S&W Model 69 - square or round butt?

[oworthsr]

I just bought a "NIB" Model 69 (SKU 10064) on GunBroker. Gun is in transit, and likely won't arrive at my FFL until mid- to late- next week.

I'm not in love with the appearance of the stock grips...they may be ok functionally, but I always like to have a "pretty" set. In this case, that other set needs to be S&W L frame target grips.

Here's the dilemma...I think the Model 69 L frame is a round butt. But S&W website doesn't say, and the seller doesn't say.

If it is a round butt, Target grip options may be limited since I'd have to buy "round to square" conversion grips.

Anyone here know?

Thanks.

 

[CHARLIE699]

Yes, both the 2.75" & 4" M69's are round butt. Many conversion grips are available. As practice, I prefer round-butt on revolver 3" and under and square-butt over 3". Just point better that way for me.
My M69 4" was fitted with a set of Kim Ahrends Black Maple conversion. Very pleasing to my eye with the satin stainless & black hammer/trigger/screws.

 

[johngalt]

Does S&W make any square frame revolvers now? All of my recently manufactured revolvers (mid 2000 and later) are round. Don't have an X frame though.

 

[soonerbb]

I didn't like the stock grips until I shot the gun, it is now my favorite hiking/hunting sidearm. If I were to change them it would be for Culina combats...This the most underrated pistol in the lineup IMO....

 

[One Holer]

Fine figured wood grips are pretty and dress-up a revolver, but in my opinion the best thing that you can do for that model 69 is put a pair of Hogue X-frame grips on it. You'll thank me later.

 

[RoyM52]

Fine figured wood grips are pretty and dress-up a revolver, but in my opinion the best thing that you can do for that model 69 is put a pair of Hogue X-frame grips on it. You'll thank me later.

I went with a set of Nills on my 2 3/4" M 69. Back in the '70's everything I loaded was HOT. Now it's more fun to have a nice thump, but not as much drama. I load so I am getting around 1,000 FPS with a 200 or lately 210 grain , sometimes a 240.

The Nills wood grips feel better on my side when I carry it. {carry this gun in a Milt Sparks VM2} The Hogues do allow a longer time shooting but chafe to carry IWB. In my older age I have opted for a more pleasant shooting hand cannon. I do like the Nills and the grip feel when shooting. To me Hogues are nice on my hunting 44 {A 629-3 with a 6 inch barrel} I like the size and carry-ability of the L frame for general woods walks and like shooting it much more with it loaded this way.

 

[Fishinfool]

Yep, a round butt. Mine was comfortable with the factory rubber, but just didn't like the look. Since my go to load for this gun is a 240 / 250 grain cast WFP at about 975 fps, I figured wood grips would work.

Picked up a set of Rosewood round to square grips off ebay by Altamont. They really change the look, and fit my hand well, and handle the recoil fine. Now, 240's at 1400 fps might be another matter...

R/E butt style - The N frames being produced with the 4 screw side plate frame are still square butt, at least my recent model 29-10 is.

Larry

 

[kamloops67]

I use hogue hardwood round/ square conversions on ALL my Smith and Wesson revolvers
Have used Ahrends as well with success but no longer own any examples wearing them
Wish I could figure out how to post pics here from my phone

 

[RoyM52]

If you wish to change a round butt to Square, just buy some conversion grips. In order to change a square butt to round butt, it's not so simple.

I believed that Smith and Wesson figured this out many years ago.

Are there any square butt frames even made anymore?

I know that my 629-3 is a square butt frame, but there are also some 629-3 that are round butt. {my 617 no dash is also square butt} But those were both made about 1990.

 

[murphydog]

Does S&W make any square frame revolvers now? All of my recently manufactured revolvers (mid 2000 and later) are round. Don't have an X frame though.

Many of the recent Classic line are/were square butt frames, but in looking at the S & W website they appear to be out of production.

 

[oink]

Personally I don't like the looks of full size square butt grips on a 2 3/4" gun although the altamonts in post #7 do look nice. I have the 2 3/4" 69 and I have Hogue checkered wood bantam grips on it. I really like the look as the size of the grips matches the size of the gun perfectly. I will note that there is a low limit to the number of hot 44s my hand can tolerate with those grips. I qualified with it with hot magnums just to see how it would be. I qualified fine but there was blood. However, I don't think the OP mentioned which length he bought. If I was going to go for extended range time it would either be with different grips or lighter loads.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I have a set of Badger grips for mine but when we go out to play it wears Pachmayr Diamond Pros.

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[StrawHat]

I am sure many have seen this image before. These are both round butted revolvers, N frames. One is wearing rb elk, the other a conversion pair of elk I made.

Grips are easy to swap around until you find what you prefer. I like Magna stocks with a grip adapter. Not the choice for everyone but it works for me.

Kevin

 

[BillBro]

Yes, both the 2.75" & 4" M69's are round butt. Many conversion grips are available. As practice, I prefer round-butt on revolver 3" and under and square-butt over 3". Just point better that way for me.
My M69 4" was fitted with a set of Kim Ahrends Black Maple conversion. Very pleasing to my eye with the satin stainless & black hammer/trigger/screws.

Pretty sweet!