I have a brand new Model 69 .44 mag where a main motivation for the purchase was to have hiking in bear country. I really like the Bianchi X15 shoulder holster and have them in small (M60 3" & Kimber Micro 9) and medium (M60 5"). I really like the X15 for the secure carry and the ability to draw out the top or through the opening after releasing the retaining strap. Plus, patience will usually lead to one in good condition showing up on eBay.

I don't know if the M69 will fit this holster. Safariland / Bianchi doesn't list the M69 in their compatibility charts and "shop by gun" features on holster seller sites seem to use the same gun lists and don't usually list the M69.

I'm hoping that someone will know whether the M69 in 4.25" barrel will fit the Bianchi X15 size large. The revolver really wants to fit in my size medium but the retaining strap isn't long enough to clear the trigger guard.

Does anyone have any info on other shoulder holsters that might fit this revolver? I really prefer a vertical carry as it is less intrusive into where my pack straps go. Also, even though I'll be out in the woods some family members will be uncomfortable with a firearm so I'd prefer to be discrete. Therefore no hunter or cross chest styles.

Thanks in advance.

Larry

I do not have a Model 69, but since it is an L-frame and the barrel being 4.25", I would expect it to fit in a Bianchi X15 designed for a 4 inch Model 586/686.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

The 'large' X-15 refers to it being for a longer barrel (up to 6.5") than for the 'medium', which is 4" barrel K frame and the 1911, too. Nothing to do with pistol frame sizes 'large' or 'small', for example.

So with the 4+" barrel skip the 'large'. Be aware that to holster the revolver, it goes barrel first into the uppermost opening then with the cylinder down behind the spring; drawing is lifting and pointing. Large cylinders don't come out of the spring opening without a lot of effort otherwise, if you (try) to draw the entire revolver through the opening.

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The Holstorian

Galco has a VSH set or if you like the strap like the Bianchi they have a half-harness and just also buy the holster.

Thanks to all who responded. I'll try the M69 in my medium X15 again but the issue I had was that the retaining strap doesn't reach around the trigger guard. I'll try it again a little more carefully.

Thanks for this info. The M69 4.25" has almost identical exterior specs to the M686 4" except for a 4/100" difference in overall length. I've contacted Galco to see if some other measurement such as muzzle to cylinder makes their VHS incompatible.

Buy a vintage X-15, the holster was made for many years w/out a strap :-). I jest though, the Medium is a very tight fit on a Python frame. The Galco likely is a pouch style? So springs are not an issue there.

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The Holstorian

Received the following reply from Galco about the fit of their VHS which is listed as fitting the Model 686 4":

Thank you for contacting Galco. Unfortunately, the VHS4.0 shoulder holster is not made for the S&W L frame model 69 in 4.25” length. The ¼” longer barrel of the S&W L frame model 69 is not recommended fit for the V4-104 VHS holster. A custom option is not available.

Will study the Bianchi more closely and maybe what is needed is a longer retaining strap.

Still struggling to find a shoulder holster for this Model 69 4.25". The Model 69 is just not listed commonly in holster maker compatibility charts.

Although I'm not a big fan of the X-15 with revolvers -- its forte is the 1911 it was designed around -- the L frame with a 1/4" longer barrel will work in the Medium.

Notice I don't say 'fits', which is a misnomer laymen use for guns in holsters. Does the strap close, or not? One or the other is not 'fits'.

Anyhoo, thes images are of my vintage 1970s X-15 Medium with a casting of the L frame inside. Notice that in one image of the spring opening, the recoil shield is aligned with the upper edge of the leather lining.

Now imagine the revolver riding another quarter inch higher inside the holster, and realize your ever so slightlly longer barrel will still allow the revolver to fit securely inside the spring area.

You've come up against the larger makers in the 21st century; these are neither gun people nor holster people. They're simply employees of companies that make widgets and have neither the knowledge nor the interest in helping you :-(.

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The Holstorian

Thanks Red,

I have owned X-15 holsters with and without the strap and had an unfortunate incident where a Model 60 fell forward through the spring closure and onto a concrete floor. I still like the X-15 but will only use them with the strap which is standard on the newer models. And the Model 69 is a large and heavy revolver and I don't trust the spring to hold it in. Sadly, the standard retaining strap isn't long enough.

Here is my Model 696 in a medium size X-15. This is a 3" bbl.

Kind Regards!
BrianD

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696-6906-457-38-3913-CS40-411

I've gotta agree with Mr. Nichols that the X15 was designed around the 1911. Works pretty well with a BHP too. They do have different versions that allegedly fit other guns, not sure what changes they might make.

Decades ago, when I needed a shoulder holster for a model 29, my choice was the Safariland 101. It's been outstanding and retained the gun in some situations I'm not gonna mention. SFAIK, they no longer use surgical elastic as the retention, but whatever model took it's place is likely worth a look.

Is the superfluous .25 inches because of the Canucks? I know it is with the Python. Now that they can't have anymore new guns, perhaps the Colt, Smith, et al. will get out the grinders.

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213th FBINA

It's possible the Canadians aren't the only ones with the restriction, except it's in centimeters. If so, they don't want to jeopardize those markets. And, it's just a few lines of code in the CNC machinery to change lengths. Plus they have to allow for ham handed officials who really don't know all that much about firearms.