S&W 24-3

[dwayne.22]

My friend recently purchased a mint 24-3 chambered in 44 special. He has concerns about it being a later gun but still has a pinned barrel. Our combined knowledge is very limited, so we are reaching out to the experts for facts. Photos are attached. Any and all info on this beautiful handgun will be appreciated. Thank You in advance. God Bless!

 

[Valmet]

I'm far from an expert but those 24-3s were mfg'd between 1982-83 and it was around that time that S&W phased out the pinned barrels so the example pictured would've been at the tail end of the "pinned" era.

Rarely (if ever) did a change happen immediately with S&W. I have a lettered 17-3 from June 1968 that has a "17-2" marked yoke as they were using the leftover "-2" parts on hand.

 

[22hipower]

That is very odd, a pinned barrel in a 24-3. I have one 6000 SNs earlier than the OP's and it is not pinned. I thought all 24-3s were not pinned, apparently at least one was and that one well in to the production year..

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[CH4]

Nothing keeping someone from having the barrel pinned, if that's what they want.

 

[JP@AK]

Certainly an oddity. Mine is also ABZ and just more than 2700 numbers lower. The 6 1/2" barrel is not pinned. It shipped on November 10, 1983, to a distributor in Georgia.

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

My 4 inch 24-3 is ABZ57xx…non-pinned barrel.
Never say never with S&W. They could have used up leftover pinned frame and barrel configurations in that time frame as someone mentioned already.

 

[stansdds]

Could be that someone really liked the looks of pinned barrels and had this Model 24-3 modified. The other possibility is that S&W had a pinned barrel frame in the parts bin and used it for this particular Model 24. S&W did not waste parts and the era of Bangor Punta ownership, especially in the 1980's, was a time of financial hardship for S&W.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... The other possibility is that S&W had a pinned barrel frame in the parts bin and used it for this particular Model 24. S&W did not waste parts and the era of Bangor Punta ownership, especially in the 1980's, was a time of financial hardship for S&W.

I think it was just a pinned barrel frame in the Parts Bin too.

With that Serial Number its from when the 24s were reintroduced in 1984.

 

[Grayfox]

I have three 24-3s and you got me curious and I had to go look.
Nope, none of mine are pinned.

 

[dobegrant]

Very nice revolver

 

[dwayne.22]

Thanks to all who offered their facts and thoughts on the 24-3. It may be worth getting this one lettered. Again, thank you and God Bless America!!!!!