Need a little advice from the S&W experts here. I just picked up a 3-inch Lew Horton Model 624 in trade. In doing a little online research I found that S&w actually had a recall out on some of these 624's. It seemed that some cylinders were overboard and would accept 44 magnum cartridges. So, I grabbed a handful of 44 mags and sure enough they dropped right into my Gun's cylinder. So, what's the problem? This is a substantial gun as you know. Wouldn't it handle a few 44 mags — not a regular diet mind you but I would like to load some mags when I'm hiking or hunting in the woods. Why isn't this a good thing if I exercise some discretion?
44 Mag in a LH M624?
- Thread starter Markmontana
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Alk8944
US Veteran
The recall was because the charge holes were cut too deep and since the gun was intended as a .44 Special so theoretically there is a safety issue! Probably you can get away with some magnums since the 624 and 629 basically are the same gun except for intended chambering, but do you want to take that chance?
Your gun, your choice, but it cannot be replaced!
Discretion would be to only use the gun for what it was intended by the factory
Maybe, but I think there is potentially the issue of heat treating.... just wondering....???
YES - second the comment regarding the cyl heat treatment!
IIRC there was a recall on stainless 44s.( mid 80s?) I had sent my 629 back to be checked and it came back ok with a red "C" in a circle stamped on the label. Seems like it was about heat treatment or lack thereof.
Also the barrel extension. The 44 Mag guns have very little barrel extending into the cylinder opening and correspondingly long cylinders. I suspect this was for a reason. The 624 has a short cylinder, long barrel extension same as a 625, made for similar lower pressure rounds.
Alk8944
US Veteran
When I was at the Armorers School I asked that specific question. Whether there was any difference in either materials or heat treatment of components for different models, and the answer was that there was not! The very logical reason being that outwardly identical looking parts would be too difficult to keep separated, and too easily mixed up, if either material or heat-treatment was different! The question was posed specifically if there was any difference between standard calibers and magnums! They do this specifically to avoid just what you are concerned about and the safety issues it would create!
S&W made a model 586 special order for export to Brazille they were in 38 special ,some of the overruns were chambered in. 357 from the factory.
I have one that was made for Braille and found as .357 cylinder &YOKE ASSEMBLY TO USE THE GUN AS A .357 .nO MODIFICATIONS HAD TO BE MADE and no problems with fire or function. I did want to keep the original cyl. 38 special to match the barrel markings
I have one that was made for Braille and found as .357 cylinder &YOKE ASSEMBLY TO USE THE GUN AS A .357 .nO MODIFICATIONS HAD TO BE MADE and no problems with fire or function. I did want to keep the original cyl. 38 special to match the barrel markings
Last edited:
Don't do it...
But don't send it in to S&W assuming you want to keep it; they won't send it back. A gun shop owner friend had one a few weeks ago that would accept 44 Mag in a couple of cylinder holes and allow the cylinder to rotate. Depends on the brand of ammunition too. I'd keep it but wouldn't fire the 44 Mags, but then I rarely fire 44 Mags in my 44 Mags. Good luck.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
The 44 special cylinder is a little shorter overall than a magnum cylinder, so watch for overall length/possible binding. It might be ok to fire a few, but I would personally refrain from doing so. It does give one the ability to load warm 44 special loads in a magnum case, though..
Elmer Keith was known to hot rod the 44 special, but did destroy some revolvers in the process…
Elmer Keith was known to hot rod the 44 special, but did destroy some revolvers in the process…
If the chambers are just slightly too long (for a .44 Spl.) then it's possible that a .44 Mag round with a healthy crimp would chamber but not be able to "uncrimp" the brass when fired. Not good....
If you have a way to reliably check the depth of the chamber with a plug gage or similar and calipers or a depth mic., then you could check it yourself. (Or let someone with precision tools do it.). Otherwise, just resist the temptation. Especially if there's anybody else on the firing line.
If you have a way to reliably check the depth of the chamber with a plug gage or similar and calipers or a depth mic., then you could check it yourself. (Or let someone with precision tools do it.). Otherwise, just resist the temptation. Especially if there's anybody else on the firing line.
Concur
It seems to me that the 624 would be perfect for warm 44 specials and/or "modest" magnums.
Another commenter here on another thread, can't remember who, said that Keith destroyed exactly two revolvers and he explained in detail exactly how and why he did it.
And the 624 barrel is quite a bit thinner than the 29.
It seems to me that the 624 would be perfect for warm 44 specials and/or "modest" magnums.
Another commenter here on another thread, can't remember who, said that Keith destroyed exactly two revolvers and he explained in detail exactly how and why he did it.
One was a Colt Single Action Army in .45 Colt. He used a .45-90 bullet and the loading gate blew off.
I don't recall the other handgun.
Originally, Smith published the recall of a number of serial number prefixes that were made with some non standard stainless steel from their supplier and it applied to a limited number of both 624 and 629 cylinders made during a specific time period. Later, it was learned from Dr. Jinks that the issue was some 624 cylinders were bored deep enough to accept .44 Magnums.
My point is---do you want to take the chance there is some substandard steel in your cylinder?
My point is---do you want to take the chance there is some substandard steel in your cylinder?
Nope. Not thinner. Look at a 44 nag mtn gun.
Piwo
Member
I think the other gun that Keith blew up was a Owl's Head 38 breaktop as he described in his book "Sixguns." He was shooting at a garbage dump and the gun let go due to smokeless ammo in a black powder gun. That and the previously mentioned Colt 45 are the only two guns that I have ever read about. I would be curious if there were any other.
press-1-for-english
Member
Even if I could fit .357 magnums into my .38 special model 10-8 the thought of doing so would never cross my mind. Just me.
A little off the subject but an observation. I have a 28-2 fitted with a 44 special barrel. The cylinder is bored for 44 special AND the chambers are recessed like a 44 mag cylinder. 44 mag will not fit, so apparently the chambers are cut to accommodate the special round in the recessed chambers but not the magnums. Who ever did the work was very precise and the gun is VERY accurate.
Similar threads
