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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 08-06-2020, 12:51 PM
Nick B Nick B is offline
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Default Any Owners Of The 2.75” Model 69 ?

LGS got one in and I spent a good amount of time looking it over and couldn’t find one flaw . .006 feeler gage would just barely fit when checking all 5 chambers for the cylinder gap. Using magnifiers I looked at the barrel crown,
Forcing Cone, barrel / frame alignment , end shake , timing. All excellent.
So to you owners and shooters of these what are the pros and cons ?
Just would be a range toy and I reload .44 Special and Magnum so ammo wouldn’t be a problem.
Thanks in advance.
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Old 08-06-2020, 01:08 PM
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Not a 69 owner, but I'll say it's one of only two L-frames that I'd really like to get (the other being a 696).

I'm sure if you do a search you'll find lots of posts on the 69 by owners. I will say, that of the posts I've read, I don't recall seeing anything negative about it.
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Old 08-06-2020, 01:11 PM
needsmostuff needsmostuff is offline
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Nope, not an owner ,,,,,, but I want to be.
I hear nothing but good as to being a great medium sized, utility carry piece.
I DO have the 4.2 incher and it is a dandy packin gun. I also have a 5"629 to compare it to and now it just feels , well , big.
When a used 2.75 incher shows up around here it will be mine.

Last edited by needsmostuff; 08-06-2020 at 01:12 PM.
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Old 08-06-2020, 08:14 PM
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I’m on the hunt for a 2.75 to keep the 4-incher warm in the safe.

With addition of the 500 grips, it has been an excellent shooter.
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Old 08-06-2020, 08:24 PM
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Go back and get it before somebody else does.
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File Type: jpg M69 woods gun.jpg (41.7 KB, 95 views)
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Old 08-06-2020, 09:08 PM
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I think the gap measured 0.004" on mine. I think it's the best Smith I've owned. Fit and finish, trigger pull, lockup, all really good.
Once a 44 magnum gets this size, it's the shooter that needs the endurance package. The gun is unfazed by loads producing more recoil than most humans want to deal with.
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Old 08-06-2020, 10:30 PM
tdan tdan is offline
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I have the 4.25” version and mine is a great shooter. I did send it back to Smith to smooth out burrs on the barrel crown. I also have the current model 66 with the 2.75” barrel. I LOVE this gun! This is a much better design than the original version. The 69 that you are looking at has the same ball/crane lockup. I have a 696 and if I were to trade it toward that snubbie 69, I would be walking away with a better revolver plus a bunch of Benjamin’s in my pocket. Just my two cents!.............tdan
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Old 08-07-2020, 12:07 AM
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Default 69?

Good solid gun, tight lockup, very smooth trigger, no flaws detected. Used with 44 Specials only. Can use same holster as 686.

I like 44 Specials and got a 396 Night Guard when they came out but, because they are scarce, it's in the safe with the 315. I reload so ammo's not a problem.
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File Type: jpg M 69_01 stamp.JPG (272.7 KB, 58 views)
File Type: jpg M 686-6+ right 3in stamp.JPG (141.4 KB, 52 views)
File Type: jpg M 315 and 396 Night Guards.jpg (111.6 KB, 71 views)
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Old 08-07-2020, 01:02 AM
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Of my snubby 44s I like shooting the M69 the best.

Plenty accurate & does a good job handling recoil.

It's not as unique, nor as light, as the Night Guards but that's not a bad thing.

Go back & buy it before it's gone.

.



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Old 08-07-2020, 01:31 AM
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I wish it had a one piece barrel.
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Old 08-07-2020, 07:20 PM
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Quote:
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I wish it had a one piece barrel.


My understanding is the two-piece barrel is what gives it a beefy enough extension to handle the .44 magnum.
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Old 08-07-2020, 11:27 PM
Paul105 Paul105 is offline
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I have several of each barrel length. Bought the first one in Q1 of 2014. Have shot over 10,000 rnds thru them. My current favorite is the 2 3/4" version. Had it out today - this is what a "handgun" is supposed to be. Here are some pictures of better groups shot with the 2 3/4".

50 yds - rested on range bag - verified on another day - 260gr WFNGC 23.0gr H110



25 yds rested on carpet squares - 17.5gr A2400, 265gr SWCGC, deep seated and crimped over front drive band in .44 Mag cases.



25 yds rested - 7.7gr H Universal, 265gr SWCGC, deep seated and crimped over front drive band in .44 Mag cases.



25 yds rested - 5.0gr Win Super Target (WST), 250gr Keith (429421) deep seated and crimped over front drive band in .44 mag cases.



Double action 12 yds as fast as front sight back on target - 300gr Missouri Hammer, 20.0g H110.



Gun with modifed (rounded butt and removed finger groves) Houge X Frame 500 grips



If you haven't already, GO GET IT!

JMHO

Paul

Last edited by Paul105; 08-07-2020 at 11:33 PM.
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Old 08-08-2020, 11:20 AM
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I’m really impressed with mine. Especially with how controllable it is and how accurate I can shoot it. My only other .44 is a Redhawk which handles magnums well. I thought I might need specials when I first took the 69 out but I couldn’t find any so I shot magnums.Magtech blue box. Piece of cake. If I could reduce the thickness of the rubber across the back strap just a tad that’s the only thing I’d change.
[ATTACH] 464720[/ATTACH]
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File Type: jpg C1789F5C-7BC8-406F-A3F0-3B30B22FB8B3.jpg (60.0 KB, 24 views)
File Type: jpg C0DF85B8-95CF-49DD-99FC-F097D9F61A0A.jpg (90.5 KB, 34 views)
File Type: jpg 662AC74E-1846-470D-AF61-14D4F5D25C61.jpg (49.7 KB, 29 views)

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Old 08-08-2020, 11:20 AM
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I really like mine. Mine also wears the 500 grips. I consider it a 44 special gun that can also shoot magnums. Even with the softer grips I will not shoot more than a cylinder or two of magnums in a range session. I’m an average shot but I found myself shooting the 69 better than most of my handguns...must be the great balance and a pretty doggone good trigger too.

The 69 is a woods gun for me loaded with 4 Underwood 44 special wadcutters and one CCI shotshell. It carries really nice in an OWB holster at 3:00 - 4:00 position.
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Old 08-08-2020, 06:54 PM
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Default I just shot mine today...

A great little snub...just shot it today...lots of fun to shoot with 44 specials...pretty neat little package...also serves as my "house gun"...


Only one "BUT" : it is BRUTAL on the wrist and palm of the hand with full boat 44 magnums...OUCH!
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Old 08-08-2020, 07:45 PM
Mike_Fontenot Mike_Fontenot is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pharman View Post
Only one "BUT" : it is BRUTAL on the wrist and palm of the hand with full boat 44 magnums...OUCH!
Have you put the X500 grips on it? That helps a lot.

I find it comfortable shooting full-spec 240gr Underwoods in mine. But part of that is due to my use of a very relaxed grip, with relaxed and flexed elbows. That allows the recoil to be absorbed by the inertia of my forearms, with a very high (almost vertical) muzzle rise. I don't think many other shooters like to shoot that way, but it works for me.
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Old 08-08-2020, 07:54 PM
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I have one and it's a great little gun. Full house mag rounds are a handful, but it's a good shooter. Glad I got one, it's a keeper.
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Old 08-09-2020, 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike_Fontenot View Post
Have you put the X500 grips on it? That helps a lot.

I find it comfortable shooting full-spec 240gr Underwoods in mine. But part of that is due to my use of a very relaxed grip, with relaxed and flexed elbows. That allows the recoil to be absorbed by the inertia of my forearms, with a very high (almost vertical) muzzle rise. I don't think many other shooters like to shoot that way, but it works for me.

Thanks for the info...I appreciate that...Roger
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Old 08-09-2020, 10:54 AM
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I had one. Great gun! I experimented with hand loads to find the best combo (for me) of velocity, accuracy, and tolerable recoil. After about a year and 1500 rounds, I gave up and sold it. Could not tame the recoil to make is a fun gun to shoot. YMMV.
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Old 08-09-2020, 06:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick B View Post
Just would be a range toy and I reload .44 Special and Magnum so ammo wouldn’t be a problem.
The M69 needs a handloader.

I have a 4", and it's a really nice .44M. It will handle anything you reload, it's more a matter of what can you handle.

I found that the bear stopping loads, in my case a top end charge of 2400 with a 265gr Hornady FP, or 270gr Speer DC would need a 3' bull and a six o'clock hold to hit the middle of the dot at 15 yds. The recoil from same, was a two cylinder event. Back to the drawing board.

10gr of Herco, and a 240gr Missouri cast LSWC was the ticket. I was able to bust a clay on the 100yd berm about 1:10 shots, with most shots real close. I can handle a full box of 50 rounds before I fade. Recoil is no small effect with the M69. My bear load is 12gr of Herco, 240gr Missouri, and after 25 rounds, I call it a day.

If you want a really "nice" load, the Speer 240gr LSWC and 7 gr of Red Dot is my favorite.
If you want to carry your M69, you can get a 180gr Sierra or Hornady XTP to go where you point it with medium hot charges of Unique or Herco. Expensive, but "shootable" for fun.

Good luck with your M69, I wish they'd put a 6" tube on a special run.
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Old 08-09-2020, 06:33 PM
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So Nick, have you bought it yet?
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Old 08-09-2020, 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by joe44va View Post
So Nick, have you bought it yet?
No not yet . Still deciding. Yesterday I took another .44 Spl out to the range that I haven’t shot in awhile and fell back in love with it .
It’s a Freedom Arms M97 with a 4 1/4” barrel and adjustable sights .
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Old 08-09-2020, 08:21 PM
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I found that , for me, the real joy with my M 69 2 3/4 inch was to ignore trying to do a 44 special load or a 44 Mag load. I just aimed for a velocity that I liked {around 1000 fps} using a bullet I liked {200 gr short Barrel Gold dot} In Mag brass.
This is a load I can shoot all day.

I tried several different grips with the load and with my carry holster {Milt Sparks V M 2} I ended up with my final load was so tame, I put a pair of Wood combat grips on.[IMG][/IMG] as much because they grab less on the shirt for IWB carry and the recoil doesn't sting. I also added night sights.

Last edited by RoyM52; 08-09-2020 at 08:22 PM.
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Old 08-10-2020, 05:30 PM
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Quote:
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No not yet . Still deciding. Yesterday I took another .44 Spl out to the range that I haven’t shot in awhile and fell back in love with it .
It’s a Freedom Arms M97 with a 4 1/4” barrel and adjustable sights .
One of my favorites - my .44 special is a 5 1/2". I do have a 4 1/4" 97 in .45 Colt - I know why you fell back in love with yours.

.44 special lower left



.45 Colt



Still think you need the M69 LOL
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