S&W model 24&14 accuracy

[Steve Milbocker]

I have a model 24-3 6”on its way to my LGS and I’m strongly contemplating a purchase of a model 14. I’ve never owned either of these revolvers or any designated target revolver for that matter. I’m 64 and don’t have the eye sight nor am I as steady as I was in my youth. A well made zip gun could probably outshoot me these days but taking the “me” factor out, what kind of accuracy can I expect from these two fine revolvers at say 25 yards?

 

[horsemen61]

They will shoot as well as you can shoot them

 

[Steve Milbocker]

I realize they will shoot as well as I can. I want to know what they are capable of minus my ability or lack there of.

 

[joed]

Both will shoot some pretty impressive groups if you do your part. When I was in my 60's my 624 would usually give 2" at 25 yards. I'm sure 50% of that was me as my eyes weren't the best. I was shooting LSWC bullets and bet if I was shooting wadcutters groups could have been a little better.

 

[Riomouse911]

With comparable target loads the 624 will buck a bit more than the 14, and it’ll be a bit larger in the hand and weigh more as well, so it may take more concentration to hold it steady over a long string of fire. (When I’m shooting my 4” 629 mountain gun with specials and my 4” model 66 with specials, I find the 66 easier to hold for a long string of slow fire shots.)

Obviously the vision of the shooter and the lighting of the range play huge factors in seeing the sights, but taking that out of the equation the guns themselves are very accurate indeed. Once you find your load of choice for them, no matter which gun you’re shooting (should you also get the 14 ) you’ll be putting six where you want them on the paper.

Stay safe.

 

[Iggy]

Those two guns will outshoot 99% of the people pulling the triggers.

 

[mavracer]

Both are probably capable of under an inch at 25 yards off bags with a load worked up for them.

 

[gotboostvr]

There's probably equal variation between any two M24's than any M24 and a M14.

If you're not reloading and shooting hundreds of rounds of tailored ammo a week, you won't know the difference.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

If they have not been tweaked and messed with by Bubbas.... They can be expected to return exceptional accuracy.


The 24s can deliver a range of accuracy returns based upon chosen loading as with most any premium .44. Feed it right and between the inherent accuracy and the mild recoil, you'll likely be surprised at how well you shoot it.

Can't speak directly to the 14 though they are highly regarded.

With each, I'd find what it likes the best before over-investing in ammo.

Todd.

 

[Steve Milbocker]

That’s what I wanted to hear gentlemen. Thank you very much

 

[Edcnh]

The model 14 can be a tack driver. I recently picked up a model 14-2 and was pleasantly surprised by it’s accuracy. And I am also using 64 year old eyes.

 

[forrest r]

With the right loads 2" 10-shot groups @ 50yds are common.

 

[Saleen322]

I can't speak to the model 24 but I had and competed with a model 14. The 14 is very accurate with wadcutters @ 50 yards but no more so than our Dan Wesson model 715. Where the model 14 shines is in action smoothness. It was absolutely drag free in single action and the best double action trigger out of the box we had.

 

[35 Whelen]

I've been on a Model 10-X kick lately, which are K-frame .38 Specials with fixed sights, having bought two in the last couple of months. Both are extremely accurate with handloaded cast SWC's. Neither of mine are at all picky about the load or the exact bullet and accuracy has been equally good with sedate 800 fps loads all the way up to +P loads at around 1050 fps. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Just for grins, I moved my torso target to the 100 yd. berm and wailed away at it with the 10-5.



This is not possible with inaccurate revolvers, and I have no doubt a Model 14 will be equally, if not more accurate.

I picked up a Model 24-4 several years ago, but it was to big for my uses, so I sold it. However it too was a very accurate revolver.

35W

 

[walnut1704]

I no longer have my Model 24 but I still have my 14. Off of sandbags (and with the right ammunition) both of mine will/would shoot under 2" at 25 yards often enough that I'm convinced anything larger than that is my fault. Sandbags do not eliminate human error 100%. This is with cast lead bullets reloads with properly sized throats.

It used to be the minimum standard that any target revolver shoot 2" at 25 yards. At least in the gun magazines of the 70's and 80's it seemed to be as they always included 25 yard accuracy tests. From my experience with a variety of now-vintage American made revolvers that's not unreasonable in the least. In fact the only ones I've seen that couldn't do that had something wrong with them that once corrected brought them to that standard.

I define a target revolver as a minimum 6" barrel with adjustable sights and a single action trigger pull of 5# or less.

You can do it! You might talk to your opthamologist/optometrist about a pair of designated shooting glasses. They can build them to focus at front sight distance. I'm 63 and I still do O.K. but I've moved the targets into 15 yards so I don't have to walk so far....here's a couple of targets I shot off-hand with the model 14 at 15 yards, 3" black center, 148 gr HBWC.

 

[Steve Milbocker]

Impressive! Thank you so much for your help gentlemen it is much appreciated! Now the quest for a good model 14 begins

 

[slickracer]

Easily under 2" at 25 yards. One thing to note on the 24-3...they are known for oversize throats. Mine measure out at .432" so keep that in mind if you are loading cast bullets.

 

[CraigC]

Comments about guns being more accurate than your average shooter standing on his hind legs have always baffled me. That should be painfully obvious, not very helpful either and most importantly, does not answer the question.

In this case I would say 1" with preferred loads. It will come down to variations between individual guns more than anything inherent to either model.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Comments about guns being more accurate than your average shooter standing on his hind legs have always baffled me. That should be painfully obvious, not very helpful either and most importantly, does not answer the question.

In this case I would say 1" with preferred loads. It will come down to variations between individual guns more than anything inherent to either model.

I tend to differ though I do understand your point.

Take these commented upon pistols at one end of the equation as certainly never going to disappoint the average or even above average shooter. Most will simply never reach the potential of the gun. It's good for some folk to know that.

Then, as a generally accepted example of the OTHER end of the equation, it is equally - or perhaps more so - important to know ahead of time that the average shooter can out-shoot an item like say; a Ruger Mini-30 or Ranch Rifle.

Puts things into generalized brackets that are quite important for some folk.

Kind of like with motorcycles or other items - some folk want to know that they can keep improving (whether they do or not) within the potential performance of an item. Point of fact for me; I CAN outshoot Ruger Minis or the *average* Charter Arms but I can NOT out shoot a perfect Model 24 S&W.

Todd.

 

[CraigC]

But that's true for 99.99% of shooters and guns. Very, very few are going to shoot close to a gun's potential off hand. This is not useful information to me, it's obvious and too vague. 1" five-shot groups at 25yds, that is useful information. It leaves unknown, shooter-related (and therefore irrelevant) variables out of it.