A .44 I can live with ...

[Ron H.]

Thanks, all, for the kind words. Just got home from a quick range trip to test-drive the new .44. It behaved itself nicely. The action's smooth, but a little stiff--this thing clearly hasn't been shot much. Nothing some lube and dry fire won't fix.

The range's PMC 180-grain JHPs printed a little low at 50 feet and very low at 7 yards. I assume the gun is sighted for 240s or 250s, which I'll take out next time.

Unfortunately, my shooting was a bit off today--too much coffee, not holding my mouth right, I dunno. About the best I could do offhand in single-action at 50 feet was 2-1/2 to 3 inches. Feh. Double-action at 7 yards went better, though.

Here's the 7-yard target, 30 rounds (five gun-fuls) double-action, unsupported. Not too bad, but I still threw several out.

All in all, I'm very pleased with the new rig.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Dale53]

>>>I know that may sound like blasphemy to all the blue gun lovers, but I really prefer stainless.<<<

I, also, MUCH prefer the utility of a stainless gun. Given a choice, I always go for stainless these days.

Dale53

 

[mm6mm6]

I bought my 4" 624 used (no box or papers) in 1990 or so. I think I paid $350 or so. That was alot then. I really liked the gun and the cartridge. I ordered a custom set of Deacon Deason's Bear Hug Grips in the Skeeter Skelton style, made of birdseye maple. This really made the gun come together for me. The only thing I didn't care for was the shallow and narrow factory rear sight. I decided on a Weigand Custom Combat rear and a Hi-Viz red fiber optic front. Then I liked the gun so much in my El Paso Saddlery Tom Threepersons crossdraw that I had the gun engraved by Michael Gouse with 75% coverage American Scroll.

It's fun to see your virtually factory 624 (with the Magnas) which reminds me of mine before I paid Gouse to scratch it all up....

 

[TN RAT]

The more I look at these, the more I like them. I would love to have both a 24 and 624, in the perfect barrel length, of course.

 

[ldp4570]

Ron H., You now need to get a 3" 624 to go along with that 4".
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[IBSandy]

Ron,

Always a pleasure to help out a buddy. Now, let's see the "ragged edge" all rounds touch target!

Regards,
Sandy Jacobs

 

[Ron H.]

Originally posted by IBSandy:
Now, let's see the "ragged edge" all rounds touch target!

Sir, alas, I haven't shot one like that in a while. As close as I can get right now is this one from last week's test of four new Wilson 1911 magazines.

Stock Colt 1991A1, 32 rounds of .45 hardball, offhand, 7 yards, about five seconds between shots

Of course, this is only 7 yards. I'm a little like Scarlet O'Hara: "I can shoot straight if I don't have to shoot far."

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[OIF2]

Will a plain-blued 24 do? This is a 6.5" with Deacon Deason's stocks:

 

[Ron H.]

Originally posted by OIF2:
Will a plain-blued 24 do?[/IMG]

Sir, that'll do nicely.

Thanks, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[M29since14]

I've owned at least half a dozen .44 mags over the years, mainly Smiths, and always ended up selling them off. Too big, too heavy, too loud, and just too obnoxious generally.

Nice 624 you have there! I normally don't mention loads, but "someone once said" 6.5 of Unique and a 250 Keith make an excellent mild load for a 4-inch 624. Whomever it was, my gun apparently believes him.

I do not load 44 Specials up to "Elmer level," but I have a friend who does. He tells me his 6.5" gun with a hefty charge of #2400 is one of his most accurate revolvers.

In spite of them being stainless, everyone I know who has a 624 likes it. Looks like you found a nice one.

 

[deanodog]

The only 44 I have at the present time is a model 21-4 which I haven't got to shoot much but liking it better all the time.

 

[Bat Guano]

Very nice gun. I fell in love with 4" M24s around 1966 but between one thing and another it took me until last year to finally nail down a 24-3.

Sometimes it takes a while to herd the planets into alignment.

 

[Stainz]

To the OP - nice example!

My solution to a shooter's .44 finally came from S&W's current offerings, a 4" 629 (SKU #163603) and a 6" 629 (SKU #163606). Sure, I had a 20yr safe-queen 6.5" 24-3 - horrid example, due to it's poor QC. I finally got it 'right' - and sold it. The beautiful 6.5" Heritage 24, which I lucked into new on closeout, was traded for a LNIB JM PC627 V-Comp. I replaced them with a new 6" 629 - and 'tried' the .500 Magnum grips on it, too - just over three years back. Ultimately, a new 4" 629 replaced my 629MG - I like the larger hammer & trigger as well as the better sights.

I mention the 629s as they are available new reasonably. In SS, they are easier to keep clean. Of course... Keith level .44 Specials aren't a problem, either - or real .44 magnums, for that matter. I love my 696 and 296 .44 Specials, but that 4" 629 will likely be here when those two .44 Specials are gone. It's my way of shooting my .44 Specials (... and Russians... and Magnums!).

Stainz

 

[Duncan223]

Ron, I've had pretty much the same problem with 44s, and after seeing your purchase, I think I've solved my dilemma.

Nice Gun!!

 

[Kevin Keith]

I'd have jumped on that gun like a duck on a june bug! That is one model I am always keeping my eyes open for. Good buy and a beautiful gun. Congratulations!