44 Magnum in a 44 special?

Breakaway500 · Mar 16, 2021

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.

s&wchad · Mar 16, 2021

There was a recall on some early 624’s.

You’ll find quite a bit of information, as well as some speculation, here: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...within-recall-range.html?highlight=624+recall

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

murphydog · Mar 16, 2021

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.

Muley Gil · Mar 16, 2021

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.

Breakaway500 · Mar 16, 2021

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?

03hemi · Mar 16, 2021

Breakaway500 said:
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.

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

zeke · Mar 16, 2021

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.

Breakaway500 · Mar 16, 2021

"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.

22hipower · Mar 16, 2021

zeke said:
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.

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

Fishinfool · Mar 16, 2021

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

Doug M. · Mar 16, 2021

Breakaway500 said:
Im not going to try it..but if a 44 magnum were fired..what are the chances of a ka-boom?

*
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.

ImDrRich · Mar 16, 2021

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.

Krogen · Mar 16, 2021

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."

CH4 · Mar 16, 2021

03hemi said:
Stupid people are not your concern. That's like selling a car and worrying if they wear their seatbelts?

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.

Porkie · Mar 16, 2021

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

Muley Gil · Mar 16, 2021

Porkie said:
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

.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.

Rammer Jammer · Mar 16, 2021

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.

FlyFish · Mar 16, 2021

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.

03hemi · Mar 16, 2021

Breakaway500 said:
"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.

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.

DonD · Mar 16, 2021

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

Larry

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

44 Magnum in a 44 special?

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