Just got back from LGS with my new 2-3/4” Model 69 I ordered from her last Tuesday. Been jonesing for one after reading about all the fun a lot of you guys have been having with them. Perusing the threads in the Forum about them, you’d think there’s a 50-50 shot of getting a bad one. I usually don’t worry too much on a new purchase, but I can say the thought crossed my mind more than once on this one. But thanks to you guys and this forum, I’ve learned a lot and I checked this one out a lot closer before I signed my name on that 4473. First impressions of mine are fine so far, fit and finish good, smooth action and locks up right before trigger falls in D/A, a snug .006 forcing cone to cylinder gap both sides, does have that sorta funky looking crown that’s been brought up before, but I think it’s OK. Pretty dirty and those grips will probably go. I’ve got fairly large hands and those finger groove ones always jam my knuckle into the trigger guard. I put the S&W X-frame Hogues on my 629 and they are the most comfortable grips I have ever used. Anyone know if they’ll work on a 69, though they might look a bit ungainly.
With the holiday weekend, looks like it’ll be next week before I can get to the range. I’ll report back then.
And I’m still on the fence about the black “trim”.

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I have read that others have used the X frame grips on the 69. I have really enjoyed my 69 with smooth VZ G10 grips. I put in a Wolf standard mainspring and a 14 pound rebound spring. This dropped my DA trigger pull from 10+ pounds to less than 8 pounds and my SA pull from 4.5 to 3 pounds. A major improvement.

Yes, the 500 X Frame Hogues work just fine on the M69

Factory Stock X Frames on M69



Slightly modified X Frames on M69 (Used Dremel drum sander to round the butt and remove the finger groves). Quick and dirty "exploratory surgery" just to see what was feasible.



Paul

I put Diamond Pro's on mine. tried the X frame grips and found I liked the DP's better

Congratulations on the new 69. The dremeled grips look good. I have the Hogue bantam boot grips I like a lot. Plus they're cheap. However they do have finger grooves, which I also usually don't like, but these work for me.
Nice shooting. Gas cheeks?

Pics of crown and forcing cone,

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The black trim, i.e., the front and rear sights, is a plus plus. Shiny sights are near impossible to shoot accurately in bright sun. The cylinder release complements the sights well. Black is good.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

I have the 4" and really like it. probably put 450-500 rounds through it so far with not a hiccup. For me it's a lot more pleasant than the 6" 629 I used to have.

Nice job on the grips. It reminds me of the old Bill Jordan grips, but in rubber.

The crown looks about like mine did before I chamfered it, with it's raised edges.

The FC appears to transition into the rifling okay. Doubt the circular rings in the FC will be an issue. Put 100-200 rounds of jacketed bullets thru it before you try any lead bullets.

I like the Diamond Pros too for range time.

I think you'll like that snubby! I do!

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Waiting for the break of day

My 6 1/2" 629 Delux with the skinny wood grips hurt my hand with full power mags. My new 69 4" doesn't. I put the X-frame Houges on the 629, but I'm not feeling any need to mess around with the 69, after the first couple of range trips.

Yeah...I don't understand why they couldn't take a few seconds to lightly chamfer the burrs off for a finished look?
This isn't a 300 dollar gun!

Paul those mangled up grips are ugly as sin BUT THEY LOOK LIKE THE PERFECT ANSWER. Now I have to get a set and a sander or grinder. Good job. Best tip I've seen here in a while.

JWK - you are right, not likely to win any beauty contests. Did the modification to a new set shown in the picture below. I used a knife to remove material quicker then touched up with the Dremel drum sander. If using a knife, you need to be much more patient than I'm (GO SLOWLY).

Had the bottom gun (with the modified grips) out today. The Hogues are MUCH more comfortable than the factory grips I had been shooting a lot lately.



FWIW, I tried the Pachmayr Diamond Pros on my M69 -- they didn't work for me -- too narrow at the top (uncomfortable in the web of my hand under recoil), and for some reason allowed the trigger guard to hammer my middle knuckle. Today, I tried the Diamond Pros on my recently acquired M66-8 2 3/4" and they worked fine. Grips are personal (we are all different), so what works for me might not work for you or anyone else.

FWIW,

Paul

Great gun, gratz.

I'm so glad SW is stamping their logos again like god intended.

Tomorrow I am going to the range and fire Fiocchi 44 Mag.240gr.JSP (44A),Speer Gold Dot 44 Mag. 200gr.,SigSauer 44Spl. 200gr.JHP. Only very few of all 3,as this was expensive ammo.I bought a new Model 69,4.25in. bbl.today,cleaned and lubed and will see how it shoots tomorrow.I almost bought a 629 Classic Deluxe w/6in. bbl.,just too much gun for carry on my hikes.I think I made the right choice,as I am very pleased with how the 69 carries and balances.

Range report on Model 69-4.25in. bbl. All at 7yd. line.10 rds. of Sig 44 Spl. 200 gr. JHP,5 rds. Speer Gold Dot 44 Mag. 200 gr.,5 rds.Fiocchi 44Mag. 240 JSP.All groups were in approx.2 1/2 in.,center-no adjustments needed (I am sure because of short distance).My goal was to make sure the 69 worked and how much recoil.The Fiocchi had the most,but I only bought it for 4 legged animals.I made a good choice,IMHO,on this revolver.