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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 08-07-2017, 01:47 PM
timspawn timspawn is offline
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Model 69 2.75" or 4"? "It's Here" Model 69 2.75" or 4"? "It's Here" Model 69 2.75" or 4"? "It's Here" Model 69 2.75" or 4"? "It's Here" Model 69 2.75" or 4"? "It's Here"  
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Default Model 69 2.75" or 4"? "It's Here"

I'm ready to order a model 69 and am going back and forth on barrel length. I will not be hunting with it and will be shooting 44 Special type loads in it. I have a 300 grain cast bullet load I shoot in my suppressed Ruger 77/44 that is subsonic. I'd like a companion handgun to go with the rifle. I am leaning towards the 2.75" barrel. I like the looks of the short barrel, and it should be easier to carry on the hip. Thoughts?

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Old 08-07-2017, 02:49 PM
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I have one with 4.25" bbl and it is a handful with Factory 44mag. While you're shooting 44spl, it is with 300gr loads, and probably hotter than factory LRN 44spl loads. Better sight radius, slightly better velocity, probably better accuracy(shootability) and only 1.5" more length. I don't want one shorter than 4.25". To me, only reason the shorter bbl makes possible sense is if it's only a concealed carry gun. I think it was well thought out in the original length, if only it didn't have the pimple on the side (lock) Good luck, I think you will like it either way, it's just personal preference.

That's a neat combo with the canned ruger! I hope you're killin lotsa hogs with it!!
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Old 08-07-2017, 04:54 PM
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With 44 Special loaded I like the 2.75" barrel. It would be a fun gun and relatively easy to carry.
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Old 08-07-2017, 06:25 PM
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If it's to be carried as a companion to a rifle then go for the sub 3" barrel for sure. I just did some light yard/machete work wearing a 4" barreled "N" frame... I barely noticed it was there. With the right holster & belt a 4" barreled revolver is easily doable. But I'd be lying if I said it wouldn't have been even easier with a 2.75" barrel...
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Old 08-07-2017, 06:32 PM
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The newly designed cylinder lock up on the 2.75 inch model is the reason I bought one.
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Old 08-07-2017, 06:33 PM
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I'm going to buy the S&W 69 .44 mag. 4.25" next month.That is my choice.
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Old 08-07-2017, 07:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Macinaw View Post
The newly designed cylinder lock up on the 2.75 inch model is the reason I bought one.
What was changed on the cylinder lockup? Usually if S&W makes an engineering change, it applies to all barrel lengths.
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Old 08-07-2017, 07:33 PM
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Old 08-07-2017, 09:12 PM
timspawn timspawn is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&W ucla View Post
I have one with 4.25" bbl and it is a handful with Factory 44mag. While you're shooting 44spl, it is with 300gr loads, and probably hotter than factory LRN 44spl loads. Better sight radius, slightly better velocity, probably better accuracy(shootability) and only 1.5" more length. I don't want one shorter than 4.25". To me, only reason the shorter bbl makes possible sense is if it's only a concealed carry gun. I think it was well thought out in the original length, if only it didn't have the pimple on the side (lock) Good luck, I think you will like it either way, it's just personal preference.

That's a neat combo with the canned ruger! I hope you're killin lotsa hogs with it!!
It works wonders on hogs!
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Old 08-07-2017, 09:38 PM
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As a companion to a rifle, I recommend the 2.75 inch. I'm really liking mine. Need to shoot it some more.
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Old 08-08-2017, 02:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timspawn
I like the looks of the short barrel, and it should be easier to carry on the hip.
I do too.

Paul105 posted some chrono data & the 2-3/4" was surprisingly close on several loads, IIRC.

.

69 Combat Magnum

(-01a)

.

69 Combat Magnum

(-03a)

.
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Old 08-08-2017, 07:27 AM
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You would think that the engineering change to the cylinder lock up would make it a 69-1....
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Old 08-08-2017, 07:54 AM
km101 km101 is offline
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I have carried my 69 in 2.75" configuration for 4 months now and I love it. I put the Pachmyer Diamond Pro grips on it and they tame the recoil quite a bit. I carry either 215gr or 240gr lsw at about 900fps in .44spl. Good accurate load with moderate recoil. Accuracy at 25 yds has been good with several loads in .44spl and .44mag. Recoil is manageable with .44mag factory loads, but the .44spl is more fun to shoot. ��

The only problem with the gun was a factory DA trigger pull at 14+ pounds, but that was easily remedied with a Wolf mainspring. I highly recommend the 2.75" version.

Last edited by km101; 08-08-2017 at 08:08 AM.
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Old 08-08-2017, 10:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timspawn View Post
I'm ready to order a model 69 and am going back and forth on barrel length. I will not be hunting with it and will be shooting 44 Special type loads in it. I have a 300 grain cast bullet load I shoot in my suppressed Ruger 77/44 that is subsonic. I'd like a companion handgun to go with the rifle. I am leaning towards the 2.75" barrel. I like the looks of the short barrel, and it should be easier to carry on the hip. Thoughts?
Your 300gr subsonic rifle load will probably only clock 800 or 900 fps in either barrel length. This will most likely require a higher front sight to properly regulate point of impact.

Either should work fine for your application. I have both and carry all day everyday - the 4 1/4" is my choice, although I could live happily with the 2 3/4" gun.

FWIW,

Paul
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Old 08-08-2017, 12:38 PM
timspawn timspawn is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BLUEDOT37 View Post
I do too.

Paul105 posted some chrono data & the 2-3/4" was surprisingly close on several loads, IIRC.

.

69 Combat Magnum

(-01a)

.

69 Combat Magnum

(-03a)

.
These pictures sold me. I just ordered the 2.75" barrel. I should have it Thursday or Friday.
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Old 08-08-2017, 02:29 PM
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So we'll expect a range report by Monday!
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Old 08-08-2017, 02:50 PM
timspawn timspawn is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&W ucla View Post
So we'll expect a range report by Monday!
I'll do my best!
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Old 08-09-2017, 08:49 PM
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Hay timspawn, very nice pics, I wish my 69 snub had a barrel crown as good as yours! I love mine, I'm sure you will to!
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Old 08-09-2017, 10:04 PM
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I have both. I'd pick the longer barrel for hunting, but since I use mine primarily as a 44 special home defense/plinking gun, I'll probably end up selling the longer barrel.
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Old 08-10-2017, 01:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gripgrabber View Post
...I wish my 69 snub had a barrel crown as good as yours!
I chamfered it, as I've done to most of mine.

.

66 Combat Magnum - muzzle recrowned/chamfered

(-02b.jpg)

.
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Old 08-10-2017, 08:14 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timspawn View Post
These pictures sold me. I just ordered the 2.75" barrel. I should have it Thursday or Friday.
That is one bad --- looking revolver. A nice thing about the 44 magnum is that finding an accurate load is really easy if you hand load. Plus you can have all the velocity you want but don't really need it to have an effective load. I like the .357 a lot but the versatility and flexibility of the .44 magnum is amazing.
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Old 08-10-2017, 10:23 AM
timspawn timspawn is offline
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BLUEDOT37

What do you use to chamfer your barrels?
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Old 08-10-2017, 01:03 PM
timspawn timspawn is offline
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Other than some cosmetic dings around the muzzle and a slight ring around the ejector rod where the finish is gone, everything looks good.
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Old 08-11-2017, 12:18 AM
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Default Muzzle chamfering

Quote:
Originally Posted by timspawn View Post
What do you use to chamfer your barrels?
Tools I got from Brownell's.

The 45˚ chamfer cutter screws into the handle & the brass .44 muzzle pilot (#080-944-440WB, not shown) inserts into the nose of the cutter & is held in place by a set screw. You'll also need some cutting oil (not shown).

Use the 45˚ brass lap in an electric drill & some abrasive 600 grit compound (#083-045-600WB, not shown) to polish the cut . Finish off the chamfer with some 1200 grit wet & dry sandpaper.

.

Brownells Chamfering Tools

(-01a)

.

Brownells Chamfering Tools

(-02a)

.

.

Be careful, you may like it so much you find others to do...

.

629-6 Classic, muzzle chamfer

(-02a)

.

627-5 PC, barrel crown, after

(-01a)

.

686-6 TALO, barrel chamfer, after

(-01a)

.
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Old 08-11-2017, 10:20 AM
timspawn timspawn is offline
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Thank you very much.
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Old 08-12-2017, 12:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BLUEDOT37 View Post
I do too.

Paul105 posted some chrono data & the 2-3/4" was surprisingly close on several loads, IIRC.

.

69 Combat Magnum

(-01a)

.

69 Combat Magnum

(-03a)

.
Now that is a sexy "Combat Magnum!" I love a .44 Mag loaded with .44Spec for sure. You can load the Special up near to near nuclear levels topped off with a Hard Cast "Keith Bullet" or download them as you will. Nice piece for sure! A sub 3" barreled revolver in .44Spec, Mag or even a .45 caliber revolver is about as good as it gets in the CCW department for me. YMMV...

Last edited by HamHands; 08-12-2017 at 12:12 AM.
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