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Post by bushog on Jan 6, 2014 20:30:09 GMT -5
Maybe a .45 auto rim conversion?
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Post by whitworth on Jan 7, 2014 13:13:01 GMT -5
I'm going to try and get my hands on that new 629 for some testing.......
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Post by bigbore442001 on Jan 7, 2014 20:15:18 GMT -5
Interesting. I checked out that new L frame and to me it is very intriguing. This may sound strange but I wonder if you could shoot Garretts ammunition out of it? To me that is a back country bear/mountain lion gun that would warrant such a load.
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Post by nolongcolt on Jan 7, 2014 23:30:20 GMT -5
MIM parts and locks. No thank you. And two piece barrels. I hope they have the bugs worked out of that. The 460 XVR is the most interesting to me, I hope the follow up with a 500 version. I like the looks of the 69, dont currently have but one Smith, an original 58. What is the deal about a 2 piece barrel? Can someone explain this for me? Thanks!
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Post by seancass on Jan 8, 2014 14:11:29 GMT -5
The S&W's have a barrel inside a shroud. The actual barrel is just a thin tube, threaded on both ends and rifles on the inside. The barrel is tensioned against the barrel shroud using a nut at the muzzle end. I'm sure others can come along and tell you what the bugs were or why they do or don't prefer the two-piece set up.
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Post by nolongcolt on Jan 8, 2014 17:53:08 GMT -5
The S&W's have a barrel inside a shroud. The actual barrel is just a thin tube, threaded on both ends and rifles on the inside. The barrel is tensioned against the barrel shroud using a nut at the muzzle end. I'm sure others can come along and tell you what the bugs were or why they do or don't prefer the two-piece set up. Is this new or something they have done for awhile? Thanks!
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Post by seancass on Jan 8, 2014 23:15:25 GMT -5
I know it's been a few years, but I don't know exactly how long. A google search said it started in the late '90's. It's an interesting note that you CANNOT use traditional methods to remove the barrel. Awesomely bad things will happen because the shroud is not threaded into the frame, only the barrel is. Apparently the shroud is pinned or fitted somehow so you'll be tearing/twisting the gun apart.
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Post by bigbores on Jan 8, 2014 23:50:24 GMT -5
Lets see, a 5 shot L frame 44magnum, all I can say is ITS ABOUT TIME! I'm in.
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Post by paul105 on Jan 21, 2014 19:33:34 GMT -5
Just a short update. I took possession of a 69 today. OD of barrel shank is right at .620". The cylinder is 1.670 inches and isn't recessed for cartridge rims -- a 1.712" handload fits, but is right at the face of the cylinder. Lymans No 49 edition shows OAL w their 425421 Keith Bullet is 1.710". Here are some pictures: . M69 Barrel Shank/Forcing Cone area: . . M696 Barrel Shank/Forcing Cone Area: . . 629 Mtn Gun Barrel Shank/Forcing Cone area: . . Family Portrait - 629 Mtn Gun, M696, New M69: . . Sorry about the "so-so" pictures -- light wasn't the best and I'm not the best photographer. Headed to the range with about 25 Lbs of .44 ammo (Mild to wild) and the chrono. Naturally, the range was closed, so I'll do it another day and open a new thread to post results. What a neat little package. FWIW, Paul
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Post by serialsolver on Jan 21, 2014 20:48:24 GMT -5
Paul, congrats. Looking forward to your report. When I heard about the 69 I went back at looked at the forcing cone of my 696 and 396. I noticed that the 396 forcing cone was thicker than the 696. Looking at your pics the 69 forcing cone looks even thicker. Is the frame under the barrel at the crane thinner than the 696? I hope smith did not strengthen the forcing cone and weaken the frame.
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Post by MackaySagebrush on Jan 21, 2014 21:55:41 GMT -5
Very nice to see one outside the adds. The L Frame should make a fine field arm.
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Post by magman on Jan 22, 2014 12:32:56 GMT -5
Just saw one listed on Gunbroker.
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Post by paul105 on Jan 23, 2014 20:37:23 GMT -5
Here is some more information: 629 Mtn Gun weighs 39 oz M69 L Frame weighs 37 oz Some More M69 Dimensions: Frame window - height: 1.600" Frame window - width: 1.820" Cylinder - outside diameter: 1.560" Cylinder - length: 1.670" Cylinder - wall at narrowest: .600" (this was really hard to measure so it is definitely plus/minus) A .429 minus plug gauge will enter all throats a .430 plug will not. Managed a bit of range time this afternoon. I was in a hurry, hands were cold, and the wind was blowing, so I didn't get to do as much testing as I wanted to. Will get to it over the next week or so. The loads were: 240gr SWC Lasercast (.431)seated to 1.500" OAL and crimped lightly over the front drive band. Multi-x Starline cases and Winchester WLP primers. 5.6gr of HP 38 (Est vel: a little less than 800 fps) 10.6gr of HS6 (Est vel: 1,000 fps) 9.4 gr of Longshot (Est vel: 1,075 fps) 265gr SWCGC (429244) (.429) seated deep and crimped over the front drive band. Multi-x Starline cases and WLPs. 16.9gr A2400 (Est vel: 1,125 fps) When seated deep (as was done here), this load will run right at 1,200 fps from a 6" barrel. Federal Factory 240gr JHP (No. 44A) Est vel: 1,250 fps (We chroned this load at 1,375 fps from a 7 1/2" Bisley Hunter. . . . . Couple of observations: For me, while very comfortable feeling, the grip panels that come with the gun aren't comfortable under heavy recoil (shouldn't be a problem in the field). I'll probably mount some of the S&W 500 Hogues for longer bench sessions to test heavier loads. Looks like this gun was sighted in at the factory with .44 Special ammo. The rear sight has some room to move the POI down, but may need a higher front sight. I was real pleased with the limited test targets. A little surprised that the Fed Factory printed 3 1/2" left of other loads. That Fed Factory load looks to have excellent accuracy potential. Recoil with the 265gr SWCGC/16.9 A2400 and the 240gr Fed Factory load were the same and would not be abusive with proper fitting (to the individual) grips. We'll see what it's like with some 305s and 325s. FWIW, Paul
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Post by kings6 on Jan 23, 2014 23:32:53 GMT -5
Dan Wesson did the shrouded barrel years ago when they came out with the double actions. The fact that the barrel was tensioned at both ends is supposedly why they did so well in the accuracy department and silhouette before the FA came along. JT, Mr. Bradshaw or Mr. Jurras can fill in the real details I am sure. I just know my dad and I had 357 and 41 pistol paks with multiple shrouded barrels back in the 70's.
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Post by zac0419 on Jan 24, 2014 8:40:10 GMT -5
Paul I'm impressed you got your hands on one this fast. Pretty cool.
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