Waiting to pick up S&W Model 624

[Tarn_Helm]

No, I will not tell you what I paid for it.

Yes, I have completely lost my mind.

But I love shooting .44 Special out of a big, steel revolver.

It is a great caliber. Mine has a 4-inch tube, as the one in the picture above.

You can read a little about them here.

I will soon have a new home defense gun--in case I am ever attacked by a home .

(If this is your photo, I apologize and will take it down.)

[trashman]

Awesome! I've always wanted one with a 6" barrel myself.

--Neill

[bwiese]

I've heard that some of the 624s from S&W's mid-80s days were a bit problematic.

[Tarn_Helm]

Thanks for the heads up.

I've heard that some of the 624s from S&W's mid-80s days were a bit problematic.

Yep.

I looked into this.

A thread from another forum (sorry, but this is for safety's sake in case anyone here ever buys a Model 624) explained that if the rear of the cylinder face is stamped with an "F", then it has been cleared by the factory: http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=162217

The story I read was that S&W got hold of some bad steel (don't know true that is).

Thanks for mentioning that.

Safety is what counts first--after all, the primary purpose of gun ownership is to promote the safety of the user.

(Jeez, you are a CA gun law wizard and an expert in truly arcane gun tech issues! Good job!)

Click here for more information on the Model 624 steel quality issue.

[Californio]

I have one with the red "C" on the box but no "F" on the cylinder. I have heard of the "F" but not seen it. Passed on a pair of 6"ers because I could get a straight answer, you would think S&W would be clearer. I have also heard that some may have been bored so that a .44 mag cartridge could be placed in the cylinder but when pressed the source clammed up, sure liability may have been a factor.

Nice Piece

The link

http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3001000143/m/6671059143?r=2891059143#2891059143

The problem was reported in the October 1985 issue of Shooting Times magazine by Skeeter Skelton in his "Hipshots" column. I have a few that have the red "C" in red circle stamp on the box, this is how the factory marked the box when the gun was sent back and passed the test. The gun was not marked in any way to show it passed the test, not a very good way to do it IMO but that's how it is done. I have several that were acquired without a box, with these I emailed S&W and was emailed back that they were manufactured after the time of the recall and were good to go.
I have scanned the original article from the 1985 ST article along with a S&W forum post originally from 3/3/07, I carry copies of these with me when "shopping" for reference along with serial numbers of guns I know to be good. Hope this helps.

[kurac]

My 4" 624 is probably my favorite shooter, the trigger on this one has been worked over to the point I am spoiled and then I added a 14k gold bead front to make things easier to line up. Stick with 240gr bullets cast or jacketed and you will never look back

[Tarn_Helm]

Where to get gold bead front sight?

My 4" 624 is probably my favorite shooter, the trigger on this one has been worked over to the point I am spoiled and then I added a 14k gold bead front to make things easier to line up. Stick with 240gr bullets cast or jacketed and you will never look back . . .

Where did you get the gold bead front sight?

Thanks for the input to all who have responded.

The S&W Forum thread just posted had eluded me.

Again, thanks.


UPDATE: Called S&W this morning and asked about my 624--gave the gun's serial number. Got a call back telling me to call back Tuesday morning to arrange for shipping--S&W wants me to send it in and let them "test" it.

The last I heard of this sort of thing, S&W kept the guy's gun and offered him a 629 instead, obviously one with the ILS built in.

I'm a little nervous but will send it in after the waiting period is over.