There are two issues, actually. The first concerns metallurgical deficiencies in a batch of stainless steel that was used to make cylinders installed in a small number of the 624s. The second issue has been described as cylinders that were reamed too deeply and allowed the use of .44 Magnum cartridges.

The remedy that S&W offers if they examine a cylinder and find it to be deficient is to offer the owner a like gun from their current inventory. Most owners would not be happy with that offer, I would be one of them.

If S&W tells you that the gun in question is within the recall range, I still would not send it in. As far as I know, there have been no instances of an "accident" involving a recalled gun.

[mrstang01]

Yessir, agreed, I would not send it in if there was any chance it wouldn't be returned.

[22hipower]

Originally Posted by mrstang01

What is the nature of the recall? How do they reimburse you if they don't send the gun back? Thanks!

Use the search button, this question comes up often and there are many previous posts about it. Bottom line, if a 44 Mag round won't fit in the cylinder you are good to go. Even if one will, and some manufacturer's rounds may, you're fine as long as you stick to 44 Special. Shoot it, enjoy it. I considered the three inch 624s at $800 but decided they were too expensive, then at $1000 conclude the same thing. . .and again at $1200. So I still don't have one, if it is nice, has the combat stocks, and you can get it for $1200 or less grab it. Whether it is "Lew Horton" or not is really no big deal; just a distributor who ordered a bunch of them. Won't shoot any different. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCa #1457

[mrstang01]

Call to Smith says it's 1985-86 time frame, before computerized records for them. Also during the time of possible recall, agent said to check the front of the cylinder for a mark if it's been recalled.

So, value +/- $1200?

[rbmac52]

"agent said to check the front of the cylinder for a mark if it's been recalled."

I don't believe there has ever been a mark on the face of the cylinder that identifies a gun that has passed inspection. Some stainless cylinders might have a "V" on them, but that is not at all related to the recall. In my opinion, the agent you spoke to is incorrect regarding that statement.

[NavyFrank]

Call Lew Horton with serial number they will tell you if it’s one of theirs.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[rbmac52]

Lew Horton closed their business last year. No more help from Mr. Minot.

[CobiaS&W]

I called S&W a couple of weeks ago to inquire about my 624 ALVXXXX. They were able to tell me my gun had a Birth Date of November 1985 and was not one of the recalled guns. Only took a few minutes. Give them a call.

[H Richard]

I very recently (last week) sold a 24-3 which is the blued version of the 624, with the box in very nice condition and it brought $1700 at a Proxibid auction. I did notice another 24-3 at a very recent Gunbroker sale that brought just over $1000 which I thought was very low.

[THE PILGRIM]

I also love the grips.
Stang - We need a picture!
Here’s mine.