I was selling a 624 and was asked if it would chamber 44 magnum cartridges. I thought the question odd..but told them I would check. Sure enough..it does! It does not appear the cylinder was modified but I did not buy the revolver new. As far as liability goes..should I still sell it knowing a 44 magnum could be chambered and fired? The cylinder measures 1.580" long vs 1.72" long on a 629-4 I own, so I don't think the cylinders were swapped.

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There was a recall on some early 624’s.

You’ll find quite a bit of information, as well as some speculation, here: Model 624 with serial number within recall range

Even if they chamber, I wouldn’t shoot .44 Mag’s in the gun.

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"I also cook."

Guns of this model were/are subject to a factory recall. The stated reason was "improper steel" but others with knowledge of the situation gave the reason as the one you discovered. The cylinder is of .44 Special length.

The recall will not replace your exact gun as it is no longer made (and the part will not be returned), and of course you shouldn't sell it without documenting and disclosing the issue to any buyer. The ideal resolution would be to find a replacement cylinder with correct bores, but I think you are unlikely to find one. Another thought would be to ask if a gunsmith will install spacers so that .44 Magnum will not chamber (this is a random thought and may not be possible).

It may be best to keep it and make sure anyone who has access to it knows to only put .44 Special into it. Sorry and good luck in your decisions.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I would sell it here on the Forum. You'll probably get a better price and the buyers here should know about the problem. Of course you would send written notification that this Magnum in a Special cylinder issue exists.

Other posters here have tried to get the proper cylinder from S&W, but the company says they don't have any replacement cylinders, IIRC.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thanks for the link..it is an early Lew Horton 3" gun so that may explain it. Hmm...what to do. I guess I'll hold on to it and not take it to the range with other 44 magnum revolvers.

Im not going to try it..but if a 44 magnum were fired..what are the chances of a ka-boom?

Stupid people are not your concern. That's like selling a car and worrying if they wear their seatbelts?

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

Can also be issue related to brass length. Had a batch of 44 mag starline (below min length) that could be loaded into a 696.

"Stupid people are not your concern. That's like selling a car and worrying if they wear their seatbelts?"

Not really apples to apples. If I sold a car with known defective seat belts..or any equipment defect..I may be liable. I think the same goes for a firearm. If I did not know of the issue..well..that could be argued as to liability.

I tried Remington factory ammo and a few others..they all fit. I have a 4" 624 and that will not chamber any of the same 44 magnum cartridges as the 3" gun, so I'd say the 3" is one of the recall "magnum chamber" guns that never got recalled.

Yes, check several brands of 44 mag ammo. There was a post here within the last few weeks where brands with heavy crimps would fit in a 624 cylinder, others would not. Doesn't change the fact that one will fit in yours but I suspect most factory loads will not fit. I have two 624s, neither will allow standard 44 Mag ammo to fit in the cylinders.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

If I wanted to sell it, I would, along with a disclaimer that the chambers may accept .44 mag ammo, and that it shouldn't be used in that gun, as it is unsafe.

The proper cartridge for the gun is stamped on the barrel, and it is up to the end user to use only said ammunition in that gun.

There are a variety of firearms that will chamber and fire cartridges they are not designed too. The .270 Winchester in a 30-06 is a classic example. Usually, the only result is no accuracy as the bullet is sub-caliber. Many 30-06 rifles will also chamber the 358 Winchester, for example. Unlike the 270 in an '06 example, this is a disaster waiting to happen.

Ultimately, it is up to the shooter to use the right cartridge in his firearm. Owning a firearm involves SOME personal responsibility.

Larry

*
My guess, and I mean GUESS: slight. It's more like shooting a proof load. While the cylinder is likely not heat treated or otherwise produced in the same manner and to the same standard as a .44 Magnum cylinder (which may apply to the whole revolver), it is still good quality modern steel. It's not like forcing a .357 magnum into 1899 M&P.

DISCLAIMER: this is truly a guess based on a lot of reading of similar discussions of all types here. I am not a metallurgist or any other kind of scientist. Relying on my shooting from the lip in this manner is likely a bad idea.

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NHI, 10-8.

Please don't use .44 mag of any load type in your .44 special gun. Not only might you hurt yourself, but your nice gun would be caput after one shot.

Just because a 44 Mag "fits" you may be overlooking that a round has a heavy crimp. Due to short chambering, it's possible there's no room for the case mouth to expand on firing. Not a good thing to "test."

No, it’s more like selling a car where you know there’s a recall on a part that could be a serious safety issue and you don’t disclose it to the new buyer.

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213th FBINA

It occurs to me that just about any .44Special cylinder for any S&W N frame gun COULD be either interchangeable or adaptable to your gun. Since I have one of those late model 24s that’s going to my approach to the issue.

Naturally I don’t have a ,44 magnum cartridge. When I determine I actually have the problem, I’ll keep the group informed.

Regards, Porkie

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Least expected, you’re elected

.44 Special cylinders are NOT all the same length. The M21-4 has a longer cylinder than a M24 and a M24-3, according to a friend of mine who owns all three.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Just sell it for the best price you can get. The revolver is stamped 44 Special. If someone puts a 44 Magnum round in it that is on them.

If I fill my Honda's tank with diesel that's on me, not Honda, the gas station or anyone else.

Be upfront but caveat emptor.

For my own protection, I have never sold a gun without a detailed bill-of-sale executed by both buyer and seller, and I encourage others to do so. It would be a simple matter to add language indicating that the revolver is subject to a factory recall, perhaps describing the nature of the recall, has not been recalled, and buyer specifically assumes responsibility, etc., etc. IANAL, but I would think such a document would cover you.

I don't think any negligent copiability is even in question here. They're a ton of guns that will chamber the wrong round and possibly explode, you can't be held accountable for someone else's stupidity.
That's like saying my so-n-so shot themselves in the head with your gun so now it's your fault.
Don't think so.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

I agree and agree with those who say enjoy the gun w/o using .44 Mag rounds.

Sadly, I simply don't trust the legal system, it is NOT the justice system, justice often doesn't enter into their operations.

In this world, and it's getting more weird every day, anyone can sue anyone for anything. Pathetic isn't it? Don

If it were mine and as a reloader.
it would get fed 5-7gr of 231 witha 240gr cast bullet in .44 mag brass. sweet shooting.

There's a huge difference between being stupid, and being uninformed/uneducated. Those in the latter group are not expected to know, but need to be educated.

Those in the first group may be educated/informed, but choose not to utilize the knowledge, even though they are aware of the risk.

One of the best analogies I've heard in a long time...

OP, send your M624 to me and I will personally buy/trade you any new Smith M629 .44Mag or Special of your choosing...

No, I am not kidding... Any model, any barrel length, all options included...

PM me!

[QUOTE=
OP, send your M624 to me and I will personally buy/trade you any new Smith M629 .44Mag or Special of your choosing...
[/QUOTE]

This does sound like the best solution after reading all these post. I have to agree, it is stamped "44 special". Any owner should have the intelligence to shoot the proper loads, but yes, we all know, you can sue almost anyone for any crazy reason out there, it is those money hungry lawyers and then we make judges out of them so they let this silly lawsuits prevail. Some of you guys posting do not ever need to sell a gun, it will be your fault down the road if something happens.

This is a statement where it is very difficult to take me to task, but that doesn’t change my position.

Given how modern large scale manufacturing works, I will make the bold statement that I don’t think S&W did anything different whatsoever in the materials, production or heat treating of a 80’s/90’s .44 Special cylinder than they did with a .44 Magnum cylinder.

It wouldn’t make fiscal sense for them to have two entirely different processes for the slight difference between a .44 Special and Magnum cylinder.

Don’t ever try it, but I do not believe that cylinder is any less capable than a 629 cylinder.

Officially, S&W would never ever EVER say so. Off the record I’ll bet they nod along exactly.

I purchased my LGS last nib s&w m24/6.5” 44 spec in nickel. It’s his last m24. Over a decade ago. Haven’t shot it yet. It’s a newer one maybe it’s not on the 44 mag fits it list. I won’t shoot magnum loads anyway.

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Plant garlic in the fall

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Don't You Ever Wash That Thing

i am Not a gunsmith, but... could the front bit of the chambers be knurled, there by shrinking the diameter, then re-cut to the correct .44spl length?

Heck, a 300 Blackout round will chamber in a 5.56. A very bad situation with very detrimental repercussions.

I agree with the personal responsibility.
Sell it with notification if you want and sleep well.

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NRA Life Member

It was my post... I was able to easily fit Underwood and Buffalo Bore 255Grain full house .44Magnums into my M24-3... I only posted it as to warn the OP to NOT send it back to Smith and Wesson for repairs because they likely wouldn't send it back to him.

I don't care if my M24 can fit heavy crimped (needed on any heavy recoiling handgun ammo), because I keep .44maggie loads and .44special loads separate. It has the nicest "factory" trigger of any handgun I've ever handled. It's action is super smooth. It's simply a "Special" handgun and is my most favorite of all my handguns including some really nice and exotic CZ's & 1911's. I've learned to work on, upgrade, & fix ALL of my own handguns semi-auto and revolvers and will never send my M24-3 or M29-3 back to Smith for anything and don't need to.

I have a lovely and minty Ithaca M37 that I was after for 20 years. It will chamber 3" Magnum loads even though she's only designed to run 2 3/4" 12-Gauge shells. Same deal... I simply don't shoot or chamber 3+" magnum shells out of her. It's not a problem for the competent!

M24-3 Lew Horton Special fully chambered (just for pictorial/verifying) with 255 grain factory .44Magnum rounds...








Last pic in attachment is of my favorite shotgun Ithaca M37 Riot Shotty...

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Still not your problem or responsibility, it's your responsibility to see if they're any "service bulletin's" out on ANY car you buy.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

"I don't care if my M24 can fit heavy crimped (needed on any heavy recoiling handgun ammo), because I keep .44maggie loads and .44special loads separate. It has the nicest "factory" trigger of any handgun I've ever handled. It's action is super smooth. It's simply a "Special" handgun and is my most favorite of all my handguns..."
I have had my 624 a long time. Never knew about the recall until getting more involved on this forum. Mine is in the recall group, but it does not chamber at 44mag. Even if it did, I was not about to send it to the mothership knowing I could not be sure what I would get back. As the above quote, it is my sweetest triggered, smoothest shooting, best accuracy for my shooting, gun I have. It is not going anywhere.

Why would you do that to a perfectly good revolver

Owning a firearm involves some personal responsibility.
In today's litigious society I wouldn't bet on it.

Why won’t S&W correct the problem. If some idiot shoots a 44magnum in this gun and is injured is S&W responsible? In my opinion no but in a court who knows.
If you want to sell the gun then sell it. It’s not your responsibility what someone else may do.
As for myself I would not even check to see if the magnum round would fit I am not going to shoot it so why even care.

I feel that a gun mis-chambered is not perfectly good and if the owner is concerned, would this be a way to correct the issue. As I said, I am not a gunsmith, but asked if this would this be a way to make it so a .44mag could not be chambered.
If your answer was sarcasm, i apologize for not recognizing it

Maybe he thinks he’s Elmer Keith

[QUOTE=SW Gun Guy;141096976]"I don't care if my M24 can fit heavy crimped (needed on any heavy recoiling handgun ammo), because I keep .44maggie loads and .44special loads separate. It has the nicest "factory" trigger of any handgun I've ever handled. It's action is super smooth. It's simply a "Special" handgun and is my most favorite of all my handguns..."

The above would be from me thoughts... And I totally agree with your thoughts and post below as well. Smith & Wesson really took great care and seriousness fulfilling the Lew Horton Special "Specs" in 83'-84' making these "LHS" Revolvers and are some of the most "Special" firearms ever produced inside their doors packed at the time with "Talent and Craftsmen"... I'd like to have at least one more pair of each of the M24-3 and M29-3 series revolvers and/or their stainless series from the same period for absolute enjoyment and examples of one of the finest manufacturing institutions in both American and World History...
[B]
"I have had my 624 a long time. Never knew about the recall until getting more involved on this forum. Mine is in the recall group, but it does not chamber at 44mag. Even if it did, I was not about to send it to the mothership knowing I could not be sure what I would get back. As the above quote, it is my sweetest triggered, smoothest shooting, best accuracy for my shooting, gun I have. It is not going anywhere.".......

No sir. Not at all, and I apologize if it came off that way. I own a .44 Special LH snubbie that chambers .44 mag. It's a magnificent revolver that I have enjoyed for over 30 years. I wouldn't ever think of changing a thing. As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing to correct, but that's just me. For the folks that feel more comfortable having it returned to spec, that's their prerogative. Don't know if your suggestion would work. Sleeving the throat would be my guess, but I'm not a gunsmith either.
All the best.
Ray

Owning it wouldn’t bother me. Selling it with disclosure wouldn’t bother me either.

Dang it. I have an M37 Featherweight...now I gotta check if it accepts 3" shells.

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NRA Life Member

Not to beat a dead horse more. I was thinking of buying the misses a 44spec snubnose and let her shoot 44 Russians out of it,

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Plant garlic in the fall

What does that mean???

wasn't elmer was famous for loading 44spl to very hot loads leading to the official 44mag cartridge. i think i heard that more than a few 44spl revolvers were casualties of his load development

You heard wrong............

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

First off , my 624 chambers mag loads also . I would never send it back home , who knows what they would do . But then , IF i ever sold it I would make sure the buyer knew what he was getting .

When I first got my 624 , I read in a magazine about Elmer loading 44spec's to near 44mag spec's . I posted the question here and it got a thousand , maybe more , responses from the members . If you do a search I'm sure it would come up .