S&W Model 69: What say you!?!?

[Zaydok Allen]

Just wondering how the M69 is holding up. I've been thinking about one lately. I'd mostly use it for 44 mag loads on the low end, closer to warm 44 Special loads. I was considering the GP100 in 44 Special, but since I load my own and just prefer the lines of S&W guns, I was thinking about bringing one home. Honestly, that thin forcing cone on the Ruger bugs me a bit too. I know, I know. Use appropriate ammo and it's fine.

I don't have a 44 mag yet. I have no intention of shooting heavy or hot 44 mag rounds through it. Perhaps just a bit beyond max 44 Special loads.

 

[dickydalton]

I love mine.

69

• dickydalton
• Feb 22, 2019
• 1

DSC00053

• dickydalton
• Mar 12, 2019

 

[horsemen61]

The one I had was great while I had it it carried very well

 

[gotboostvr]

I know there's a member here who's put a few thousand fairly stout loads through a pair of them.

 

[paul105]

I’m a big fan of the M69 – I say go for it.

I bought the first 4 ¼” in the first quarter of 2014. Liked it so much, added a second 4 ¼” a couple of months later. First gun went back to S&W for slow carry up after approx. 6,000 rnds (approx. 60/40 mid level 44 spcl and full house 44 mag). Didn’t initially check carry up, so this may have been an original QC problem. Second gun started binding at 2,500 rnds – S&W fixed yoke – it’s since seen another 1,500 rnds without any problems – 80 % mag level loads in this gun. Both fixes were free (incl shipping) and took about two weeks each.

Bought two of the 2 ¾” versions when they came out. Have 4,000 + rounds thru the two and another 1,000 thru a more recent addition with no problems. 99 % of the loads have been 240gr JSP over 24.0gr H110 and 265gr SWCGC (deep seated and crimped over front drive band) over 17.5gr of A2400. Both of these loads chronograph right at 1,120 fps from the short barrel.

Both barrel lengths have a “ball detent” lockup system. The systems are not the same, don’t think there is any practical diff, but most prefer the 2 ¾” system mostly for aesthetic reasons (IMHO).

The 2 ¾” gun is a favorite. Chronographed velocities run 40 to 100 fps higher in the 4 ¼” gun(s).

Here are some Labradar results for Buffalo Bore and Underwood 305gr hard cast – obviously upper end power factor:

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


The L Frame just works for me.


FWIW,

Paul

 

[Gerald Dickerson]

As soon as the 4 1/4" hit the market my hunting Partner and I bought them, shot little but carried a good bit, practice with .44 Specials and carry full on .44 Magnums when hunting, at my rate of use it will last forever.

 

[Walkalong]

I've been thinking about one lately. I'd mostly use it for 44 mag loads on the low end, closer to warm 44 Special loads.

I would think it would be outstanding for that, but the new Ruger .44 Specials are very attractive as well. Good luck in the search, making your choice, and let us know how whichever one you choose does for you.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I think you need one.

It's a classic that just... Brings joy.

I always enjoyed Pop's.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Thanks for the input y’all.

My motivation here is as such. I was recently thinking about noise levels, and I went out and shot some hit H110 loads out of a 3” 357.

If you ever need to use a short barreled revolver in defense, and I do like to carry 3 inches in the woods, a truly hot 357 is loud as hell.

If I can achieve the same ends with a 44 special load at lower volumes, it seems a good trade off.

Plus, there’s always the fun factor of slinging fat bullets out of a small for caliber revolver.

 

[Buckeye63]

If I was looking for a woods carry big bore revolver ... I would look no further than a S&W 69.. Im a fan of the S&W L frame

 

[horsemen61]

Wish they would do a 5 shot 41 mag in that same frame!

 

[tommy.duncan]

Wish they would do a 5 shot 41 mag in that same frame!

Not trying to hijack the thread, but, That would be great!!

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Not trying to hijack the thread, but, That would be great!!

I agree. I’ve been wanting an L frame or GP 100 in 41 mag for awhile.

The 10mm auto GP is as close as we’ve come.

 

[Buckeye63]

Wish they would do a 5 shot 41 mag in that same frame!

Their is a 5 Shot 41 mag in a smaller frame ... Actually smaller than a K frame


https://rangehot.com/charter-arms-mag-pug-41-magnum-a-handful/

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I've been mulling over the M69 as well. In the areas I camp and hiker there are a ton of Grizzlies, and although I carry bear spray I don't 100% trust it. A big bore handgun as a backup would make me feel better than my present woods gun (an HK in 9mm with 147gr BB hard cast).

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I've been mulling over the M69 as well. In the areas I camp and hiker there are a ton of Grizzlies, and although I carry bear spray I don't 100% trust it. A big bore handgun as a backup would make me feel better than my present woods gun (an HK in 9mm with 147gr BB hard cast).

At least they’re hard casts.

 

[cfullgraf]

I shoot mid range 44 Magnum in my Model 69. It shoots well.

I'd have no problem shooting some full power loads but I am sure they would be uncomfortable to shoot on a steady basis.

I use Unique but I am sure other powders will work well as well.

 

[alfsauve]

Mines an around-the-house gun. I like its size and heft. About 20 full power loads and 100 mid-power ones though it. For woods carry it'll probably between the 4" 69 and the 5" 629. All depends on how much weight and size I want to contend with.

 

[MaxP]

Wish they would do a 5 shot 41 mag in that same frame!

Yeah, to me this makes more sense than a .44 Mag on this platform. I think it’s marginal in .44 Mag form.

 

[Gerald Dickerson]

I would think it would be outstanding for that, but the new Ruger .44 Specials are very attractive as well. Good luck in the search, making your choice, and let us know how whichever one you choose does for you.

I've got this for that...

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Yeah, to me this makes more sense than a .44 Mag on this platform. I think it’s marginal in .44 Mag form.

Despite the positive reviews, I wouldn't have much interest in really shooting a lot of true 44 magnums out of any L frame.

 

[MaxP]

Despite the positive reviews, I wouldn't have much interest in really shooting a lot of true 44 magnums out of any L frame.

I doubt it would hold up well.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I doubt it would hold up well.

In the long run, me neither. I've heard many times about 629's and 29's shooting loose with a lot of hot and heavy loads. I don't see how an L frame would fair any better.

Light 44 mag loads though, closer to 44 special. Well, I'm guessing that could go on for a long time.

It begs the question though as to how well the GP 100's are holding up to hot 44 special loads. I haven't heard of anyone shooting one into oblivion. If a GP100 in 41 mag, or a L frame in 41 mag existed, I wouldn't even be asking about the M69.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I've never fired anything that was fun with a lot of full-house .44 Magnum ammo. If I get a .44 Mag I expect it will be fed a lot of Special and light loads with full-house stuff for occasional practice and woods carry.