S&W Model 69 (L Frame .44 Magnum), 4 ¼” Bbl.

[450ak]

Fire lapped mine with ten rounds. I use 320 grit clover. Haven't cleaned the barrel since and my round count is over four thousand.

[ChiefTJS]

I did a stainless .357 Blackhawk a few months ago with 320 and it took 50 rounds, I think I could go further but I got improvement so for now I'm calling it good. I may run a few 600's down some other guns just to see the effect.

[nolongcolt]

Oct 6, 2016 8:04:09 GMT -5 450ak said:

Fire lapped mine with ten rounds. I use 320 grit clover. Haven't cleaned the barrel since and my round count is over four thousand.

Not cleaned at all in over 4K rounds??

[450ak]

The barrel is clean because the cast Keith bullets fit so there is no leading. Nice lube star on the muzzle using two home brew lubes. Most of what I shoot powder wise is wc820.

[nolongcolt]

Do you even clean out the powder fouling? A little Hoppes maybe? Cannot imagine not cleaning guns after shooting.

[paulg]

I ordered the 500 grips this morning and my Sourdough is in the mailbox as I'm tapping on this keypad. A good day for my 69.

[450ak]

The cylinder and frame window are cleaned regularly. The barrel is not in need of cleaning

[450ak]

My barrel is well seasoned with my lube, powder and primer combo. It will hit where the front sight is unlike a clean barrel or a bullet with different lube. I'll try to get a picture for what thats worth.
The pachmayer diamond pro grips are pretty good so far. The recoil hits my palm rather than the web of my hand. Need more testing as usual....

[mike454]

Oct 7, 2016 10:29:09 GMT -5 nolongcolt said:

Do you even clean out the powder fouling? A little Hoppes maybe? Cannot imagine not cleaning guns after shooting.

I have a few guns that I shoot regularly that go well over a thousand rounds with out cleaning the barrel. Two Les Baers in 45 acp never seem to lead as well as a stainless ruger bisley in acp.

[nolongcolt]

To each his own I guess. If I shoot a gun, I clean it same day, no exceptions. I like to get the powder out if nothing else.

[bulasteve]

A new M69 followed me home from a LGS last eve.. Gonna scrounge the basement for loads,cases, see what chamber mouth dia's are holster fitting session etc.. in a few minutes here. Then some shooting ! Nephew has newish SP101 357 that need to get dirty too.

[bulasteve]

Strangely but happily, found two holsters here that I can use in a pinch. One a open bottomed slide by Bianchi that usually has the Bulldog in it but fits a Kahr and now the M69 too. The other a holster from the Ruger website that came for the NM BH Ft and NM Vaq Sheriff ! I cut the bottom off the Ruger emblemed one to Sheriff length but it nicely fits the 4.2" M69 too. I continue to like my choice of this frame size vs the N's or an Alaskan, which were the other guns on my short list for this niche. I shot a wide mix of loads yesterday from 255WFN on a bunch of 2400, loads meant for the SBH, to Bulldog level 44spec loads. These being various bullets on 6-7grs of Unique. Going forward am gonna run some 200gr XTP's thru to break in a bit, maybe just a habit I guess. Then will likely try some deep seated in mag case loads. A front sight change may have to happen. A Dawson F/O maybe ?

[paulg]

Glad you got one Steve. Do yourself a favor and go ahead and order the Smith 500 grips they make a substantial difference in the feel. Especially under heavier recoil. Plus they look a dern sight better to me than the factory ones.

[rangersedge]

Can you post a link to where we can purchase these?

I can't find them on Smith's website.

[paulg]

Nov 21, 2016 18:53:23 GMT -5 rangersedge said:

Can you post a link to where we can purchase these?

I can't find them on Smith's website.

Here ya go.
store.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765464_-1_758003_757843_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N