New L Frame 44 mag!

[Messer]

Just a FYI for those interested...

I was looking at the video coverage of the 2014 SHOT Show over on gunblast.com, (day 3 video if you are going to go look) and they were showing the new, 5 shot L Frame model 69, 4.25" barrel in 44 Mag.

I like the concept - will need to see & hold one to really decide.

Anyone else interested?

Have a good weekend,
Bob S.

 

[Sarge45]

I like the idea myself. Not really sure the ability of the frame to withstand any steady diet of mag-level loads but for a hand loader using light homebrews I think it would be great.

 

[manyguns]

Sounds like the one thing I always wanted in my 696. A 4" barrel. I would not be able to shoot anything hotter than I can in the .44 Special due to recoil, but another model in that caliber would be great.

 

[gen3guy]

Very interested! I'm not worried about the steady diet of magnum loads. The gun would still last longer than I would under those conditions. If I couldn't reload, I wouldn't own a 44 magnum to begin with. Unless I was worried about bears so cougars, I'd keep it stoked with 44 specials anyway. By today's standards, the price looks pretty reasonable too.

 

[Hillbilly77]

I like the idea myself. Not really sure the ability of the frame to withstand any steady diet of mag-level loads but for a hand loader using light homebrews I think it would be great.

Like a J or K frame will choke on .357 Magnums?
I bet an L frame can handle it, and I guarantee there's a market for it.


The nice thing is, if you do have trouble, S&W's Lifetime Warranty will take care of you.

 

[zeke]

Like the concept. Am using most of my 44 mags with reduced loads, and the L-frame fits my hand size much better than the N-frame. Hope enough interest is shown for varying barrel lengths, 3-6 inchers.

Ifen I was more practical, could change out a lot of 3 in 44 specials/mags.

 

[71firebird400]

I'm a bit concerned about the frame size as well; the N frame was already "marginal" to begin with (think endurance package) and when laid beside other 44 Magnums (Colt Anaconda, Ruger Redhawk, Blackhawk, Super Redhawk, and even the Taurus) it is not as robust. Now, modern N-frame revolvers seem to be just fine but I don't know why they'd tempt fate by dropping to an L. I hope they've done their testing/research and that there aren't any long term issues!

 

[madmikeb]

Oh Man! I'll be all over one of these. I do about all my .44 mag shooting with reduced loads anyway. I missed out on the 696 so I don't want to miss out on these!

 

[DFrame]

Been over this one quite a bit. I'm really happy to see this. Hope it's enough of a success that they make a 3 inch barrel.
I'd be ON that, like a politician on a tax hike.

 

[mgb223]

I would love to see this with a fixed sight and 2 1/2 bbl.

 

[Eaglestroker]

Like the effort from S&W and if I run across one, I'll probably buy it and hope they release a shorter barreled version. Maybe even a PC 2.5"!

 

[Herknav]

For further reading on the subject: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/352134-new-model-69-a.html

 

[75Vette]

I'd like to see this one in a satin SS finish. I'd Grab one right now.

 

[mc5aw]

I'm not concerned about frame size, but rather the thickness of the forcing cone. Remember, in addition to the 696, there was a 296 and 396 Mt. Lite which were very nice lightweight .44s. If the new L-frame .44 is a smaller version of the 629 Carry Comp, it will be a big winner.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

Seems like it would have been prudent to keep it a .44 Special, but like was mentioned above, most .44 shooters already reload, so they can work up a good Magnum load that won't beat up the shooter or the gun.

 

[Goldstar225]

I intend to get one as soon as I can. I already know that most of my shooting will be 900-1000 FPS LSWC loads but that will do all that I need done. My interest is sparked because it will fit my hands, unlike the "N" frame. Five shots is plenty for my needs.

 

[Cpo1944]

I`d buy a .41 Mag in a New York minuet!

 

[STCM(SW)]

Check out the thread I just posted...
There allocated.....

 

[Rock185]

Like mc5aw, I'd be worried about the forcing cone. I've read on more than one occasion that the forcing cone was the weak point on the 696s. Looking at the pictures, they may have been able to beef that up a bit on these new guns. I noticed that the ejector rod diameter appeared to be smaller than a regular K/L/N frame revolvers, and that it has a ball crane lock up. Wonder if these changes allow for using a larger diameter forcing cone? Sure hope the LGS gets one in, and I get to look it over before it's sold. I suspect that if there are no, or very few, reports of durability problems, S&W is going to sell a Ton of them...

 

[STCM(SW)]

The first one on GB with a BIN price of $730 went in
Less then :45 min yesterday