New Gun Day S&W M69

Picked this up after work today. 2.75" M69 in 44mag.
Changed out the factory grips for some Ahrend's as soon as I got home (I actually bought these grips with this gun in mind when I found out Kim Ahrend was closing up shop) The factory grips were ok but these are so much better.
Double action trigger is nice and smooth, single action is light and crisp.
Hope to put some rounds through it this weekend and see how it shoots.

Obturation said:

That's a good lookin' revolver, compact & handy.
What holster you looking at?

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I'll probably make a leather one for it.

Starting work on a holster for it.

Not my best work, but certainly functional. I guess that's what I get for trying to make a holster while drinking and grilling, haha.

Just wanted to update in case anyone is wondering, trigger gauge shows a consistent 4.75lbs on the single action pull. The double action pull is too heavy for my gauge that tops out at 8lbs, but it is very smooth and feels to me to be between 10-11lbs

Shot a full house magnum at twilight this evening and filmed it in slow motion. I thought the blast and fire ring was pretty cool

nofendertom said:

Always liked Kim Ahrends grips.

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Yep, best aftermarket grips I've tried.

Put a few cylinders worth through it today. Wanted to head to the range but it's just too hot for me. 95* at the moment with 60% humidity and a heat advisory. So I just shot it a bit in the backyard (perfectly legal and safe, i just don't do it much to be courteous to my 70 year old neighbor. )

Shot 15 240gr xtreme plated over 8 grains unique, and 5 240 xtp's over 23.5 win296
The unique load is very tame out of my 8 3/8" M29, and the 296 load is stout enough.

All shots were on the 8" ar500 gong at 20yds. The unique loads weren't terrible recoil wise, but you could definitely feel them. The 296 loads were quite a handful with a lot of muzzle flip. I'm ready for a little cooler weather so I can spend some serious range time with and get comfortable with it. I'll probably load up a mid range 240 hardcast load for woods carry, something that will hit hard, penetrate, and be quicker on followup than the 296 load I currently have.