Took the 69 out again,

[tj3006]

I got my 3 HKS speed loaders and they work fine, 

  The Grip is not cut out perfectly for the use of the speed loaders, but it works pretty well.
   Got the MSG from Rob My Sourdough is on the way, And I ordered a fiber Optic front sight from Dawson Precision.  went with .300.
   I really like the Gun, but How could smith get the front sight so wrong ?
   My guess is they used 180 grain bullets ?
   I was Using some Old Black hills ammo I had with a 250 grain Cast , I clocked at 1157 FPS, And My group with the rear sight Bottomed out was almost 3 and a 1/5 inches hi !  At 50 feet !, rested on a sleeping bag.  I figure better a we bit to tall than to short.
   I was minorly Perturbed with my self as my Groups were real good for windage, but my Elevation was not near so good ! Like . .75 for windage but 2.25 for elevation.
I think a square fiber optic rod in the front would sure help with the vertical stringing !...tj

[Encore64]

TJ, that might be grip inconsistencies instead of sights.

Those small, lightweight revolvers really jump when you shoot them. You really have to keep the grip the same on every shot or they'll really string vertically...

[tj3006]

I never, really thought about the grip as far as changing the impact point.
Are saying because of the Recoil the muzzle rises differently based on how I Grip the revolver ?
That seems logical for sure !...tj

[ezekiel38]

Glad you're getting on with the 69. Just love mine, my stringing problem went away when I put VZ grips on. Mine are the rough texture Tacticals and they do anchor the grip into the hand. If I shot more than 25-30 full house loads at one setting with the VZs I'd wear a glove. But for a quick 5 in a defense mode they work perfectly. The Rubber Hogue round butt grips work awesome too, just can't do rubber on a handgun, unless it's a J frame.

[bula]

This all reminds me I need further tweeking of a 300gr large meplat SWC seated in Special brass, just for my M69 loading. Too long in mag brass, better ejection in Special brass, for when penetration the goal. Yup, da bear load. These are neat guns.

[tonyrumore]

Both of mine can be sighted-in with 180 and 200 grain loads, but anything heavier, and they both shoot way high.
If you send the gun back to Smith, they will install a lower rear sight blade, not a taller front sight.

Tony

[ezekiel38]

The taller front sight forces the muzzle down. I paid $12.00 for the front sight blade and installed it myself. Lot cheaper than shipping a gun to anyone and replacing a rear sight blade.

[bradshaw]

Aug 29, 2022 15:43:23 GMT -5 tonyrumore said:

Both of mine can be sighted-in with 180 and 200 grain loads, but anything heavier, and they both shoot way high.
If you send the gun back to Smith, they will install a lower rear sight blade, not a taller front sight.

Tony

*****

Trade one disease for another: the problem with a shallow notch----bottom of notch distracts eye from SEMI-FOCUS on the PLANE of the rear sight. Sighting is done on the PLANE of the FRONT & REAR SIGHTS, not below it. A deep rear sight notch does not act as a visual magnet to distract the eye. Further, a shallow notch makes vague the shaft of light on either side of the front blade, making windage hold more difficult.
David Bradshaw

[paul105]

There are several different threads on the M69 sights and POI so I'll just post this once here.

Original 4.25" M69s shot high with rear sight bottomed out using standard magnum 240gr + loads.
.
Target shot with my Q1 2014 4.25" M69. Benched at 25 yds with POA center diamond for all loads. Two shots with each load to minimize recoil induced fatigue and reduce target clutter.
.

.
Rear sight on left is what came with the original 4.25" gun. S&W provided sight on right move POI down.
.

.
On my personal guns, I've used:

the original rear (taller one in above picture) with taller front from Dawson Precision
the S&W replacement rear (shorter one in above pic) with factory front sight
the Bowen Rough Country Rear with Dawson Front.
and various Dawson fronts

Don't know the exact date, but later guns came from the factory with the shorter rear sight.

If they are available, the Bowen Rough Country provides the best sight picture for me.

FWIW,

Paul

[webber]

At very close to 70 I am becoming more humbled toward dot sights. Humbleness in accepting old age and the attendant maladies that come with it.

[paul105]

I use the dots, but can't convince myself of their reliability for other than range use. Yes, I know lots of folks have them on their every day carry guns.
.

.
I'm soon to be 76, so I understand where Webber is coming from.

Paul

[seminolewind]

I'm bumping 70 myself and have dot sights on many of my hunting and carry guns. They haven't been trouble free, but the technology has improved greatly over the past decade.