S&W 69 .44 Magnum 4.2" question.

[If1HitU]

I own a S&W 69 .44 Magnum 4.2". Do any of y'all think S&W should come out with a 5" or 6" barrel in the model 69 ? I would love to have a 6" myself in that model. I know the S&W 629 have them in 5"or 6"and they are 6 shot, I like the, 5 shot 69 model better.

 

[cfullgraf]

My unscientific guess would be "no". The manufacturing trend today is to reduce inventories to avoid taxes and making the M69 in a third barrel length would be counter to that.

But, maybe the Performance Center might do something.

Send S&W customer service a note. If they get enough requests, they might add it to the catalog.

 

[Jonesy814]

I think the idea behind the 69 is to have a 44 Magnum that’s smaller & lighter than the N frame 629. A longer barrel would be counter to that concept

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Concur with the other replies, I dont see a purpose for it.

 

[Riomouse911]

If I remember correctly the odd-length of 4.2" is to meet Canadian minimum barrel length restrictions of 105mm, so that market is served by S&W with just that single barrel to manufacture.

Personally I would rather see a 3" barrel than a longer tube, as (IMHO of course) it kinda defeats the purpose of the handier to pack L frame, 5-shot .44 Mag if it is sporting a longer barrel...

 

[Zaydok Allen]

That's what N frames are for.

 

[Crowman]

If I remember correctly the odd-length of 4.2" is to meet Canadian minimum barrel length restrictions of 105mm, so that market is served by S&W with just that single barrel to manufacture.

Personally I would rather see a 3" barrel than a longer tube, as (IMHO of course) it kinda defeats the purpose of the handier to pack L frame, 5-shot .44 Mag if it is sporting a longer barrel...

Interestingly enough, it does come with a 2-3/4” barrel...pretty close enough to 3” and that extra 1/4” doesn’t mean much in the scheme of things...the S&W 69 shortbarrel is the one below the 3” GP100 44 Special. It’s a handful with heavy Magnums, comfortable with heavy Specials.

 

[Crowman]

I concur that a 6” defeats the purpose of a lighter, trimmer Magnum for use as a woods sidearm. 4.2” is long enough for a packing pistol.

 

[Riomouse911]

Interestingly enough, it does come with a 2-3/4” barrel...pretty close enough to 3” and that extra 1/4” doesn’t mean much in the scheme of things...the S&W 69 shortbarrel is the one below the 3” GP100 44 Special. It’s a handful with heavy Magnums, comfortable with heavy Specials.

View attachment 767543

Well there you have it, that's one nice looking Smith! A very decent size and weight for carrying all day to the fishing hole in a caliber with a great deal of juice (.44 Mag) if you need it. I really don't want to wrestle with magnums in anything less than my 629 Mountain Gun, which is why I went to the GP 100 in .44 Spl. you have pictured with it. Loaded with just enough oomph should I need to dissuade a black bear or lion at close range without the magnum whack on the other end.

Sadly, I just don't have the time to check up on all the handgun variations anymore or I might've caught that before I posted .

Stay safe!

 

[If1HitU]

Nice pair S&W & Ruger, there Crowman.Thanks for y'all opinions they make sense to me now. I still wish they would.lol