Mark:

I  bought the Horton M24 about ten years ago for the same reason you like it--its looks.  I only fired handloads in it, the only .44 special I ever owned.  I don't remember the load I used, probably not too hot and not too soft either.  But I couldn't shoot the gun without pain.  I learned from that and my Ruger Redhawk that wooden grips on powerful handguns were too painful for me to shoot.  I could have replaced the wood with rubber, but then it would lose its handsome appearance which was the only reason I bought  it.  So it was gone before I had it too long. 

I'm now 78 and an ex- gun guy.  Still married to a beautiful woman who is now 75.  We've just moved to a condo in Alexandria, just across the river from Washington, and much closer to two of our children and associated grandchildren.  Since we're no longer near the Marine museum I'm not a docent there any longer.  There's no room for a hobby in the condo so I've sold almost all my guns and other equipment.  Still carrying the Smith 3913 and also kept the Colt Cobra, Ruger Mk III and Smith M10. 

Herb