With the intro of the Model 69 L-frame .44 Magnum, with its ball detent front lock, I wish for a snub-nose version, since lockup under the bbl will no longer be an issue. A .44 Magnum Chief, in effect. The thought boggles the mind.

Yes a 2 1/2" Mod 69 in 44 Mag, with a round butt, would be an excellent revolver for concealed carry.

Sort of a 2 1/2" Mod 19 on steroids.

Somehow, I knew that would grab your attention! However, in other recent threads, I've read of 'teething troubles' and outright 'bugs' in the new 69.

I have yet to see, or handle one.

However I have handled a few of the 5 shot L frame 44 Specials.

First one I touched, I said to myself, "This needs to be a 44 Mag"...

Would be pretty much like the 2 1/2" 686 except a little lighter because of the larger bore. Still a hefty gun for EDC. Still would be nice having it available.

Would buy a 3 incher, with full ejection stroke. If my actions were based on sound reasoning, could then sell off all those n frame 3 inchers.

Guys, just get and carry a Model 696 in 44special. Mine works all the time and I would wager that a hot loaded special and a magnum out of a stubby barrel are not too far apart in speed or terminal effectiveness.

Have several 696's, and not chancing too hot of a load through the thin protruding forcing cone. Maybe 1000 fps with 180 jhp, or 900 fps for 200 gdhp. Also load mild 180 jhp load for 44 mag, at 1250 fps from 4 incher. Big difference in velocitys, and in the thickness/protrusion of the forcing cone.

Then a 69 could also serve as trail gun with much heavier heavy lead bullet loads.

Hi Joe. Sorry, it's a great idea, but the 696 is out of print and I don't handload, so a hot loaded .44Spl is out of the question. Strike 1, strike 2...

Joe, I do not disagree with you logic. And if I had a light weight short barreled 44 Mag I would carry 44 Special +P tyoe loads or the lighter defensive offerings in 44 Mag.

The deal is, I would want to be able to shoot standard 44 Mag ammo IF I HAD to.

I am going to "take up for" Joe here as there are several very good factory 44 Special defensive loads out there.
IMHO any of the 44 Special loads that equal a 45 ACP 185 HP or a 230 HP load are plenty good enough for protection in the 44 Special...

Still like you, I would much prefer the revolver be able to shoot 44 Mag ammo as well...

Sign me up for the 3" and 2 1/2".

Sounds interesting, but since I have a 3" 629 and 657 I can't see buying a 69, even if it didn't have the goofy IL. Also, never understood the idea behind the myriad models chambered for the .44 spl, after the birth of the 44 mag - I do like the tapered barrel, however and wish they would have used it on the 3 and 4 inch 29/629s.

They did, in a 4" configuration. Check out the 629 Mountain Gun.

Yes would buy a snubby 69.

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Steve

I have a 69 and don't think it would be impossible to snub a 4" 69 to just about what ever length you wanted. You could go just under 3" easily as it would be just to the front of the ejector shroud. Remove barrel insert, cut barrel shroud, machine shoulder inside shroud for where the shoulder barrel sets against. Cut barrel insert at receiver end and rethread and recut forcing cone. If you went under 3" you could shorten ejector rod and cut material from receiver end of barrel shroud. Setting up to remove the barrel and reinstall would be a bigger pain than the machining unless you could get your hands on the special wrench that engages the rifling. I had hoped to be able to make a 3" 45 ACP out of mine, but the chamber wall would be to thin on the outside of the cylinder. Lots of room chamber to chamber though. I was going to remove barrel by using low temp (200f) solder to fix a piece of sq. stock inside the barrel.

I would think though that S&W may well start making a shorter 69. Not that much of a change.

I thought about cutting mine down after I checked measurements and figured out I could not convert to 45. But, I already have 2 3" 44 specials for concealed carry and if I want to carry a 44 mag another 1"+ of barrel isn't a problem because I wouldn't be carrying it concealed.

I bought one as soon as they came out. Mine is working fine.

Sign me up for a 3" with XS big dot tritium.

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John 5:24

Carrying a Bulldog right now. I wish it was a Smith!

Nuff said!

I am not a fan of new smith revolers, I am an old school person who likes old school things, be it television shows, movies, music cars or guns, and I do not like anything after the mid 80's really, but I must say the new 69 has really gotten my attention. I like the idea of a 5 shot 44 mag and I also like that you can put k frame round butt magna grips on it which is what really sold me. I saw a picture of the new 66 with magnas and it looks pretty good, and the 69 looks very similar to the 69 in looks. That 3 inch is beautiful and I'm thinking about making it one of my next purchases (as I'm currently paying off a snub blued square butt model 36 no dash to go with my nickel one just like it) and I think I'd be very happy with it once I got those rubber grips off. However, even for rubber grips which I typically loathe, they aren't half bad looking on it, though they would still have to go. Nice looking gun and I don't own a 44 mag yet and would certainly like to. Used to shoot my dad's 686 back when I was younger and I miss the punch of the 44.

Well, since the Model 69 is now available with a 2.75 inch barrel, the OP got his wish.


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CPT, Armor (Ret)
Luke 22:36