The X frame grip fits well and has helped reduce felt recoil for many.
Buying a model 69 combat
- Thread starter tylerlayne
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The X frame grip fits well and has helped reduce felt recoil for many.
Invictus357
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It certainly is fun to shoot full power magnums, until your aging joints protest.
They are the ugliest grips on the planet but I love and use Pachmayr Decelerators when I shoot magnums.
When the day comes you want to shoot a big gun all day with clouds of smoke and easy on your wrists, get a model 25 in 45 Long Colt.
Congrats!!
If you don't want to be one of those who turns it back in with an almost full box of shells, then go at it slowly. Your first day will be your worst day because you get stronger and better with exercise.
It also helps to use highly reactive targets like water jugs or watermelons.
Watching them explode dramatically is great fun.
I wish someone had told me in the beginning to articulate the elbow under recoil rather than the wrist.
Happy Shooting!
BrianD
If you don't want to be one of those who turns it back in with an almost full box of shells, then go at it slowly. Your first day will be your worst day because you get stronger and better with exercise.
It also helps to use highly reactive targets like water jugs or watermelons.
Watching them explode dramatically is great fun.
I wish someone had told me in the beginning to articulate the elbow under recoil rather than the wrist.
Happy Shooting!
BrianD
dickydalton
Member
X Frame grips are too big for me. I put Pachmyr Compac grip on. It's thick and absorbs the magnum recoil very good.
divartydad
Member
I like the versatility of the 44mag. You can go from mild to wild. I like the
250gr Keith over Unique using 44spl brass.
250gr Keith over Unique using 44spl brass.
And double your hearing protection.
Many people are reacting to the blast noise, the burnt powder and gas that comes back at your eyes, and the extreme bright flash at the muzzle.
Control all that to the extent you can until you are built up to it.
The actual push on your hand is not that much, it's just really really fast.
I use the foam things under my over ear muffs.
And I use these goggle things over my glasses.
You will say, "What was all the fuss about?"
Many people are reacting to the blast noise, the burnt powder and gas that comes back at your eyes, and the extreme bright flash at the muzzle.
Control all that to the extent you can until you are built up to it.
The actual push on your hand is not that much, it's just really really fast.
I use the foam things under my over ear muffs.
And I use these goggle things over my glasses.
You will say, "What was all the fuss about?"
OP
tylerlayne
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Nice looking revolver. Good luck with it. 
Don’t be discouraged by .44 Magnum recoil. That gun will nicely handle all the reduced loads you’ll likely ever shoot with it - just keep it clean.
Once again, I’d hang on to those grips. They look really good to me. I’d not send them away until I was positive they weren’t for me, and coming to that conclusion might take years.
Enjoy your new S&W .44 Magnum.
Don’t be discouraged by .44 Magnum recoil. That gun will nicely handle all the reduced loads you’ll likely ever shoot with it - just keep it clean.Once again, I’d hang on to those grips. They look really good to me. I’d not send them away until I was positive they weren’t for me, and coming to that conclusion might take years.
Enjoy your new S&W .44 Magnum.
OP
tylerlayne
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Are all the trigger lock keys alike? Mine did not come with keys and I would like to have them for a extra precaution.
If you’re concerned about recoil HSM Cowboy loads I believe are 200gr at 1000fps. That’s still a pretty potent load. And cheap.
smoothshooter
Member
The period key on your electronic device isn’t working.
A couple, three years ago I sent S&W an email saying I got two keys with my revolver but that I would like another one. That's all I said. I didn't ask them to send me one. I was expecting them to reply how I could order one along with the price.
A couple weeks later, I got one in the mail, no charge. I carry it on my key ring but I have never used it.
bronco45
Member
I have had the same model 69 since 2015. Brian Pearce put 5,000 full bore 44 Magnums through his without any signs of weakness or fatigue. I shoot a 245 gr Keith over 10.0 grains of Unique or Universal for 1150fps measured. Accuracy is superb. Those VZ grips are identical to mine, do yourself a favor, put on a mask and sand down those sharp diamonds a bit and your hand really appreciate it. My 69 is used for woods carry and I want a grip I can hang onto if my hand is bloody, muddy or just coming out of water. It's a great design, carrying a L frame Smith 44 Mag. I shoot mine better than my pre29 5 inch. The gun fits my hand better.
As others have said; Carry with specials. If you're going to shoot some hot magnums with those grips I'll suggest some light gloves. I have the 2.75" version and I qualified with it (HR218) with hot magnums (hand rolled) shortly after I purchased it but after putting on some nice looking Hogue Bantam checkered wood grips. I think the qualification was 40 rounds. I qualified without issue but there was blood on my pretty wood grips. The grips tore my skin. I'm an older guy now and grow older guy skin so that may have played a part but I'd suggest some light shooting gloves.
I have a pic I posted previously if I can find it:
I have a pic I posted previously if I can find it:
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bulletslap
Member
As a senior citizen, I attribute a considerable part of the arthritis in my hands and wrists to various 4 inch model 29s, and TC Contenders in my halcyon days.
Yendor357
Member
If the S&W spec sheet and my scale are correct, the 4.25 inch M69 weighs 2.1 ounces less than my 4 inch 629 Mountain gun.
Two loaded 240 grain 44 weigh about 1.7 ounces.
I fired a 69 a long time ago; probably a 429420 with a lot of 2400 under it. I don’t remember much about it. It had rubber grips on it tho. That makes a difference.
They’re lively. But I don’t think gloves and goggles are necessary.
What fun would shooting be if there wasn’t a little noise and recoil?
Good luck. If you don’t like shooting it, You can surly enjoy looking at that beauty!
Two loaded 240 grain 44 weigh about 1.7 ounces.
I fired a 69 a long time ago; probably a 429420 with a lot of 2400 under it. I don’t remember much about it. It had rubber grips on it tho. That makes a difference.
They’re lively. But I don’t think gloves and goggles are necessary.
What fun would shooting be if there wasn’t a little noise and recoil?
Good luck. If you don’t like shooting it, You can surly enjoy looking at that beauty!
This has not been my experience with the M69.
Do you have a 69 or just the M29 ?
The M69 has a slightly lower bore to hand ratio and this makes a lot of difference.
All .44 magnums I've ever owned and shot (quite a few) twist back when fired and slam into the web of your hand.
The Redhawk, M629 and 629 Mountain Gun, and all the .44 SA's I'd had do this.
The M69 doesn't twist back and slam against your web,it just lifts my arms up. The revolver recoils up a lot and back very little.
All the talk about recoil and you have to have rubber tamer grips with the M69 ?
I use hard wood grips and they are fine, no need for ugly rubbers.
I am pushing 70 and no longer a fan of hard kicking guns, but the Model 69 was a pleasant surprise.
The OP has made a good choice.
