S&W 624

[Robert Lyn]

After selling the 1950 pre 21 to a member. I have a couple of questions. Please take into consideration, I am handgun ignorant. I found and purchased a model 624 6.5 inch barrel 44special at a local pawn shop for $600.00. I have around 800 rounds of 44 special ammo, a lot of brass with dies, and primers. I am not new to reloading, so that is no issue. Back to the 624. After a through cleaning, which was badly needed.
1. I looked at several 629's 624's and other 44's, how can a gun be called unfired when all these showed every other chamber as being test fired? I assume.
2. Any pro's or con's on the 624 6.5inch?
3. Suggested loads for accuracy, I am not interested in a power house, I have always been into accurate rifles, and think this will be interesting considering my total lack of handgun skills. Thank you gentlemen for all your previous help, and forgive my ignorance.

 

[TAROMAN]

You will find the 624 to be a very fine revolver.
Unfired should be interpreted as "unfired since leaving the factory".
The only negative I can think of was a recall for a few revolvers that apparently had non-specification metal in the cylinders.
There's has been lot of chatter here on that subject if you choose to search for "624 recall".
If it is NIB, and if it was in the recall range and was cleared, there should be a red "C" stamp on the label.
As you already know, its pretty hard to make a bad .44 Special load.
Recently, I've been experimenting with the Lyman 429348, a 180 grain full wadcutter. Over 4 grains of Bullseye, this load easily holds the 10 ring at 25 yards. Recoil is comparable to the 148 HBWC loads in .38 Special.
I have on order a Patridge front sight to replace the ramped one. As the 6.5" was listed as the "target" model, dunno why that wasn't standard as it was on the 14, 17 and others.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Congrats on a fine revolver!

Favorite load for me is a Lyman 429421 over 6.5g W231. I'd say it's @ 850fps and straight as a laser.

Skeeter load of the same bullet over 7.5g of Unique (flaming dirt) is popular too.

 

[oksws]

The factory (usually/normally when discussing S&W) test fired 3 cartridges, ie every other hole, before shipping.