Mod 24 advice needed

[Frontier44]

I am looking to buy a model 24 or pre 24 (not looking at a particular gun at the moment) but I was hoping I could get a little advice from the hand ejector experts as to which version y'all prefer.

Pre 24 5-screw?
24-3?
Or???

I would love to have a triple lock but my pockets aren't deep enough for one in the condition I would prefer.

 

[Muley Gil]

In order:

Pre M24

M24

M24-3

Triple locks, 2nd models, 3rd models and post WW II fixed sighted .44 Specials are also fun.

 

[H Richard]

I personally think the 24 with a 4" barrel balances the best. I didn't care for the finger groove combat grips on the 24-3, 3". Great fun to shoot, and
Speer makes a shot capsule and it can make potent loads for snake country.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

My advise..........Grab the first one you come across that you can afford.......You can worry about dots & dashes later on down the road.

 

[Grayfox]

I completely agree with Mike. Grab whichever .44 Special you can find. They're getting harder to come by and trying to hold out for a specific version could be frustrating.
The .44 Special is a wonderful cartridge and S&W never made a bad gun for it.

 

[Engine49guy]

I own a 6.5" Pre 24 and had a 3" Model 24-3,
Both are good guns for shooting but the pre 24 in high condition will always be more expensive as it's more collectable, the downside is unless the policy has changed SW supposedly won't fix pre model marked guns.

On a side note if you prefer the 4" barrel length ( like myself) the 629 Mountain gun has the same narrow rib tapered barrel style as the Model 24/624 but it also will chamber .44 Magnum.

Ps they did make a small amount in blue but most are SS

 

[Pizza Bob]

As Mike said - grab the first one that you find that you can afford, They are getting harder to find. Remember: You never pay too much for a S&W revolver, you just buy them too soon.

(Not shown are my 396 NG and my 696)

Adios,

Pizza Bob

 

[moosedog]

Guns International has several advertised right now. Good luck on your search.

 

[Frontier44]

My thoughts are exactly the same as far as grabbing one now. I like the 4" barrel but I don't want to get hung up too much on barrel length and miss out on an excellent example. I'm leaning towards the 5-screw.

 

[Doc44]

The classic 44 Special is a 1950 44 Target (Pre-24) with a 4-inch barrel. The one below was shipped in March 1955 and is fun to shoot. The 44 Target with a 6 1/2-inch barrel and red ramp is a close second. Click on the photos for a better look.

Bill

 

[Frontier44]

Beautiful! That's the well I want to draw from. I've looked at a couple mid 1950's examples with 6 1/2" barrels, supposedly with original finish, but the blue on them isn't as deep and brilliant as the ones you have there.

 

[LaVistaBill]

Mod 24 Advice Needed

I have a 3rd Model Hand Ejector .44 Special with a 5" barrel. I also have a Model 24 with a 6.5" barrel made in 1985. Either one is hard to find and expensive. Good luck.

 

[Model19man]

Doc is showing you the grips you want for a shooter. Either of those two barrel lengths would work too. Lots of them were made because they work so well. Not many for sale because once people have them they keep them.

 

[Doc44]

I had in my collection, a Model 24, S193579, (stamped MOD-24 in the yoke cut). It has a 6 1/2-inch barrel, 4-screw frame, and blue finish. It was shipped in May 1961 to H. H. Harris in Chicago.

See a photo on page 223 of the Standard Catalog of S&W, 4th edition.

Bill

 

[Model19man]

On Gunbroker or Guns International typically you will see a dozen or more of each of the -3 variants. On the same day you might see one or two of the Pre - versions. The odd thing is the pre - model numbered ones do not tend to go for huge money.

Personally I think the -2 variant (I have never seen a 24 or a 24-1) is more appealing but that's just me.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Thread started me counting mine. Got about as many as I have toes.

 

[Shark Bait]

The only 44 Special I have is a 3 inch 24-3, but I'm not complaining. I'll get more if I find the opportunity and the price is doable.

 

[CH4]

I regularly see 624s of various barrel lengths, but rarely a 24 of any kind. This past Valentine's Day I stumbled upon this spectacular LH 3" 24-3 at the Vegas Bass Pro.

 

[bill-in-texas]

Frontier44,

I absolutely agree with everyone who has said "buy the first one you find."
We're not talking about Glocks, here.

For the record, I followed that line of thinking when I bought my one and only (so far).

Be patient.
Good luck!
-Bill

Model of 1950 Shipped July 6, 1955 w/Target Stocks* per Historical Letter



*Relief Cut Target Stocks Probably Post 1955



Factory Letter Can Yield Interesting Information

 

[ThinManX]

Beautiful! That's the well I want to draw from. I've looked at a couple mid 1950's examples with 6 1/2" barrels, supposedly with original finish, but the blue on them isn't as deep and brilliant as the ones you have there.

In the earlier models, look for the Bright Blue finish, if you looking for shine. The standard early 1950s finish was more of a matte blue.