Will the model 69 combat magnum be able to handle a lifetime of 44 mag loads?

[paul105]

Guess I’m not seeing the problem here. I shot the snot out of 3 different 329s – yeah handloads but not above current factory specs. I’m too lazy to look up my notes, but at least one had the frame replaced (w/same serial number) – at least 6 or 7 returns to the factory for various repairs (all at no cost). So what. If you want to want to shoot full house .44 Mags from the M69, I say go for it. All rhetoric aside, most owners (cost or recoil tolerance) will never exceed the threshold requiring repairs.

My original point was that if you subject any gun to a substantial numbers of heavy loads, then most guns will likely need some R&R (which S&W will do free of charge under warranty). FWIW, I’ve personally gotten to the point where it is no longer enjoyable to shoot a large number of heavy loads. With that said, the M69 with the S&W Hogue 500 grips handles recoil exceedingly well – no problem shooting 325gr Beartooth Bullets LWNGCs at an actual chronographed 1,182 fps at 60 deg F. Recoil tolerance is personal, so YMMV. I will carry it with MAGNUM loads for every day use – will run .44 Spcl for everyday shooting.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[eldon519]

Drail,

I'm not sure what exactly you are trying to say, but you can definitely handload without exceeding book loads. I don't know what a "full blown 'killer'" load is, but the way you described it in contrast to moderate loads makes it sound like factory spec or max-pressure loads. If all you're saying is that you can destroy the gun shooting over-spec loads, why even state the obvious? That applies to the vast majority of guns.


And again to anyone, I'm curious what actually goes wrong on a 29 or 629? It sounds like paul105 had a 329 frame go out on him, but if I'm not mistaken, a 329 is scandium, so that doesn't entirely surprise me. What happens to a steel framed (6)29? Frame stretch? Out of time? Small parts breakage? Cracked forcing cone? Excessive end-shake?

 

[savit260]

Will the model 69 combat magnum be able to handle a lifetime of 44 mag loads?

As they say in the woods up in Maine... "Hard sayin' , not knowin' "


It's just too early to tell IMO. They haven't been on the market long enough yet to have any issues sprout up.

Give it a couple of years of people beating the daylights out of them to see if any issues pop up. We know the problems that it's close cousin the 696 had.

That said... I want one.

 

[rswartsell]

^+1

In the beginning, Smith used the N frame for .357. Many variables have changed. The fact that Smith marketed it did not in my mind prove the "several lifetimes" expectations we USED to have with high quality manufacturers.

I suppose it depends on exactly what you feed it and how often. Give me a big enough budget and I'll bet I could shoot one loose in short order. That attempt very well could shoot my wrists loose first. With common use? It may well be a several lifetimes proposition. We will see what we will see.

I would not choose it for high quantity, high power use. For that get a bigger frame. I would think that rare though.

 

[bluetopper]

Shoot it, enjoy it, worry about it when you have something to worry over.