Finally...a .44 Special for me

Gryff · Mar 28, 2025

Been longing for a .44 Special of my own. My LGS has had this 24-3 in their Used case for almost three years. They finally told me I could have it for what they paid the original owner.

Need to source better stocks for it. Other than that, range time is on the menu.

Valmet · Mar 28, 2025

Very nice. .44 Spl is one of my all time favorite cartridges and out of an N-frame I could literally shoot it all day.

Gryff · Mar 28, 2025

Valmet said:
Very nice. .44 Spl is one of my all time favorite cartridges and out of an N-frame I could literally shoot it all day.

Thank you. BTW, I like your user name. I inherited this from Dad when he passed:

murphydog · Mar 28, 2025

Congratulations on your new gun, and for still having a gun store near you!

Those Pachmayr stocks are homely but nice for shooting. Enjoy!

BigMuddy · Mar 28, 2025

Congratulations. I don’t think I could have left it there for 3 years. I guess patience pays off. (I’ve never been blessed with any). Those are terrific guns. Mine shoots great!

Dan

Casual Smith Nut · Mar 28, 2025

Congrats on a great gun chambered for a great cartridge! Bet you can’t stop at one!

I hope you reload as it makes the experience all the more enjoyable… and affordable!

raljr1 · Mar 28, 2025

I picked up this 24-6 a little while ago. I like 44 specials.

Grayfox · Mar 28, 2025

Congratulations! That's a great gun. I know you're gonna love it.

I find it hard to believe that it sat there for 3 years. Unthinkable.

I sorta have a thing for .44 Specials myself.

bobsguns · Mar 28, 2025

The first thing I would buy with my lottery winnings will be a Model 24 with a 3" bbl! What's left over will go for ammo.

Shotguncoach · Mar 28, 2025

Be careful....this is how it starts.

Soon you'll have a 624 to match. Then you'll find a 4" 24-3. Then you'll need a 4" 624 to round things out.

Then you'll explore all things Lew Horton.

Then if you're really unlucky, you'll run across a 1950 Target. From that point it's "Abandon hope all ye who enter here".

6string · Mar 28, 2025

I remember when Skeeter Skelton helped to get S&W to reintroduce the model 24, (to be known as the 24-3).
It was an important culmination of efforts centered around an appreciation of the 44 Special cartridge.

For anyone who has one, or plans to get one, you will find that handloading truly brings out the full enjoyment of both the gun and cartridge.

stansdds · Mar 29, 2025

Congratulations! That is a nice looking Model 24-3. Ditching the rubber grips and installing a nice set of wooden stocks would make it look a whole lot nicer.

CH4 · Mar 29, 2025

Congratulations, OP
The 44 spl can be addictive. For me, it started with a 24-3.

24-3
696
696
396
Ruger Bisley

SGT ROCK 11B · Mar 30, 2025

Gryff said:
Been longing for a .44 Special of my own. My LGS has had this 24-3 in their Used case for almost three years. They finally told me I could have it for what they paid the original owner.

Need to source better stocks for it. Other than that, range time is on the menu.

How much was it? I think it sat there for three years because to afford and enjoy the .44 you have to reload. .44 Special is $50 a box of 50.

The Pachmayr grips were on "shooting irons" while the pretty grips were reserved for "Safe Queens".

jcs266 · Mar 30, 2025

Congrats! What a great score. My 4" 624 or 3" GP100 .44 Spl are among my top 3 most-carried EDC's. I just love the .44 Spl and yes I do reload.

Those Pachmyer "Gripper" stocks are my favorite if I go that route with rubber grips, but mostly my guns are wood stocks.

ariandshan · Apr 21, 2025

I didn't know that the M-24 came in Nickel!!! I just got my M-24-6 in Blue a week ago.
I may have to start looking for one along with a 624 in S.S..

Rick

Gryff · Apr 21, 2025

stansdds said:
Congratulations! That is a nice looking Model 24-3. Ditching the rubber grips and installing a nice set of wooden stocks would make it look a whole lot nicer.

Agreed. Considering some Altamonts because I just never have liked the feel of factory Magnas, and factory Combats are too expensive.

SGT ROCK 11B said:
How much was it? I think it sat there for three years because to afford and enjoy the .44 you have to reload. .44 Special is $50 a box of 50.

The Pachmayr grips were on "shooting irons" while the pretty grips were reserved for "Safe Queens".

$650 before taxes and donations to the California Communist Party. Pretty sure it sat because so few people appreciate .44 Special, as well as the fact they wanted $1200 for it.

Sadly, I really like the feel of those Pachmayrs. But its like a moped...fun to ride but your don't want you friends to see you with one.

CH4 said:
Congratulations, OP
The 44 spl can be addictive. For me, it started with a 24-3.

Hope not. I already keep looking at a Colt New Frontier in .44 Special they have in the used case. Additionally, I really like the look of the Lipsey's Ruger GP100 in .44 SPL that was released a few years ago

6GUNSONLY · Apr 21, 2025

I have two 24-3s, both 4" guns. I had an unfired 6.5" also but sold it here a couple of years ago. I just like the shorter barrels. Now if they ever made a 5" version...

pasound · Apr 22, 2025

Gryff, that's a wonderful find. Always wanted a S&W .44 spl. Never found one I could talk myself into "affording".
But for just under the aforementioned retail of the 24, I've purchased a .44 spl Vaquero Sheriff's and a .44 spl 5-shot GP100. Some day, a Smith will join the fold...

diyj98 · Apr 22, 2025

I've always like the 44 special. I've had a few of the cheap Charter Arms and a S&W Lew Horton, but my favorite is probably the Ruger Blackhawk flattop 44 special.

Finally...a .44 Special for me

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