picked up my new 69 today

[anoblefox]

It is the 2-3/4" version. Very impressed with overall quality. I had a 696 that I sold to fund a new well pump and install. The 69 replaces the 696. Shot only 2 cylinders of 44 special before it started raining hard with wind to boot. The last round was a magnum, wow, as previously planned, I will NOT be shooting too many more of those! The wife was up at the house 75 yards away and said the last one was LOUD! She thought I had a hot reload to make that much noise. I will eventually set up my reloading press for magnum cases loaded to special specs. I like the factory grips, they fit my hand perfectly and serve my intended purpose; my 27 has beautiful stags for good looks and I seldom shoot it. I will reserve full magnum loads for the 29 mountain gun. I really like this gun!

[joe44va]

Good move. Very nice revolver.

[elm_creek_smith]

Hello! Pictures or it didn't happen!

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[MikeR90S]

I like mine a lot. I’m using Speer’s short barrel magnum loads in mine. It seems to prefer 200 gr.

[lkabug]

That 69 is great! Love mine.

[joe44va]

Here's mine, although it has the longer barrel. One of my all time favorites.

[atx357]

Love mine. Though sadly it's made my N-frames somewhat obsolete.

[anoblefox]

I must say that after dry firing this evening, I am somewhat disappointed with the double action trigger pull. Hopefully it will improve, if not, I will need to further address this to equal my other smiths.

[Borderboss]

Originally Posted by MikeR90S

I like mine a lot. I’m using Speer’s short barrel magnum loads in mine. It seems to prefer 200 gr.

Same here. It's a really nice gun.

[TDC]

I love mine! They are destined to become a favorite revolver
to all who own them...

To produce the the 69 and the 66-8's were excellent decisions
by S&W...

Now! If they would just consider making the L frame in 41 Mag...
For many of us that would "Make our day..."

[dogdoc]

Mine shoots nice tight 25 yard groups with the right ammo. It is more accurate than my older 29s and 624s. I also get little leading in mine. In short, it has become my go to farm gun when feeding cows or other farm chores

[The Norseman]

Last Spring I bought a New in the Box
factory fired S&W Model 696-1 44Rem Special.
I really like it. The 3"Bbl is challenging and
very unforgiving at long distances past 10 yards.

I believe Smith & Wesson is missing the mark
not producing the Model 69 in 41Rem Mag and
45 "Long" Colt.

I would consider buying two M69's, one in 41Mag
and 45Colt. I really like both of those Cartridges.

Thank you for this nice Thread.

[Paul105]

I understand the allure of the 696 (and pre lock/mim guns). I had a 696 no dash. Very nice gun – action (both single and double action) was very smooth. For some reason I could never get it to shoot for me. I sold it and hopefully the new owner is thoroughly enjoying it. Still have several pre lock/pre mim revolvers.

Also understand gravitating towards specific cartridges. I have owned 41 mags and still own 45 Colts. Both are excellent cartridges, but neither will do anything that can’t be done as well with the .44 mag, especially in the M69 (not even sure if it’s feasible to chamber the .45 Colt in the L Frame).

With that said, I thoroughly enjoy my M69s. Have several of each barrel length. Current favorite is the 2 ¾” version. Compact, accurate, easier to shoot than might be imagined and recoil handling qualities always surprise favorably. It fits comfortably in the right hip pocket of my Carharts – don’t even notice it.

Our range has targets from 27 yards geometric steel plate racks, poppers of various sizes and a dueling tree. More poppers and steel plates all the way out to 70+ yards. I shoot the little M69, loaded with 24.0gr H110 under 240gr JSPs (or equivalent cast bullet loads) three times a week on average. The full size popper at 70+ yards isn’t a problem either single or double action (and yes I do miss).

This is my carry load – shot at 50yds rested on my range bag and verified on another day to make sure it wasn’t a fluke.
.

.
One of my favorite practice loads, 265gr SWCGC (Lyman Thompson 429244) deep seated and crimped over the front drive band on top of 17.5gr 2400, – 25 yds rested on carpet squares. In the 2 ¾” gun, this load chronos the same as Fed Factory 240gr JHPs and 240gr over 24.0gr of H110/W296 with 25gr more bullet weight.
.

.
Light load – 5.0gr WST under 250gr Keith (429421) deep seated and crimped over the front drive band. 25 yds rested on carpet squares
.


Chronoed these from the 2.75” M69. Three rounds at 5 Long paces from muzzle and 68 deg F. Larger sample could change the results a bit. Largest ES was 42 fps.

260 WFNGC w/23.0gr H110 avg 1,125 fps
240 Zero JSP with 23.5gr H110 avg 1,126 fps
240gr Fed Factory avg 1,125 fps
265gr CSWCGC (Lyman Thompson) with 17.5gr A2400 (Deep Seat) 1,119 fps avg
325gr WLNGC (BTB) with 22.0gr H110 avg 1,104 fps

The 4 ¼” gun gives 40 to 100 fps additional velocity.

I Was curious, so I bought some 305gr Buffalo Bore and Underwood ammo – here are chrono results.

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

Those 305s are a bit frisky!
.
Anyway, I’m a big fan of the M69 in both barrel lengths. The L Frame just works for me.

Paul

[dogdoc]

The L frame just seems to have less or maybe different felt recoil than my N frames. They just feel good to shoot. Lower bore axis?

[diyj98]

Originally Posted by dogdoc

The L frame just seems to have less or maybe different felt recoil than my N frames. They just feel good to shoot. Lower bore axis?

I've never done a comparison, but it would make an interesting experiment. I'd have thought the greater weight of the N frame would result in less felt recoil. Of course the grip style and size would factor in too.

[t4terrific]

Nice!


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[nipperdog]

Yep the M69 is a real nice Revolver. I bought the 4.2" back in 2014 when they first became available. I liked the Gun but when the 2.75" came out I decided to go with that one. It's a Great woods walking Gun and fun to Shoot at the range.