New S&W Combat Magnum 44

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Cump

Cump

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I'm happy about this purchase. I've been looking for another 44 mag, but with a short barrel.

Brought home this S&W M69 (L-frame) "Combat Magnum." It is lightly used with a reported 5-rounds. I don't know if that is true, but there is no carbon or buildup on the cylinder face, around the forcing cone, in the chambers, etc. Previous owner said he bought it for an Alaskan hunt, put a cylinder of Buffalo Bore through it, took it on the trip, and then never shot it again. Other signs of use are minimal, a few very light scratches and one small ding on the top strap. Probably too much information, but I like these details and what we can extrapolate about the gun's use or misuse.

I've got a holster on order and look forward to working up plinking loads and the heaviest loads (probably still mild) I can still shoot well.

Pics below.

With my Ruger Redhawk:
0109211314.jpg
With my other 5-rounder (SP101)
0109211313.jpg
Will need to retake with another L-frame.
 
They are handy, good shooting little guns.
My woods carry is a 240swc over 10 gns Unique at ~1000fps
I tried some full power w296 240xtp loads, they're accurate and clock over 1100fps, but the noise, recoil, and muzzle blast is more than I wanted.
an xtreme 240gn plated over 8 gns Unique is a good plinking round.


index.php


W296 load
 
Nice pickup! I bet an awful lot of used big bore magnums are bought like your new beauty; after the initial buyer puts a few magnum-load cylinders through it and then set it aside.

The 8.0 gr and 10.0 gr Unique loads listed above are some of my favorites, too. :thumbup:

Let us know how it shoots for you!

Stay safe.
 
Cump said:
I'm happy about this purchase. I've been looking for another 44 mag, but with a short barrel.

Brought home this S&W M69 (L-frame) "Combat Magnum." It is lightly used with a reported 5-rounds. I don't know if that is true, but there is no carbon or buildup on the cylinder face, around the forcing cone, in the chambers, etc. Previous owner said he bought it for an Alaskan hunt, put a cylinder of Buffalo Bore through it, took it on the trip, and then never shot it again. Other signs of use are minimal, a few very light scratches and one small ding on the top strap. Probably too much information, but I like these details and what we can extrapolate about the gun's use or misuse.

I've got a holster on order and look forward to working up plinking loads and the heaviest loads (probably still mild) I can still shoot well.

Pics below.

With my Ruger Redhawk:
View attachment 969306
With my other 5-rounder (SP101)
View attachment 969307
Will need to retake with another L-frame.
Click to expand...

I bought same gun in the 4.2in, but have never shot it. I had a 329 .44 that I had shot. Bought the 69 in a whim. Sleeved barrel unlike my other Smith L frames. Cost cutting measure. Said to shoot great.
 
Cump said:
I'm happy about this purchase. I've been looking for another 44 mag, but with a short barrel.
Click to expand...

Nice find.

The L-frame Model 69 is a nice revolver. I have both the 2-3/4" barrel and 4" barrel versions but I prefer the longer barrel gun. It is a personnel preference though.

Mine have never seen anything than warm 44 Special loads in 44 magnum cases.
 
v8stang289 said:
They are handy, good shooting little guns.
My woods carry is a 240swc over 10 gns Unique at ~1000fps
I tried some full power w296 240xtp loads, they're accurate and clock over 1100fps, but the noise, recoil, and muzzle blast is more than I wanted.
an xtreme 240gn plated over 8 gns Unique is a good plinking round.


index.php


W296 load
Click to expand...


I like the grips.
 
My S&W M69 w/the 2.75" barrel is my go-to carry gun this time of year.
As such, it only sees American Eagle 240 grain JSP magnum rounds.

I just wish they made an L frame snub nose in .41 magnum.
 
Have the 4" myself. Love it. It's my bedside pistol. Doesn't get fire a lot. May have to change that this winter.
 
Hal said:
My S&W M69 w/the 2.75" barrel is my go-to carry gun this time of year.
As such, it only sees American Eagle 240 grain JSP magnum rounds.

I just wish they made an L frame snub nose in .41 magnum.
Click to expand...

I passed on a 2-3/4" Ruger Redhawk round butt .41mag 4yrs ago for $650. Mint condition. Wished I hadn't but that was a large frame. An L in .41 would be ideal.
 
Very Nice! Enjoy! I will second and third the 245 grain 429421 over 7.5 Grains of Unique in .44 Special and 10 Grains in .44 Magnum, 850 fps and +/- 1000 respectively given the barrel length. Those are my favorite in the caliber. Again using Unique I will load the 255 429244 GC over 11 Grains moving around 1050. The last load will get a bit snappy and would probably be the upper end of comfort in the L frame. But if its comfortable I would not fear man nor beast with that load. A few deer have fell to it quite convincingly. I could see where the Buffalo Bore might have been a bit much for the old owner.

++ NOTE: the 7.5 Grain .44 Special load does exceed maximum recommended load in the LYMAN manual where they list 6.9 as max. This is also a good load, very accurate but the 7.5 gives a better burn for me.
 
Congratulations. My current favorite handgun platform. Picked my first (4 1/4") in Jan of 2014. Added the 2 3/4" in May of 2017. I don't get out woods bumming for extended period of time any more (1 1/2 hrs typical). Just drop the 2 3/4" in the back pocket of my Carharts. I've found that the S&W X Frame 500 Hogue Tamers make for comfortable shooting. Modified 500 Hogues (removed finger groves and rounded butt) on the 2 3/4" middle gun in below picture.

M69s%20CW45%20a%20IMG_1096.jpg

FWIW,

Paul
 
wcwhitey said:
I could see where the Buffalo Bore might have been a bit much for the old owner.
Click to expand...

And I hope he chose to run the "lower recoil" version or at least standard pressure. I think the "+P+" 340 grains are too long for the 69 cylinder, so that's reassuring ... And the soft cast "+P" wouldn't make much sense for brown bear.

I can't imagine shooting the 340s. Makes my carpal tunnel flare up thinking about it.
 
Here are some chrono results from the 2 ¾” M69


Competion Electronics at 5 Long paces from muzzle

30 to 70 def f

Results recorded on different days and months.

H110 Load used Mag Primers

New or 1X cases.


240gr JHP, Federal Factory No. 44A production date May ’81 --------------------------------------------- 1,137 fps

240gr JFP (Zero) 23.5gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases -------------------- 1,126 fps

260gr WFNGC (Mt Bul Wks) 23.0gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases ----- 1,125 fps

265gr SWCGC (429244) 17.5gr 2400, seated deep, crimped over fr drive band in Mag cases --- 1,100 fps

265gr SWCGC (429244) 23.5gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases ---------- 1,162 fps

310gr FNGCDC (Lee) 20.0gr H110, seated and crimped in top crimp grove in Mag cases --------- 1,100 fps

325gr LFNGC (BTB) 22.0gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases --------------- 1,104 fps


H110 Load used Mag Primers

New or 1X cases.


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
 
Mohican1 said:
I passed on a 2-3/4" Ruger Redhawk round butt .41mag 4yrs ago for $650. Mint condition. Wished I hadn't but that was a large frame. An L in .41 would be ideal.
Click to expand...

Taurus made the 415, not a Smith but roughly the same size.

I will say though.....you are better off with the 44, more loads available, more power and it has 44 special capabilities. .429vs .410 isn't much really
 
paul105 said:
Here are some chrono results from the 2 ¾” M69


Competion Electronics at 5 Long paces from muzzle

30 to 70 def f

Results recorded on different days and months.

H110 Load used Mag Primers

New or 1X cases.


240gr JHP, Federal Factory No. 44A production date May ’81 --------------------------------------------- 1,137 fps

240gr JFP (Zero) 23.5gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases -------------------- 1,126 fps

260gr WFNGC (Mt Bul Wks) 23.0gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases ----- 1,125 fps

265gr SWCGC (429244) 17.5gr 2400, seated deep, crimped over fr drive band in Mag cases --- 1,100 fps

265gr SWCGC (429244) 23.5gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases ---------- 1,162 fps

310gr FNGCDC (Lee) 20.0gr H110, seated and crimped in top crimp grove in Mag cases --------- 1,100 fps

325gr LFNGC (BTB) 22.0gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases --------------- 1,104 fps


H110 Load used Mag Primers

New or 1X cases.


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
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing your results.
 
And here's a holster I just got for it, a Desantis Thumb-break scabbard. $46. It was advertised to fit 3-inch gp100s and 2.5-3 inch L-frames. It fits the gun, maybe a touch looser than I find ideal, but it holds firm and the gun doesn't shift. About a half-inch extra leather at the muzzle with my 2.75 inch barrel, but I think that is good for field use. Only mod I made was to add a bit of felt below the snap to avoid scratching on the draw.

It holds the gun close with a good belt.

0110211516a.jpg
 
Cump said:
And here's a holster I just got for it, a Desantis Thumb-break scabbard. $46. It was advertised to fit 3-inch gp100s and 2.5-3 inch L-frames. It fits the gun, maybe a touch looser than I find ideal, but it holds firm and the gun doesn't shift. About a half-inch extra leather at the muzzle with my 2.75 inch barrel, but I think that is good for field use. Only mod I made was to add a bit of felt below the snap to avoid scratching on the draw.

It holds the gun close with a good belt.

View attachment 969560
Click to expand...

Real nice rig. Been a DeSantis fan since around '98. Bought a number of them from pocket to belt holsters. Great quality for the money.
 
paul105 said:
Here are some chrono results from the 2 ¾” M69


Competion Electronics at 5 Long paces from muzzle

30 to 70 def f

Results recorded on different days and months.

H110 Load used Mag Primers

New or 1X cases.


240gr JHP, Federal Factory No. 44A production date May ’81 --------------------------------------------- 1,137 fps

240gr JFP (Zero) 23.5gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases -------------------- 1,126 fps

260gr WFNGC (Mt Bul Wks) 23.0gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases ----- 1,125 fps

265gr SWCGC (429244) 17.5gr 2400, seated deep, crimped over fr drive band in Mag cases --- 1,100 fps

265gr SWCGC (429244) 23.5gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases ---------- 1,162 fps

310gr FNGCDC (Lee) 20.0gr H110, seated and crimped in top crimp grove in Mag cases --------- 1,100 fps

325gr LFNGC (BTB) 22.0gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases --------------- 1,104 fps


H110 Load used Mag Primers

New or 1X cases.


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
Click to expand...
Thank you!
Very good info & it confirms what I had estimated.
 
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