So I have one of the 3" 24-3 revolvers...I think it's one of the Lew Horton guns, but don't box or paperwork. Anyway, I've seen where it was referred to as the first N-frame factory round butt...but then I've seen it described as a "K-frame" round butt on an N-frame. If I'm looking for replacement stocks/grips (don't have the original wood grips, unfortunately), do I buy N-frame round butt or K/L-frame grips? Thanks in advance for any help!

N frame round butt. I’ve got the same gun with the original grips. It’s a nice piece. Hold on to it.

N frame. I think the ad was referencing a K size"feel"
not a k grip frame.

I have the same. I bought these Thai made "service stocks" and like them very much. Well made and a tad thicker than factory.

IMG_0284.jpg

Thanks guys!

Do you know if all 3" 24-3's were Lew Horton guns?

No. The Lew Horton guns proven to be very popular. So S&W did a run of their own. My own gun is from the S&W run.

As for the grips. I've never liked a round butt on an N-frame. So I took an old set of Ace rd to sq conversion stocks, cut the bottom off, thinned the sides a bit and turned them into a set of semi-boot grips. That's it at the bottom center of this picture.

According to the "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th Ed.", there were also Model 24-3s with 4" bbls and square butt frames, SB 5-1/2" bbl. (rare), and SB 6-1/2" bbl. However, yours is one of the 5,000 Combat variation introduced in 1983 as a "Lou Horton Special" (3" bbl., RB, RR/WO sights) supplied with a black holster (Product Code 100787). In 2006 S&W released some 3" bbl. square butt revolvers but they were all 24-6s. Nice find, enjoy!

The round butt combat grips on the gun are sought after and bring over $300 on the market. Be sure the gun is priced correctly with whatever grips it has. I didn't like the combat grips, so I fit some modified round to square butt grips.



I kept the original grips in the box so it could be eventually sold correctly.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thanks for all the great info! Grayfox, super nice collection! My 24-3 serial number is AEJ84XX. Was told by S&W that it was made in 1985. Maybe I'll reach out to Lew Horton next week and try to verify its provenance. Then again, not that big a deal to me...I've owned it for 20 years and had it up on Gun Broker but pulled it because I decided to keep it. It struck me as one of those I'd kick myself for selling!

I also have one of the 6.5" 24-3 square butt guns that's in pristine condition (serial #ABZ20XX) that S&W says was made in 1983. Found that one back in 2003. Love me some .44 Special!