I will be sending my 469 in to my favorite gunsmith for refinish and new sights. Are there any other good function modifications/updates I should consider while the gun is there?

thanks, fuzzy

Hi Fuzzy - I owned a Model 469 back in the nineties. It's a great compact gun. Mine was factory stock and functioned perfectly with the ammunition available from that time period. It digested a steady diet of FMJ weekly on the practice range and I'd put around 200 rounds of JHP (can't recall the brand/style) that I used for defensive carry and it never, ever hiccuped.

'Never saw the need to do any mod's to the weapon. The only thing that bugged me was the grip panel was a little wiggly but it didn't affect performance.

I was planning on having a right-side safety/decocker lever installed at some point in time but sold it before I did. I believe your having new sights put on it is a great idea. The stock sights are a tad on the small side but, useable.

One cosmetic addition I indulged myself was having the named I christened it with engraved on the top of the slide.

Enjoy your piece!

-Jim

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JWS3
1SG, USA (Retired)

I own two 469's and improved the sight picture by replacing the slide and barrel assemby and recoil rod and recoil spring with those of a S&W 6904. I also prefer the Uncle Mike's two piece rubber grips over my original delrin grips and pacymayer grips.
586L-Frame

Thanks guys. I did not have any specific ideas other than the sights, think I'll just stick with that. Great idea on the engraving. I did laser engraving on one of my smith 10mm's. I chose to say to my son's name, from dad. I felt it would make one of my favorites pistols mean something special to him many years after I am gone.
fuzzy

The only S&W that I now own is a Shorty Forty. I was touched by your saying that you're considering having your son's name engraved on yours. I just may do the same with mine and my Colt MK IV Series 70 .45 ACP. I have two sons and I want my pistols to go to them, as you do.

I inherited the Shorty Forty from my brother over this Thanksgiving weekend when he presented it to me due to his terminal illness.

I'm sure your son will have some great stories to tell his children and fond remembrance of you after it's passed on to him.

Until then though, enjoy your 469!

-Jim

__________________
JWS3
1SG, USA (Retired)

JW,

Thanks for the warm sentiments. I have many handguns, and I am fairly confident that my son and daughter will pick a few of their favorites and sell the rest, but I now know that my son will keep my favorite 1066 and some day show it to his son and say "my father gave it to me, and some day I will give it to you". That gives me great joy.

Conincidently, after a year long search, I found a LNIB 3913 lady smith I will engrave for my daughter.

All the best,
fuzzy