I have been looking at Model 24s (.44 Spl) via on-line sales. I hate purchasing a firearm without prior inspection. But my main concern is throat size. (I finally purchased an M25-5 (.45 LC) with correct throats.) were there any issues with M24 throats similar to the M25s? If so, is there a serial number range where the problem was corrected? Shooting my cast bullets so size matters. Thanks for any information.
Model 24 Cylinder throat dia.
- Thread starter pmhayden
- Start date
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I measured my 1985 vintage 24-3 and 624 at .431 and my 629 no dash (1981) at .432, so I think they are large in this era. All 3 are much more accurate with cast than jacketed.
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Alk8944
US Veteran
SAAMI Standard for .44 Special and magnum groove diameter is .429" to .433". .431" or .432" are within specified dimensions, NOT LARGE! .429" is minimum diameter, not standard as many think!
Cylinder throat diameter standard is .4325" + .004". Again, .432-.432 is not large!
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Yes, this is true!!
Historically, ALL .44 Special ammo was loaded with bullets in the .432-.433" range. This includes Winchester, Remington, UMC, Peters, etc. It's all documented in Phil Sharpe's book on handloading written in the 1930s.
Buy an old "Ideal" mold. It'll probably drop .433-434" bullets with #2 alloy.
The earliest references I have ever found of a .429.-430" bullet originate with the appearance of the .44 magnum.
My personal opinion is that the munitions factories reduced the diameter of their ".44 caliber" bullets a few thousandths of an inch so they could achieve the high velocities cited in the early magnum press releases all while maintaining acceptable pressures.
The problems and confusion this created was something they happily did if it resulted in positive initial press and high initial sales.
But, too many folks today view history with a revisionist eye to the past. So, to them, .429-430" is "standard".
Oh well….
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Model19man
Member
Folks who imagine throat sizes were too large on Model 25 revolvers probably won't be happy with anything Smith and Wesson makes. More for me to buy!
We have a large group of S&W revolver shooters at our club. I have measured a gang of cylinder throats with pin gauges and found that most .44 Magnums from the 80s on were ~.430. There were definitely some .432s. Now the Performance Center guns such as the Stealth Hunter measured .4285. That lead me to believe that S&W knew or came to realize that tight cylinder throats improve accuracy. My Birdsong Green Stealth Hunter was a .4285 gun and was crazy accurate with a .430 cast bullet.
Thank you for the information. I think I may have less risk to cost ratio with an M29. There are many more of them. The Gunbroker prices for an M24 are higher than the M29 prices even though I am only shooting .44 specials. I have two Ruger .44 specials. The M24 is just a nicer revolver. I will look more and keep an open mind.
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