Why own a Model 24?

[mod29]

Sometimes it has nothing to do with making sense.

Exactly.
From a practical point of view, a .44 magnum is the logical choice due to the versatility. And maybe your budget is limited...whatever. A .44 magnum makes a lot of sense for the buyer looking to get the most for their money.

But the .44 special is such a good cartridge.
It justifies a gun chambered for it alone.
I own a few examples of the model 24. They are excellent guns and among the favorites in my modest collection of S&W revolvers.

 

[Krogen]

By way of analogy, back in the 60's Ford and Carroll Shelby produced a GT350 and a GT500. The GT350 had a small block engine and was lighter and arguably more agile than the GT500. The GT500 was heavier due to its big block engine. Faster in a straight line but it was a lesser road course car than the GT350. I see the 44 Special and the 44 Magnum in the same light.

 

[slickracer]

A nice model 24 is just a classy revolver. I like owning firearms most other folks don't have.

 

[ladder13]

624’s are kinda cool too.

 

[Bumpus13]

Because it was designed for the round. I don't shoot .38 spl. in a .357 and I don't shoot .44 spl. in a .44 mag.. Ever since I drove 70 miles to shoot and couldn' chamber a magnum round because of shooting the shorter round, I use the proper cartridge in the firearm it was designed for. I also believe that the special rounds (.44 spl. & .38 spl.) actually shoot slightly better in revolvers chambered for the round.

Good shooting,
Steve

One could make the argument that the better lesson would be to clean your firearms more thoroughly. If you let them sit around dirty, well - they’re machines. Regular maintenance tends to help them work correctly.

 

[Tanners Owner]

There is no “rational” reason. Ammo isn’t always easy to find, other calibers can match it, etc.

However, for me, it’s the pride of owning a 24-3 snubby; a true classic, well built revolver in a man stopping caliber, that isn’t available in this configuration from the factory anymore.

I won’t sell my M24; it’ll go to my kids or grandkids first ( along with my 16 ga SXS)

 

[Warren Sear]

Doesn’t everyone own a 24?

If they don't, they should!

Model 24-3...

 

[revolver club prez]

Why own the 44 special as opposed to the 44magnun ? The special has a certain charm that the magnums don't have . The lines of the gun , the softer recoil and the accuracy of the round are the perfect combination . Those that ask do not know and those that denigrate this round will never understand .

 

[HamHands]

Why own the 44 special as opposed to the 44magnun ? The special has a certain charm that the magnums don't have . The lines of the gun , the softer recoil and the accuracy of the round are the perfect combination . Those that ask do not know and those that denigrate this round will never understand .

I lost 3 bids in a row on (3) separate Lew Horton M24's within hours of the auction ending on GunBroker... I finally was blessed with an M29-3 Lew Horton that I won the final bid with and I've shot a heck of a lot of .44Special's out of her... and a heck of a lot of .44magnums out of her. The .44Special/.44Magnum are my favorite handgun caliber(s) superceeding the previous reigning champ, the .45ACP/.45Super; of which I thought could never happen. The option to shoot both calibers is a lovely thing even though I see exactly what you are saying.

My M29-3 (LHS)...

 

[raljr1]

How is this for a reason?

 

[ProCarryNAustin]

I’m pro 44 Special, just not a pro 44 Special only revolver. I don’t feel like I’m giving up accuracy shooting 44 Special in my 629.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

A friend of mine got a 3 inch Model 24 back in the '80's with the round butt combats on it. I remember that he just stuffed it in his back pocket when he headed out to his truck with those now very expensive grips hanging out.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

 

[hkcavalier]

Sometimes you find a neat, rare gun and learn to love it later. That's how it was with my 624. I knew plenty about the Lew Horton snubs from this very forum. Quite honestly, I really had my eye out for a 629 or 657 and just stumbled into this one. It's now a favorite shooter.

 

[HamHands]

There is a never fired still in grease and box Model 24-3 blued with 4” barrel on Gun Broker at $1500 to $1600. Is this a fair price. Is it a shame to buy this and shoot it? It’s more than I want to spend but just questioning it. If anybody is interested in it go ahead and get it.

Thanks
Jeff

I'm assuming the Revo you speak of is a "Lew Horton Special..." If that is the case... then absolutely the answer is yes (if at the end of the auction rounds out at $1500); because this is the Premium a "Lew Horton Special" gun commands at current time(s). I lost 3 bids in a row on GB after being the high bidder for 4-5 days. Then just hours before the auction is to end "scumbag(s)", just kidding... kinda... He bid the price threshold up to the point that would exceed $1800+ should I had got into a bidding war. That is when I bid on an M29-3 Lew Horton Special that I could shoot both .44Special and .44Magnums out of. It is a 90% condition gun and the bid war got a little ugly; again, the last 6-7 hours but I was blessed to be the high bidder at End of Auction... right at $1600 was the final cost after shipping, the 3% credit card fee, and FFL fee.

So to answer you question... if you really want a nice .44Special; if you can get it out the door for $1600 on GB then yes, you stole it especially if it's Minty AND it in fact is a true Lew Horton Special.

 

[Hondo44]

The 3" rd butt is the LH spl, the 4" sq butt is regular production.

 

[hkcavalier]

$1600 is pretty strong for an unfired 1980s .44 Special...but in 2-3 years we probably won't think so.

 

[ladder13]

Another 624

 

[HamHands]

The 3" rd butt is the LH spl, the 4" sq butt is regular production.

Yeah I skimmed right over the 4" barrel with a square but... thanks!

 

[Grayfox]

While I agree with everything said so far, The difference is really something you need to experience for yourself. Only after you've fired a Model 24 will the light come on and you'll finally "get it".
I own one .44 magnum revolver. A 6" Model 29-8 that was left to me when a dear friend passed away. I love the gun due to its ties to my friend. But honestly, I never would have bought a .44 Magnum myself. I just don't care for all the buck and roar.
However, I do own seven .44 Specials. including all three barrel lengths of the Model 24-3. I love this cartridge and the guns that shoot it. To me they are very special indeed.

 

[Irate45]

I own a 24-3. Now, don't hate me. The only reason I bought it, used, in 1992 was to have it converted to 45LC. Back then used Model 25's in .45LC were hard to find. I wanted a project gun. Something just for fun. I located a gunsmith willing to do the conversion and I gave him the 24-3 and an unfluted .45LC cylinder I bought from Numrich Gun Parts. He installed a 5" bull barrel and an optic sight. I recently updated the old Aimpoint sight to a Burris Fastfire III.

The recoil is like a .38 Special due to the weight of the barrel. I get asked if it's a .38 and people are surprised when I tell them it's .45 Colt. It's great fun shooting out the center of a target.

So, technically I do own a 24-3. Well, sort of. Just don't hate me.