I Need Some Info On Lew Horton 624 Production Run

Can someone tell me how many of the Lew Horton 1984 production of the Model 24 were done in stainless (the Model 624)??? I have one for sale on gunbroker and this is a question from a bidder...Thanx in advance. Jim

Can someone tell me how many of the Lew Horton 1984 production of the Model 24 were done in stainless (the Model 624)??? I have one for sale on gunbroker and this is a question from a bidder...Thanx in advance. Jim

Not enough, because I was not able to get one by the time I heard they were out in '84.

Norton 750, I have picked up three over the years along with the holsters new in the bag. I have the original one (I am first and only owner) I bought and a carry holster I used for twenty years. Gotta get rid of the duplicates.
thank you for the response. Jim

According to the SCSW, 5000 of the 3" M24's were made and 5000 3" 624's.

Jim

laytonj1, Jim, I think Lew Horton ordered 300 in the configuguation with the combat grips in 1983-84. I have not been able to find the number or the serial number range for his "Limited Edition". Thanx, Jim

I bought a model 24 in the run of 5000 when they first came out. I remember at the time it was reported in the gun mags that the run of 5000 was so popular that S&W made a run of 5000 624 for Horton to satify the demand because they would no longer make a model 24 in that configuration (blued steel, round butt) and stainless was a way to make more $$ and hold to their original promise. Notice the new M24 Horton has a square butt?

viceunit, Thank you; I am trying to track down the serial numbers on the "Limited Edition" that Horton tacked on to the 624...I know that there was an initial run (the first 100) of the Mod 24-3" that was engraved and they were offered, I believe in 1983, in only the square butt config. I know that the new Horton offering (Heritage, I think) is with the square butt. Jim

Eleventseven,

All the 3" 624's from the LH order had combat grips, special holster and had AHT, ALW and ALV prefixes. The only special edition was first 100 in 1985 which were engraved on the side plate as being one of the first 100 and had ALU prefix.
The one you're selling is a part of the regular LH order of 5000 624's.
If you look a few adds below yours you'll see a 1 of 100 for sale by "Gwimer"
Jim

2006 post from the Smith Forum


624/629 Cylinder Recall

The Skeeter Skelton article in the October 1985 issue of Shooting Times magazine stated: "A steel supplier has just advised Smith & Wesson that they shipped a very small quantity of incorrect stainless steel material (11 bars) to us that was not in accordance with their certifications. The incorrect material was used in the cylinders for some large-frame stainless-steel revolvers, Model Numbers 624 (.44 Special) and 629 (.44 Magnum). The approximately 500 units containing this material were shipped from Smith & Wesson between January 1, 1985 and June 8, 1985. They would be included in the following ranges of serial numbers: ADXXXXX, AEXXXXX, AFXXXXX, AGXXXXX, AHXXXXX, ALVXXXX, N910000 thru N953000."

Skeeter goes on to say that the bad cylinder steel caused the recall of about 21,000 guns to find 500 with improper steel.

Today, Kate Fredette of Smith & Wesson basically confirmed this same info. The serial number range includes:

ADXXXX
AEXXXX
AFXXXX
AGXXXX
AHXXXX
ALVXXX (the “V” is not a typo)
N910000 thru N953000

Recalled guns were shipped between Jan 1, 1985 and June 8, 1985 only. The cylinder has to be checked on these handguns and the only way to know is by checking the full serial number against their records. The problem involves 500 guns shipped during that period.

If a handgun in the recalled range has already been returned to the factory for testing, a red letter “C” that is circled will be stamped on the box label, indicating that the gun passed re-inspection. No marks are made on the cylinder of checked guns, only the red “C” in the circle stamped on the box label.

If your gun is within this range and you do not have a box or know for certain that it has been tested, you should contact Smith & Wesson. S&W’s records prior to 1986 are not computerized, so it takes them a l ittle longer to look up the particulars.

You can E-mail your gun’s serial number to: [email protected]. S&W will contact you regarding the status of your particular gun. If your gun is included in the recall, you'll be sent a prepaid FedEx label and shipping instructions. While E-mail is best, you may also call S&W Customer Support at 1-800-331-0852.

Recalled cylinders are tested by magnafluxing. If your recalled gun does fail, there are no replacement cylinders. S&W will keep your gun and you will be offered the choice of another handgun of equal value or a refund.

Jim, Thank you very much for your information and the time you took to research...Can't wait to see what Gwimer is offering and asking. Thanx again, Jim

Hondo, I remember very well the recall and that the recall was the topic of many posts on this forum for some time. Thank you for the heads up and reposting the serial number batches. I have your post added to my favotites for future reference.

I still own two additional 624-3". One is my daily companion piece and a very used Horton "Limited Edition" holster. JIM

Laytonj1:
I beg to differ with some of your information.
I have a 3" 624 with s/n ALU00XX that does not have an engraved side plate. Its a plain 624. I ordered it when Smith first announced they were going to make them. Came in a plain blue box with goncalo alves combat grips. I also ordered the S&W holster as an extra. I believe it was around $40.00. Mine is not a Horton gun.

Hey Mike
I believe Laytonj1 was implying the guns with the engraved side plates were "in the ALU" serial numbers. I have a 3" with ALU66xx. I am not the original owner nor do I have the original box!
jcelect

Originally posted by Mike, SC Hunter:
Laytonj1:
I beg to differ with some of your information.
I have a 3" 624 with s/n ALU00XX that does not have an engraved side plate. Its a plain 624. I ordered it when Smith first announced they were going to make them. Came in a plain blue box with goncalo alves combat grips. I also ordered the S&W holster as an extra. I believe it was around $40.00. Mine is not a Horton gun.

Click to expand...

I did not mean that the ALU prefix was limited only to the first 100, only that they have that prefix. And all 3" 624's are from the LH order althought LH did not take delivery of all of them so S&W sold them thru other distributors.

Jim

I am curious. With my s/n being well below the 100 mark in the ALU series would my gun be one of the first 100?

Show me some pictures so I can drool. I want a 3" 624.

Try this:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=120272120

There is another 624-3 type Lew Horton in the search box.

Jim

eleventseven - Thanks

Here ya go!

Bruce

Model 624 ND 3" LHS