Thoughts on the S&W 69?

Light weight 5 shot L frame. Not much else to say. Nice gun for carry, if 5 shot .44 is what you want. I used it for as a bedside piece, but have opted to keep my 5" 629 there instead. 1 more round, heaftier gun.

I’ve got one.
It shoots well. Especially with target level .44Spl loads.
Full power .44Magnums are a bit much. It won’t take a lot of shooting them to get your fill of recoil.
I like that it comes with a pinned front sight. I replaced the ramp with a Patridge post front sight.

Factory grips leave a bit to be desired, but any K-frame round butt grips fit. I bought a set of the Smith grips for sale on eBay made in Thailand. I’m pleased with them.
5.5gr of HP38 under a 240-255gr .430” SWC shoots 1.5” groups at 25yds.

It’ll do!
But I do miss the 6th shot...

GooseGestapo said:

It shoots well. Especially with target level .44Spl loads.
Full power .44Magnums are a bit much. It won’t take a lot of shooting them to get your fill of recoil.

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I just picked one up recently and I echo these observations. Twenty magnum loads were enough. My dad's Special reloads were quite accurate and managable.

I'll consider the 69 to be a Special revolver that I can load magnums occasionally if hunting/hiking/camping.

I have the 4.25 barrel--the 2.75 looks nuts with magnum loads.

I enjoyed the 69 more than my 3 inch 686. So much that I traded the 686 for a Henry 44.

I had the longer version a few years ago and traded it straight across for my Webley Mk.VI

It’s not that I didn’t like the 69, because I really did. I just wanted a good Webley that bad...

As for the 69, it shot great for me especially with the addition of X-frame hogue grips. If I ever decide I need another .44mag, it will most likely be an M69 that I buy.

I agree with all of the above. If you plan on a steady diet of full power .44mag I would step up to the N frame, if not, I can’t imagine being disappointed with the 69. Very nice revolvers.

I have both the 4.2" barrel and 2.75" barrel versions of the Model 69. They shoot like any S&W revolver.

I have not, or plan to run any full power loads through mine. I'm beyond the need for all that fire and brimstone on a regular basis these days. I have a 460XVR for that.

I load hot 44 Special level loads in 44 Magnum cases and enjoy shooting them in the Model 69's..

If I were to shoot full power loads, I'd treat the Model 69 like the Model 19 and limit the number of full power loads shot in the guns. That would be at least until the model has been in service a while longer.

Don't own one but spent a lot of time looking them over.

I'd use 44 special hardcast for about 90 % of applications, but should you need a backup sidearm in big pred country you could load big and that would be good medicine on the hip for the weight involved, which definitely starts to add up if you're hiking afield.

Love it!

EmGeeGeorge said:

So anyone who actually has a -69 care to share their thoughts?

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I like mine - a lot. I'd like it a lot more if it was a .41 Mag.
I only shoot medium-power loads in mine. When I bought it, my wife and I were doing a lot of back-country hiking and backpacking, and I intended to carry my Model 69 loaded with full-power loads in case we encountered an onery grizzly - which we never did. From the start though, I never figured my Model 69 would stand up to a steady diet of full-power 44 Magnum loads, nor would my wrist and right elbow.
The same principles would apply if it was a .41 Mag of course. It's just that I'm one of those weird .41 Mag fans, so I'd like my Model 69 better if it was a .41 Mag.

I have the 2.75" M69.
It's my Winter carry gun.
I suspect it might actually be stronger than my 70s era M29.

The L frame easily handles the pressure of the .357 magnum - 35,000 psi - the .44 mag is 36,000 psi.
The 5 shot cylinder has more meat over and under the bolt stops.

I carry American Eagle 240 grain JHP .44 magnums in mine.
Everything I've read, heard and seen put this load at around 1150 fps out of the 2.75" barrel.
That's pretty much the ideal velocity.

I think the heavies, like the 310 and 330 grain slugs, would do a lot of damage - as well as be just plain miserable to shoot.
Sticking to 200, 220 and 240 grain slugs & the gun should run a long time.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/i-shot-a-69-the-other-day….905317/#post-12290781

I posted a bit on my new 4.25” Model 69 a few weeks back.

A great gun IMHO.

Stay safe.

I like mine, it’s the 4.25”. Mine is very accurate with both my full power and my mild reloads. The full power are a handful but manageable, I mostly run run 240 LSWC at about 850 fps through it. My full power are my hunting load with a 240 XTP and 296 that I load for my SRH, the 69 will put them in a nice group if I do my part and ignore the recoil.

I've had both barrel lengths since they first came out. My favorite is the 2.75". Load it the desired level of power for your needs and enjoy. Here are some chrono results taken over time:


Chronoed these from the 2.75” M69. Three rounds at 5 Long paces from muzzle and 68 deg F. Larger sample could change the results a bit. Largest ES was 42 fps. All in new Starline cases and CCI 350 primers.


225gr Barnes XFB with 18.1 gr A#9 avg (1,214 fps (muzzle vel from Labradar)
240gr Cutting Edge Flat Point Mono – 22.6 H110 1,218 fps (1,247 fr 2.5” 329 Alaska Backpacker) Muzzle vel from Labradar
240gr Zero JSP with 24.0gr H110 avg 1,126 fps
240gr JHP Fed Factory avg 1,125 fps (bought at an estate sale “44a 1981 production” – 1,375 fps from 7 ½” RSBH)
260gr WFNGC w/23.0gr H110 avg 1,125 fps
265gr CSWCGC (Lyman Thompson) with 17.5gr A2400 (Deep Seat – crimped over front drive band) 1,119 fps avg
265gr SWCGC (429244) 23.5gr H110, seated and crimped in crimp grove in Mag cases ---------- 1,162 fps
310gr FNGCDC (Lee) with 20.0gr H110 avg 1,100 fps
325gr WLNGC (BTB) with 22.0gr H110 avg 1,104 fps



The 4 ¼” gun gives 40 to 100 fps additional velocity.


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


Some more loads -- from a 4.25" bbl

the 4 loads with 240gr below are Laser Cast SWC BBs
240gr, 5.6gr HP38, ... 739 fps avg, 36 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.502).
240gr, 6.5gr HP38, ... 883 fps avg, 32 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.502).
240gr, 9.4gr Longshot, ... 1,078 fps avg, 18 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.502).
240gr, 10.6gr HS6, ....... 1,035 fps avg, 24 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.502).

240gr, Federal Fact (No. 44A), ..... 1,217 fps avg, 12 fps ES
(We chroned this load at 1,375 fps from a 7 1/2" Bisley Hunter.
240gr Horn JHP XTP, 24.0gr H110 …… 1,323 fps (Hodgdon says 1,522 fps from 8.275” Bbl)
250gr Keith SWC (429421), 21.1gr A2400 …… 1,250 fps (WLPs, crimped in crimp grove for nomal OAL)
260gr LBT, WFNGC gr H110 …. 1,224 fps (Crimped in crimp grove for normal OAL) -- THIS IS MAX LOAD
265gr SWCGC, 17.5gr A2400,...... 1,142 fps avg, 37 fps ES (WLPs, seated deep and crimped over front dr band (OAL 1.570).
When seated deep (as was done here), this load will run right at or a bit above 1,200 fps from a 6" barrel.


I've had redhawks, blackhawks, super redhawks, super blackhawks, various M29s/329s/629s and The M69 in both bbl lengths are my favorite double action revolver platform

FWIW,

Paul

I am probably one of the few here that had one and let it go. I got the 2.75 in a trade but decided I really wanted a 4 or 5 inch N-frame. It shot and carried fine, but I sold it. Instead of a revo replacement, I think the money went toward my Miroku Win 92 in 44mag.

I am probably one of the few here that had one and let it go

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I doubt any of those of use that really like them will beat you down about it.
These are serious niche guns.

240gr, Federal Fact (No. 44A), ..... 1,217 fps avg, 12 fps ES

(We chroned this load at 1,375 fps from a 7 1/2" Bisley Hunter.

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Just a tad faster than I estimated. I had guessed 1150.

Yes, I would have probably kept it has a carry option if I lived at the cabin. Pretty comfortable on the hip.

Hal said:

I doubt any of those of use that really like them will beat you down about it.
These are serious niche guns.

Just a tad faster than I estimated. I had guessed 1150.

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The older I get, the more I gravitate towards lighter, shorter handguns. The nice thing about the 2.75" M69 is that it fits comfortably in the back pocket of my Carharts. I get out for about an hour every day (short day 45 Min, long day 2 full hrs) but average a bit over an hour during the summer months. When in the back country, I just drop the short barrelled M69 in the right rear pocket of my Carharts - never even notice it's there. Here's a pic of mine with modified (finger groves removed and butt rounded) Hogue Tamers.



Used to carry it in the pictured holster, but no more.

Paul

i just bought one ( 4in bbl) about a month or so ago. only shot a few of my full house 240gr loads so far. i like it. put tamers on it too.
just not quite happy with the trigger pull. its crisp but i want to shoot more plates with it than self-d so i`m going to install a Power Custom trigger kit.
for the little i have shot, i was getting 2in groups or so @ 25yds from a rest. and that was just fooling around & not being serious about my groupings.

bought some 240gr keith hardcast (bhn of 18 ) that i plan on using for target use.

Besides my 2.75" and 4.2" barrel Model 69', I have a 3" and 5" 44 Special GP100's.

With 44 Special level ammunition, both manufacturers shot similarly although I load 44 Magnum cases for the S&W Model 69's.

I guess I like the flexibility of the Model 69's but I really doubt I'd ever shoot many full power loads in it. If I felt I need full power loads, I'd take along a Model 629/29 or an Anaconda. and leave the Model 69 or 44 Special GP100 at home.

I like heavy, slow moving, large diameter bullets for many applications.

Pachymr Compac grip on mine is thicker (wider) than any other grips I have and spreads that recoil out a bunch.

EmGeeGeorge said:

So anyone who actually has a -69 care to share their thoughts?
Thinking of pulling the figurative trigger to buy one…

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I posted this pic before but I like mine, but if I had to do it all over again I would have purchased a 3" Model 629 (6 round 44mag on a N frame) instead just because I wouldn't mind one more round or the mote durable frame. If it's for EDC and 44Spc, then the 69 is the way to go. My one and only complaint is I am not a fan of the beadblast Taurus revolver type of finish.

I've owned two, both 4.25" bbl'd models and both are very accurate right out of the box. DA triggers on both were a bit heavy, but the SA's were typical S&W...great. My son absconded with one and I bought a replacement post haste.

I like the factory grips; they're fugly but do well with my size "L" hands when firing heavy, full house magnum rounds.

The sights are typical S&W, good/great and work well on both guns. They're fairly robust and I've never had a problem with them.

The gun's weight at 38 oz. unloaded, is a real plus for me. I consider a M-69 a .44 Special that's capable of firing Magnums if I& when necessary. The weight, BTW, is within an oz. or two of my 4" bbl'd M-19 and 66. Any of which are truly an all day carry pieces if you tend towards duty sized CC weapons. As a back country, bear country packing gun, I'd be hard pressed to name a better choice.

For day to day carry & use on our KY farm, my 1st choice load is the Skelton favorite: 240 gr LSWC at 950 fps. This prescription has been outstandingly accurate in every .44 Spl or Mag that I've tried.

As a poster on another recent thread suggested, I too would like to see this gun made up in .41 Magnum...which just might allow six chambers instead of five. But the .44's, special or magnum, are more than good enough, as is...and especially so for those of us who load our own ammunition.

Lastly, this revolver is one of S&W's better ideas; one that I wish they'd come up with 'back in the good old days'. While I'm less than enthusiastic about the sleeved bbl., lock up crane mechanics, and internal lock, I have long since ignored or forgotten them as the gun just works so well & I do hope that S&W keeps it in the catalogue and also, that it grows in popularity with the shooting public. Best regards, Rod

Walkalong said:

It would make an awesome .44 Special........44 Mag would be rough on my old frame.

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My thoughts exactly. I could be wrong, but I have to believe that more rounds of 44 Spcl. Get run through these than the magnum loads.