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Post by bushog on Jul 26, 2023 18:59:29 GMT -5
In an L frame 45 Colt can you really do any more than a 44? Hot 300 grain loads break my grip in the model 69 and make follow up shots much slower. Maybe Magnaporting would help in that regard and make 45 more approachable. Heavy 44 special are perfect in an L frame. I'd be more interested in having a 396 cylinder fit to a model 69 www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1195370A certain smith has one of those cylinders along with a rebored mtn gun barrel and a square butt 686 now…… Don’t forget the 5 shot pawl if needed. Just sayin… |
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Post by tentcamper on Jul 31, 2023 19:13:38 GMT -5
These sure are sweet.  Attachments:
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Post by tomrkba on Sept 7, 2023 22:35:04 GMT -5
I dunno…the recoil with even Federal AE 44A will be brutal. It’s bad enough in my 629 3”. The most I would do would be Georgia Arms 44 Magnum 240’s at 1,000 FPS.
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Post by dougader on Sept 8, 2023 3:56:56 GMT -5
Full power 240's in 44 mag are stout, but not unmanageable. I also prefer 44 Spl in the 69, but even heavy Keith loads are pretty stout in the 69 snubby... but again, not unmanageable.
I'd use 240 lead hp's in 44 Spl for deer, 240 jsp/cast swc in 44 mag for black bear defense.
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Post by ezekiel38 on Sept 8, 2023 8:07:52 GMT -5
My 69 shoots 245 Keiths at 1100fps all day long. Great concept for a large bore revolver. The 5 shot L frame just works. I had a 696 but I was always afraid of splitting the forcing cone with moderate 44 Spl loads. Sold it! Didn't purchase the Ruger GP in 44 Spl for the same reason as I sold the 696. But the 69 has solved the forcing cone problem. And my 69 shoots better than my (heresy?) Pre 29 5" 44 Mag. Mainly because the L frame fits me better.
For the record the Pre 29 is no slouch, anywhere, but the 69 is that good.
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Post by tomrkba on Sept 8, 2023 11:03:47 GMT -5
My 69 shoots 245 Keiths at 1100fps all day long. Great concept for a large bore revolver. The 5 shot L frame just works. I had a 696 but I was always afraid of splitting the forcing cone with moderate 44 Spl loads. Sold it! Didn't purchase the Ruger GP in 44 Spl for the same reason as I sold the 696. But the 69 has solved the forcing cone problem. And my 69 shoots better than my (heresy?) Pre 29 5" 44 Mag. Mainly because the L frame fits me better. For the record the Pre 29 is no slouch, anywhere, but the 69 is that good. Dangit. You all are TERRIBLE. Now I have to buy one of these to test it out. |
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Post by bula on Sept 9, 2023 13:42:39 GMT -5
Went as far up the line, load-wise, as to run a cylinder of BB 305 WFN's. Haven't finished with the 300 big meplat SWC's from Missouri Bullets, in special brass yet. Recoil, vs the 29's, not as bad as you think, bore is lower, closer to your hand.
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Post by paul105 on Sept 9, 2023 19:24:03 GMT -5
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
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gregs
.327 Meteor
Posts: 530 
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Post by gregs on Sept 10, 2023 9:09:34 GMT -5
Found a line on a 4" 625 barrel and called JRH about converting a 69 to 45 Colt.
Jack said it was a no-go to rechamber the cylinder as it was maxed out in 44 mag. A new cylinder would have to be made.
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gnappi
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,610
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Post by gnappi on Sept 18, 2023 6:56:35 GMT -5
Since Ruger does not offer a SRH in anything but a snubby or 7.5" and I doubt they have plans for a Toklat 5" run, I have been looking at the 69 in 4.25". It's good to see so many positive comments on them because the truth be told I've sorely missed my 629's and I just may going in the shorter 629 direction anyway.
More to come...
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DutchV
.30 Stingray
Posts: 166
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Post by DutchV on Sept 18, 2023 20:52:59 GMT -5
Since Ruger does not offer a SRH in anything but a snubby or 7.5" and I doubt they have plans for a Toklat 5" run, I have been looking at the 69 in 4.25". It's good to see so many positive comments on them because the truth be told I've sorely missed my 629's and I just may going in the shorter 629 direction anyway. More to come... There's plenty of long barrel SRH for sale. Cutting the barrel and moving the front sight back wouldn't be a big deal. Not that I'd talk you out of a model 69, either. |
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mooshoo
.30 Stingray
same as before except retired
Posts: 181
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Post by mooshoo on Sept 20, 2023 10:53:27 GMT -5
i bought a smith 69, its rank with 44 magnums, but i use 44 spl and 240 bullets a 1000fps all i can say is that's just right
i'd also like to see the 41 mag in a 69 with a 4'' barrel super cool!
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Post by tdbarton on Sept 20, 2023 19:49:45 GMT -5
Big fan of the M69 myself. Had the throats opened to .4305", New Grips and a Tromix Cylinder Latch put on mine. It's one of my favorite woods carry guns. I'd definitely buy one in 45 Colt or ACP/Auto Rim... Seconded. I love my M69 - Huey made me buy one. |
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Post by bradshaw on Sept 20, 2023 20:09:13 GMT -5
Other than it represents everyone’s favorite number, I will not understand the Model 69 until i’ve tried it with 240 SWC deep seated over 5.5/Winchester 231 or selfsame Hodgdon HP-38. Or, with slightly more oomph from deep seating over 10.6/HS-6, both with standard primer. (Use mag primer if that’s all you have.)
Why not the M-69 over the M-29?
Simple, Watson. I’ve lived with the M-29 4” .44 Mag for at least two generations. All this time it never let me down. Called upon to pretend it’s a rifle, the stubby M-29 actually came through. I am not good enough to do the same with the M-69, any more than I’m ready to pet a water moccasin. Power to those who have a Model 69 and it loves them.
David Bradshaw
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
They call me…Andrew
Posts: 2,757
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Post by awp101 on Apr 30, 2024 7:06:12 GMT -5
Necrobump because I find myself desiring a .44 Special launcher and I've driven myself to analysis paralysis. I'm generally drawn to 4" revolvers but I am finding my 3" 686+ to be pleasant as well. How differently do the 4.25" and 2.75" M69s handle? Or is there really not enough difference to notice?
If I'm just shooting poofter loads (think Russian in a .44 Special case) for plinking fun and the Skeeter load as my top end, am I really giving up any significant performance with the shorter barrel?
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