Pistolero
Well-Known Member
I just got a new (to me) S&W 624, the slightly lighter .44 Spl brother to the 629 .44 Mag. It is nice, and
after some cleaning (moderate leading in the first inch of the bbl), I spent some time with the pin gauges.
I am pleased. Cylinder throats are about 0.001 larger than I consider ideal, at 0.431, but that is pretty darned
close. And there is NO thread choke! Lear Sigler got one right.
The gun may be in the recall range of SNs from '85. The recall includes guns with SNs of "AHXXXX". This one
has a SN of "AHBXXXX". The question is do the "XXs" in their format include only numerals or also letters?
I THINK they might have added the "B" to distinguish from the earlier SN series, for that reason. But not
100% and may call S&W and ask. Some say the issue was that some 624s would accept .44 Mag cases, others
say it was bad metallurgy in the cylinders, not sure what is correct. This one will not accept .44 Mag cases.
A previous owner put a green fiber optic front sight on it, which is what I prefer. However it is one of the
darned round top versions, no flat top for a good elevation reference in the sight picture. I will have to replace
it. Round top front sights on handguns drive me nuts. I will not abide it if the sight is replaceable.
Action is nice, it has the original cardboard box and the giant target grips (bleah) and the target hammer and
trigger, which, IIRC are hard chromed carbon steel parts. Hard chromed carbon steel parts are VERY nice
and VERY durable. Another plus, if I am correct. Double and single action trigger pulls are very good to
excellent.
All in all, so far, so good. Today is 40s, overcast and blustery, the ground is saturated, mud everywhere....not
my kind of shooting day. So, testing will have to wait.
Bill
after some cleaning (moderate leading in the first inch of the bbl), I spent some time with the pin gauges.
I am pleased. Cylinder throats are about 0.001 larger than I consider ideal, at 0.431, but that is pretty darned
close. And there is NO thread choke! Lear Sigler got one right.
The gun may be in the recall range of SNs from '85. The recall includes guns with SNs of "AHXXXX". This one
has a SN of "AHBXXXX". The question is do the "XXs" in their format include only numerals or also letters?
I THINK they might have added the "B" to distinguish from the earlier SN series, for that reason. But not
100% and may call S&W and ask. Some say the issue was that some 624s would accept .44 Mag cases, others
say it was bad metallurgy in the cylinders, not sure what is correct. This one will not accept .44 Mag cases.
A previous owner put a green fiber optic front sight on it, which is what I prefer. However it is one of the
darned round top versions, no flat top for a good elevation reference in the sight picture. I will have to replace
it. Round top front sights on handguns drive me nuts. I will not abide it if the sight is replaceable.
Action is nice, it has the original cardboard box and the giant target grips (bleah) and the target hammer and
trigger, which, IIRC are hard chromed carbon steel parts. Hard chromed carbon steel parts are VERY nice
and VERY durable. Another plus, if I am correct. Double and single action trigger pulls are very good to
excellent.
All in all, so far, so good. Today is 40s, overcast and blustery, the ground is saturated, mud everywhere....not
my kind of shooting day. So, testing will have to wait.
Bill
Last edited: