S&W 624 buy or not

[357smallbore]

Have a chance to buy a new 1985 4in 624 44 Special for $1150. Gun is new, no box, just the manual.
Looks like it came out of a time capsule. Good deal?

 

[horsemen61]

I have no clue but if I wanted it and I had the money if it truly is NIB or next to it meaning no turn lines at all no dents or dings gouges or scratches they ain’t getting cheaper so I’d buy it


Yeah I think it is maybe offer a straight $1,000? Who knows what will happen?

 

[Pat Riot]

There was a recall on 624’s made between January to June 1985. I discovered this after seeing your post and being curious about what a 624 was. The info was found in other forums. Since we can’t post links to other forums I am posting a link of my search.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=s&w model 624 recall&ia=web

I would hate for you to buy it and find out there’s an issue. I hope the one you’re interested in is outside this recall window.

 

[ECVMatt]

I have a 4" 624 and it is a great shooter. I would buy that for 1150. They are getting expensive around my parts.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I love my 4" 624. I got it for $550 in the '07 timeframe. Had some endshake with cylinder rub that was easily corrected with a washer set, plus got a free ride to Springfield for the recall check. Extremely smooth action. It went to AK with my brother as his costal salmon fishing companion loaded with the Buffalo Bore 255 gr hardcast.

 

[winfreeokra]

Don’t know if it’s a good deal or not but when is the last time that used gun prices actually dropped of any significance? I’m sure they have at some point but for the most part in my observation I could convert any of my used gun purchases back to cash pretty quickly. Seems like a low risk proposition. Try to barter them down a few dollars while also coming to terms with the fact that

1. Once you do this you will be buying it
2. You will never likely be selling it

Gun Life 101.

 

[Dave T]

I'd probably buy it if I came across such a deal.

Dave

 

[wcwhitey]

Don’t forget it is Tax Return Season prices tend to run a a bit higher. Also economically speaking if this inflationary trend continues used guns will start popping up left and right. Once people start hurting certain things get sold off (guns) and less of them are bought as disposable income disappears.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

The Model 624 is the stainless version of the Model 24. All stainless S&W revolvers have a 6 for the first digit in the Serial Number. The Model 24 was the same revolver as the 44 Hand Ejector 4th Model. In 1957 the name was changed to Model 24. The Models 24 and 624 are chambered for 44 Special, not 44 Magnum. As such they are slightly lighter in weight than the S&W 44 Magnum revolvers. I searched in vain for a Model 24 for years, I came across this 4" Model 624 probably close to 20 years ago or so.








I did not care for the Oversized Target grips that came with it, so I changed them out for a set of Magna grips. My 44 Special loads are not so powerful that I need the larger grips.











I enjoy shooting this revolver very much. Very accurate. This one shipped in 1985, so it was one of the Model 24s made about the time that S&W had an issue with the stainless steel they were using for frames. A call to S&W confirmed that mine was not made with the suspect steel.

I paid $625 for my Model 624 back then. I know that does not help you make a decision today, but that is what I paid for it. If you decide you want to buy it, a call to S&W with the serial number will be able to confirm whether or not it was made with the suspect steel. You could make the call before you buy it, all you need is the serial number.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

If the gun in question is within the affected serial range, you could ask the seller to send a pic of the rear face of the cylinder. Those that tested "safe" will have a couple of marks from the hardness tester they used.

 

[stanley_white]

You can take neither the money nor the gun with you into the hereafter.

As such, which will bring you more joy while you're here -- green paper with a government-assigned value or a revolver?

-Stan

 

[CraigC]

Last I looked, all the 24-3's were up. So anything around a grand is a deal. I already have a wonderful 629MG but if it were a 4" 24, I'd hurt myself in a rush to lay claim to it.

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

I have 2 ea 624's bought new that never went back to the factory for that recall and both perform fine to this day. Buy it. They ain't gonna make "em" anymore.

 

[Rodfac]

Great gun...and that price is a steal...just ck out the serial # with S&W for the recall. Best of luck, Rod

 

[aaaaa]

I would be inclined to grab it, especially since it does not have the built-in lock.

 

[RealGun]

Have a chance to buy a new 1985 4in 624 44 Special for $1150. Gun is new, no box, just the manual.
Looks like it came out of a time capsule. Good deal?

That is a carry gun barrel length. If you fancy carrying an N-frame, go for it. Otherwise, a longer barrel is what I would want for target. I have a 4" Blackhawk in 44 Spl and like how it shoots, but it just stays in the safe, waiting for being included in a range trip out of sense of obligation. The ones I really shoot are 6" 41 and 44 Magnum.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Ive only ever seen one in the flesh before, not sure of the dash number, but it had to be one of the last produced as it had the dumb looking large-font stamped markings and very poor machining and polishing, in addition to timing problems. One of the worst S&W revolvers Ive ever seen, actually.

If the one in question is an earlier production example and minty, the price seems in line with the market. Id say go for it if sourcing/loading .44 Spl. doesn't intimidate you.

 

[CraigC]

That is a carry gun barrel length. If you fancy carrying an N-frame, go for it. Otherwise, a longer barrel is what I would want for target. I have a 4" Blackhawk in 44 Spl and like how it shoots, but it just stays in the safe, waiting for being included in a range trip out of sense of obligation. The ones I really shoot are 6" 41 and 44 Magnum.

A 4" N-frame .44Spl is the perfect outdoor sidearm.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

A 4" N-frame .44Spl is the perfect outdoor sidearm.

...when carried in a flap holster.

 

[eastbank]

i bought mine for 550.00 like new in the factory box. a 240 hard cast at 850-900 fps went lenth ways thru a large doe at 65 yards.

 

[PapaG]

Bought mine about 1990 or so. Great shooting 4" special.

 

[Gary W. Strange]

I loved to read Elmer Keith and Skitter Skelton, when I was a kid. As a result, I fell in love with the .44 special. I remember when the model 24 and 624 came out back in the 80s. I wanted one so bad, but was too young and way short on money. I found the one pictured below, about 5 years ago. It was new in the box, with papers and tools. I paid $950.00 for it and felt like I did very well. It is one of my favorite revolvers. I would not think about parting with it. If you look on gunbroker and other auction sights, you will not see very many for sale. Especially 4" 624s. The price for one in good condition is always high now. The people that have them are holding on to them. The price for a 624 is not going to go down and I believe there are going to be fewer for sale. That price is not out of line, by what they are selling for on the auction sights. If you want a 624, you will not do any better.

ATTACH=full]1073266[/ATTACH]

 

[CajunBass]

I think I'd be on it like a hobo on a ham samich...but only for a 4" one. Longer (or shorter) barrels just don't interest me anymore.

 

[Jonesy814]

These days almost any N frame is worth $1000. Exceptions for obvious abuse, bubba gunsmithing and excessive rust & pitting

 

[edwardware]

Since we can’t post links to other forums I am posting a link of my search.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=s&w model 624 recall&ia=web

Citation needed. . . I can't find a rule, and have never seen a mod mention posting a link to another forum (drive-by posting excluded).

WRT the Smith, $1150 feels about right for an older model in good to great shape.