Model 69 2.75" review and chrono results

[Nicco]

This is my first post, so I wanted to contribute with some info I was unable to find while searching many forums on the web. I recently picked up a model 69 2.75” to use as my sidearm while black bear hunting, and was curious what kind of velocities to expect from a snub nose. The few posts I found were based on subjective guesses and indicated it would be unlikely to achieve over 1000fps from such a small barrel. Well, my findings have left me quite impressed.

I made some various loads from bullets and powders I had on hand, and headed to the range with a Caldwell chrono. I also used some factory loads from Underwood and Winchester as a control. Temp was 78 degrees and overcast.

I found the model 69 to be very easy to shoot and control, even with max loads. I also have a 329PD, and find the 69 noticeably easier to shoot with less felt recoil. Recoil doesn’t have as much muzzle jump, maybe due to the lower center of gravity with the L frame when compared to an N frame. Even after having shot over 65 magnum rounds in about 30 minutes, my hand feels perfectly fine. I intentionally did not wear a shooting glove, because I wanted to get a real feel how these loads would handle if needed in a defensive situation. My groups are also significantly tighter with the 69 than I get with the 329PD. This may be due to the fiber optic v-notch sight on the 329PD.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with the velocity results obtainable from such a small barrel, as well as the shootability and accuracy of this little 44 magnum. To date, this is my favorite revolver, and will likely replace my 329PD as my primary woods carry sidearm.

Below are the chrono results from my test with the model 69 2.75". All results were from 5 shot strings. One thing I observed was the tremendous muzzle blast generated from Lil Gun. This powder gave the highest velocities and remarkable muzzle blast with flame. So much that it was noticeably shaking the chronograph to the point I thought I had inadvertently shot my chrono after the first round. That said, I think Lil Gun is best left to the longer barrels. Enforcer is my favorite magnum powder as it has very good velocity and no flash. Universal is great for target practice, and generated some respectable results with much less blast and recoil. I was also really like how clean burning Universal and Enforcer are.

Bullet Type Bullet Wt. C.O.L Powder Type Powder Weight Velocity Avg. Spread Notes
XTP JHP 240 1.60" Lil Gun 24 1275 59 Flash. Blast shook chrono.
XTP JHP 240 1.60" Enforcer 22 1253 17
XTP JHP 240 1.60" Universal 10.2 1010 50
LSWC 240 1.605" Universal 8.5 970 56
LSWC 240 1.605" Universal 9 999 54
LSWC 240 1.605" Universal 9.5 1028 10
LSWC 240 1.605" Universal 10 1077 9
LSWC 240 1.605" Universal 10.2 1092 16
LSWC 240 1.605" Enforcer 19.3 1130 41
LSWC 240 1.605" Enforcer 21.4 1243 68
LSWC Keith 255 1.61" Enforcer 20.6 1238 26
LSWC Keith 255 1.61" N/A N/A 1178 27 Undewrwood factory load
WWB JSP 240 1.60" N/A N/A 1183 63 Big Flash. Dirty.


Disclaimer: The following loads worked for me in my firearm only. I accept no responsibility for use or misuse of these loads.

[Regaj]

Congrats on the new Model 69, Nicco. That's a great, little revolver, isn't it? I picked mine up last year... much like you , intending it as a general field and defensive arm. I've got an N-frame Mountain Gun and a short-barreled Ruger Redhawk, but find the 2 1/2" Model 69 to be handier and more pleasant to wield. I swapped out a set of S&W Goncalo Alves combat grips from my old Lew Horton 686 Special (short-barreled .357) and put them on the 69. I really like them on that gun.

You're getting some nice velocities, considering the short barrel. I mostly treat mine like a .44 Special... with the added benefit of being able to drop in .44 Magnum loads, as needed.

I'll chrono some of my full-bore loads (I mostly use W296 in such) at some point. In the meantime, I'm getting around 835 fps out of the Skeeter Load (7.5 grains of Unique, 250 Keith LSWC, .44 Special cases) and close to the same - just a few fps higher - using 8 grains in .44 Magnum cases. Nine grains gets me just over 900 fps.

Welcome to the forum!

[g17]

I know my other 44's seem neglected since I bought a 69 and my findings nearly mirror your own. It's a great gun.

[dr. mordo]

Those numbers are very interesting. I carry a 3" 629, and I've been loading my own defensive ammo with 9.5gr Universal/180 XTPs, which is very manageable to shoot.

But looking at those numbers I think I might need to spice it up a bit into the 10.5-11gr range.

Thanks!

[BLUEDOT37]

Originally Posted by Nicco

I also have a 329PD, and find the 69 noticeably easier to shoot with less felt recoil. Recoil doesn’t have as much muzzle jump, maybe due to the lower center of gravity with the L frame when compared to an N frame.

My groups are also significantly tighter with the 69 than I get with the 329PD. This may be due to the fiber optic v-notch sight on the 329PD.

Congrats on your new 44!

The M69 snubby does do a surprisely good job of handling recoil, for the reason you mentioned. It is 9oz. heavier than the 329PD (34oz -vs- 25oz) also.

And it's short rear blade height (.114") doesn't seem to hamper it's accuracy.

I'm impressed with mine too!

FYI: I replaced the v-notch rear sight blade on my 329PD with a .196" black square notched blade, that works well with the factory (.264") red fiber front sight.

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- w/stainless steel cylinder

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[Paul105]

Nicco,

Out of curiosity, at what distance (muzzle to chrono) were these results obtained?

The lil'gun and enforcer loads were higher than all but one load (which I plan to recheck) from my 4 1/4" guns and close to 150 fps greater than the best loads in my 2 3/4" guns. My loads include 24.0gr W296 and H110 under 240gr JFPs, 23.0 H110 w/260gr WFNGCs and 21.1gr A2400 w/250gr 429421 and Federal 240gr JHP factory.

9.0gr of Universal tracks pretty closely with your data.

I've seen Speer's data "what makes ballisticians grey" (or something like that) and realize that different guns shoot different loads at different velocities (big diff in some cases).

Was wondering if maybe muzzle blast was tripping your chrono screens causing some high readings with the faster loads (reason for my question - distance to chrono). Either that, or you have one fast gun from other results I've seen (my own guns-I have two of each bbl length), Brian Pearce, and One other review on net.

Always glad to see actual chrono results form real guns.

Paul