So I bought a Model 469 this week, mostly because of its resemblance of the ASP and Devel compacts that I expect to be able to find/afford. I have not shot it yet, hopefully I will be doing that tonight or tomorrow, however I did get a very nice NOS DeSantis thumb break scabbard to go with it, and I’ve carried it couple of times while out on errands in last day or so to see how comfortable it rides.

That aside, the gun must have been someone’s EDC, as it has plenty of external wear, but a nice tight action otherwise. Disappointingly, I found when I stripped the gun down for cleaning that the former owner obviously did not know how to remove the grip panels, and it would appear that they used a screw driver to attempt to pry them out. One grip panel is actually missing part of its rear tab, other looks to be ok, and they both still stay seated in place, albeit maybe a little loose. The back strap also shows minor pry marks, is in generally good condition. (I hate when people try brute force when they don’t have a clue what their doing!)

So, I have perused the usual places like eBay for NOS grips, and maybe a new back strap too, however the thought did occur to me, can the grip assembly from the 6904 or 6906 be used on the 469? I am aware that the third generation guns use a single piece grip design vs the 469’s three piece, I was just curious if the frames changed that much from one generation to the next that the grips would not interchange.

My guess is they do not interchange, however what say you all?

Mainegrw,

Back in the day, I carried a 469. My department armorer did fit a set of 6904 grips to it, as I recall, there was some cutting or grinding (non visible externally) to the edge of the frame.  He did this for a lot of us.

If the model number wasn't stamped on it, you would have thought it was a 6904.

__________________
Tony

I was just told by S&W this week that they're finally out of the 5900-series grips, but it can't hurt to give them a call and ask about the 2nd gen grips for your pistol. Who knows, you might get lucky.
BTW, the first pistol I ever bought was a 469. I got it NIB at a gunshow soon after getting out of the Marines back in '85. It was a great little pistol, but not long after, I traded it in on a Sig P226. They apologetically offered me "only" $250 for it, without knowing I actually paid $249 total, with a box of Blazers tossed in !!!

Thanks for the replies. If it requires physical modification of the frame to fit the 6904 grips, then I will be sticking to the original 3 piece style grips, and try to find replacements...

I did get to the range last night, and I am very impressed with the 469. My grouping is not quite as tight as I can get with my 39-2, but still pretty good. This gun may become my edc...

Rather than modifying the frame to fit the grips, why not modify the grips to fit the frame?

See this thread: 3rd Gen grips on 2nd Gen Pistols (with pictures)

John

Thanks for the info, however I think I may hold off on this project as a new problem has arisen: Today I showed the 469 to my grandfather and he wants it, so of course I'm going to let him have it. This being the case, I'll grab a set of standard plastic replacement grips off eBay, and grab a couple extra mags for him. Really, I think the original grips will hold up just fine as is, and he probably won't shoot it much if at all anyway...

[QUOTE Thanks for the info, however I think I may hold off on this project as a new problem has arisen: Today I showed the 469 to my grandfather and he wants it, so of course I'm going to let him have it. This being the case, I'll grab a set of standard plastic replacement grips off eBay, and grab a couple extra mags for him. Really, I think the original grips will hold up just fine as is, and he probably won't shoot it much if at all anyway...[/QUOTE]

Great - Problem solved, now be sure to thank your grandfather for providing you with a reason to buy another one.

__________________
Tony

Great - Problem solved, now be sure to thank your grandfather for providing you with a reason to buy another one.[/QUOTE]



Well said! Actually, I do have another S&W on layaway that I need to pick up (a 4” 586 in this case), so something will be filling the hole pretty quick. I do also see a lot of 3rd generation 69xx pistols around less so the the 469s, and I may be tempted to buy another one at some point soon, however the added benefit to giving this one to my grandfather is maintaining the ability to shoot it every once and a while, as well as knowing that it will come back to me someday.

In the meantime, I do need to get another 59 for my collection, and like my 39-2, and model 41, I’m on the lookout for one that is used, but with its box and accessories for a reasonable price. That shouldn’t be too hard...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk