S&W M69 vs Ruger GP100-44

[seancass]

Anybody have experience with both of these? Which one would you choose for general shooting and/or carrying/trail gun?

I'm debating between the new Half Lug Ruger, or the 4" M69.

Their specified weight is within an ounce and the Ruger has a half inch more barrel. Also, I think street price is similar, probably favoring the Smith.

The Smith gets the Magnum caliber, but with handloading I probably wouldn't see a huge difference, running either tame magnums or full-spec specials.

I'm leaning towards the Smith because I'm currently more familiar with them and the grips fit my hand better. The very nice wood grips on my Match Champion Ruger just hammer a small bone in my thumb and make it very uncomfortable to shoot.

The blue Ruger just looks So Good! However, I am worried about the front sights not fitting and see many with HUGE gaps where the crane is supposed to meet the frame.(Curses on whoever pointed that out to me!) However, the last new Smith I got felt like the action was filled with gravel. Horrible, gritty, heavy trigger pull. But a trigger is a pretty easy fix that'd get touched up on either gun.

Anywho, just thinking out loud. And wondering why I'd buy either of them over a regular 629....

[Encore64]

Geeze I hate to say this, but I'd go with the S&W 69. I do have both and the S&W 69 has no peers.

34 oz and built super tight.

This is not coming from a S&W fan.

[bradshaw]

"I'm leaning towards the Smith because I'm currently more familiar with them and the grips fit my hand better. The very nice wood grips on my Match Champion Ruger just hammer a small bone in my thumb... “
----seancass


******

Sean.... answered your own question. Disgusting to hear reports of grainy actions on any sixgun from Smith & Wesson or Ruger. For price, there is no alibi. Colt killed itself by replacing people who know how to make guns with people who don’t know how to make guns and don’t want to learn. The Model 69 has the versatility to go full tent, or nearly so and, if it matters, to use magnum brass.

While you are mostly mute on your own shooting, you make a practice of the double action stroke on the Smith & Wesson.
David Bradshaw

[sportster]

What did you think of the grip on my gp100 10mm?

[rangersedge]

Dont have the Ruger gp100; but my 69 is just about perfect. Smooth light trigger pull. No visible imperfections. Probably got lucky.

[ecvmatt]

I have a 69 and will admit that I like it quite a bit. I carried it around AZ for a week in Oct while on some unfortunate business and in a good holster and belt, I forgot it was there. It also is very accurate and controllable with the X Frame grips. I have a 5" Ruger on the way and will say that my example is equally as nice. It is very well put together and has a very smooth action. I will have them both out for MLK weekend and be able to shoot them side by side. My best guess is that I will come back with the conclusion of, "Buy them both!"

[sierra11b]

Good thread.

Small potatoes, but what are 69 owners take on the overall finish and how it holds up?

Not that it's a deal breaker for me as I put myself in the "tool wear" category, but would have preferred it in a different SS finish and am considering the 69 or 66 currently.

Having not dealt with this finish or a modern Smith for that matter, opinions would be appreciated.

[JM]

Jan 7, 2018 21:35:58 GMT -5 sierra11b said:

Good thread.

Small potatoes, but what are 69 owners take on the overall finish and how it holds up?

Not that it's a deal breaker for as I put myself in the "tool wear" category, but would have preferred it in a different SS finish and am considering the 69 or 66 currently.

Having not dealt with this finish or a modern Smith for that matter, opinions would be appreciated.

A light Bead Blasting makes a nice non-reflective stainless finish.

[seak89]

Putting the Hogue tamer grip from the Alaskan does the same as the 500 grip on the smith. Frame wise I pick Ruger but the Smith forcing cone has a bit more steel to it but both are thin.Now a GP in 41 mag would be a no brainer.

[bula]

I nabbed a 4.2" M69 before the GP44 came out. The M69's grip is working very well for my hands. I like the muted finish. I put a one height taller, and thinner F/O sight from Dawson on it. It carries well. Borrowed a friends 4" M629 to try. Though its heavier by a good bit, the lower bore height on the M69 gives me less perceived recoil. I haven't handled or shot a GP44 but am happy with what I have. Like the extra case capacity for rice or shot loads. Can load to mag and certainally can deepseat and load down or just use special hulls. 

[doug2mobil]

I grabbed a 3" GP100 as soon as they came out. I assumed they would be fine with the 25k psi loads but hear that's not the case. I may sell the GP100 for a 2-3/4" M69 just so I can use my heavy 44 Specials in it...

[ezekiel38]

I have the 4.2 " 69 and it is the perfect size for packing. I would choose the 69 again today over the 5" GP for the Magnum capability. I am in the process of giving my 44s away to my son and grandsons and realize that only the Mag version will probably ever be used as none of the three are into reloading.
or


If I were a young man I would purchase the full lug 44 Redhawk with the 4.2" barrel and get with the Magnum rounds.

[mlazarus5388]

Another vote for the smith. I have a 69 and it's excellent. Full power loads are comfortable and controllable. Very accurate.

[groo]

Groo here
I looked at both a Gp100 44 spec and a 2 3/4in m-69.
The m-69 came home with me.
Nuff Said..

[CraigC]

Well, for DA's, I am traditionally all about older S&W's. That said, I have all three versions of the .44Spl GP's and no plans to buy a 69. If I want to shoot .44Mag, I want more than a 240gr at 1200fps and I want to shoot it out of a more substantial sixgun.