Value of my 24-3 4"

[spearcrow]

Hey guys, I am considering letting go of my best smith, so I can get some more that I will be able to shoot. I've got an unfired, in the origional box, with papers, wax paper, and tools smith model 24-3 4". It is my best smith and I really like it, but I just can't bring myself to shoot it. I lknow the numbers and know that they didn't make very many of these, shame too. The prices I've seen have been all over the place, even seen one a while back on GB for 1300. I was just wanting to get some of your thoughts on a price for this beauty if I decide to sell it. Thanks for your help and opinions. I'll go ahead and apologize for my terrible photo skills.

 

[spearcrow]

Hey guys, I am considering letting go of my best smith, so I can get some more that I will be able to shoot. I've got an unfired, in the origional box, with papers, wax paper, and tools smith model 24-3 4". It is my best smith and I really like it, but I just can't bring myself to shoot it. I lknow the numbers and know that they didn't make very many of these, shame too. The prices I've seen have been all over the place, even seen one a while back on GB for 1300. I was just wanting to get some of your thoughts on a price for this beauty if I decide to sell it. Thanks for your help and opinions. I'll go ahead and apologize for my terrible photo skills.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Is that actually a 24-3 or a 28-? It's hard to tell from the pics. It looks more like a 28, I've never seen a 24-3 with a plain black ramp front sight,plus the bluing looks subdued as well. Not knocking, just curious.

 

[CMcDermott]

No, the 6.5" barrel 24-3 had the plain black patridge front sight and plain black adjustable rear sight. The 4" barrel 24-3 has the plain black front ramp sight and plain black adjustable rear sight, and the 3" barrel 24-3 has a front ramp with red insert and white outline adjustable rear sight.

 

[spearcrow]

CMcDermott, you are right on the money with your explanation. Gun 4 fun, I don't mind your question, but I really don't know why you asked me if I was sure I had a 24 and not a 28??? I can't see how one would make that mistake. Especially when I am holding it in my hands, with the origional box taking pics, but I can show ya i guess. I am just wanting to get an idea of how much this gun is worth...and as far as subdued blueing...I'm not sure what you mean. Do 28's have subdued blueing? I can only guess that what your seeing is my poor attempt at pictures. By the way, I digitally covered part of the serial numbers on the box and the gun.

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Like I said, just curious. I didn't know if maybe you had a 28 as well and accidently grabbed it from the safe for photo's or something. Wouldn't be the first time I've seen that happen. Sorry if I offended you. It is a nice piece. I hope to someday have a 24 4" myself. Very nicely balanced guns.

 

[spearcrow]

I am in no way offended, that situation couldn't happen to me b/c I don't have that many smith's, and this is by far the nicest one that I have. But, I am still workin on building that number up. I havn't really had this one out of the box much, I'm always worried I'll do something stupid and mess up the gun, but the few times I've had it out I have to agree with you, it is a great feeling gun. I may end up trying to find one in shooter grade, if there is one out there. Later.

 

[feralmerril]

You are right saying that is your finest smith! I have a lot of smiths and others too. I have 4 .44 special smiths and my 24-3 is my favorite. Mine doesnt have the insert either. You wont find a better packing all around gun made! I am not sure what they go for nowdays, but will it change your life to sell it? You will never buy a better gun in that type!

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

I know what you mean about shooter grade. I don't even like top get a new gun dirty, well maybe a little

. But I have to agree with feralmerril, don't sell it. If you need the money, find another way. That is just too nice, and irreplacable in that condition. Jeepers, I wish I had your dilema.

 

[spearcrow]

Hey feral, thanks for the pic of your 24 4", very nice! You have a valid point..no it won't change my life if i sell it. I was only considering it because I just havn't been able to bring myself to shoot it yet, since it's the best smith i have and the only NIB too. I'm not at that point yet where I can buy stuff to look at. I'll prob end up keeping it, I was just wondering what they were worth, I'd like to know how much money that first bullet would cost me ya know. This gun is also the only big bore gun I own, so I was thinking about selling this one and putting a little with it and buying a couple shooter grade N frames, but the more we talk about it, the less I am wanting to sell it. Thanks for the honest opinions guys.

 

[Wickahoney]

Price for the 4" 24-3? The book says 2625 4" 24-3s. My guess is $850+

Isn't your supposed to have Target stocks? Mine ABZ 1059 shows and came with Target stocks just like the box shows. For what it's worth it also has black sights front and rear just like yours.

The 6 1/2" 24-3 came with TT and TH but not the 4".

Gun: the 24-3s are blued but are not listed as bright blue like 19s and 27s. Even the original 1950s were blued unless special ordered as Bright Blue.

My question would be, what are you going to buy with the money that you will like better or that will be more useful? I shoot both of mine and while I might part with the 6 1/2" gun I can't imagine not packing the 4".

I own other 4" "N" frames, 57s, 29s, 25s and the 24 gets carried more than the rest combined.

I'm not sure I wouldn't just carry and enjoy what you have.

 

[feralmerril]

I want to add this little sermon. I am pushing 68 years old and been a gun nut since I could talk. For a common man I have a collection of guns secound to none or not many that I know of. I have a arsenal and dont shoot much anymore. I cant tell you how many hundreds of guns I went through mostly in the 60s through the 80s. I always was looking for that perfect revolver. I have colt SAAs, pythons, most the popular classic smiths etc.
That 24-3 would be my 1st choice to look for if I was wiped out!
I also am considering selling a lot of my unused collection because of my age and haveing a 17 year younger wife that might outlive me by 40 years.
I belive a man is better off owning maybe the best of the best of maybe 6 or 7 rifles and handguns to cover all your bases than 60 or 70 guns that you dont use hid away.
That 24-3 will be in my thinned out herd!

 

[Guest]

One without the box recently brought 1300.00 on one of the auction sites. 4 inch versions are very hard to find.

 

[d.t.h.]

Life is to short not to enjoy what that revolver was made for. Take it out and shoot it.
Live!!!!!!

 

[spearcrow]

My question would be, what are you going to buy with the money that you will like better or that will be more useful?
I'm not sure I wouldn't just carry and enjoy what you have.

Wickahoney, I really didn't have anything specific in mind. I was just wondering what if...ya know. I thought I might buy a couple nice shooter grade N frames with the money from the 24, cause I hate not being able to shoot it, especially when it's my only N frame gun, and my only big bore handgun. But, I think that the overwhelming majority thus far feels that I couldn't get a better gun so maybe I'll just keep it....and maybe I'll just start shootin' the son-of-a-gun. Thanks again to all that replied.

 

[johnny3]

Email sent.

 

[Joe Kent]

Keep the Model 24, you won't be sorry.

 

[Bat Guano]

I have one after wanting an example for many years. Paid "too much" for it and also had to send it in to S&W to get the hammer and trigger replaced (amateur gunsmiths!!!). As it turns out I do not do all that much with it, but it is a very nice gun and a keeper on principle.

I too have sold a lot of guns over the years. In almost every case I have very little idea of what the money went for. It just got plowed back into the general fund and to tell the truth, forgotten. It wasn't like it was to save the family from starvation or avoid eviction...

A while back I ran a list of guns past the Scheels' gun department to see what they would offer for them. Pretty grim. I think they offered a whole $450 or so for the M24-3. Private sale, particularly here, would go more; but frankly I would just as soon give it away to a family member some day.

As noted, there aren't too many around.

 

[Marcruger]

I fully expect to be branded as a heretic, boiled in oil, and burned at the stake, but I am not a fan of the 24-3. I had one, new in the box. Don't get me wrong, the configuration and caliber and balance are perfect. It's the poor workmanship. I notice almost all of the ones shown here have the same "two-tone" finish mine had....mainly a dark black barrel and a milky looking lighter frame. The one I had's blue was foggy looking on each side behind the cylinder. Also, the polish job was way poor compared to even late '70's N-frames. The action on the gun I had was rough, the trigger heavy. Also, the rear sight had to be cranked all the way left to get it on the paper at 25 yards. I sold it to a guy who was thrilled to get one to go in his safe as an "investment". I have handled and shot a new 24-6. Say what you want about the locks....the 24-6 is better in all respects to the 24-3 I had and the ones I've seen. The original 29 Mountain Gun (same configuration really) is also much better fit, finish, and action to the 24-3's I've handled. I'd like to buy a 24-6 3" nickle one day. I don't doubt that there are some good 24-3's, but the 24-3's I've seen have had poor workmanship. Look them over carefully before buying one. I definitely think some folks have a hole in their head to buy for the prices I've seen. If the gun wasn't chambered in .44 Special, it would be ridiculed for poor '80's workmanship, and be low priced. Buyers, keep your eyes open with no rose colored glasses. Fender guitars made some lousy guitars in the late '60's, but now folks pay big money for them because they are "old classics". Poor quality new, poor now. Just my 2 cents worth. God Bless, Marc

 

[durco]

Originally posted by Marcruger:
I fully expect to be branded as a heretic, boiled in oil, and burned at the stake, but I am not a fan of the 24-3. I had one, new in the box. Don't get me wrong, the configuration and caliber and balance are perfect. It's the poor workmanship. I notice almost all of the ones shown here have the same "two-tone" finish mine had....mainly a dark black barrel and a milky looking lighter frame. The one I had's blue was foggy looking on each side behind the cylinder. Also, the polish job was way poor compared to even late '70's N-frames. The action on the gun I had was rough, the trigger heavy. Also, the rear sight had to be cranked all the way left to get it on the paper at 25 yards. I sold it to a guy who was thrilled to get one to go in his safe as an "investment". I have handled and shot a new 24-6. Say what you want about the locks....the 24-6 is better in all respects to the 24-3 I had and the ones I've seen. The original 29 Mountain Gun (same configuration really) is also much better fit, finish, and action to the 24-3's I've handled. I'd like to buy a 24-6 3" nickle one day. I don't doubt that there are some good 24-3's, but the 24-3's I've seen have had poor workmanship. Look them over carefully before buying one. I definitely think some folks have a hole in their head to buy for the prices I've seen. If the gun wasn't chambered in .44 Special, it would be ridiculed for poor '80's workmanship, and be low priced. Buyers, keep your eyes open with no rose colored glasses. Fender guitars made some lousy guitars in the late '60's, but now folks pay big money for them because they are "old classics". Poor quality new, poor now. Just my 2 cents worth. God Bless, Marc

I went through the same thing with 24-3's. I went through two 6.5"'s and sold them both, and then went through two 4" and sold them both. Front sight leaning, rear leaf had to be moved way to the side to get it to shoot straight. And, if you looked at the front of the gun - the hairline seam between the frame and the crane, I could wiggle the cylinder back and forth and watch the seam get a shockingly large gap in it - it wasn't locking up tightly. Finally, one day in 1991 I walked into a gun shop and the guy still had six 4"'ers still in stock, new in the boxes. I went through all six and found one that seemed really put together nicely. Bought it and still have it. It shoots like a dream and I have never touched the sights. Moral: Don't buy a 1980's era gun without looking it over closely. Same is true for Colts. Glad to hear the quality is better today than in the Bangor-Punta days....
Mike