The Models 24-3: Ideal .44 Special revolvers

PALADIN85020 · Aug 17, 2016

Like many of you, I love the .44 Special cartridge. Easier on the hand than the .44 Magnum, yet re-loadable to nearly magnum power if you want to. A more accurate cartridge (in the right guns) will be hard to find.

For years I lusted after the S&W Model 24 (Model of 1950), but alas, these were almost unobtainable. However in 1983 and 1984, S&W turned out the Model 24-3 revolvers, which were almost dead ringers for the earlier Model 24s, lacking only a pinned barrel, a trigger guard screw and an upper sideplate screw, all of which were inconsequential. I was lucky enough to acquire both a 4" and 6.5" model.

These were built as a limited run. 2,625 had 4" barrels with Baughman front sights, and 4,874 had 6.5" barrels with Patridge front sights.

These are the sweetest-shooting .44 specials I own - accurate, durable and handy. And they don't make 'em like this any more! Here are some pics:

Model 24-3 4", shipped in March, 1984

Model 24-3 6.5", shipped in April, 1984

Hope you enjoy this fond tribute to a couple of truly classic Smith & Wessons!

John

Wyatt Burp · Aug 17, 2016

I bought a 4" version right after Skeeter Skelton wrote the gun up in Shooting Times in 1983. I still have that magazine. The gun cost around $380 total new. Mine came new from a place in Ohio in Shotgun News. I don't think Lew horton was involved with these but just the 3" round butt version. I later picked up a 6 1/2". I'm so glad they weren't 6", keeping it authentic.

SAFireman · Aug 17, 2016

Wyatt Burp said:
I bought a 4" version right after Skeeter Skelton wrote the gun up in Shooting times. Mine came new from a place in Ohio in Shotgun News. I don't think Lew horton was involved with these but just the 3" round butt version. I later picked up a 6 1/2". I'm so glad they weren't 6", keeping it authentic.

EeeeGads man!

I think that 44 special might be TOO MUCH GUN for mud bugs

Snapping Twig · Aug 17, 2016

I got lucky and found a 6.5" version sans box, etc., but it was like new.

Additionally I was able to find a 3" and 4" 624 AND a 696 ND, so yes - I agree the 44Spl is special.

Overall favorite cartridge for most of what you need a revolver for.

jack the toad · Aug 17, 2016

Since selling my .44 TL a while back, the only non-magnum I currently own is an early CA Bulldog.
Both the OP's 4 & 6.5" are nice but that 4" is really talking to me. A very nice pair.

weatherby · Aug 17, 2016

I still don't know how mine shoots.
Most of my guns hit the range the first week. I just haven't picked up ammo yet it's been about 9 months now.

The previous owner may not have used it much.

Toyman · Aug 17, 2016

I collect pre war S&W N frames but rarely shoot them. I prefer K frames but this 24-3 modified by Andy Cannon was at a local shop. I had some Black Hills 44 special rounds and I have shot all 200 rounds of them so now I am going to try some 44 special cowboys loads.
The round butt with Houge grips fits my hand and makes shooting comfortable.

toyman-albums-s-and-w-gallery-1-a-picture15075-lew-horton-24-3-3-inch-modified-any-cannon.jpg

Laketime · Aug 17, 2016

PALADIN85020 said:
Like many of you, I love the .44 Special cartridge. Easier on the hand than the .44 Magnum, yet re-loadable to nearly magnum power if you want to. A more accurate cartridge (in the right guns) will be hard to find.

For years I lusted after the S&W Model 24 (Model of 1950), but alas, these were almost unobtainable. However in 1983 and 1984, S&W turned out the Model 24-3 revolvers, which were almost dead ringers for the earlier Model 24s, lacking only a pinned barrel, a trigger guard screw and an upper sideplate screw, all of which were inconsequential. I was lucky enough to acquire both a 4" and 6.5" model.

These were built as a limited run. 2,625 had 4" barrels with Baughman front sights, and 4,874 had 6.5" barrels with Patridge front sights.

These are the sweetest-shooting .44 specials I own - accurate, durable and handy. And they don't make 'em like this any more! Here are some pics:

Model 24-3 4", shipped in March, 1984

Model 24-3 6.5", shipped in April, 1984

Hope you enjoy this fond tribute to a couple of truly classic Smith & Wessons!

John[/QUOT

That four inch is the perfect full size SD revolver.

Gunhacker · Aug 17, 2016

Snapping Twig said:
I got lucky and found a 6.5" version sans box, etc., but it was like new.

Additionally I was able to find a 3" and 4" 624 AND a 696 ND, so yes - I agree the 44Spl is special.

Overall favorite cartridge for most of what you need a revolver for.

And unless you're in California to fully appreciate it... with our draconian handgun laws, what he's managed to accomplish is nothing short of a miracle... and I'm jealous as all get out.

I only have a 24-3 Lew Horton 3" and a pre-model 24... and want more.

Walter Rego · Aug 17, 2016

I found this one at a gun show in CA a few years ago at a very reasonable price. It was in a show display case with a plexiglas top that was so scratched up I had to practically put my nose against it to see what model of N Frame it was. It had Pachmayrs on it but I didn't care. When I was doing the paperwork I casually asked "do you have the box or a gun rug for it ?" The dealer said "oh yeah, right here" and pulled the box & contents out from under the table. I had found the Target Stocks at the previous show for $10 and put them away in case I needed them someday. It must have been serendipity.

jtcarm · Aug 17, 2016

SAFireman said:
EeeeGads man!

I think that 44 special might be TOO MUCH GUN for mud bugs

They started out as 10 lb lobsters.

I have one of the 2,625 4" guns. Purchased new for $325 in 1984 from Nix Shooting Supplies in Lewisville, Texas.

It's the "from my cold, dead hand" S&W.

BUFF · Aug 18, 2016

S&W did a great job with the M-24-3. They packaged them in old-style 2 piece boxes and printed up copies of the old instruction manuals and parts list/price list to go with them I haunted the gun shops after they were announced and bought the first 4 and 6-1/2 inchers I saw and had my dealer order me a 3 incher when they first appeared in ShotGun News.

The big dealer/distributor in Ohio was probably Ashland Shooters Supply in Ashland, Ohio. They got a lot of limited production S&W's and had the factory crank out a few specials for them.

jaymoore · Aug 18, 2016

I think the 3" 24-3 was the second new S&W revolver I ever bought. Ordered it and a LH S&W 3" N frame holster for it straight from Lew Horton to the gun shop at which I was working to put myself through school. Ate lean for a while after that!

Have since acquired a NIB 6" 24-3 (which is amazingly still NIB!), a 624 3" that just didn't measure up and got swapped off, and finally a 624 4". There's some 5 screw .44 Specials in the safe as well, but of the lot, the 24-3 3" is the favorite. And is now the most worn! Lots of carrying and shooting over the years.

Stirling · Aug 18, 2016

Great thread with good pics!!!

Keep them coming gents!!!

I wish I had a .44 Special or two...

Mike SC Hunter · Aug 18, 2016

Me's got a couple of "dem" too......

Farmer17 · Aug 18, 2016

I have a 4" 99% M-24 with factory target grips I was thinking of selling, what do you think its worth?

Grayfox · Aug 18, 2016

Count me in with the .44 Special lovers!

Over the years I've managed to acquire one of each barrel length of the 24-3s. All were bought used and I was just lucky enough to stumble across them. Traded for the 4 and 6 1/2" inch guns and got great deals because the sellers didn't appreciate what they had.

I've also got a 696 no-dash that has become one of my favorite woods companions.
I had a 3" 624 for a while, but the stainless just didn't float my boat. Besides, I already had the blue one.

I took it to several gun shows as trading material and couldn't sell or trade it because it wasn't a magnum.

"What fools these mortals be"

Anyway, it now resides with one of our fellow forum members who was tickled to death to get it.

I currently own six .44 Specials, but only one .44 Magnum.
My own personal grail gun is a 5" blue 3rd Model HE that I can actually afford. Some day, some day.....

Texas Star · Aug 18, 2016

Wasn't there some problem with cylinder throat and bore diameter, or with the M-624's ?

I read that somewhere in a magazine, not on the Net.
Read the same about the guns they made in .45 Colt.

Anything to this?

H Richard · Aug 18, 2016

My came with the RB target stocks, but they just didn't fit my hand. I took a pair of finger groove SB to RB grips and cut the bottom off about a 1/4", and sanded off the humps of the finger grooves. They now fit my hand.

Krogen · Aug 18, 2016

We're in the same camp, Paladin! I have a 3", 4" and 6 1/2" - they're my favorite revolvers and would be the last to leave my hoard. I bought the 4" and 6 1/2" new. I remember thinking "someday these will be collectibles." For no longer than the blink of an eye, I considered keeping them unfired. Well, that thought quickly vaporized and I've had 33 years of shooting enjoyment from them. My heirs will receive "soiled" collector's items. . . . Oh well, I won't care by then!

The Models 24-3: Ideal .44 Special revolvers

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

Member

SWCA Member, Absent Comrade

Member

Member

Member

Attachments

Member

US Veteran

US Veteran

US Veteran

Member

Similar threads