Smith and Wesson model 69 5 shot 44 mag

I'ma gonna get one too.

I wish either that my state allowed 4" guns or S&W dropped a 5" M69 into the lineup.

As is, I very much like my 5" 629.

I have a 4.2" M69. Nice gun.

I do not shoot magnum rounds in it but 240 grain SWC loaded to about 950-1000 fps. Not that I do not think the gun can't handle it, I just do not care to shoot many magnum rounds any more. If I want wrist snapping recoil, I'll drag out the 460XVR.

Since I cracked a forcing cone in a Model 19 many years ago, I'd probably limit the amount of full power 44 Magnum loads that I shot in my Model 69.

S&W swears that their testing shows the L frame .44 Mag. will stand up to the pounding - they did not say how long though. As far as your hands and wrists go - you will pay the price in the end - trust me on this. I too LOVE to shoot heavy big bore loads but only from a big heavy all steel gun. Shooting .44 Magnums from a light snub WILL take its toll on you over time.

I love mine. I only wish I could have gotten a 3 inch gun. The trigger on mine is VERY heavy, but likely related to "liability Springs", which of course can be easily replaced. The stocks are very comfortable for shooting but ugly as hell, and I'd prefer them not be so long.

What do you consider ".44 Magnums" and "continuous use"?

I have a couple of 2.75" guns that have over 3,000 rnds thru them combined. Ammo has been 240gr JSP/JHP over 24.0gr WW296/H110, 17.5gr A2400 under 265gr SWCGCs deep seated and crimped over front dr band, 260gr WFNGC over 23.0gr H110 and some 300gr over 20gr of WW296/H110 -- predominantly the first two listed.

Also have two 4 1/4" guns. Gun #1 has over 4,000 of the same ammo mentioned above and went back to S&W for binding at 2,200 rnds -- "fixed yoke" and returned at no expense to me. Gun #2 has close to 6,000 rnds down the pipe, 70 percent of which was .44 special equiv loads. the balance as above.

These guns are accurate, easy to carry, and handle recoil surprisingly well (maybe due to the lower bore to grip axis). I like them and shoot them often, mostly the 2 3/4" lately.

FWIW,

Paul

I wouldn't worry about the gun getting beat up. I'd worry about me getting beat up.

Ive been eyeing one of the 2.75" 69's myself. Always been a snubbie fan, and this would fit right in.

I have a 3" 696 in 44SPL, and its a great shooter. My only complaint with it is, its a Lew Horton gun and part of that was it was Mag Na Ported, which fouls the front sight out in a couple of cylinders and is annoying as hell.

Im keeping my eye out for a 29/629 snubbie as well.

someguy2800 said:

I'm a bit concerned that a regular diet of 44 magnums is going to beat it to death.

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Yeah, they might - after a while. I love mine, but mostly shoot 250gr "Keith" SWCs out of it at 800 - 900fps, so it will probably last me the rest of my life.
On the other hand, I'm pretty old, and my arthritic wrists and tendonitis elbows scold me for a week after a couple of cylinders full of full-house 44 Magnum loads - even from a big ol' Ruger Super Blackhawk, let alone a 4" L-frame Smith.
On the other, other hand, that 4" L-frame Smith is sure nice for woods carry, and general, bum around in the hills, creek fishing carry. I guess I could load it with 250gr "Keith" SWCs at 1,200fps if I ever wanted to do more damage to my right wrist and right elbow than I already did in my younger years.

someguy2800 said:

I’m going to order it.

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I don't think you'll ever be sorry.

Reccomend the x frame grip if you plan on shooting it much. I have not made my mind up about the dot sight but its a leupold on a jp mount . Bianchi holster with a slight cutout. Carries well and shoots well, can get 1270 with 240 xtp using 296 but very loud. 1150 using 4227 much nicer and quite accurate

someguy2800 said:

huhwhat???

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Ohio limits handguns to 5" or longer barrels for hunting deer. They must also be .357 caliber or larger. It's a deer hunting regulation, not a possession ban.

I’m enjoying my 4” M69
However, I don’t care to shoot heavy magnums. Recoil is BRISK! And sharp. I think it can handle more magnums than you can...

It’s reasonably accurate, and is most satisfying with .44spl’s at ~800fps. Spls drop from the cylinders cleanly. Now, if someone made speed loaders that fit...

GooseGestapo said:

I’m enjoying my 4” M69
Now, if someone made speed loaders that fit...

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I use HKS "CA44" speed loaders for my 696. 5 shot 44 loaders, I believe are made specifically for the Charter Arms 44's. Its not a "perfect" fit for the S&W, but they are real close and do work.

I dont know for a fact that the 69 and 696 cylinders are the same spacing, but Im assuming they would be. Be worth the try anyway.

The “CA44” speedloaders do work with the model 69, and the taurus tracker .44 as well.

I have one of the S&W 69 5 shot .44 Mag. but it has a 4.2" barrel.

labnoti said:

Ohio limits handguns to 5" or longer barrels for hunting deer. They must also be .357 caliber or larger. It's a deer hunting regulation, not a possession ban.

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Bingo!

I had one, and mostly shot 44 Special type loads in it. Good shooting gun. The grips were ugly, but were great for shooting. It would have been hard to beat for a bumming around gun.

The only reason I sold it was some other bright, shiny thing caught my eye.

CajunBass said:

The grips were ugly, but were great for shooting.

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Those type grips have been my only complaint about the newer S&W's. They look good, but for me, theres a couple of flaws that are really annoying, and for the snubbies, I replace them with the Hogue "Bantam" grips, full size, get the round butt conversions. (Thats another thing S&W screwed up on, doing away with the "square butt" on the 4" and larger guns.)

The grips actually from a dull "knife edge" where they come together at the rear, which drives right into the palm of your hand when you shoot, just amplifying the recoil.

The other thing that bugged me, was the grips being offset from the frame, moves my trigger finger back, and its not in the right place for DA shooting (I shoot DAO).

Hogues grips do two things, they put the flat of the frame against the palm of your hand, and the rear of the grips have a flatter radius, which helps spread and absorb the recoil. And since they place the grips in the same place as the old factory Magnas, with the backstrap exposed, my trigger finger is where it belongs for proper DA shooting.

Probably more of a personal matter, but it really bugs me, and I already have a couple of set of Hogues of both types on hand, just so Im ready for the inevitable "next" gun I just gotta have.

I looked at one again a few weeks ago, with a .44Spl GP100 in the other hand. It's very obvious how they've beefed up the frame in the crane/yoke/barrel shank area. Came REALLY close to bringing it home but still feel it would cover the same bases as my 629MG.

AK103K said:

Always been a snubbie fan

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Me too. I was doing some gun counter lookie-Louing at a Model 69 when I noticed it's snub N-frame counterpart next to it. I actually liked the 629 a lot better. It balanced beautifully, had a better trigger, and, subjectively, the weight didn't seem that different to me.