Model 29 or 24

[oink]

If it's a range gun and you're not trying to conceal carry it I'd go for a 29. Cheaper and easier to find. Plus the ones without the full underlug balance well. I've shot a bazillion super lite loads through my 629 using magnum brass, which are easier and cheaper to get, W231 and cast LSW. A real pleasure to shoot. You can actually see them heading down range in the right light. Great paper punchers and accurate.

That was my practical answer. If you have the itch for a 44 special, scratch it.

 

[Meeteetse]

While I love my Mountain Gun in .44, I also have a .45 Colt Mountain gun that may be the best of both worlds. Love the 44 spl. but the big Colt 45 is often my go to carry piece when woods walking, especially with some of the new hardcast loads available. Got both, love both.

 

[Art Doc]

Wow. Somebody posted a huge photo.

I never shoot 38s in my 357s or 44 Specials in my 44 Magnums.

You answered your own question when you said you will never shoot Magnums.

 

[Muley Gil]

I think you should buy a standard .44 Magnum, not a Mountain Gun. That way, there are more .44 Specials for the rest of us.

 

[minconrevo]

If you a looking for a range/field use gun to fire lots of .44 Spl's, get the 4" 29 not the 24. A few years back I was the owner of a gently pre-used 4" 24. Not the best choice if you expect to really shoot 240 gr .44 Spl's all day. Not an accuracy problem. The light 24 barrel makes the gun whippy to shoot and quick follow up shots difficult. Yes, I tried different grips before sending the nice 24 down the trading trail.

 

[HamHands]

Here's a good read about .44 Spl. from John Taffin.

http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt44spec.htm

If you're not going to shoot Magnum loads, get a Spl. (if you can find one). Based on the article above, you can really push the .44 spl. if you need to.

Truth! 255 grain "Keith" hard casts gas checked .44Special pills loaded to a hair over 1,000fps is a hell of a woods load and safe to fire in any Smith M24 should you feel the need. I've shot a lot of the Underwood loaded to those specs and they thump! And they can safely be loaded to over 1100fps if desired... .44Special and .44Magnums are my favorite handgun caliber(s).

 

[DB404]

I have both but I do prefer the weight forward balance of the 4" Model 29-2 for when I'm working the gun a bit, especially with .44 Special equivalent loads. If you end up buying the 29, my 2 bits is don't invest in a bunch of 44 Special brass and then have to try to get that danged built up lead and crud out of your chambers if you ever want/need to fire magnums from it.

 

[RoninPhx]

Here's a good read about .44 Spl. from John Taffin.

http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt44spec.htm

If you're not going to shoot Magnum loads, get a Spl. (if you can find one). Based on the article above, you can really push the .44 spl. if you need to.
in the taffin article he mentions a .357magnum smith converted to 44special. I have a model 28 that was done that way. sometimes nicknamed a "skeeter" gun. has a target trigger, been tuned, and other nice things, with a six inch barrel. ran across it in an auction, nobody reconized it but i did. they were being converted this way in the 70's due to the lack of 44specials. Nice gun to shoot. I have a number of the magnums in various flavors. for most things most people would use one of these for, i think the 44special can be loaded up or down without the flash, bang, recoil of the 44magnum

 

[Patrick L]

I have both, I don't think you could go wrong. I'd say see what you can find/afford. A M24 serves all of my needs, I actually bought that when I couldn't find a 29. But then I got a pre 29. My shooting is almost exclusively with Specials, but my hot Specials are as hot as I go. Eeven my Magnum loads are more like hot Specials.

 

[jwk]

44 Mag more versatile even if you never intend to shoot magnums. Why? Never say NEVER! Even if you handload you might need to buy factory ammo one day and 44 Mag is easier to find than good 44 Specials.

I've got both but if I could only have one it would be a 629 Mountain Gun.

 

[bananaman]

I myself had wanted a 24. Could not find 1 that was nice, or could afford. I ended up buying a 29-3, 6". I have shot magnum loads in it, and I can if & when I want to. I load heavy .44 Special data loads into magnum cases. Works great for me!

 

[Joed49]

What are 24-3's going for now days?

 

[HamHands]

Before you buy really try to handle both because as has been said there is a big difference in balance...

For me if a 4" has a square butt I like a full profile barrel. If a round butt a tapered barrel.

So for me the 24-3 didn't balance as nicely as the 24-3 3" or the standard 29 or 629. One of my favorites however is the Mountain Gun. They have a tapered barrel and round butt. I've had them in .45 ACP, .41 Magnum and .44 Magnum. Best series Smith ever made...

Bob

Good advice!

My 3" Round Butt M24 balances in my hand and especially during a quick draw/presentation better than with my 3" M29 with a bull barrel. I'm on target faster with the front sight for sure! Front sight only pasted atop where a perps navel would be on a B27 Silhouette at 10 yards is where I practice for quick hits until cylinder dump...as you won't have time to line up the rear if something ugly is upon you at that range and closing.