Hello all, have been a meme her for awhile but just my second post so bare with me please. I have not purchased a new Smith revolver in a very long time, but have decided I really want a model 69. For folks who have purchased them how has the overall quality been? Are a lot going back to Smith to get them “ right”. Also just your overall opinions of them, I am looking at it as a dedicated 44 special revolver. Looking specifically at the 2.75 inch.

Thanks for any thoughts on this

Dave

I have the 4.25 inch version. If it was kept strictly as a .44 spl. It will be a kitty cat. Even with factory 44mags from Walmart mine isn’t bad for recoil.

HOWEVER-if I load up some of my hand loads using Keith 250 grainers over a healthy dose (within my Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook specs) of 2400 powder, 10 rounds is about it with the factory stocks.

Other than that I love it! Good luck 🙂

I really like my 2.75 inch model 69. I put VZ grips on it and it has been my backwoods companion. It likes the Buffalo Bore heavy. 44 Special loads. Installing a spring kit made the action much lighter without affecting reliability.

It handles 44 Mag loads well so as a 44 Special sh◘◘ter it'll be a puddy tat.

For the money it's a great revolver. I enjoy the heck out of taking mine to the range.

Glad I got it.

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Waiting for the break of day

I've had mine a couple of years, it's perfect mechanically and cosmetically.
Very shootable to me with a stiff 44 SP load, cross the border into 44 mag territory it's 2 cylinders worth and done for the day. Hands get the shakes from the shock of recoil.

Welcome to the forum.

There are quite a few threads on the reliability of the Model 69. It is well thought of as a defensive revolver.

A quick search of the forum will get you hours of reading.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

I have had a 4 1/4 inch version for 4 years bought slightly used on GB. I really like mine and it is the most accurate 44 magnum I have ever owned and I have owned or still own several. Mine has had no need to revisit its homeplace. The only complaint I have with mine is that the front sight could be slightly taller as 240 grain bullets hit high with the back sight all the way down but not not so high as to be a huge problem. I solved two problems by mostly using 200 grain bullets recoil and high impact. Mine is still straight factory. After several thousand shots it has smoothed up real nice and needs no spring changes not that I ever do that. I do have Pachmayr rubber grips on mine.

I've been struggling with my Diamond Pro's, and they will not quite go the last 1/4" or so. What's the secret?

Mine has digested everything with aplomb.

The M500 grips make it much more enjoyable to shoot at the range with magnum rounds.

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- Post No Bills -

I've had a 2.75" for about three years. I've had no issues with mine. I like it so much I bought a new 66 2.75" to keep it company.

I had Diamond Pro on mine and they were comfortable shooting. However after 3 years of use they started splitting along the top of the backstrap and rubbing like a cheap pencil eraser. I swapped for Pachmayr Pro. The Pach grips that are being sold these days are not near as good or well made as from a few years ago.
As far as fitting the Diamond Pros did you remove the S&W locator pin from the grip frame? Other than that they are tight and you have to work them on and off. FYI I had Diamond Pros on another revolver. They split and rubbed bad too. They are now on the old grip shelf .

I have the Packmayr Compac grip on my 2 3/4" 69 and they tame 44 mags very well.

I bought one with the 4.25 inch barrel shortly after they came out and have been very happy with it.

With heavy bullets it shot high and I ran out of adjustment range on the sights. I read somewhere the early ones came with a higher rear sight blade than new ones do. The factory would not send me a replacement rear sight assembly with the lower blade so I sent it back so they could install it. The only tool involved would have been a screwdriver. Unless you buy an older one and shoot heavy loads this will not be a problem.

I have one of the short ones. I like it and haven't had any mechanical issues. Due to a lack of gas seal lead vapors, when shooting cast, can get inside the ejector rod area and it might need more frequent cleaning. Other than some hand rolled cast I've only shot magnums in mine but magnums can vary a lot. Some are pretty stout and some are just fine. The hand rolled were in magnum brass but they were at special velocities. Some hot ones I loaded with 240gr Zero bullets and 296 will draw blood before many rounds go down range.

Thanks everyone, I didn’t want to miss out on the one I was looking at so it was ordered last night.

Buckeye shooter: I'm confident you will be happy with the 69. Didn't really see the benefit of one, I have several N frames, UNTIL I HELD ONE. I have a 4.25" BBL model and I did order a taller front sight and it solved the high impact problem with heavy bullets. i BELIEVE THE FRONT SIGHT PROBLEM WAS FIXED IN 2016. Mine is highly accurate and a joy to carry and shoot. Packing an L frame is much easier than an N frame. Seriously considering a 2.75 " model to go with the 4incher. No problems and very, very accurate.

I have a 2.75" 69 as well as a 66.
I describe the 69 as ".44 spl gun with magnum capability".
With a 2 hand grip and a hot magnum load, it winds up over my head.

I’m in the same boat as Upcountry. I have the 66-8 and 69 in the 2.75”. Both are great shooters.

With the stock grips 44 magnum rounds were barely doable and mostly a flinch inducer. I installed the Hogue X frame 500 grips and I can now get through 2 or 3 cylinders of magnum rounds but I still view it as a mainly 44 special revolver.

I actually took the 69 to the range today and put 75 rounds down range and had a blast doing so. Started with Barnes 44 mag 225 grain and then shot a bunch of different 44 specials from full wadcutters to hard cast to hollow points to flat points. It is quickly becoming a favorite of mine and will get a lot of carry time during deer season.

Buckeye - Congrats on the 69. Enjoy it and be safe!