I have a 629 MG, should I buy a 4" 624?

[WPWarhawk]

I have a chance to buy a 624 4 inch, don't know the dash number, it's not pinned but does have a hammer mounted firing pin, and is square butt.

I have a 629-2 Mountain Revolver and a 629-5 Mountain Gun. This 624 is very tempting, but what will it do for me that one of these 629's won't?

I'm a shooter, not a collector, and this 624 is going for top dollar. But you don't see many 4 inch 624s, so this is a rare opportunity.

 

[WPWarhawk]

I have a chance to buy a 624 4 inch, don't know the dash number, it's not pinned but does have a hammer mounted firing pin, and is square butt.

I have a 629-2 Mountain Revolver and a 629-5 Mountain Gun. This 624 is very tempting, but what will it do for me that one of these 629's won't?

I'm a shooter, not a collector, and this 624 is going for top dollar. But you don't see many 4 inch 624s, so this is a rare opportunity.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Buy it only for re-sale.

The two 629s you have will do the same as the 624 and more.

Now, if it was a 3" 624, now I'd say; GET SOME!

 

[arfmel]

If it doesn't have the original box with a red "C" stamped on the label, I would call S&W with the serial number as a very few of the Model 624s had a recall for a cylinder made of the wrong steel.

 

[cubrock]

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:
Buy it only for re-sale.

The two 629s you have will do the same as the 624 and more.

Now, if it was a 3" 624, now I'd say; GET SOME!

Largely true, but 629s just don't have the class of a .44 Special.

The 624 will be SLIGHTLY lighter than the Mountain Guns. Less cylinder metal.

 

[EdK]

Originally posted by cubrock:

Largely true, but 629s just don't have the class of a .44 Special.

True, but WPWarhawk said he was a shooter - not a collector. I say the 629 MG is more versatile!

I also have and enjoy a 629 MG and recently decided to complement it with the 3" 624. Now I'm chasing down a custom mold for the fat cylinder throats

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, in a purely utilitarian sense, the 624 won't do anything for you that your 629 MGs don't already cover. The 624 is just a neat thing. Since you already have "utility" covered, what's wrong with treating yourself to a bit of "cool"?

JMHO, FWIW.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[Beans]

The 624 will be SLIGHTLY lighter than the Mountain Guns. Less cylinder metal.

I weight my 624, 4 inch and my 629 MG and they weighted the same on a postal scale

 

[cubrock]

Originally posted by Beans:

The 624 will be SLIGHTLY lighter than the Mountain Guns. Less cylinder metal.

I weight my 624, 4 inch and my 629 MG and they weighted the same on a postal scale

The 624 has a shorter cylinder. I would have expected it to weigh a bit less. Not having a MG to try it out, I'll have to take your word for it.

 

[cubrock]

Originally posted by EdK:

Originally posted by cubrock:

Largely true, but 629s just don't have the class of a .44 Special.

True, but WPWarhawk said he was a shooter - not a collector. I say the 629 MG is more versatile!

I agree - it is more versatile. I was just having a bit of fun.

 

[WPWarhawk]

Originally posted by cubrock:

Originally posted by Beans:

The 624 will be SLIGHTLY lighter than the Mountain Guns. Less cylinder metal.

I weight my 624, 4 inch and my 629 MG and they weighted the same on a postal scale

The 624 has a shorter cylinder. I would have expected it to weigh a bit less. Not having a MG to try it out, I'll have to take your word for it.

Wouldn't the square butt have a bit more metal (weight) than a round butt?

 

[Ron H.]

Originally posted by WPWarhawk:
Wouldn't the square butt have a bit more metal (weight) than a round butt?

Sir, yes, it would. That's probably why the two models weigh the same--the square butt cancels out the shorter cylinder, so to speak.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[cubrock]

Originally posted by Ron H.:

Originally posted by WPWarhawk:
Wouldn't the square butt have a bit more metal (weight) than a round butt?

Sir, yes, it would. That's probably why the two models weigh the same--the square butt cancels out the shorter cylinder, so to speak.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

Ah hah! That makes sense! Now I need to find an affordable Mountain Gun so I can make my own comparison!

Of course, if you really want light, try a 329PD. I have one that I carry when packing in the mountains. It is so light you forget it is on, but you remember when you touch off a round!

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Makes absolutely NO sense whatsoever this mountain gun concept. I have no mountains down here and no bears. I think this is a bunch of nonsense by a bunch of snobs.
That being said-I ain't letting my 629-4 mountain gun go

 

[Majic1]

True, but WPWarhawk said he was a shooter - not a collector.

Well there is wrong with being a classy shooter?

 

[Hoytshooter]

As far as I'm concerned you can never have enough Mtn Guns.

I have a 625 and 25, both 45LC and would like to add a few more. I'm also one who likes the 44Sp much better than the 44Mag.

 

[GCF]

Originally posted by Wyatt Earp:

The two 629s you have will do the same as the 624 and more.

With SOME things, less is more...

 

[MtnGunner]

Well, I have one of the original 629 Mountain Revolvers but I also have a 4 inch 624 and 24. Can't have too many .44 specials. I'd have a 696 too, saw one today but the price was a little too steep for me. Also saw a Charter Arms bulldog .44 special for $299 but I am not entirely confident in the quality of those.

 

[Joed49]

Originally posted by MtnGunner:
Also saw a Charter Arms bulldog .44 special for $299 but I am not entirely confident in the quality of those.

Good choice! I bought one about 2 years ago, shot 20 rounds through it and sold it for 1/2 what I paid for it. The Guy in the gunshop tried to warn me but I wouldn't listen.

The Bulldog was so bad it shot 10" low and about 10" left with the target at about 7 feet. When I opened the cylinder to remove the empties there were shavings from the jackets on the bullets everywhere.

I wouldn't use a Charter product as a paper weight.

 

[Joed49]

Now to the original question.

The .44 Spl is one of the neatest things to own, everyone should have at least one. There is a cult following attached to it.

But, truth be told your Mtn Gun is more versatile. And unless you reload you'll pay more for .44 Spl ammo then .44 Mag.

At one time I owned 5 .44 Spls but have sold off one of the 624's I owned. That tells you how much I like this cartridge.