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.
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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.
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Light load – 5.0gr WST under 250gr Keith (429421) deep seated and crimped over the front drive band. 25 yds rested on carpet squares
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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!
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Anyway, I’m a big fan of the M69 in both barrel lengths. The L Frame just works for me.
Paul