EDC my S&W 3" LH24-3 ????

EDC my S&W LH 24-3 ?

  • It was built to be carried and shot, shut up and just carry/shoot the thing!

    Votes: 26 66.7%

  • Don't be a fool, keep it in the safe, you have other guns that will serve the same function!

    Votes: 2 5.1%

  • Maybe you can just take it to the range every once in a while.

    Votes: 3 7.7%

  • Only you can answer this question.... stop wasting other people's time!

    Votes: 8 20.5%
  • Total voters
    39
W

win-lose

New member
Hi Folks,
I recently picked up an excellent condition S&W Lew Horton 3" 24-3. This may be the best looking revolver ever made (beauty in the eye of the beholder type of thing) and chambered in my favorite round (44 special).

I mostly carry big bore revolvers as I don't find them uncomfortable and prefer the larger round. But my regular big bore carries are all stainless steel rugers that will never have any real investment value. This 24-3 is different. It's blued, which represents its own challenges, and has real potential investment value. With that said, I bought because of my desire to carry and shoot it, and not for an ROI. Only thing is, I have this little voice of reason thing in the back of my head saying "don't be stupid, you'll ruin it". The rest of me is saying "carry it, shoot it, just try to maintain it the best you can".

As more background... I'm definitely more of an accumulator than a collector. I don't own any safe queens and if logic prevails, this would be my first.

What say you?

The below is not my actual gun...
2575147_01_s_w_24_3_44_special_3_lew_hort_640.jpg
 
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I know there are some that buy guns for "collector" pieces, I am not one of them. If I don't feel comfortable shooting/using it for the purpose it was designed and manufactured I personally wouldn't bother buying it.

if I want an investment I will buy some stock, or property. Just my opinion and I am sure there are multitudes that disagree with me.
 
I don't own a gun I can't shoot. Some people are collectors and some are shooters. Shooting is a whole lot more fun than looking.
 
My thoughts

The way I see it… I didn't marry the most beautiful woman of my dreams to put her in a safe and look at her. Sure, guns and cars can look really good and we don't want to damage them but they are built with a purpose. What is going to happen when you going to do when you part this earth? Someone's going to pull it out of the safe and tell everyone how much you liked it because you looked at it all the time?
 
I have a lot of handguns that I shoot, but I have three that sit in the safe.
A 1917 P-08 Luger, a 1941 Walther P-38, and a 1941 Walther PP that all have matching numbers.
I have shot them, but would hate to have a part break on a historical firearm.
All my Colt DA'S and S&W'S get shot.
So... I say, go ahead and carry it and enjoy.
 
I have never owned a sit in the safe pistol.I use everything I have in one way or another.I say shoot it and have fun
 
I frequently carry my 3" 629-1, not sure if it's a lew horton or not. Either way, I bought the gun for hard use. I've put plenty of rounds down the pipe (1500-2000) and it hasn't started to wear yet. I've never seen firearms as investment pieces, I see them as tools.
 
Win-Lose, I understand your problem. I've got a 3 1/2" M 27-2 that almost new. It gets to the range about twice a year, and does BBQ duty once a year. I've about decided, it's about time to sell it to someone who wants a semi affordable collectors revolver. So let me suggest that you shoot your M-24 and carry it from time to time, or consider selling it.

It's no fun having something you are afraid to use as it was meant to be used.
 
The only thing better than a perfect condition out of production gun is an out of production gun that has just enough wear on it that you don't feel bad shooting it!
 
I would definitely use and shoot it. But I'm the kind of persons who, if I had a Ferrari, would drive it alot. Of course, I'd take care of it and wouldn't be super crazy, but if you're gonna have a nice thing like that, why not use and enjoy it. It's like buying a beautiful second home but never living there. Doesn't quite make sense to me.
 
It's been almost a week since I got this beauty. If it is any indication on which way I'm leaning....

Straight from the store, it went to range for a function check, then home for a good fluff and buff, then into my holster, which has carried it on me every day since I got it.

That voice is still with me, calling me a moron, but so far the only thing it has been able to do is instill an obsession in finding the best rust preventive available (which has resulted in more than considerable amount of my time).
 
Good job.

You can't take it with you.
Unless this was a pivotal point in your investment plan, we never know when we're going to be "called home" so I wouldn't let it be my first safe queen either.

So if collector value is gone (or just reduced) remember you can always have it factory reblued after a long life of fun.
 
I have the same gun in a 24 and 624. To letting them set in a safe and unfired would be like having Kate Upton for a girlfriend and keeping her in a glass case and never opening the door. You have one of the finest wheel guns made. Shoot it,,, shoot it and shoot it. It’s a lot happier when it’s out on a date.
Warning, if you don’t shoot it sell it. It will start waking you up in the middle of the night with its crying.
 
Check the cylinder throat dia. on that gun. I owned one just like it and the throat diameters were quite large. I think around .433 or .434. That is a beautiful revolver. I fell in love with mine on sight. Hope yours is tighter than mine was.
 
If you are having trouble making up your mind about it being an EDC, and you don't sound like your short of good EDC's go ahead and use it for a range gun until you have made up your mind. After all good guns need to be shot even if they do not get used for carry. It is your gun and you get to decide.
 
Life is short.

If you carry it just use a good suede lined leather holster, clean the outside of it every night after packing it that day, and well just respect it.

Should do well for many years.

Deaf
 
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