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

[paul105]

As mentioned above, I have two M69s -- one just passed 3,000 rounds. Gun is still as tight as when new. It has a bit of gas cutting on the top strap but it's no different in appearance than my 6" half lug 629. The M69 is one of my favorites and would be one of the last to go if it got to that.

FWIW,

Paul

[ezekiel38]

Paul here a couple of photos from two range sessions shooting my 69 @ 20 yds offhand. The flyers are mine, this gun is very accurate. The target with the Orange citing dot was shot with a 44 Spec load at 1K fps and the second target was with a Keith bullet and lots of 2400. Haven't shot jacketed in my 69 as of yet. The Keith load reminded me of my 629 Mtn Gun but completely doable!





Enjoying this 44!

[groo]

Groo here
How hard would it be to make the 69 a 3in?

[medicdave]

I asked about that before groo, and the answer was pretty hard. It's a two peice barrel so the liner would need to be shortened and the outer barrel remachined or a new liner fabricated. Doable but not cost effective.

[bigbores]

I for one think S&W hit this one out of the park!
Adding to the list of smaller powerhouses like Ruger's midsized frame and FA's model 97.

As far as customizing goes, the two piece barrel might not lend its self to shorting but should be pretty cost effective to change calibers, replace the inner barrel and re-chamber the cylinder to a tight 45Colt.

[Markbo]

Boy that didnt take long. One example and the modification & caliber change talk has already begun.

[tangocharlie]

I don't consider myself as particularly recoil sensitive - I own a 5-inch 500 Linebaugh, Contender barrels in things like 444 Marlin, 375 JDJ, 45-70 - but I bought my Model 69 with the intention of using it as a 5-shot .44 Special. I can honestly say that with the grips that came on it, it is unpleasant to shoot with my standard 240 grain cast semi-wadcutter load. The ball of my thumb was bruised. I only put around 40 rounds through it this trip. The adventure continues...

[2 Dogs]

The way I figure it, if the gun had any bad characteristics Paul would have ferretted them out by now. He is so good at describing the little things that seem to matter. I have tried to avoid it, but I guess I am going to have to get me one of these.....

Thanks Paul. Your posts are always excellent.

[Ken O'Neill]

I've been in gun selling mode this year. But ... I'm thinking I might have to have one, too.

[Thunderjet]

Paul,
I think I read somewhere on this thread you bought a set of Hogue grips designed for the S&W 500 and they fit perfectly, correct?

[paul105]

TJ,

Yes, the Hogue 500s, sold only by S&W
www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765464_-1_758003_757843_757837_ProductDisplayErrorView_N

All my K, L, & N Frame round butt S&Ws are so equipped -- everything else just hammers the bone at the base of my thumb.

Handgun grips are very personal, what works for me, may or may not work for you.

Here's a picture of the M69 with the Hogue 500s -- this gun was scoped just for load testing. If you gravitate towards scoped handguns, this makes a handy, fairly lightweight (package weighs about the same as an open sighted 6" half lug 629) and accurate little package. If I was going to use it scoped, I'd replace the 4X Leup with a 2x Leup.



Paul

[Thunderjet]

I do like those grips as I owned a bunch of S&W 500's and a couple of 460's over the last decade. Getting to old for iron sights beyond about 50 yards so might install a Burris Fast Fire III on mine.

[2 Dogs]

One of the advantages of running a gunshop now is that I can back order my Smith model 69 from several distributors. I plan to take a hard look at this one....

[savit260]

Would love to see some pics one of these with something other than Goodyears on them.

[magman]

You can look at a previous thread called grip shopping and see some culina grips on mine.