2nd level substitute for a Taurus

[guesser]

but it will do for the time being, I guess. I have wanted a second Taurus Model 441, blue or SS, didn't matter. I have never been in the right place at the right time. I finally settled for 2nd or maybe even 3rd best. I got a Smittywetty Model 624, 3", TS, CT&H, RB w/Ajax Rose Wood FG grips and the OEM grips all in the original box. It dates to 1985 and it seems as if they are as scarce as 441's. Haven't had it out yet, maybe this coming week. OH WELL sometimes I just can't make it into the front rank!!!!

[bre346]

I wouldn't call that second level. S&W makes good stuff. I had a 642 that was hard to turn loose.

Now, I have a CZ P-07 that I think is second-level.

(This oughta start something.)

[whodog]

Let the wars begin. I got the popcorn!!!

[guesser]

The few things I have against S&W are first and foremost the Stainless steel, I have never had good service with my cast bullets in a SS S&W. I have nearly a dozen of their blued carbon moly steel guns going back to the mid 1920's and all the way up into the 1990's. The SS guns got traded away mostly because of the cast bullet performance level. I have Taurus and Charter Arms SS revolvers and have no issue with their performance with my cast bullets. My 441 is SS, I hope this S&W will be as good, and I'm not talking accuracy I'm talking serviceability with my cast boolits. I like S&W, but!!!!!!!!!!!

[olfarhors]

well of course there are several very good quality large framed magnum handguns!
but in my opinion THIS is the first level large magnum handgun manufacture!
unfortunately they are even harder to find than the Taurus.
This particular one is also a 41 magnum, with a 6 inch heavy vent rib barrel.

[Big Ugly Tall Texan]

... I got a Smittywetty Model 624, 3", TS, CT&H, RB w/Ajax Rose Wood FG grips and the OEM grips all in the original box. ...

You're kidding, of course. No way is a 624 "second level". How much did it cost?

[guesser]

He wanted 750 for it but it had been kicking around, word of mouth, for sale for a year, he came off his 750 enough to convince me to get it and continue looking for a 441. I figure I can get my money back pretty easy. I'm going to try my cast in it and if it doesn't work any better than the other S&W SS I've owned it will go away just like they did. By 2nd level I probably mean that it is a 2nd choice, not what I was looking for but it will do until the real thing comes along.

[MilProGuy]

[guesser]

I've said it before, I don't own a camera nor know how to get a picture out of one and into this computer. The last camera I had was pilfered from my luggage when I shipped out of Clark Air Base in 1972, bound for Pascagoula MS. and new construction. I have official record photos for insurance purposes but they don't get shown around. I did not mean that the Smith was 2nd best, only that it is 2nd or 3rd choice. The Smith is big and heavy, a 441 in not, I like the medium frame. A ferinstans; A Ruger GP100 in 5 shot configuration in 44 Special or 41 Magnum would be inspirational in its own right!!!!!!!!!

[Maximumbob54]

The few things I have against S&W are first and foremost the Stainless steel, I have never had good service with my cast bullets in a SS S&W. I have nearly a dozen of their blued carbon moly steel guns going back to the mid 1920's and all the way up into the 1990's. The SS guns got traded away mostly because of the cast bullet performance level. I have Taurus and Charter Arms SS revolvers and have no issue with their performance with my cast bullets. My 441 is SS, I hope this S&W will be as good, and I'm not talking accuracy I'm talking serviceability with my cast boolits. I like S&W, but!!!!!!!!!!!

You have to check the rifling in the bore. SW has moved to where most of their barrels are made with a EDM method of forming the rifling instead of a cutting tool. The EDM makes rifling that looks much like Glock polygonal rifling even if they don't call it that. It doesn't have the sharp corners that the lands and grooves use to bite into the lead and force the lead bullet to spin. The EDM rifling is supposed to make shooting jacketed ammo shoot better. My older 625 still has the older style of rifling and is great with my cast lead bullets. BUT... My newer 629 will coat the bore in lead and never show the stellar accuracy it should with lead bullets. Clean all the lead out and with jacketed bullets it is a laser gun. I also check the cylinders for being able to push the bullet through too easy. If I have to tap it out with a wooden dowel and a mallet then I figure it's tight enough but not too tight that it swages the bullet down in diameter, it just seals it up. Last, I have tried different sized bullets until I get one that works the best. The bullet to bore on my revolvers are all within .001 to .002 over bore diameter where they shoot best. I can tumble lube or dip them in a mix of alox and Johnsons paste wax and get no leading. If all this is old news to you then I'm sorry for blathering on about it. It may be news to someone else.