What was intended market for Lew Horton 24-3

[StrawHat]

To sell guns and make money.......Anything else is pure fantasy or a guess.

Exactly! Designed as a way to move the money in your pocket into theirs.

I had the Model 29-3, 3" in which I shot 44 S&W Special loads. It was a good shooter but it was not as easy for me to carry as a 4" N frame. It was probably a poor choice of holsters on my part. But, the chap who purchased it from me dotes on it like a grandchild.

Kevin

 

[cmj8591]

Skeeter was writing for Shooting Times.

I stand corrected.

 

[Forty-One Magnum]

3" Model 57

I liked my Lew Horton so much I talked Gary Reeder into making a companion gun from a 6" Model 57. Nothing like a 3" .41 Magnum! The grips are by Grasshorns Gunworks in WY.

 

[ironhead7544]

A lot of people wanted a 44 Special carry gun back then.

 

[jtcarm]

A lot of handgun enthusiasts were clamoring for a .44 Special at the time. Smith correctly recognized it as a niche market of knowledgeable revolver enthusiasts (the "Gun Of The Week" era began a few years later.). The .44 Special was a handloaders proposition, unless you were happy with the anemic 246-grain LRN factory load.

That's what drove the decision to make the 7,500 24-3s in standard lengths.

The Lew Horton 3" was a probably inspired by John Jovino's custom big bore snubs he built for LEOs, which were usually 3" RBs.

Jovino typically worked his magic on Model 25s, and I don't know why on earth Horton didn't go with that model as the basis for their run. A 3" .45 Colt would have made infinitely more sense.

 

[CH4]

A lot of handgun enthusiasts were clamoring for a .44 Special at the time. Smith correctly recognized it as a niche market of knowledgeable revolver enthusiasts (the "Gun Of The Week" era began a few years later.). The .44 Special was a handloaders proposition, unless you were happy with the anemic 246-grain LRN factory load.

That's what drove the decision to make the 7,500 24-3s in standard lengths.

The Lew Horton 3" was a probably inspired by John Jovino's custom big bore snubs he built for LEOs, which were usually 3" RBs.

Jovino typically worked his magic on Model 25s, and I don't know why on earth Horton didn't go with that model as the basis for their run. A 3" .45 Colt would have made infinitely more sense.

I agree with the .45 Colt. I would have been all over that. Of the 7500 24-3s, how many were 3"?

 

[Frank46]

If I Remember right S&W made 2500 of the 24-3's with the 4" barrel and the rest were split up between the the 6.5" barrel and 3 inch barrel. They do command a decent price today. My 624 with 6.5" barrel feels like a light loaded 38 special and this is with Winchesters 200 grain silvertip at 900 fps. All I know I'm not planning to sell the two 24-3"s and the one 624 anytime soon. Frank

 

[CH4]

If I Remember right S&W made 2500 of the 24-3's with the 4" barrel and the rest were split up between the the 6.5" barrel and 3 inch barrel. They do command a decent price today. My 624 with 6.5" barrel feels like a light loaded 38 special and this is with Winchesters 200 grain silvertip at 900 fps. All I know I'm not planning to sell the two 24-3"s and the one 624 anytime soon. Frank

^^^^^^^
Thanks
Guess I shouldn't have passed on the 4" 624 a while back. I didn't know they were that rare.

 

[Moo Moo]

Is there an "Ultimate Lew Horton Picture Thread"? I did a quick search but could not find one.

I'd be interested in seeing more about other models Lew Horton had made.

I'm the wrong person to start such a thread as I don't have any of his exclusives and it's extremely unlikely that there would be any in Australia to begin with.

Just a suggestion.

 

[DevilDog72]

I didn't know the LH 24-3 3" has a K frame grip frame. Is this true?
I'll have to check mine this evening?

Any idea how many were made?

No , they are round butted N frames. I have both K and N frame RB revolvers and the grips are not interchangeable. 19, 66 and 24-3 LH

 

[Kingspoke]

24-3 44 Special

I believe the article was eluding to the butt of the frame will fit, the shoulders will not fit, & will be exposed.

 

[rockquarry]

A novelty more than anything else. They do look neat, but the difference in concealability is minimal in comparison with a 4" gun. The 3" gun remains an N-frame and that's where the bulk of the revolver is, in the frame, not in one inch less barrel length, even if it has a slightly smaller grip frame. Still, a large and heavy revolver.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

A novelty more than anything else. They do look neat, but the difference in concealability is minimal in comparison with a 4" gun. The 3" gun remains an N-frame and that's where the bulk of the revolver is, in the frame, not in one inch less barrel length, even if it has a slightly smaller grip frame. Still, a large and heavy revolver.

Yep. But classy and VERY serious looking. And one heck of a fun gun to shoot.
It's easy to conceal under a shirt or jacket with the original holster that came from Smith.

 

[Tanners Owner]

While I get the OP's question, I don't really care, as I love mine.
One of my favorite revolvers- a controllable big bore- what's not to like.

Have shot it in an IDPA match and had a hoot.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Opinions are like exhaust pipes.......We'z all got one.......

 

[Bill Lear]

Anyone have any good info (or an educated guess) on the intended market and use of the 3" Lew Horton 24-3 back in the early 1980s

Was the idea to sell a relatively unique low volume item that would become an instant collectible or were they meant to be used, and if so by whom.

They were meant for the S&W collector who just has to have one of everything! Who would buy a .44 Special N-frame when for less money they can buy a .44 Magnum N-frame that will also shoot .44 Special? No, the .44 Special chambering with tapered barrel was all about harkening back to an earlier time with an attractive profile, dedicated enthusiasts would buy.

 

[DevilDog72]

I have a 24-3 LH and the news release that came with it was touting it as the ultimate combat revolver.... IDK about that, but, it is a great revolver.

 

[HamHands]

The M24-3 Lew Horton model is the best "N-Frame" I've ever handled, shot, and carried. I carry it regularly whether on nightly dog walks (several miles) with our GSD, hiking NC mountain trails, and in late fall, winter, thru early spring concealed (which is pretty easy and comfortable.) There is a reason these babies have a stout following and command the prices the M24-3 LHS does today... It balances better than any other Revo I've used certainly doesn't hurt it's desirability either. With 255grain Keith Hard-Cast pills from Underwood makes for the near perfect Wood's Side-Arm. With Speer's 200grain Gold-Dot Tipped loads it's a heck of a great street gun. I speed loader's of each and speed-strips in urban areas. She makes for a better carry Revolver than any J-frame I have and I'm a HUGE fan of J's...

I make sure to have both the below within arm's and at very most within the room's reach whenever at our Vacation Cabin as of recent due to some event(s) that have transpired again as of recent... Between the M24-3 and the 7+1 shot 12Gauge Ithaca Police Special they are well versed and a very capable/comforting Combo...

 

[fatcat3]

JMHO. To give certain people the option of having an "upscale" Charter Arms Bulldog. And there are no flies on the Bulldog. I had a Bulldog and came close to picking up a Lew Horton 24 a number of times. I never picked up the 24 and the Bulldog went down the road for one reason or another. Sometimes I can't believe how STUPID I am