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Post by bradshaw on Mar 24, 2020 12:47:03 GMT -5
Have the 4.2" and it's a great revolver. Brian Pearce load of 8.5 grains of Power Pistol that is pleasingly accurate and 950fps, 17-18K on pressure. My 69 loves it. ***** For Doc Barranti, This is the most beautiful basket weave I’ve seen in ages. Your treatment around the tension screw electrifies. And the whole: a true aesthetic statement. David Bradshaw
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Post by callmaker on Mar 24, 2020 16:20:20 GMT -5
Picked up my 2.75” Model 69 today.
It will be a few days before I can shoot. But the grips are comfortable to hold and handle at least. I do have a set of Hogues in waiting, just in case things change under recoil.
This is what I know about it right now... 4.25 lbs SA trigger pull, my tool can’t read the DA pull, but it is about what I expected nowadays. 0.005” b/c gap. Forcing cone looks symmetrical, and rifling looks good enough for me. All throats accept a 0.429” pin for pass through but not 0.430”.
It seems like a nice tight lock up... not to the quality of my customs for sure, but better than most factory revolvers I have seen for a few years. I’m hopeful, because it looks like they actually tried to make a nice revolver. If it shoots well, it may be tough not to get the 4” version.
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Post by matt56 on Mar 24, 2020 23:38:39 GMT -5
I had a 69 four incher but I had to let it go last year. It was a really solid gun. I didn’t really enjoy shooting full house loads out of it so I dialed it down a little.
My favorite load was 12 grains of unique behind a 210 grain Gold Dot. This was a solid 1200 FPS load and shot great from my 69.
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Post by Doc Barranti on Mar 25, 2020 14:07:03 GMT -5
***** For Doc Barranti, This is the most beautiful basket weave I’ve seen in ages. Your treatment around the tension screw electrifies. And the whole: a true aesthetic statement. David Bradshaw Thank you, Sir!
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Post by tonyrumore on Mar 28, 2020 17:01:19 GMT -5
Here's a pic of a 4" 69 in a Milt Sparks holster. I don't really care for it, due it being so wide across the cylinder. Between the leather being overly thick and then doubling it up, it just needlessly bloats the holster.
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Post by rangersedge on Mar 28, 2020 20:18:28 GMT -5
I have a Barranti Hank Sloan with bear paw and hammered finish for mine. No complaints.
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Post by callmaker on Jun 13, 2020 12:49:40 GMT -5
Just a bit of update here...
Put a few rounds through the 2.75” S&W 69. Just plinking around at a few jugs and such. This revolver continues to impress me. Some handloaded rounds of 10 thru 11 grains CFE Pistol with 240 grain XTPs and 240 grain Winchester JSPs at 10 grains CFE Pistol. This is a very comfortable load range in the little 5 shot and still packs a decent punch!
I’ve got some 250 grain cast hollow points I’m wanting to try soon.
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Post by Frank V on Jun 13, 2020 20:36:57 GMT -5
Just talked to my local gun dealer and ordered a S&W Model 69 in the 2.75" barrel. I've been on a mission with .45 and .475 Blackhawks for a number of years, so somehow I totally missed the existence of the model 69 until recently when I read paul105's posts about his work with them. That was all the excuse I really needed. The L frame 44 seems ideal to me. I never warmed up to the N frames, but always enjoyed my 686. So this .44 seems like a great idea for in the woods, riding atvs,hiking etc. I've got some factory 240 jhp 44 mag and 200 gr lead 44 Special loads. BUT I intend to roll a few of my own with H110 and maybe some HS6 since I have both on hand now. I know all guns are unique in their tastes but, but any bullet suggestion or something y'all have seen working well? The Lyman 429421 has worked well for me for a lot of years.
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Post by blackmamba on Jun 14, 2020 18:33:16 GMT -5
I would sure love to see a model 69 in 41 magnum! That offering would incite me to purchase my first S&W with a lock. Especially with a 5" barrel.
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Post by bradshaw on Jun 15, 2020 12:27:29 GMT -5
“.... ordered a S&W Model 69 in the 2.75" barrel... intend to roll a few of my own with H110 and maybe some HS6....” ----callmaker
*****
callmaker.... been shooting water jugs, lined up for a look at behavior & penetration. Recovered, a couple days ago, a commercial cast 243 grain SWC Bevel Base, DEEP SEATED over 10.6/HS-6 in Federal .44 Mag brass. Roll crimp .030” above front band case. COL=1.500”. Velocity probably in neighborhood of 1050 fps. Fired @ 25 feet, the bullet penetrated 12 water jugs----penetration 66-inches----exiting jug #12 @ 3 o’clock, 2” right pf center. Straight penetration, veering slightly right in jugs #11 & 12. Bullat came to rest 27 feet beyond the last jug and 8’ to the right. Engraving of the lands the only deformation.
The above load records 5x5-shots=5" to 6” group @ 100 yards. Reckon you could shoot this load forever in your M-69. The deep seating should hold the pressure dome rearward a bit, for less muzzle blast and a bit of free velocity in your 2.75-inch .44 Mag.
I would also try the same bullet deep seated over 5.5/Hodgdon HP-38 or Winchester 231 (both are Olin 231). Velocity probably around 800 fps. Accuracy a bit tighter: 5x5 shots=4 to 5” @ 100 yards. The same bulletin Flat Base is more accurate, especially as it’s pushed.
These loads and others in class provide sight & squeeze familiarity conducive to marksmanship. David Bradshaw
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Post by callmaker on Jun 15, 2020 15:34:10 GMT -5
I’ve been reading a bit about deep seating on here from you and also a couple others. I’ve never had reason to try it before, but this circumstance seems to beg for it. I think that may well be my next project for the little L frame.
HS6 and 231 are already in my cabinet anyway...
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Post by rangersedge on Jun 15, 2020 21:37:25 GMT -5
I wonder how many people have purchased 69s as a direct or indirect result of Paul105's posts. I'd guess it is a heckuva lot, maybe more.
I know his posts were the major factor for me getting one and i've shared my thoughts about (allowed others to shoot) my 69 since.
Just a really nice revolver and excellent write-ups by Paul.
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Post by callmaker on Jun 16, 2020 6:52:27 GMT -5
Paul105’s posts were the only reason I even heard of the model 69. He was right... it’s a sweet revolver. Its tough to talk myself out of getting the 4.25” version as well.
Should be ordering an X frame grip for it soon too. The Hogues I had left the back of the frame exposed. The factory grips are fine for 44 Special power, but the warmer magnum stuff has a little bite in the palm. Not too bad, but it’s there. If I wanted to conceal it, I’d stick with the factory grips... just a few full power rounds in time of need would be fine. Range time is where the extra cushion is needed.
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Post by bula on Jun 16, 2020 7:30:50 GMT -5
Life has gotten kinda busy, confusing. So I haven't yet myself put an F/O front sight on my M69 or Alaskan, as I keep mentioned I want to. But they seem to beg for it.
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Post by tonyrumore on Jun 16, 2020 16:27:16 GMT -5
If you view the top of the barrel rib where it meets the frame, do the grooves in the barrel line up with the grooves in the frame? I have two 69's and both have the same issue with alignment. One of them is WAY off.
Tony
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