How Many Model 24-3s Were Made?

[Bullseye 2620]

Would one of you please tell me what the production numbers were for the Model 24-3 in each of its standard factory barrel lengths -- 3, 4, and 6-1/2 inches?

I really appreciate the help.

Thanks.


Bullseye

 

[ladder13]

If I'm reading right, 5000 were made in 3 inch, 2625 with 4 inch tube and 4875 with 6.5 inch tube. 5 and 5.5 lengths are RARE.
I have a 4", bought here about a year ago, <600.

 

[K.38]

Is this the same model of the Lew Horton with 3" barrels and combat grips?

Ladder if they are do these numbers include the Lew Horton models with the combat grips?

Thanks

 

[ladder13]

Is this the same model of the Lew Horton with 3" barrels and combat grips?

Ladder if they are do these numbers include the Lew Horton models with the combat grips?

Thanks

According to the SCSW, 5000 LH's were made in 3 inch. 7500 other 24-3's made in the other barrel length's. hth

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Thank you, ladder13. The 24-3 pictured below is on its way to me from VonFatman. I think I'm in love.

Don't have much use for the belly gun, but I think the 6-1/2 inch version is next on my list. Did any of these (4- or 6-1/2 inch) come in nickel? Were the 5- and 5-1/2 models custom?

Thanks again!


Bullseye

 

[ladder13]

The SCSW says that the first 100 24-3's in 4 inch were factory engraved with smooth walnut stocks and silver medallions. In THIS group 25 were nickle finished and engraved. No other mention of nickle guns in any barrel length.
The 5 and 5.5 are "rare", no other mention. If anyone has one of these it would be Doc44 or Roy Jinks probably.

 

[semperfi71]

Bullseye 2620,

You'll like your M24-3. Here's mine.

Of course you might find yourself wanderin' into the M624 territory as I did also.

 

[VonFatman]

It ships out tomorrow! Merry Christmas!

Bob

 

[Bullseye 2620]

VonFatman,

Merry Christmas, Bob!


Semperfi71,

That shore is one fine looking 624. Did you polish it to that high gloss finish? Schweeeeet!

And Merry Christmas!


ladder13,

Thanks again for the information! I take it that if I come across a 5- or 5-1/2 inch Model 24-3 in nickel I should probably buy it, eh?

Joyeux Nöel!


Y'all know that this all started with a "free" box of .44 Special ammo given to me by a friend. LOL.

Bullseye

 

[jefats]

A pair of 4"ers

 

[Janitor]

Makes perfect sense to me Bullseye. How on earth can you have ammo sitting around and not have a gun in that caliber?

I had the same problem. I was going through the reloading room and found a pile of .38 spl brass a friend had given me some time ago. At that point ... I had to find a revolver for it. No other answer seemed to work.

ETA: That 24-3 you're picking up is beautiful

 

[VonFatman]

Bullseye,
That is the most expensive box of .44 Special ammo I have ever seen! Do you reload? If you intend to shoot this gun much, I'd sure invest in a set of dies!!

Bob

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Here's some more information on these (and their close relatives).

Rare? Right now, David Carroll has a pre-Model 24 Model of 1950 with a 6-1/2 inch barrel, nickeled and factory engraved by Russ Smith for only $10,500.

Doc44 reports,

"I am not an authority on the 24-3, but will tell you what I know. The model was reissued by S&W in 1983 and offered in two barrel lengths, namely, 4-inch and 6 1/2-inch and with a blue finish. Some of the early ones first (I am not sure how many) were engraved and finished in nickel and fitted with a 6 1/2-inch barrel. If they ever made one of these in 4-inch, I have not seen or heard of it. I have seen several of the engraved and nickel plated ones; they are quite nice. I have not seen an engraved one that has a blue finish. S&W did not offer the 24-3 with a 5 or 5 1/2-inch barrel (the original Model 1950 Target 44 was produced in these lengths, but they are very rare...I have only seen one 5 1/2-inch in over forty years). In 1984-85, Lew Horton contracted with S&W to build several thousand 24-3s with a 3-inch barrel, round butt and red ramp front sight. You still can find them at gunshows from time to time."



Bullseye

 

[AnthonyF]

semperfi71,

Where did you get those stocks?

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Bullseye,
That is the most expensive box of .44 Special ammo I have ever seen! Do you reload? If you intend to shoot this gun much, I'd sure invest in a set of dies!!

Bob

I'm going to go with a simple Rock Chucker, some new Winchester brass, and a nice soft 725-750 fps load using a Keith-style (what else?) hard cast bullet. I haven't looked for a supplier of those bullets yet, but I want only top quality hard cast lead. I'd welcome recommendations as to a supplier and a specific load on the softball end of the scale. 180? 200? 240?


Bullseye

 

[Roadranger]

I'm fortunate enough to have (2) M24-3's with 4" barrels. I use 5.5 grains of Trailboss with cast bullets. Six grains is stout load for training or defense work and it will fill up the case with no air space. Five grains would be real pleasant. Bob!

 

[ladder13]

Doc44 reports,

"I am not an authority on the 24-3, but will tell you what I know. The model was reissued by S&W in 1983 and offered in two barrel lengths, namely, 4-inch and 6 1/2-inch and with a blue finish. Some of the early ones first (I am not sure how many) were engraved and finished in nickel and fitted with a 6 1/2-inch barrel. If they ever made one of these in 4-inch, I have not seen or heard of it. I have seen several of the engraved and nickel plated ones; they are quite nice. I have not seen an engraved one that has a blue finish. S&W did not offer the 24-3 with a 5 or 5 1/2-inch barrel (the original Model 1950 Target 44 was produced in these lengths, but they are very rare...I have only seen one 5 1/2-inch in over forty years). In 1984-85, Lew Horton contracted with S&W to build several thousand 24-3s with a 3-inch barrel, round butt and red ramp front sight. You still can find them at gunshows from time to time."



Bullseye

Doc44 is correct, as usual, and that's why we go to experts such as he, Roy and Bill. Reading again from the SCSW, the sentence before the first 100 guns(and of those, 25 in nickle) mentions the 4 inch variety. I incorrectly assumed the next sentence was referring to the same 4 inch barrels. Safe to now say(maybe), it was referring to the first 100 without mention of barrel length(in regards to engraving and nickle finish).
Book does mention 5 and 5.5 inch, would be interesting to see if even one was ever made. As has been said regarding S&W, never say never. This info must have come from somewhere.

 

[semperfi71]

Bullseye 2620, Merry Christmas back at ya! And to everyone else here. Yes, I polished it.

AnthonyF, there are Ajax faux ivory that I stained a bit with tea. Look for them on gunbroker.com, might even be a set there now.

 

[Bullseye 2620]

Some More Model 24-3 Threads From the Past

Some more 24-3 threads from the past:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/147523-lew-horton-24-3-pics.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/103007-s-w-model-24-624-3-4-a.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/74055-model-24-3-question.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/89982-s-w-44spl-24-3-what.html

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/75414-model-24-3-dilema.html


Bullseye

 

[BigBill]

I purchased the last brand new s&w m24 w/6 1/2" barrel my LGS had In nickel finish. I never gave owning a revolver in 44 special much thought but the last 6 1/2" barrel in the world famous s&w nickel how could I refuse it? I wanted a nickel m29 but everything in REVOLVERS was sold out. I hope the nickel finish is offered forever.