624 to buy or not to buy? Got it, PICS!!!

[mdwiese]

Walked into one of my local shops and there sat not one, but two shining 624s. Handled one looked mint and felt mint, so I put up some cash for layaway (I'm in the poorhouse here lately). However I am not as revolver savvy as some and I just did a search on the 624s on this site and lo and behold there could be issues (my luck here lately). Now the only good thing is, it is on consignment, so there may be a possibility of the owner having sent it in too S&W. I guess I am just looking for opinions and advice as to what I should do? There is also the concern of hurting my standing with the shop owner if I go back in and want my money back. He has a small shop that gets a lot of gems and I hate to make an issue.

 

[GLL]

The first step is to see if they have the original factory boxes. If so and there is a big red "C" stamped on the label all is okay ! If not call the factory with the serial numbers.

There is a rare problem with the steel in some cylinders and unfortunately there are no replacements available ! If the price were right I would sure gamble and already have several 624s myself. What barrel lengths?

Jerry

 

[SmithNut]

I wouldn't worry about the recall, if the gun has not been back to the factory yet I'm sure the factory will work with you to get it updated. Normally with a factory recall, they pay shipping and do the work at no charge, so you'd not be out any more $$.

 

[panamajack310]

I say buy it.

 

[mdwiese]

Both 624s had the 6.5 inch tubes, and are around 500 out the door!

 

[BUFF]

Deal!

Like SmithNut and GLL have stated, actual Model 624 cylinders that have found to be faulty are very few and S&W does try really hard to keep their customers happy.

 

[Kevin G]

I've got 2 of that model neither had the dreaded cylinder disease. Do a search here,there are several posts concerning that issue. At least one gives the range of serial #'s of guns that COULD be affected. Both of mine made that list by the way so it's no where near a definate. The first time I called S&W the customer rep I got either couldn't be bothered or didn't know how to check the serial # I gave him for this issue. I called back and got another rep who spent a minute or two researching,then told me my 624 was OK.
Thats a good price for a fine gun. Good Luck, Kevin

 

[GLL]

I would buy both of them at that price !!!

Ask about those boxes !

Jerry

 

[mdwiese]

Update

Well the previous owner didn't have the boxes, and furthermore was not aware of the recall. I am still going to buy the one I put on layaway, and when I get it out will see about sending it to Smith and Wesson. However while this may seem like blasphemy to some I am not purchasing this revolver to put a lot of rounds downrange, so it may never be returned to Smith because I don't want to risk losing it.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I guess it may seem obvious but just check the serial numbers and get one that's not in the recall range if there is one.

 

[mdwiese]

Both of the 624s in this shop are in the recall range of numbers. VA I can appreciate your logic, but these are the only two I have seen in this area, also the price is hard to beat in my book as I have seen very few in this price range. At any rate like I said I am going to purchase one and let the chips fall where they may!

 

[VAdoublegunner]

That's sound logic to me, mdwiese! I think the odds of being bad are actually pretty low. They sound like great deals!

 

[Joed49]

I have one that has not been checked and is in the range. To be honest I don't worry about it. I'd also buy any 624 that hasn't been checked.

I have other things in life to worry about, but that's my opinion.

 

[624 Fan]

Make sure to get a hold of Kate Fredette at S&W Customer Service. She seems to be one of the few CS reps who know about the recall. She's the person we always contact for straight 624 info.

 

[P.D.]

Thanks to all for your input on this thread. I did not know any of this until reading the forum last night. As a result, I called S&W just now to check on my recently purchased 624. It's okay, so I'm pretty happy now. Thanks again.

 

[EdK]

Per the posts and commentary on this web site, I simply emailed Kate regarding my prospective purchase and she emailed me back within 24 hours with the news that the 624 in question was in the clear - good cylinder.

Easy and peace of mind. I went right ahead and completed the deal.

 

[mdwiese]

I GOT THE 624 TODAY, WILL POST PICS LATER SHE SHUURRE IS PURTY!

 

[mm6mm6]

Ixnay on the Ix twenty four say!

The S&W Model 624 is a piece of garbage. 99.9% of them will explode their cylinders due to the manufacturing defect, even if fired with mouse gas .44 Special loads. The N Frame is ungainly with a 4" or 6" thin barrel and, despite the fact that Skeeter Skelton said the stainless 624 was the best revolver ever made, it has been proven via scientific study that his statement was the only time he was ever wrong.

Model 624's should sell for no more that $100 as paper weights. Please stop talking about them as if they were God's gift to the revolver world.
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...at least until I am able to obtain a 6" version at a reasonable price to match my 4 incher!

 

[mdwiese]

PICS!!!

 

[mdwiese]

mm6mm6, your 624 is stunning, man now I think I have the itch for a 4 inch 624, and a 4 inch 629, oh wait and a 4 inch 625, and... so it begins!

 

[EarlFH]

The factory announced a long time ago, that there are no more spare cylinders available for upgrades. Mybe the new ones now out will fit. It's worth a try.
EarlFH

 

[RedCell]

That is a very attractive revolver.I can't stop looking at the pics.

 

[tdan]

mm6mm6..........I see that you finally caved in and ditched that hi-viz sight for a gold bead. How's it working for ya'?

For you 624 owners, how are these guns in the accuracy department? Tell the truth now! Every one that I have examined had oversized cylinder throats and these guns were ho-hum in the accuracy department. I've always jonesed for one of these, but I have a 629-4 MG that shoots downloaded 44Mags with stunning accuracy. That gun has .429 throats. From the pics that I've seen, the newest 24 Classic has a cylinder that appears dimensionally the same in length as a 44Mag. Anyone have one of these newer 24's? If so, perhaps you could give us some cylinder measurements. I'm thinking some sloppy shooting 624's could be turned into some tack-driving "pintos" with the newer cylinder and very little smithing.

 

[akjaeger]

tdan,
I was looking at one of the new 24's the other day. The dealer said it had been chambered for .44mag and sure enough full length .44 mags would fit in the cylinder.
Don't know if it was a mistake or thy're all that way.

 

[idahostreams]

Tdan,

I have a 1985 vintage 624 6 1/2" that shot ok but not great with 240 grn. .430 bullets. I went to the 250 Keith style from Leadhead sized at .431 and it now shoots 1-1 1/2" groups at 25 yds. My favorite load is 7.0 unique. The 7.5 unique load shoots fair but not as good as 7.0.

Julian

 

[mm6mm6]

The gold bead is terrific! I have not fired it since swapping out the red fiber optic sight. When it had the red fiber optic sight, my 624 was the most accurate revolver I have ever fired. I never bench rested it. But one handed at 50', Bullseye style, I put 10 rounds in the black.