The 2 3/4 inch barrel model 69 has just moved to the top of my wish list. It will fill the gap between my 2 1/2 inch barrel 329 Nightguard and my 4 inch barrel 629 Mountain Gun. I would greatly prefer it if it is no lock. I am also not a fan of the black cylinder release, trigger, and hammer but I suppose I could replace those if I had to.

I already have Smith's chambered for 357 with 2 1/2 and 3 inch barrels so I'll probably pass on the new 66.

I can understand why they went with 2 3/4 inch. If S&W had gone with a 3 inch barrel then half the people interested in short barrels would say they will wait for a 2 1/2 inch barrel version and viceversa. At 2 3/4 inches, both camps will probably be satisfied to be only 1/4 inch off.

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Accuracy supercedes Speed