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