Model 29 or 24

[Chukar60]

29 just in case..

I shoot 44spl+p using Magnum brass.. no where near full house 44Mag..just a little more zip..

I have a 629-4 4" and this is basically what I shoot out of mine.
I really like it.
My other 44 is a 696 no dash and shoot standard pressure loads through it.
If you are fond of the 24's weight and balance, you may look for a mountain gun. 29 or 629. I think it would give you a very similar if not exact feel of of the 4" 24 and while a little hard to find, much easier to locate than a 4" 24-3. I spent a lot of time looking for a good 24-3 4" and finally caved in and bought the 629 and 696.

 

[NewDeparture]

Avoid making such difficult decision: get them both

 

[RobertJ.]

29 just in case..

I shoot 44spl+p using Magnum brass.. no where near full house 44Mag..just a little more zip..

Plus, there's no worry about corrosion in the cylinder because of the shorter cases.

When it comes to versatility, and especially since you already load your own, I think the 29 is the way to go.

 

[SuperMan]

Before you buy really try to handle both because as has been said there is a big difference in balance...

For me if a 4" has a square butt I like a full profile barrel. If a round butt a tapered barrel.

So for me the 24-3 didn't balance as nicely as the 24-3 3" or the standard 29 or 629. One of my favorites however is the Mountain Gun. They have a tapered barrel and round butt. I've had them in .45 ACP, .41 Magnum and .44 Magnum. Best series Smith ever made...

Bob

 

[Joed49]

Big fan of the .44 Spl here. I have a 24-3 4", 624 6.5" and 624 4" plus a 29-2 6" and 629-1 6". I have never shot anything in the mags that even approaches mag velocity or energy. I much prefer the Spl at 900 fps to 1100 fps.

In fact I've been toying with the idea of selling the mags and keeping the Spls. I just have no need for the power of a mag round.

 

[StrawHat]

I shall amend my reply.

The M29-? Mountain Gun will be a good stand-in for the M24. They both have the skinny tapered barrel. Balance should be the same.

Kevin

 

[stansdds]

I'm not made of money, never have been, don't expect to ever be, so when I was making decisions about revolver calibers, I looked at versatility. I have 357 Magnum revolvers and I have 44 Magnum revolvers. I do not own any 38 Special or 44 Special revolvers. I can shoot 38 Special in my 357 Magnums, I can shoot 44 Special in my 44 Magnums and I can shoot the magnum cartridges if I want or need to. To me, buying a magnum caliber revolver is the versatile answer.

By the way, you will probably pay a lot more for a Model 24 than you will for a Model 29. Model 24's are not all that common, Model 29's of some flavor can be found in most gun shops.

 

[moralem]

You can't go wrong with a 24....where is my 29, 624 and 24.

 

[Narragansett]

IMO, I would go for the 44 mag in 29 or 629. I own 38 spl guns, but prefer 357 to shoot both

 

[Old Corp]

I shall amend my reply.

The M29-? Mountain Gun will be a good stand-in for the M24. They both have the skinny tapered barrel. Balance should be the same.

Kevin

Kevin beat me to it.....
Would be a great solution and re-sale very easy.

 

[mod29]

Both the model 24-3 and 29-2 are excellent guns.
If you reload, either gun will do the job you're asking.

The 29-2 gets the nod for versatility, but a gun chambered just for .44 Special is way cool!

For my 29-2s, I use magnum brass and warm Special loads. Easy on the gun and fun to shoot.

 

[Peak53]

I have a 24-3 3" in nickel that handles, carries and shoots great. It's my favorite.

24-3 nickel, 24-3 blue and 929-1:

I will submit that the nickel 24-3 is extraordinary. As the owner of several model 24's, I can (r)elate to the heft of a dedicated special. Tell us more about this gun.

 

[jebstuart]

I will submit that the nickel 24-3 is extraordinary. As the owner of several model 24's, I can (r)elate to the heft of a dedicated special. Tell us more about this gun.

The only "big bore" snub that I actually shoot & I love big bore snubs.

I don't think they made the 24-3, .44 special in nickel but it's a factory quality finish. All stampings are flawless, still cratered and all sharp edges sharp, so apparently someone bought it new and decided he wanted nickel. Whoever did the job, did a stellar job. But, I believe it to be refinished, so I shoot it - with a good shooting glove BTW.

I didn't want to scar the original combats so I bought some Ebay specials, re-shaped them to my liking, and did a hand-rubbed CCL oil finish. I picked up a carved Mexican holster & belt for it that I need to get some pictures of, now that I think of it.

I have this model in other colors but this refinish is actually my favorite.

I have other HE's that can shoot 44 spl. and I have some Ruger Bisley's that will shoot 44 spl. also, but none make me smile more than this one.

 

[gatsandcoffee]

Model 24 hands down. Tapered barrel had a cool factor of +10 for me. I have a model 29 and never shoot magnums in it. Someday I'll walk in a pawn shop or gun store and there will be a 4 inch model 24 in the gun case in prestine condition for about 400 bucks because nobody wants a 44 special.
Ahh, a guy can dream can't he ? [emoji16]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J727AZ using Tapatalk

 

[Joed49]

I've been a big fan of the .44 Spl forever. I do own a few model 29s and 629s but my love is the Spl.

Here's a 24-3 that I've owned for 19 years, 2 624's 4" and 6.5" along with a 629-1.

 

[Meeteetse]

If size and weight is an issue for you consider the 629 Mountain Gun if you can find one. Slimmer barrel and lighter than a standard 29-2. Mine is considered a 44 spl. gun and I leave the magnums to my 29-2 or a Ruger Redhawk (sorry) for field work.

 

[22shtur]

Chukar60, StrawHat and Meeteetse have nailed it for me. I would like a lightweight 44 as I carry mine more than shoot it. I live in cougar and bear country and have carried my 629 w/4 inch bbl many miles up and down mtns. I wish I would have read about the Mountain Gun. It also has the throat/forcing cone area supported much better than any model 24.

 

[beagleye]

24-3!!!

They're not cheap, but I think the rate they're selling right now, will soon be a basement bargain on these fine revolvers.

 

[keith44spl]

I've own'd and shot both for neigh on fifty years.....

My go to revolver is a 44 Special.

It does everything that my magnums would do and carries lighter on the hip.

The 24-3 four inch is as good as it gets in a standard cataloged revolver.

.44 Specials all.

.

 

[Dump1567]

Here's a good read about .44 Spl. from John Taffin.

http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt44spec.htm

If you're not going to shoot Magnum loads, get a Spl. (if you can find one). Based on the article above, you can really push the .44 spl. if you need to.