07-21-2018, 09:40 PM
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Review of my new S&W 69 and minor custom work
I recently bought a S&W 69.
I've always been a big fan of the L-frame . . . and the 44 magnum round.
Decided to try one out a few weeks ago.
I broke her in hard with a lot of shooting, mostly 6.5gr Win231 and 9gr universal over a Keith bullet. Also some 2400 and H110 full magnum loads.
Got it so hot, that I have a burn blister on my thumb.
so far, nothing has broke, no trouble with much the scoffed at MIM and Lock.
I didn't like the Black trim, so I removed the bluing with Naval Jelly and paper towels.
Added a Dawson Precision .100" fiber optic front sight, and some HOGUE X-frame Tamer grips
today, I removed the Lock, and replaced it with this...
https://www.originalprecision.com/lo...ete-parts.html
The gun seems fine.
timing, endshake, ect. everything is just right.
I Like it
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07-21-2018, 09:46 PM
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07-21-2018, 09:51 PM
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I hate reading these favorable Model 69 reviews.
I also don’t care much for the silly black parts on a stainless gun, so I think it appears that you improved your gun’s looks.
Thanks for the report - and congratulations on your new .44!
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07-21-2018, 10:37 PM
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That looks fantastic!
I'm not a reloader but I'm assuming those are pretty stiff loads given the still shot of the muzzle flip. Very impressive.
07-22-2018, 09:50 AM
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Nicely done! Looks like a totally different gun - pic with the wood grips (1st post, pics 1 & 2). Great range!
I'm a big fan of the M69 have both 4 1/4" and 2.75" and shoot them several times a week. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I've enjoyed mine.
Paul
Last edited by Paul105; 07-22-2018 at 09:51 AM .
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07-22-2018, 10:17 AM
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Wow you are killing me here as my "new" Model 69 sits in S&W rehab !!
Maybe get it back mid-late August...I hope.
Love what you did to it and about those great looking grips.... how is the recoil with the wood as compared to the factory grip?
Like that front sight too. Is the .100 at the same height as the factory sight and with the new sight does that put the rear elevation adjust in middle of travel?
Great job and hope to get some fun with mine soon with my loads.
You must watch a bit of Hickok45 judging from your range setup!!!
Last edited by fortyshooter; 07-22-2018 at 10:20 AM .
07-22-2018, 10:37 AM
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Maybe I'm confused.....you were shooting it with the X frame rubber grips and those nice wood grips were on for the pics?
What are those wood grips and how to they feel and shoot on the 69?
07-22-2018, 01:00 PM
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The wood grips are HOGUE and AHREDS borrowed from my 686 for show.
They are fine for milder 1000fps loads, but I prefer the X-frame hogues for hotter loads.
I kept the front sight .280" high, the factory sight zero'd fine with the elevation up a bit, and I don't plan on shooting many 300+ gr loads
a 240gr at 1000fps is plenty for big Midwestern deer.
The range has been around a lot longer than Hickock45's videos
LOL
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07-22-2018, 01:54 PM
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MUCH prefer the look without the black trim!
My Spl in a magnum case is 7g W231 with a 250g SWC, in a Spl case I use 6.5g.
Give Kurac a PM and get him to makes you some cokes in a nice wood.
Heavy magnums with proper fitting wood grips is comfortable.
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07-22-2018, 02:29 PM
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That really does look nice without the black. And I'll second the 7g W231 with a 240 SWC in a magnum case load. One of my favorites.
07-22-2018, 04:26 PM
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Good move. I like mine too. It went back to Mother for the Master Revolver Action Package.
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07-22-2018, 04:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
joe44va
Good move. I like mine too. It went back to Mother for the Master Revolver Action Package.
Nice
I like the over-travel screw.
How's the vortex holding up ?
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07-22-2018, 06:38 PM
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I agree that really looks better without the black trim.
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07-22-2018, 10:12 PM
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I had my S&W 69 at the range about a month ago,I really enjoyed putting 100 rounds through it. I had though about changing the grips,nope i'm staying with the ones that came with the revolver.
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07-22-2018, 10:33 PM
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I really love my M69.
10.5 grains of Unique under a 215 grain powder coated SWC is running right at 1100fps with great accuracy.
9.0 grains of Unique under 240 grain powder coated SWC shoots well also, but I havent run these through the chrono.
I bought this gun for general woods carry, but it's making me want to carry it hunting this fall ... I'm sure I will.
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07-23-2018, 03:46 PM
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I assume the darkened parts (trigger, hammer, cylinder release) are just coated stainless?
07-23-2018, 09:39 PM
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Looking good!
It looks MUCH better without the blued trigger/hammer/latch, makes me wonder why they come that way in the first place.
07-24-2018, 01:59 PM
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Derek
Vortex holding up well. Has yet to fail but less than 300 rounds with it. I chose it because it stays on for 14 hours. Had a Burris FF3 on it and that had no issues either.
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07-24-2018, 02:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
joe44va
Derek
Vortex holding up well. Has yet to fail but less than 300 rounds with it. I chose it because it stays on for 14 hours. Had a Burris FF3 on it and that had no issues either.
cool
what mount is that ?
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07-24-2018, 04:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
PsTaN
I really love my M69.
10.5 grains of Unique under a 215 grain powder coated SWC is running right at 1100fps with great accuracy.
9.0 grains of Unique under 240 grain powder coated SWC shoots well also, but I havent run these through the chrono.
I bought this gun for general woods carry, but it's making me want to carry it hunting this fall ... I'm sure I will.
Unique loads are what I like in my 69 also. A 210gr gold dot will go 1200 fps with 12.0gr Unique.
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07-24-2018, 07:25 PM
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The mount is from Raptor Engineering.
Raptor Engineering
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07-24-2018, 07:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
joe44va
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07-24-2018, 07:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
bulletpoints
I assume the darkened parts (trigger, hammer, cylinder release) are just coated stainless?
I always assumed they were just blued steel, if they aren't stainless, they'll sure rust fast with no blueing or other finish on them.
07-24-2018, 07:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
diyj98
I always assumed they were just blued steel, if they aren't stainless, they'll sure rust fast with no blueing or other finish on them.
I'm not worried about it.
I take pretty good care of my firearms.
My hand fitted KART NM barrel hasn't rusted, and it's over 15 years old
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07-28-2018, 10:20 AM
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Nice! I like mine, too - I never thought of removing the finish on the black parts, I replaced them instead. I’m curious now if they are stainless or not...
I completely replaced my sights:
4.25" Model 69 on the way
07-28-2018, 10:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
HeavyDuty Ken
Nice! I like mine, too - I never thought of removing the finish on the black parts, I replaced them instead. I’m curious now if they are stainless or not...
I'm betting S&W wouldn't have went to the extra expense of coating stainless parts, but perhaps someone who knows will chime in.
07-28-2018, 12:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
diyj98
I'm betting S&W wouldn't have went to the extra expense of coating stainless parts, but perhaps someone who knows will chime in.
I think they are regular carbon steel.
I'm too lazy to pull off the sideplate and hit with a dab of cold blue
.....maybe next time
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07-28-2018, 01:58 PM
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Gotta love that range! A+A+A+
07-29-2018, 09:38 AM
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My S&W M69 is one of my Favorite .44 Revolvers. Mine is usually used with .44 Specials, but its nice to know that it will accept Magnums if needed. I may change out the Grips in the Future. Here is a Picture of my 69 with my M629 3" Talo.
07-29-2018, 10:35 AM
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Is it just me or does the M69 just scream for a three inch barrel?
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07-29-2018, 11:01 AM
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It's why they made the M69 with a 2 3/4 inch barrel also. Balance
07-29-2018, 04:50 PM
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BLACK PARTS MATTER!!!!!!! Chant and repeat
I love my 2 3/4”
Semper paratus
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07-29-2018, 05:12 PM
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I actually like the looks of the black parts. Makes an other wise boring looking modern day S&W interesting.
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07-30-2018, 06:21 PM
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Chrony'd some loads today
200gr MBC RNFP 9.0 win231 1154fps
---
240XTP 9.0UNIQUE 1032fps
---
200gr MBC RNFP 7.5gr win231 949fps
---
240XTP win231 1030fps
---
270 Keith#503 9.0gr UNIQUE 1007fps
---
180grXTP 31gr H110 1532fps - these were making muzzle flash rings of fire....SLOW-MO
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08-10-2018, 05:03 PM
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Love the "ring o' fire" video,
08-10-2018, 05:39 PM
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I'm looking for my personal power limit with a SB 69. I shot max AA 7 charges today for a 200 gr bullet. Still manageable and no flinchitis developing yet.
Now, leave well enough alone, or jump to the next level with a true magnum powder like AA 9?
Now, on the subject of black trim. Graphics designers advise avoiding monochrome color schemes, some contrast adds visual interest. Myself, I like it as is. "Original and unaltered condition".
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