How well does the S&W Model 69 digest .44 Magnum loads?

old11bravo · Sep 17, 2015

So I know on some of the older Smith and Wesson .44 magnum models the recommendation was to feed them full magnum loads in moderation. There were evidently some forcing cone issues where there had been damage caused by prolonged use of full .44 magnum loads. It was said that to prevent cracking or damage to the forcing cone you should feed them predominantly .44 special.

I am having a difficult time finding .44 special so here is my question. I have a newer/modern Smith and Wesson Model 69 .44 Combat Magnum revolver. Will feeding this full .44 magnum loads on a regular basis cause me any problems with the forcing cone issues I've heard so much about?

686-380 · Sep 17, 2015

While I can't answer your question, I know that the few magnum loads I've fired (in my M69) didn't cause problems. Recoil was significant.

old11bravo · Sep 17, 2015

So far all I've put through it is full .44 magnum loads. My limit for the Model 69 with .44 magnum is about 50 rounds per range trip. Then it's on to my 9mm or .223 or something like that.

PatriotX · Sep 17, 2015

I think the practical limit on the quantity of magnum rounds fired is more a biological issue than mechanical; in other words, your hand will give up before the gun.

Pics posted on the forum show the relative beefiness of the forcing cone compared to the 44spl-only 696, the other 44-caliber L-frame. I see no visual difference in sturdiness between the M69 and my M29MG.

There is one difference of note between a similarly weighted M29 Mountain Gun (~2oz difference) and the new M69, and that's one of comfort. With both shod with the excellent X-frame grips by Hogue, the M69 is slightly more pleasant from which to shoot average 44mag loads.

I predict the M69 to be one of those guns we will be talking about for quite awhile.

wolverine · Sep 17, 2015

old11bravo said:
I am having a difficult time finding .44 special so here is my question. I have a newer/modern Smith and Wesson Model 69 .44 Combat Magnum revolver. Will feeding this full .44 magnum loads on a regular basis cause me any problems with the forcing cone issues I've heard so much about?

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I have a 69 & have had it since they came out. So far no problems with heavy loads but the gun is light for caliber so it isn't something a sane person will shoot multi-thousand heavy loads with.

As far as the forcing cone goes-- it is fairly thick as S&W changed the front cylinder lock up to that ball thingy & that allows more room for a thicker forcing cone.

My 69 shoots & feels great with a 44 special type loads. But I did put the large frame grip on it.

bronco45 · Sep 17, 2015

I have two of the 69s and I wear out long before they do.

petepeterson · Sep 17, 2015

That, sir, is a fine looking revolver.

I always thought the forcing-cone issues were of the .357 magnum variety. I admit to not following the .44 as closely, but I haven't heard of this problem before.

murphydog · Sep 17, 2015

Agree, I think the forcing cone issues were with light/fast .357 Magnum loads in K frames.

This area in an N frame .44 Magnum is fairly thick, and doesn't have the thin bottom portion to clear the yoke. Could you post a photo of this area on your model 69?

Abflyboy · Sep 17, 2015

I am over 1k .44 Mag loads through my M69. 240gr XTP over a full charge of H110.

I don't make light loads or shoot .44 Spl in any of my 29's or my 69.

So far, it's been just fine and I don't anticapate any problems with durability.

Geo. T. · Sep 17, 2015

Back in the Day!

There was a time that I shot as many as 150 rounds of full boat loads at a sitting. Those days are long gone. The ware and tare on my hands limits me to 35 0r so full house loads and then 950 fps cast loads with herco. In fact I have been thinking about gifting my son my 629 classic hunter due to it spending far more time in the safe than on the range!

9mmsubgun-m11 · Sep 17, 2015

Just bought myself a 69 Tuesday for a birthday present to myself-it's my lie and I can tell it any way I want. Anyhoo, Shot it last evening-a couple rounds of special and 3x as many Magnums. Recoil was stout but not unmanageable,however due to gout/arthritis in my wrist I am going to start rolling my own this weekend. Going to load Magnum cases at near or slightly over special charge. Lots of Dillon goody's arriving this weekend and will be picking up casings and bullets at local gun show Saturday morning. Thus far I really am digging the 69.

Paul105 · Sep 17, 2015

Shoot all the .44 Mag ammo you can afford/physically handle in your M69 and if you experience any problems, send it back to S&W and they will repair it under warranty.

I have two M69s and have shot them extensively with all manner of loads (7,000 rnds +-). They are just fine. I hope I have the opportunity to shoot them enough to have to send the back to S&W for warranty work.

There have seen reports of ruptured forcing cones in the 696 (5 shot L Frame .44 Special) due to thin barrel shank in frame window. I’ve never heard of N frame S&W .44 Mag forcing cones/barrel shanks having this problem. The M69 forcing cone/barrel shank was reengineered and bears no resemblance to the M696 – it is much more substantial and is very close to N frame dimensions.

For reference, barrel shank/forcing cone comparison (N Frame vs. M69):
629 Mtn Gun Barrel Shank OD: .630“
M69 L Frame - Barrel Shank OD: .620“

Any gun, with high frequency (high quanty), high intensity loads, will eventually experience some problems over time. I have a friend that wore out a Ruger Redhawk (yeah, I know that’s not possible). Spider web erosion on cyinder face and forcing cone/barrel shank face. Ruger charged him to replace the barrel and cylinder. He had a Dillon 650 and was shooting rather high volumes of 240gr commercial cast over 22.0gr 2400.

Don’t really understand the concern. If you manage to shoot enough to damage the forcing cone/barrel face, “good on you” and S&W will repair/replace under warranty.

The M69 is a great platform -- .44 special or .44 mag, makes no difference in my humble opinion.

FWIW,

Paul

derek45auto · Sep 26, 2015

the answer to your needs is to handload.

save your 44 brass

You can tailor something like 240gr around 1150 fps, which is mild enough to not beat you to death, and strong enough to solve most problems in the 48 CONUS

Roy P · Sep 27, 2015

I finally got to shoot my m69. I was shooting ppu 240grn hp. fair amount of recoil. I also shot some of my handloads which are 240 xtp's over HS-6. slightly less recoil than the factory ammo.

https://youtu.be/SP_we1mNi4M

wrangler5 · Sep 27, 2015

EVEN IF you could ever shoot one of these guns to destruction, and IF for some reason S&W declined to fix it for free, the cost of a replacement gun would be a small fraction of what you spent on the ammo needed to shoot the first one to death.

Collo Rosso · Sep 27, 2015

O.K. S&W, everybody loves the gun. Where's the 3" version?

P33v3 · Sep 27, 2015

wolverine said:
I have a 69 & have had it since they came out. So far no problems with heavy loads but the gun is light for caliber so it isn't something a sane person will shoot multi-thousand heavy loads with.

As far as the forcing cone goes-- it is fairly thick as S&W changed the front cylinder lock up to that ball thingy & that allows more room for a thicker forcing cone.

My 69 shoots & feels great with a 44 special type loads. But I did put the large frame grip on it.

Same here. This was the 44 Magnum I was waiting for. I bought the first one that hit the shelves in Orlando. Didn't even try to argue about price. Most normal factory full 44 Magnums are fine. I CCW it with the Hornady 240 grainers. The Ted Nugent ones are very very stout though. 44 Special are kind of boring to shoot as the recoil is so light.

The model 69 is built well to handle Magnum loads. Because the chambers are located in the thicker part of the cylinder and not under the flutes it gives it more strength. I am very happy with mine.

Only issue I've has was the stock grips got slick when my hands started to sweat so I threw some Hogues on it and it is better hot weather.

I just wish they would come out with a snobby version and a 41 Magnum version.

raylan007 · Sep 27, 2015

No shortage of .44 specials just try gunbot, it is all there in real time.

Jaymo · Sep 27, 2015

Modern "full power .44 Magnum ammo" is anything but.
I'd shoot the snot out of it with real .44 mag ammo and if it breaks (doubtful), let the mother ship fix it.

Judging by the thickness of that forcing cone, I think you have nothing to worry about.

DR505 · Sep 27, 2015

I once put 500 rounds of factory ammo through an 8 3/8" Model 29 in a single session. But I was 17 at the time. Yes, it hurt for days.

That 69 looks nice.

How well does the S&W Model 69 digest .44 Magnum loads?

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