Why own a Model 24?

[aterry33]

A couple 24 questions.

What is the difference between the 24-3 and 24-4? Is it just the yoke retention system?

How common was the 4" barrel? If I recall, there were no 4" barrels made until the 24-3, and only about 2500 were made in 24-3 configuration. Not sure about the 24-4.

p.s. I think a 4" 24 with a square butt and the tapered barrel is a much better "mountain gun" than any of these round-butt concoctions S&W has come out with lately... just another reason I love the 24

 

[Speedo2]

removed PC

 

[BigBill]

Isn't the point of aim different with the model 29 between the 44mag and the 44 special rounds??

I been wanting one because i hate to clean the ring in the cylinder left from the shorter 44 special case when used in the 44 mag.

I load all my 44magnum brass using jacketed bullets and magnum loads. I load the 44special with the 240gr round nose flat point lead cast bullets. Mainly because i get better ballastics with the shorter brass case with the lead cast over the longer 44mag case. Plus why waste the 44mag brass with the lead cast load.

I think there is a nitch with the 44 special n frame S&W. I want both n frames now. Bill

Right now i'm impressed with my new S&W in 41mag.

 

[feralmerril]

Seems to me I read that elmer keith claimed the .44 special hit to the same point of aim with light or heavy bullets. Doesnt make sense you would think but I once experimented and thought it so too. Another cartridge I read that about is the 7x57. In mine I found it also would shoot different weights to the same poa.
I dont know how many ways I can say this: First, the special can be loaded up to do probley 95% of what the mag can do. Of the other 5% I wouldnt be surprised if there would be less than 5% differance in the outcome of game shot with it.
The guns made for 44 special all handle like sweethearts compared to the heavier straight barreled 29s.
Another cartridge in the same catagory is .45 colt. However, here again, there is hardly any differance at all, if any in weight between the model 29 and the model 25 as both have the same heavy, straight barrel. The thing with the 45 colt guns, is the scary thin metal under the clyinder notchs. The .45 colt does good work with the larger volume case with less pressure counteracting that concern. Another point against the 45 colt as opposed to either the 44 mag or special is the fact that for whatever bad reason, it seems that there are many guns out there with the wrong either too sloppy or too tight throats to bore measurements. Seems even colt cant get it right. I dont know why companys seem to have such a problem getting it right!
I have 4 or 5 .45 colts. Some are right, and a couple wrong. It can be overcome by getting the right bullets, but they are hard to find. It seems the .44s whether special or mag doesnt have that problem. If you can find a good .45 colt in a model 25-5 (I have one), or ruger or colt saa, then you have just as good of a gun as any smith.
I recently bought one of those ruger flat tops in .44 special. They also make em in .45 colt. I bought mine for about a $100s under list. If you like a single action they are hard to beat for the price!

 

[keith44spl]

I own a few 44 magnums...But my 44 Specials get to go along for all the cool chores & BBQs

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[Hondo44]

A couple 24 questions.

What is the difference between the 24-3 and 24-4? Is it just the yoke retention system?

How common was the 4" barrel? If I recall, there were no 4" barrels made until the 24-3, and only about 2500 were made in 24-3 configuration. Not sure about the 24-4.

p.s. I think a 4" 24 with a square butt and the tapered barrel is a much better "mountain gun" than any of these round-butt concoctions S&W has come out with lately... just another reason I love the 24

No, the 24-4 has the entire 'endurance package' and larger cylinder stop notches introduced in 1990. When Smith claimed their “final and limited production run” of blue 44 Spls in the ‘80s, the 24-3s, it was before the “Endurance Package” was added to strengthen their N frame guns. The -4 of the 24-4 denotes that engineering change, and since these were made in 1990 it also has the longer cylinder stop notches, so in affect these 24-4s are the strongest 44 Spls ever made.

Lou Horton commissioned 5000 sets of twelve engraved revolvers in 1990 of different configurations, calibers and themes. The 44 Spl theme was “Through The Line”. They were 24-4s with a 6.5” barrel, came with standard hammer & trigger, Baughman ramp sight, target stocks with cut-outs on both sides so the engraving on the sideplate wasn't covered up, and the endurance package (see page 198 SCSW under Mod 29 24-3E and -4).

S&W usually makes a few extra of special editions in case some do not pass final inspection. If not needed for the original order these extra or ‘over run’ guns are then finished without the engraving or special markings and sold thru regular distributors w/o any explanation of what they are or why they are different from regular production. It falls to collectors to seek these out and identify them for the rare guns that they are. But the 'over-run' guns have standard target grips of the period.

Since few if any of the 24-4 engraved guns will probably ever be fired, the regular finish 'over-run' guns are the strongest ‘shootable’ example of a 44 Spl N frame.

Four inch barreled guns are scarce but they were made from 1950 to 1966 when the 24s were eliminated. However estimates suggest there were less made than the 2500 run of 24-3 4" guns.

 

[Hondo44]

p.s. I think a 4" 24 with a square butt and the tapered barrel is a much better "mountain gun" than any of these round-butt concoctions S&W has come out with lately... just another reason I love the 24

I agree. Lou Horton ordered another exclusive Model 24 in 2006 which were 24-6, with 3" barrel and sq butt in blue and nickel (about 250 total). This would be my ideal Mtn Gun, but they had the disgusting (to some) internal lock.

 

[ddixie884]

The shorter cylinder, and light pattern barrels make them balance "differently", some think better. The 4inchers feel like part of my hand.

 

[Warren Sear]

...
How common was the 4" barrel? If I recall, there were no 4" barrels made until the 24-3, and only about 2500 were made in 24-3 configuration. Not sure about the 24-4.

p.s. I think a 4" 24 with a square butt and the tapered barrel is a much better "mountain gun" than any of these round-butt concoctions S&W has come out with lately... just another reason I love the 24

Here is my M624 no dash; square butt and tapered barrel.

 

[BUFF]

There were also the Model 24-5's, the Heritage Series guns from the Performance Center in 2001. 6-1/2 inch, 4 screw frame, in both blue and color case hardened finishes. I think there were 150 or so of each. They didn't look much like previous 1950 Targets/Model 24's in that they had skinny barrels without ribs on top, which makes the front sights look really tall, and they had round butts. I have a c.c.h. one.

I believe that any of them with a 4 or 5 inch barrel makes a pretty great all-around handgun for anyone who gets out and about on occasion.

 

[Hondo44]

There were also the Model 24-5's, the Heritage Series guns from the Performance Center in 2001. 6-1/2 inch, 4 screw frame, in both blue and color case hardened finishes. I think there were 150 or so of each. They didn't look much like previous 1950 Targets/Model 24's in that they had skinny barrels without ribs on top, which makes the front sights look really tall, and they had round butts. I have a c.c.h. one.

I believe that any of them with a 4 or 5 inch barrel makes a pretty great all-around handgun for anyone who gets out and about on occasion.

Yes, they look gorgeous and I know shoot excellent because a friend has one too. They resemble a large size pre war Kit Gun which I always liked. They are such a hybrid but don't have the MIM parts or IIRC, the lock.

I decided to buy a pre 24, 1955 99% 5 screw available at the time for the same price.

 

[mkk41]

what reasons would you give for owning a Model 24?

Same reason for owning anything , because I wanted one!

 

[jspick]

I wasn't going to reply to this thread, but DCWilson's reply prompted me to ---

"I own .44 Specials because it's America and I can do anything I damn please. "

I will not ever own a model 24 because I see no need to, but I will defend your right to own one. Good enough reason for me DCWilson!
Buy all you want, all of you, because you can!!!

John

 

[Dennis The B]

I own two - a Model 24-3 Lew Horton, and a newer Model 21-4. They're both great guns. The N frame makes the .44 Special feel like a .38 Special. Like the .45ACP, they've had over 100 years to perfect the round. I think the succeeded beyond their vision!

PS - Yesterday, I saw a "Pre-Model 21", 5" barrel, box, tools, etc. What I wouldn't give to own that one. The owner was at $2,500 but he and the other guy were still dickering. It was a superb example of the genre.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I shoot this 44 Special a lot more than my 629 Classic --- in fact I carry it some every week. I enjoyed working up the handloads that make it very versatile and a lot of fun. I doubt I'd be that enthusiastic about it if I didn't handload.

 

[senecaap]

I carry a Special every day. The 21 and 24 balance better than the 29. As far as use goes, I carry handguns for personal defense against man. Special level power is all that is needed, and for that matter it's just fine for the black bears that I run into in my timber.

I also get better accuracy on follow up shots with the special. The mags are fun to shoot, and I can shoot them well, but you get better, quicker follow up shots with less recoil.

Aesthetically, the 24 just looks better than the 29, the lines are more graceful and it looks less blocky.

 

[Bohonkie]

Model 24 loads?

Nice to read all these opinions. Can't add anything in that regard. I just picked up a pre-24 (6" bright blue, circa 1955, 98% condition) and went to the range today. Absolutely beautiful gun but initial loads are a bit disappointing - the best going around 2.5" @ 25 yards. Will work up others. Slugged the cylinder and barrel - very tight. Has anyone tried .429 cast bullets (aka .44-40) in one of these? What have you folks found to be a good bullet/propellant combination? Agree - this is NOT a .44 mag. The Special is what it is and should be kept lower pressure.

 

[tim c]

Because they are there. Anybody can find a Model 29. That's like asking why bother to own a Model 10 when you can have a .357?

I could not have said it any better and i love my 24-3 Lew Horton

 

[LittleCooner]

I own 44 Special because of Skeeter Skelton. Plain and simple. Also because that 18 oz 396 rides on my hip in a Lobo Leather pancake and I can almost forget its there, very light weight. But when I need it, its there, and it shoots good, very good. Why do I need anything else. That dang 6 1/2 barrel on my 29 is a beauty, but its not something one wants to carry around all day. I did that in my younger days, no more.

 

[Peak53]

I love the 44 Special, too. I'm having great luck with 240 Missouri Bullet Co Cowboy bullets at 12 BHN. A load of Trailboss filling the case to just less than compressed gives a soft target load. A medium load of HP-38 gives a little more oomph and great accuracy. The Skeeter Load at 7.5 grains Unique is tops in performance and accuracy, at least for me and my 24s. Caution, that Unique load requires working up.