Got the Model 69, Impressed

[marcruger]

I may be late to the show, but the standard old style S&W thumb latch button covers over a lot of the sideplate lock. I think it looks better than either option shown above, but then, I am more traditional.

[messybear]

Lots of good info about the 69 in this thread!
Thanks guys for all that

[bradshaw]

Aug 13, 2022 17:58:10 GMT -5 tj3006 said:

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
  

*****

Having shot some M-69’s, I’m not about to trade-in my old 4” M-29, which has had enough rounds S&W set back the barrel to eliminate forcing cone erosion. Model 69’s I’ve shot appear & behave like they're built right. Rather shoot stout loads in the M-29. Even so, much prefer the Pachmayr gripper or Pachmayr small Presentation for upper level loads. Vast majority of ammo, and my hand doesn’t care whether the grip is Pachmayr or wood, consists of cast 240-250 SWC DEEP SEATED over 5.5/Win 231 (or selfsame HP-38), and same bullet DEEP SEATED over 10.6/HS-6. While those are .44 Special category loads, convenience & cleanliness dictate .44 Mag brass. Standard LP primer, although mag primers present no hiccups.

Recoil
That is the way I’d load an M-69. Recoil-wise, I prefer the S&W J frame M-640 Centennial (2-1/8” bbl) with .357 Mag to a sawed-off M-69 with .44 Mag, and neither are my idea of sustained enjoyment. No interest in shooting an M-69 with wood grip, unless it is with one of the above deep seated loads. Most of the mag shooting, and deer slaying, done with the old 4” M-29 relied on Federal 180 JHP, or handload Hornady 200 JHP (pre-XTP). Recoil jumps with velocity, especially in a small gun; the recoil difference huge between 900 fps and 1,100 fps.

Jumps in velocity from a small pistol sound casual in print, smack hard in the hand. Mild loads train nerves to continue smooth under pressure. The road to marksmanship with a big bore snubbie.
David Bradshaw

[tj3006]

Strang, I shot some pretty stout loads in My model 69. and I did not find irt I used rubber grips,,,tjto bad,

[ezekiel38]

Been playing with a SD load for my 2.75" as I believe this model finally solves the L frame razor thin 44 Spl guns. I'm shooting a 185grain LSWCHP over a dose of AA5 in Special cases for a tight shooting load that does 957fps average and has a SD 0f 12. This is for my carry around load in low country. Recoils like a 38/44 load.