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Post by Rimfire69 on Aug 20, 2016 7:54:14 GMT -5
I have enjoyed carrying and shooting my 629 alot, the M69 wasn't even on my radar untill I started spending to much time on this forum.
We will probably end up with both sooner or later, worse things could happen to a guy. Good luck on deciding.
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Post by BigBore44 on Aug 20, 2016 15:41:33 GMT -5
Well, the M629 is not mine, yet, or maybe, or..just here for a trial run. The M329 is off the list. Making progress, sorta. DOH??? ^^^^  When did that happen? I thought it was still in the running with the 69 and 629, and Alaskan, and And AND!  What if Ruger brings out a LtWt 5 shot 44? Maybe even in 44Spl. Mag? You MUST leave doors open! Ha LOL! BIGBORE44 |
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f3
.30 Stingray
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Post by f3 on Sept 16, 2016 22:54:33 GMT -5
I didn't realize how light these were until about 2 weeks ago. I'm thinking I might "need" one of these.
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Post by Encore64 on Sept 17, 2016 21:18:05 GMT -5
I didn't realize how light these were until about 2 weeks ago. I'm thinking I might "need" one of these. Mine is 34 oz. I refer to it as what FA would build if they done DA guns. I am neither a S&W fan or big on DA guns. But, this one is fine. |
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45bbh
.240 Incinerator
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Post by 45bbh on Sept 18, 2016 16:24:38 GMT -5
I had a S&W 69, sold it recently to a friend. I loved the size but personally I didn't feel comfortable shooting warm loads through it, my perception was that it's not meant for a lot of that. Cool gun though.
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f3
.30 Stingray
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Post by f3 on Sept 20, 2016 0:26:56 GMT -5
I had a S&W 69, sold it recently to a friend. I loved the size but personally I didn't feel comfortable shooting warm loads through it, my perception was that it's not meant for a lot of that. Cool gun though. From what I have read and what others have posted it was designed and can take continuous use of 44 mag. Paul105 writes of shooting several thousand a piece through the two he has. |
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Post by ChiefTJS on Sept 20, 2016 8:11:16 GMT -5
While my 69 doesn't get a steady diet of the hot stuff, it handles them just fine. Probably at about a thousand rounds through it now with absolutely zero reason to doubt it. Very few guns I've loved as much as this one.
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450ak
.30 Stingray
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Post by 450ak on Sept 20, 2016 11:46:02 GMT -5
I'm on three thousand rounds of a 250 Keith at 1200. Just finished a hundred box of the same bullet at 1300. After this coming weekend the round count will be up another five hundred, all heavy loads.
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Post by warrenpease on Sept 21, 2016 17:11:17 GMT -5
I've always wanted a .44 Special. Maybe I spent too much time reading old time gun writers. I saw this at the local emporium and thought that maybe this was it. I liked the way it felt in my hand and think the size is ideal. How do you all think this would work as a dedicated .44 special compared to the few other options out there? Should I be looking at something else? I live in southern California and buying an older S & W is a challenge.
It seems that guns in .44 special are rare and short-lived in production.
Warren
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paul105
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,664
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Post by paul105 on Sept 21, 2016 17:40:32 GMT -5
Warren,
I don't see any downside. I would bet most of these guns see substantially more .44 special (or .44 special equiv) loads than full on .44 Mag ammo. And the upside is you have .44 mag capability if you need (or want) it. I've shot literally thousands of 240gr SWCs at 875 fps (loaded in .44 mag brass) thru one of mine. I had one of the "coveted" S&W M696 3" .44 specials -- it is gone and the M69 remains.
I say get one and use it as a dedicated .44 special. I think you'll love it.
FWIW,
Paul
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Post by bradshaw on Sept 21, 2016 18:16:24 GMT -5
I've always wanted a .44 Special. Maybe I spent too much time reading old time gun writers. I saw this at the local emporium and thought that maybe this was it. I liked the way it felt in my hand and think the size is ideal. How do you all think this would work as a dedicated .44 special compared to the few other options out there? Should I be looking at something else? I live in southern California and buying an older S & W is a challenge. It seems that guns in .44 special are rare and short-lived in production. Warren *** Warren.... doubt you can bother a Smith & Wesson or Ruger .44 Magnum by firing .44 Special in it. For more than half a century various of my .44 Mags have consumed the ballistic equivalent of .44 Special with bullets DEEP SEATED in magnum brass. This finds the bullet crimped----depending on design----above the front band, or crimped on the ogive. The use of mag brass may be considered an expedient, yet result at target gives up nothing to a conventionally seated .44 Special. In exchange, .44 Mag brass virtually eliminates chamber fouling. Then, when you want to speed-recharge the double action cylinder, the shells drop right in. In this way, .44 Mag brass handles the spectrum of ballistic duties. If you don't reload, and all you have is King Farouk's checkbook, factory .44 Special won't worry those .44 Mag chambers. David Bradshaw |
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f3
.30 Stingray
Posts: 412
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Post by f3 on Sept 25, 2016 11:10:45 GMT -5
Ordered one yesterday. I'm hoping I am not disappointed.
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Post by ezekiel38 on Sept 28, 2016 10:43:27 GMT -5
I love mine handiest 44 I ever carried or used! I have Specials and Magnums but the 69 gets the excercise! Right size and weight, I shoot 250 Keiths at 1K. Recoil is very manageable and the accuracy is top notch. I use Brian Pierce's level II loads for the 44 Special in Mag cases.
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paulg
.375 Atomic
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Post by paulg on Sept 28, 2016 16:10:10 GMT -5
Mine finally came in yesterday. I can't take it home for a couple of weeks. Ive got it on lay-away but I did go by the shop yesterday to fondle it. The double action trigger really surprised me. Very smooth and even through the entire stroke making it feel not as heavy as it is. Fit and finish are very good. No monkey fisted boo boo marks on it anywhere. Perfect size and weight for an everyday packing big bore revolver. To me anyway. Of course the proof is in the shooting. Based on everyone's comments here I expect to be tickled with the targets. I think I've found my Taffin touted perfect packin pistol. It is everything in a double action .44 I've wanted for years but without the wait and cost of having a custom built. Thank you Smith & Wesson. Now just get Ruger to build one. Couple other things. Has anyone replaced the front sight on theirs yet? I'd like a bit thinner front sight or a little more room in the gap on the rear sight. This will be a CCW for me so a little faster on target would be nice. Like others here my eyes ain't what they used to be so a brighter front aiming device would be helpful. And finally thanks to Paul (the OP) for a great review and getting the ball rolling here on the 69.
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Post by medicdave on Sept 29, 2016 3:36:46 GMT -5
Take a look at an xs front and bowen express rear. I haven't found anything faster for me for social work. Not as precise as a black patridge and blade rear, but more than acceptable and much much quicker to put in target. Up close make a lollipop and put the big dot on center mass, out further use the top of the dot as you would a standard sight for a 6 o'clock hold. Shown on my 396ng ccw.   |
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