Got the Model 69, Impressed

[tj3006]

Made a deal I am real happy with !
  I traded a Nice but little used bolt rifle, strait across , and the guy threw in 2 boxes of factory ammo ! I plan to shoot it tomorrow,
I Must admit to being defiantly an old school, guy, And It would be a small surprise if I developed a sudden incontrollable  enthusiasm for new Sn W revolvers, But this thing is well designed, and I bet it shoots well too. 
  Not enthused about the Shrouded barrel thing, the hammer is small for the gun, but I am thinking the reduced mass of metal, is part of why the gun has such a nice trigger pull in both single and double action. 
   The sights are white outline rear and red ramp front.
I could see me changing them out for a Rough country rear, and I do not know what kind of front.
   I see me loading magnum brass with bullets in the 240 to 250 range, to around 1100 fps, for a very potent load, that should not punish the shooter.
If I like it a Holster is needed. 
   Can't think of anything better than than a sourdough pancake,  !...tj
  

[jban]

After you shoot it, I think you'll like it more. I don't mind the shrouded barrel, as long as it works. I've got the 66 short barrel one. The one thing I didn't like, was the blasted finish on it. Fixed that real fast.

[seminolewind]

Don't be surprised if shoots high with the rear sight adjusted all the way down. Fermin or Dawson Precision can fix you up with a taller front sight.

[bula]

With your mentioned velo, I'll just say, deep seat SWC's in mag brass. Wink wink..

[paul105]

My 2.75" with hastily modified Hogue Tamers. Currently my favorite revolver platform. Shoot it a couple of times a week. My .44 Mag practice load is 17.5gr of A2400 under 240 - 265 gr cast pb or gc deep seated to .44 special OAL and crimped over front drive band. Good load in all 44s I've tried it in (especially with 429244 SWCGC). Medium load is 6.5gr of 231/HP38 loaded the same as the 2400 load is another favorite. Lastly 240gr commercial cast, HyTec swcbb, deep seated over 5.0gr WST for a light .44 special load.


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Bowen Rough Country rear and Dawson Precision front:
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Dawson Prec fiber optic front, factory rear.
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Chronoed these from the 2.75” M69. Three rounds at 5 Long paces from muzzle and 68 deg F. Larger sample could change the results a bit. Largest ES was 42 fps. All in new Starline cases and CCI 350 primers.

225gr Barnes XFB with 18.1 gr A#9 avg (1,214 fps (muzzle vel from Labradar)
240gr Cutting Edge Flat Point Mono – 22.6 H110 1,218 fps (1,247 fr 2.5” 329 Alaska Backpacker) Muzzle vel from Labradar
240gr Zero JSP with 24.0gr H110 avg 1,126 fps
240gr JHP Fed Factory avg 1,125 fps (bought at an estate sale “44a 1981 production” – 1,375 fps from 7 ½” RSBH)
260gr WFNGC w/23.0gr H110 avg 1,125 fps
265gr CSWCGC (Lyman Thompson) with 17.5gr A2400 (Deep Seat – crimped over front drive band) 1,119 fps avg
265gr SWCGC (429244) 23.5gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases ---------- 1,162 fps

310gr FNGCDC (Lee) with 20.0gr H110 avg 1,100 fps
325gr WLNGC (BTB) with 22.0gr H110 avg 1,104 fps


The 4 ¼” gun gives 40 to 100 fps additional velocity.

I Was curious, so I bought some 305gr Buffalo Bore and Underwood ammo – here are chrono results.

Buffalo Bore, 305 LBT LFN HC rated 1,325 fps
Underwood, 305 LFNGC Plated (HiTech?) rated 1,325 fps
LabRadar muzzle velocity at 33 deg F

S&W M69 2.75" ===> BB 1,195 fps ===> Under 1,147fps
S&W M69 4.25" ===> BB 1,276 fps ===> Under 1,248 fps
Ruger SRH 7.5" ===> BB 1,395 fps ===> Under 1,315 fps





FWIW

Paul

[owen67]

All this M69 talk in multiple threads is making me want one! I’d been contemplating a L Frame 357, since I only have my K19. Thought I’d get one to take heavy loads. But heck why not just go up to M69. Can go from mild to wild. Hmmmm. Damnit you guys make me crazy.
Now is it a 4” or 2.75” I want? Can’t get both. Well not at once anyways.

[ezekiel38]

I purchased the 4" first and the 2.75 a few years later. Wouldn't get rid of either one of them. The 2.75 fits real nice in a high ride OWB under a nice vest. Comfortable carry.

[blazinbill]

I don't impulse buy guns very often, but the 69 in an exception to that rule. In 2020 when I found out S&W was making them I immediately ordered one from KYGunCO. I was not disappointed when she arrived, but I was seeking woods carrying perfection, so I ordered a Kramer crossdraw horsehide holster, and sent the Smith to Pinnacle for an action job, forcing cone recut, and rounded & polished trigger. The Hogue grips really helped make the recoil manageable for stiff loads. Also installed Bowen rear sight, Dawson fiber optic front, and a cylinder release that covered the Hillary hole. I think she's complete and it's a beauty of a carry gun....small, light, love the smaller hammer (compared to N-frame) that doesn't catch on clothing nearly as much. Honestly I think it is perfection. And load her with Hornady 44 Special Critical Defense and she'll do double duty as defense against two-legged critters.

One more thing: I tried a few different speedloaders and found the Speed Beez wouldn't fit at all (hit frame real hard and loading was anything but smooth). The 5 Star loader is the way to go IMHO. Love the Speed Beez ammo container though.

[tonyrumore]

Both of mine shot way high and had to have the rear sight blade replaced. Also, one of them had the barrel rotate in the frame.  My model 60 had the barrel rotate in the frame as well.

0-3 on my last S&W purchases.  Prior to that was a pair of model 629 no-dash guns bought in the early 80's.  Both had horrible problems with the cylinders backing up.

So...I wouldn't saw S&W quality has gone down hill.....seems about the same for the last 40 years or so.

Tony

[ezekiel38]

SORRY Tony

[owen67]

Dang Tony, you’re about as lucky as I am it appears…..

[webber]

I have been carrying my M69 2.75 inch lately. It is my most favorite revolver. If I do what I supposed to do it shoots very well. I mostly shoot deep seated Keith type bullets. One I had Mountain Molds make shortly before he retires. 258 grain SWC with no crimp groove.

[Encore64]

S&W (like most American Companies) is a hit or miss. I've been looking at several I'm interested in and quality varies excessively.

I just passed on a beautiful M27 Classic due to excessive problems. Barrel gap was .013-.015", cylinder wobbled a bit when rotated and back of the barrel was cut off square.

My M24 and M25 Classics are impeccable in quality.

Ditto on my S&W 69. It's Freedom Arms Tight. The throats were .428", but that was an easy fix. Clements opened them to .430" and I used a 400 Grit Flex-Hone to open them up another .0005".

You just have to shop and look. I'm not confident enough to order S&W, Colt, Ruger or a few others.

[owen67]

I guess that’s the trick- bring your eyes and tools to the brick and mortar and find a good one. Order might be initially cheaper, but you get what they send and then what? Costly shipments and time back to the factory to fix things that are wrong.

[Encore64]

I'm severely OCD and admit to that openly. But, bought an extra Feeler Guage, Dial Caliper, etc for my LGS.

Also, carry the basics to gun shows. It's the only way I've found to end up with the best guns.

Much like most things in life, education and effort pays off...