S&W 624 4"

[thelongman]

I just put a S&W 624 4" on layaway. I would like to know any opinions on this gun and what factory loads work well for practice and defense. Thanks!!!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Welcome to the forum!

The 624's are great guns, but whenever one is mentioned here, the question always comes up-

"Does it have the box with the red C inside a circle, on the end of the box?"

There were some that had suspect steel used for their cylinders. I am guessing you will get lots of posts, with lots of opinions, here about this.

One recently said that Mr Jinks himself says there wasn't a problem with any steel, but that is contrary to what every gun writer, and collecting authority has written about it. It was written up in Shooting Times magazine by no less than Skeeter Skelton.

See the FAQ's section at the top of this sub forum for details on the recall. If the gun has the box with the red C, the gun was already checked by S&W. If not, you can view the affected serial number range in the FAQ's and see if the one you are looking at is within that range.

 

[toroflow1]

The 4" 624 is my favorite gun to shoot. I put some Executioner stags on it and they feel fantastic. I shoot at a propane 3 gallon can at 175 yards and can get a "plunk" now and again!

 

[S&WIowegan]

This is the most difficult to find of the 1980s 624s. There are plenty of Lew Horton 3" guns and lots of the 6 1/2" too. The 4" is essentially a predecessor of the mountain gun series and fun to shoot. For target shooting I like 5.0 gr. of Bullseye behind a 240 gr. LSWC. The same bullet is a real stopper loaded with 8.0 gr. of Unique or Universal Clays.

 

[Smithhound]

Gun4Fun- what phrase to use on the FAQ search for the S/N range? No luck with '624' 624 recall' etc.
RD

 

[Dale53]

I have had both a 4" and a 6½" S&W Model 624 since the year that they hit the market. These are superb revolvers. The 4" certainly meets the criteria of "the Perfect Packing Pistol".

I settled on the old Skeeter load (7.5 grs of Unique behind a 250 gr Keith cast bullet). I have shot a bushel basket of these loads through my Model 24, my two 624's, my Cimarron Colt Clone, and now my new Ruger .44 Lipsey Special (5½").

This is just "flat out" a wonderful field load.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[Joed49]

The 624's are great guns, I owned 3 of them at one time. I still own 2, one with the 6.5" barrel and one with the 4" barrel.

I don't buy into the cylinder steel problem and my 4" has not gone back to S&W.

The .44 Spl has a cult following. You'll probably find you really like it. There is only one problem with these guns as far as I'm concerned and that is ammo.

Ammo for the .44 Spl is hard to find, expensive and not much stronger then a squib load. All of this can be overcome by loading your own. The large frame is pretty strong and can handle a respectable load if you want to use it. A friend has shot the lyman 250 gr Keith bullet with 15.0 gr of 2400 powder out of his for almost 30 years now with no ill effects. In my old Sierra loading manual it lists a max load of 16.2 gr of 2400 with a 240 gr bullet for about 1100 fps. Never try to load to .44 mag levels though.

I routinely shoot the Skeeter load out of mine too. It's fairly powerful and easy on you and the gun. I've clocked it at about 950 fps out of my 4" gun.

Enjoy that gun.

 

[smiffundvessen]

Recall: go up to the "sticky" on this forum called "The FAQS". Go to page 2, and read JT's thread.

Also, contacting S&W can give peace of mind if a M624 is going to be used instead of collected. I use mine considerably. The N frame and .44SP cartridge is a great combination.

 

[thelongman]

Thanks for all of your replies!!! I am really looking forward to getting this gun. I did find out it has the red "c" on the box, so it has been checked for the recall.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

That's good news! It will help put your mind at ease knowing you can shoot any .44 special ammo you want in it.

Now we need to see it when you get it.

 

[SWAT Lt.]

What are the 4 inch 624s going for these days, ballpark figure?

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

What are the 4 inch 624s going for these days, ballpark figure?

I have seen several sell in the last year, and they all went for somewhere between $650-$800, depending on if they were LNIB, and had tools, box, docs, etc.

 

[SWAT Lt.]

Thanks for the info!

 

[thelongman]

I am paying $600. This gun is in excellent condition, but does not have theoriginal grips. Thanks!!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

That is a very god price for a 624! You are getting a great deal. The grips can be aquired at a later date. What are on it now?

 

[thelongman]

They are Pachmayr grips. Thanks!!