Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Which is more desirable N frame

I’m thinking I probably need a 4” N frame Smith. Which would be a more desirable pistol a 624 44 spl or a 625-9 45lc mountain gun? $50 difference between them.

With them both being 4-inch guns I would probably take the Mountain Gun, but I tend to be more of a .45 Colt fan than a .44 Mag fan. If that 624 was a 3-inch mode, however, it would be a different story.

Interestingly enough there is also a 3” Lew Horton. Albeit for more $. 3 inchers have just never been on my radar. Maybe they should be.

The .45 Colt, if you want larger revolver might as well get bigger bore. Thanks to: Judge, Public Defender and Governor Boyz ammo selection is pretty good. The 3" version will come in guns tapped for easy rail mount.

Depends on the year of manufacture. If the 624 is one of the pre-hillary-hole and pre-MIM guns I would take that one. The walls of the 44 Special are thicker than the 45's ones.

I'd probably go with the 3 " Lew Horton for more $

I had a 624 and regret selling it.
I’ve lusted after a .45 Colt Mountain gun but money and timing have never worked out.

Sounds like you have good problems……

More often than not, your average S&W .45 will have more uniform throats in a .44 than in a .45. Many serious handgunners end up having their cylinders reamed on their .45 Colts to uniform specs. This holds true for Rugers as well. With .44s from both manufacturers this is not the case. It is not that big of a deal to do or send out to have done, but it is something to bear in mind if you want top performance.

As far as choosing between the two, I would consider which one that I was already set up to load for, had a large supply of brass for, etc. Both will get the job done in terms of hunting and both can be loaded up or down to meet your shooting needs in practical terms. While price can be a factor (it appears not to be in this case) I generally don't worry too much about that, and focus on getting what I am looking for. Long after a price is forgotten, I will be happy I ended up with exactly what I wanted, versus happy I saved $50 over something else. For some they see things differently, and the first thing they say is how much they saved, even if what they bought is a lesser quality piece. I never understood that, but to each their own I suppose. For me I would rather go without, save a little more money and get a higher quality tool/gun/whatever later, than a low budget piece that I am not going to be happy with.

In the choice of 624 or 625 I really don't think you can go wrong so choose what cartridge best suits your needs and what cartridge you really want to shoot more.

If it were me I would do an inventory, and see what I had for dies and reloading components on hand. For me this would be a toss up, as I have dies for both, but no longer have any Brass or Bullets.
I would probably go with the 45 Colt between the two. Just Barely.
The 45 Colt would probably be easier to find ammo for than a 44 Special. That might be worth researching a little.

Bob R

Which one do YOU like better? I'm a "buy em both" sort of guy.

Without a doubt .45 Colt. You have army of farm Boyz with snake charmers and SA shooters standing behind you. Let's face it the only reason .44 Special exists is because many Boyz can't handle .44 Magnum loads. I am not forgetting famed 1911 .45 competitor of Carter Administration era in form of Charter Arms, but i am not sure what is better now new Charter Arms or new Taurus (assembled in as you say Peach State) Simple enough, yes?

I’d lean toward the 624 personally. They both will have the skinny barrel but the 624 is probably a square butt, which I prefer. I’m already set up for casting and loading for the 44 and have brass, dies, loads that work in other guns etc.

In actual practice in the field the performance difference likely won’t be much with loads that are comfortable to shoot in both guns.

The 45 Colt Smiths of that vintage will be very uniform in throat diameter at .452-.453 and have ever since and the front sight height with those guns as well.
A lot of prior issues mentined previously were corrected.
The 624 is probably in the .431 range.

Have used both cartridges and both are winners.

As far as desirable, the 45 Mtn. Gun is probably going to win that battle in an auction.

While the OP mentioned a N frame I have thought along these lines as well and have come to my own conclusion to go to a L frame model 69 and shoot 44 Specials.
I load my own so I can bump up a bit the loads.
260 HCFN @ 1,000 mv.

Or load down a 44 mag

S&W hit home run with that one chambering. 44 Magnum to sell more guns even though the gun is more user friendly in .44 Special. Certainly it presents affordable alternative at about $700 used. Most listed will be in top shape. Blue plastic case not needed because superior lockable water-resistant Chinese-made case can be bought for about $25.

Even though my handle suggests I’m sort of self proclaimed handgunner I’m far from it. Used to hunt a lot with single shot pistols but revolvers have always been back burner luxury stuff. Re-reading Keith has got me wanting to do more sixgunning. I’ve got a few pistols now(smith 27-2 a couple of bisley 45 lc, 41 Bh) but still trying to find my prefect packin pistol. I’m starting to fight irons a bit, so A red dot might be in my future. I’m horseback quite a bit and pack a 22 most of the time, either a short MK II or 22/45, but once again reading Elmer makes me think I need to pack a big six gun in case I have to shoot my horse in the ass! 😬

I load for rifles but never have tried my hand at handgun cartridges, but I’m sure it’s fairly the same.

I appreciate all the input!

It's not one of your choices, but my N frame is a 4" 625JM in 45 acp / auto rim. I sold off my 624 6 1/2" to a forum member.
Power wise 44 spl and 45 acp are close. For heavy 45 loads I break out my Ruger Bisley in 45LC.