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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 02-13-2017, 06:09 PM
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Default Model 69 2-7/8" barrel version question

Does anyone know when the shorter barreled 69 is set to hit the shelves?

This will definitely be my next revolver. I don't much care for the proportions of the longer barreled original version, but I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on one of the shorter barreled ones. I looked at a Ruger 44sp GP100 over the weekend, but the 69 seems to have that beat by a long shot in my book. Gun will be for woods carry.

Any info on actual release date would be helpful.
Anyone else anxious to get one of these?
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Old 02-13-2017, 08:46 PM
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I don't know when we will see the short barrel 69 in stores. I have to wonder how well the short barrel L-frame will handle full power .44 loads.
I would imagine that the recoil will be fierce.
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Old 02-13-2017, 09:26 PM
PeterK PeterK is offline
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You can backorder them from Cabelas. Price isnt that good, justdepends on how bad you want one I guess. Smith & Wesson(R) Centerfire Revolvers : Cabela's
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Old 02-13-2017, 10:11 PM
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I'm not looking to run full-blown 44mag thru the 69 all the time. The 686 2-1/2 or 3" model is probably my favorite carry gun. If the short-barreled 69 is the same size but capable of 44mag when needed I can see carrying it with upper end 44spl level loads and carrying a speed strip of 44mag ammo in a pocket. Sounds like a great thing to me. Recoil isn't an issue on my end. I enjoy shooting the Ruger Alaskan in 454, and I also enjoy the 329. It won't be a range toy, just a constant companion.

Not in a rush, just wondering if S&W set a date or not.

Thanks
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Old 02-13-2017, 10:17 PM
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I called S&W a week or 2 ago and was told they went into production late last year and have been released to distributors. I guess it's a matter of time before they hit the shelves.
Forgot to add the barrel is 2 3/4".
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Old 02-14-2017, 01:01 AM
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I will one! Have the 4.2" and love it. Right loads and the 2.75 should be a great carry piece town or country.
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Old 02-14-2017, 08:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Collo Rosso View Post
I called S&W a week or 2 ago and was told they went into production late last year and have been released to distributors. I guess it's a matter of time before they hit the shelves.
Forgot to add the barrel is 2 3/4".
If that's true, then this gun should already be for sale on Gun Broker. I frequently see Smiths on GB with ship dates on the box that are just three days prior.

Bottom line, it doesn't take weeks and months for a new Smith to find its way from the production floor to the store shelf. It can happen as fast as a few days -- 72 hours.

Knowing that..... where are they?
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Old 02-14-2017, 10:15 AM
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I'm kinda confused by the somewhat cool response the shorter barrel length is getting from a lot of people online.

I understand the shorter barrel won't take full advantage of the cartridge potential, but in light of how coveted the 696 is, one would think that a new L-frame without the forcing cone limitations of the 696 and with the ability to shoot 44spl and 44mag as well would be a hot ticket. Am I missing something. I'm really excited about this revolver. The only way I'd be more excited is if S&W figured out how to jamb 5 45colt rounds into an L-frame. I know that isn't possible, so I'll have to "settle" for the 69.
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Old 02-14-2017, 11:28 AM
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I have been patiently awaiting their arrival on gunbroker.com at which time I will order myself one. I have had the 4.2 inch version since it's release in 2014. I originally bought it as a Dedicated .44 Special, but it handles full power Magnums fine. not much more Recoil than my 629. Before I learned of the pending 2.75" version, I was actually thinking of sending mine to a Gunsmith to have the barrel shortened. My 4.2" 69 is superbly Accurate with most handloads. I purchased the new Ruger GP-100 .44 last month, and in my opinion it is a Dud in the Accuracy department can't get it to shoot tight groups. My 69 will shoot quarter size groups at 10yds all day long. I think that 44mags loaded with medium speed powders will work fine in the short barrel 69s

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Old 02-14-2017, 11:52 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kernel Crittenden View Post
If that's true, then this gun should already be for sale on Gun Broker.
Just passing on what I was told.
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Old 02-14-2017, 12:05 PM
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I have to admit I had high hopes for the Ruger GP100 in 44spl, but after all of the poor accuracy feedback I read my hoped fell. I handled one over the weekend and the front sight base was hovering above the barrel rib by about 1/16". The action wasn't bad for a Ruger, but overall I was underwhelmed. I was really hoping for a fixed-sight version like they offered in 357.

How does the 69 do with heavy hardcast bullets? Does it seem to have a preference as far as bullet weight?
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Old 02-14-2017, 12:15 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hastings View Post
I have to admit I had high hopes for the Ruger GP100 in 44spl, but after all of the poor accuracy feedback I read my hoped fell. I handled one over the weekend and the front sight base was hovering above the barrel rib by about 1/16". The action wasn't bad for a Ruger, but overall I was underwhelmed. I was really hoping for a fixed-sight version like they offered in 357.

How does the 69 do with heavy hardcast bullets? Does it seem to have a preference as far as bullet weight?
Those Quarter sized Groups that I mentioned in my Post were 250 grain Keith style LSWC Bullets loaded to about 975 FPS and fired Bench Rested @10yds.
That same load in the GP-100 produced 2" groups under the same conditions.

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Old 02-14-2017, 01:34 PM
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The 250gr loads sound like exactly what I am looking for. Very similar to a standard 45colt, just smaller in diameter.

Guess I'll just have to be patient and keep an eye on Gunbroker.

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Old 02-14-2017, 02:01 PM
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I agree with Hastings. The 686 is well sought after. But it had its limitations as he said. The 2.75" 69 should be a great replacement and I'm looking forward to it. However, I'm going to hold off hoping that they make one with a full lug. Just like the looks better. But, if they ever make a .45 Colt five shot, I'm in with that too. The .44 sp. and .45 Colt are two great rounds.
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Old 02-14-2017, 02:09 PM
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2.75 ought to be nice. I had a 4.25 that was the most accurate .44 I have ever owned. And I have had a few.
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Old 02-14-2017, 03:22 PM
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I agree with Topsarge. I would prefer a full underlug like on the 2-1/2" barreled 686. I don't think I'll wait until they offer that configuration, though. I'll just have to get a second one if they ever come out with the full underlug model.

On a related note, I've heard that the two-piece barrels lead to inherent accuracy. Maybe that's too strong a statement, but I was wondering whether the short-barreled two-piece NightGuard models seemed to follow this trend and should the same be expected of the shorter 69. I've shot a 329, but it was the 4" version so it wasn't a fair gauge of what the shorter barreled two-piecers are like.
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