Which Model 624?

[Daimler1989]

Hi,

for 2012 I have a New Years pledge: I want to add a Model 624 to my collection of shooters. This gun will be primarily used as a backup handgun for hunting - we don't have large beasts here in Germany, largest might be boar or deer. The gun woill be shot at the range quite often I think. My wife owns a 696 and I'm handloading for it, so I fell in love with her gun (and with her anyway ) I really like the way the .44 SPL behaves, so I want to leave my 27-3 4" at home when hunting and use a 624 instead. Over here, 624 are very very rare, but I found several pieces with 3" and 4", even with 6,5", but that's too large for carry.

Is there a significant difference between 3" and 4" in velocity/bullet energy? How much do the 3" carry more easily than the 4"?

How about handloaded ammo for the 624? I use for my wife 200gr plated for the 696 with 8.5 grs VV340 as a not too often used service round and 200grs plated with 5.8 grs VV320 for practicing with a view not to stress the L-frame too much. The N-frame should digest heavier loads - which velocities can I expect from a 4" and 180/200 grs lead or jacketed bullets with loads within SAAMI spec?

thanks for helping and have a good year 2012
Ulrich

 

[shortrange]

The 4 inch 624 is the most accurate revolver I have ever owned. I will out shoot the 6 1/2 inch on the ransom rest. My everyday load is Unique and a Lee 214 gr. cast bullet. The lee 240 tumble lube is just as accurate. You can never go wrong with a 624 in my opinion.

 

[Shooting4life]

See if you could track down a three inch. They are worth the hunt.

 

[Daimler1989]

some more info for me to take my decision, please?

 

[Tyrod]

Unless the wild pigs in Germany are different than the feral Russian boar we have in Florida, I'd be leery of a 44spl. I handgun hunted pigs for many years and i found the medium to high weight high velocity ammo to be more effective rather than the high weight low velocity type ammo. To penetrate the thick shoulder tissue of a pig you need lots of energy. Anything else and you just have an angry pig. Compared to a pig, deer are easy to kill. You need a heavily constructed non hollow point bullet at magnum velocities. My perfect pig gun is a 4" medium frame 357 magnum with 158gr solids. It's quick to get into action, reasonably light, and highly effective. While I have a great deal of respect for the 44spl, it'd just not a dangerous game gun. Unless you're reloading to magnum or near magnum velocities.

So get your 624 and leave the pigs alone.

 

[Daimler1989]

Unless the wild pigs in Germany are different than the feral Russian boar we have in Florida, I'd be leery of a 44spl.

So get your 624 and leave the pigs alone.

Thanks, but we are not allowed to hunt with a handgun, only rifles. It's just intended as a backup and, if necessary, for finishing wounded game.

 

[Mule88]

I own both the 6 1/2" and 4 " 624 as well as the 696, I find myself shooting the 4 inch 624 the most, a very accurate gun and the one I keep in my night stand at home. You cant go wrong with any of them.

 

[Daimler1989]

quick decision

Hi,

sometimes the world is turning faster than one might expect. I called a large german gun supplier who advertised a Model 624 4" on his homepage as LNIB. The clerk told me the gun was virtually unfired (not a trace of powder residue to be seen), comes with all the gadgets like sealed cleaning kit, screw driver etc - and had the red c in the circle on the box label, so I can be sure it was inspected after the recall. He asks 499 Euro, which is about 625 $. I did not hesitate and said "Yes".

Only problem: I have to wait for my permission document to buy it until May, because I only then will have finished my hunting license class which allows me to apply for an additional handgun for hunting related purposes (I own 5 at this time as a target shooter). The gun is on layaway until then, but my search is over.

best regards
Ulrich

 

[cochise]

I'm happy for you! Good job. I would like to say " I hope time flys by" but I am old and perhaps time is too precious now.

 

[Dale53]

Ulrich;
I have both the 4" and 6.5" S&W Model 624's. I have shot them a good bit.

You will NOT have a problem with lack of power. My normal field load is a Keith 250 gr home cast bullet ahead of 7.5 grs of Unique. This will give you 950 fps in a 6.5" revolver and only slightly less in a 4". If I were hog hunting with handgun, I would use the "Elmer Keith" equivalent of 19.0 grs of H110 or 16.5 grs of 2400 with the same bullet. Either of these loads will shoot through a hog lengthwise at reasonable ranges. Contrary to popular belief, hogs are NOT armor plated.

If you will write me direct, I will send you a couple of articles that will give you authoritative direction on reloading the FINE .44 special:

rmcgee (at) zoomtown (dot) com

If you are just going to carry the handgun for backup, then my field load will do just fine and is considerably more shooter friendly (less recoil). It will penetrate the head of a steer, much less that of a pig, for a finisher.

Good hunting!

Dale53

 

[Snapping Twig]

Congratulations on a fine new revolver!

As to power, fear not as a cast 250g 44Spl @ 900fps is quite a potent load indeed and will go clean through a hog from any angle. Most people don't realize that a pig's vitals are in a different location than a deer's, so they mistake that for a pig's ability to deflect hits.

The 4" shoots very well and you will be pleased with it. Carry's well in a cross draw holster like the Bianchi 111 Cyclone too.

 

[yooperpat]

I have been carrying and shooting a 624 4" for years now. You can't go wrong with this one. Use a heavy, 240-250gr lead SWC at around 900fps. I carry mine in an El Paso Saddlery #77 Tortilla OWB holster. Carries very comfortably. You won't regret getting the 624 4" !!! It will do everything you need it to do.

 

[Nemo288]

I have all 3 624's. The 4", as many have said, is the most accurate
of the bunch. Fun gun all the way round. 6 grains of Unique for
target use, 7.5 grains for field use under either a 240 SWC or a
200 SWC or Gold Dot.

I carry it in a Mernickle PS6DA that also fits my Mountain Revolver on a Galco SB5 1.75" belt.

---
Nemo

 

[DGNY]

Congratulations. You have found a wonderful gun in the 4" Model 624. I am lucky to have one of each of the three barrel lengths and prefer the 4" also.

As for loads, you have a very good offer above of some information. Here is another thought - click this link and go to post #108 on page 11 of the thread and use the further link in it to some helpful articles on the .44 Special:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/71827-44-associates-44-special-data.html

All best to you for many years of satisfaction with your 624- once it is finally in your hands!

Regards,

Dyson

 

[MMA10mm]

Hi,

sometimes the world is turning faster than one might expect. I called a large german gun supplier who advertised a Model 624 4" on his homepage as LNIB. The clerk told me the gun was virtually unfired (not a trace of powder residue to be seen), comes with all the gadgets like sealed cleaning kit, screw driver etc - and had the red c in the circle on the box label, so I can be sure it was inspected after the recall. He asks 499 Euro, which is about 625 $. I did not hesitate and said "Yes".

Only problem: I have to wait for my permission document to buy it until May, because I only then will have finished my hunting license class which allows me to apply for an additional handgun for hunting related purposes (I own 5 at this time as a target shooter). The gun is on layaway until then, but my search is over.

best regards
Ulrich

Ulrich,
Congratulations on your new revolver! I am jealous. I am sure you will enjoy that revolver very well!

I have one word of caution for you, though -

Since you reload for your wife's 696 and have wisely chosen to keep the loads there lower pressure, you must guard carefully against getting any higher-pressure loads (which can be perfectly safe in the 624) from getting into the 696.

I suggest there are at least three ways to do this:

1) Only load ONE load-level (mild pressure) for all the 44 Specials. This way, it does not matter what ammo is shot in which gun.

2) Mark the different loads in an obvious way. For example: You could mark the hot loads for your 624 with a stripe of red finger-nail polish around the nose of the bullet and around the primer-pocket. (This way you can see it on either the nose or in the cylinder, after the cartridges are loaded, but before the cylinder is closed.

3) Use two different bullets. Not only will you be able to recognize the difference, but you could possibly use a bullet for the higher-pressure loads that will be too long for the 696 cylinder, which would keep the high-pressure loads from closing when the cylinder is swung shut on the 696. (Now, I haven't measured the length of the cylinder on these two guns, and it is possible that they are the same length, which would mean, the only "warning" you would get about the loads being different is the shape of the bullets being different.)

 

[Daimler1989]

thanks everyone,

just keep your fingers crossed for me, the hunting class will end with 3 exams in late April and early May (written exam, shooting exam with rifle and shotgun, oral exam). Only then I can apply for the hunting license which allows me to apply for the license to buy and own the 624. Long time and a lot of learning for me...

@MMA10mm: thanks for your advice. I thought about using the same plinking/practice load for both guns (5.8 grs VV320 and a 200grs plated bullet) and 2 different loads for hunting purposes, for which I would use different brass (probably nickled brass for the stouter load for the 624).

BTW: I mostly use VV powders because of availability here in Germany. VV340's burning rate is a little bit slower than Unique. Do you think I can use VV340 to substitute Unique for a Skeeter-type load? 7.5 grs and a cast 240-250 SWC, or should I increase the load to 8 grs? I did a emergency load for the 696 with 8.5 grs VV340 and a 200grs plated bullet - packs a punch, but it still feels good , not unpleasant to shoot and in the lower range of the recommended loading chart.

best regards
Ulrich