M69 My 2nd S&W !!

[Chas100]

I was just browsing around a gun show last weekend hoping to start my Christmas shopping. Well at least I have mine finished !!

A NIB M69 followed me home. I went to the show just to look around. 2 friends that were going to go backed out. I wasn't really looking for another firearm.

I haven't had a chance for any range time yet but I'm on vacation this week and going to start some shopping today and while I'm at it pick up a box of 44 mag and also 44 spec. This feels great in my hand but it's a little small and light for a 44 mag.

Any advice on this ? When searching the forum I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong but I can't find any information but online there are suggestions about different grips. The grips on it feel great but as I said I've not had it to the range yet. The model 69 had pretty good reviews on the net. I'd be curious to see what the members here have to say about the 69's. I did get this at a pretty good price based on the prices I've saw online.

[ken158]

I like my model 69 a lot better after installing the X frame Hogue grips.

[S&WForty]

You should get the X500 S&W grips made by Hogue. They make 44 Magnums a lot easier on your hand. And IMO, they just look perfect on it. I shot mine yesterday. I love it. Search for M69 posts by Paul105 and enjoy. I think he owns two. He has written about them in a lot of detail.

I usually shoot 25 to 50 Specials and 10 to 20 Magnums when I take it to the range with other firearms.

[shocker]

Shoot it with the stock grips before spending $. The stock grips work fine for me. The low bore axis of the 69 takes some of the flip out of recoil so what I feel isn't much different than a 4" N frame.

[richcory]

Congrats! I love my Model 69, I didn't mind the original rubber & I have since put the X frame ones on. I haven't been able to get out & shoot it with the X frame grips though. I will say that I do like feel of them better just holding it.

Cory

[Chas100]

Thanks for the info on the grips ! The grips on it feel good and fit my hand very well. I'll run a few RNDs through it and see how that goes. I was at one of my favorite independent outdoor sports and supply shops today and they had Blazer 44 mag 240 grain JHP on sale for $29.99 a box (50 RNDs). I picked up 2 boxes.

I've used Blazer Brass in 40, 9mm, 380 and 38 but I've never used steel. Is there any reason other than unable to reload not to use the steel casing in a revolver ? The case from the fired RND in the plastic box the 69 came in was steel.

Thanks
Chas

[Dave Lively]

I really like mine too. I got the X500 grips from S&W and put them on the gun before I ever shot it with the stock grips. The 500 grips feel better to me.

My favorite factory ammo is the 240 grain FMJ 1000 fps load from Georgia Arms. it bridges the gap between 44 special and 44 magnum which makes it strong enough to be interesting but not punishing. At $27/bag of 50 (plus shipping) the price is reasonable too. Georgia Arms also sells cowboy loads in a 44 magnum case which are very mild and less expensive than most 44 specials. The cowboy loads are smoky but unless you shoot at a poorly ventilated indoor range that does not really hurt anything. I usually find a couple of cylinders of full power ammo is all I care for on a trip to the range but others shoot nothing else. Reloading makes shooting a 44 a lot less expensive but there are is such a wide variety of factory ammo available you can find something you like without reloading.

[Dave Lively]

I have never tried steel case ammo in a revolver but do not see any reason it would be a problem. But steel jacketed bullets, usually labeled something like "bi-metal" wear out bores quicker. I have never worn out a bore but still avoid bi-metal bullets. If you are not sure if a bullet has a steel jacket a magnet is the easiest way to tell. I have never seen a steel jacketed .429 bullet but I have never seen steel cased .44 ammo either.

[gman51]

Where are the pics? Got to have pics or it didn't happen.

[Paul105]

Unless something has changed recently, Blazer ammo is loaded in aluminum cases.

Blazer - Home

I've used the aluminum brass Blazer ammo in 10mm, 40 S&W and 9mm and haven't had any problems. To the best of my knowledge, based on the above link, bullets are traditional speer bullets, not steel or bi metal.

On the original question I'm a big fan of the 500 X Frame hogues -- I have them on all my round frame K, L, and N Frames.

FWIW,

Paul

[Chas100]

Originally Posted by Paul105

Unless something has changed recently, Blazer ammo is loaded in aluminum cases.

Blazer - Home

I've used the aluminum brass Blazer ammo in 10mm, 40 S&W and 9mm and haven't had any problems. To the best of my knowledge, based on the above link, bullets are traditional speer bullets, not steel or bi metal.

On the original question I'm a big fan of the 500 X Frame hogues -- I have them on all my round frame K, L, and N Frames.

FWIW,

Paul

You are correct. Thank You for the link !!!

[twodog max]

I put Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips on my 69. I think they do take the bite out of full house magnums some better than the factory grips. However I noticed recently that after a couple months of carry in a belt holster the grips are wearing down noticeably on the edges particularly at the top of the grips. They look like a worn down pencil eraser. I am not to happy about that. The soft cushion effect seems to come at a price. If they get much worse I might try some Hogues.

[Chas100]

Originally Posted by gman51

Where are the pics? Got to have pics or it didn't happen.

[/URL]

Sorry having issues with photobucket

[Chas100]

I was able to get to the range for an hour today. Pretty good accuracy at 15 yards. The recoil wasn't bad for 240 grain JHP. The grips weren't too bad either but I'm going to look at some of your suggestions.

[Cglhawk260]

Today i switched to the X-frame 500 grips for my 629/5". Hopefully the extra rubber/spongy grips helps with the 629 recoil. I have a 460/ 5" and the recoil with a 460 S&W Horandy or Fusion bullet is nothing compared to 629.

[Chas100]

I got to the range this past Sunday and moved a target out to 25 yards for the 69. The accuracy wasn't what I was expecting. Using Blazer JHP 240 grain I went through a box of 50. Only had 20 to 25 rounds within a 6 inch target. I was getting excellent accuracy at 15 yards last week with the same ammo. I'm new to a 44 mag so does this seem about right for the Blazer ? Hopefully some of the ammo some of you mentioned above will be much better at 25 yards.

[Dave Lively]

Were you shooting off sandbags? Your gun should do better than that.

I had my M69 out yesterday too. Shooting off hand single action with full power loads my accuracy was worse than that. But that was me, not the gun. I find it hard to shoot more than a couple cylinders of full strength ammo accurately. By "full strength" I mean 44 magnum loads like you were shooting, not the loaded to the max or beyond grizzly bear loads from Buffalo Bore or Underwood. A fairly light gun shooting magnum ammo causes a lot of shooter fatigue. Maybe try starting at 25 yards next time.

[caleb4387]

I dont understand the x frame grips...kinda deadbeats the purpose of the gun...

[Mike_Fontenot]

Originally Posted by caleb4387

I felt by understand the x frame grips...kinda deadbeats the purpose of the gun...

??????????

[Dave Lively]

Originally Posted by caleb4387

I dont understand the x frame grips...kinda deadbeats the purpose of the gun...

The X frame grips only make the gun a little bit larger. While X frame guns are massive the grips are not. The small increase in size is more than made up for by the increased comfort and control.

It would be different if the M69 was the size of a J frame. The M69 is small for a 44 magnum but is still a pretty big gun. I have tried carrying the 69 IWB while hiking but it did not work very well for me. And OWB the slightly larger grip does not make a large difference in how the gun carries.

In my case the 69 is more a range gun than a woods carry gun. I really like the way it shoots. I shoot it frequently and really like the size and weight of it for a range gun with mild to moderate magnum loads. The larger and heavier N frames and Rugers feel a little clumsy in comparison. Someone that bought it mostly as a outdoor carry gun might be better off with the stock grips. But if you are going to shoot it the X frame grips are the way to go. And most of these shoot so well it would be a shame not to.

[Ghost Magnum]

Nice gun..I bet it will kick like a horse.

[Chas100]

Originally Posted by Dave Lively

Were you shooting off sandbags? Your gun should do better than that.

I had my M69 out yesterday too. Shooting off hand single action with full power loads my accuracy was worse than that. But that was me, not the gun. I find it hard to shoot more than a couple cylinders of full strength ammo accurately. By "full strength" I mean 44 magnum loads like you were shooting, not the loaded to the max or beyond grizzly bear loads from Buffalo Bore or Underwood. A fairly light gun shooting magnum ammo causes a lot of shooter fatigue. Maybe try starting at 25 yards next time.

I was shooting off hand and I did start at 25 yards with the 69 this time out. This is the 2nd time I've had it to the range. I also was shooting my S&W 442 and Glock 23 along with a few long guns so it very well could have been me. I had targets setup at 7 yards, 25 yards and 50 yards.

The 69 doesn't have near the recoil I was expecting for a 44 mag. I was trying to find 44 special rounds but they are scarce around here. I may order some online to see what the difference is accuracy wise. I will also be adding some different grips but it will probably be a while before I get a chance to get to the range again.

[Chas100]

Originally Posted by Ghost Magnum

Nice gun..I bet it will kick like a horse.

Not bad at all for a 44 mag. It's my 1st 44 and I was expecting a lot more recoil.

[Dave Lively]

Originally Posted by Chas100

I was trying to find 44 special rounds but they are scarce around here.

Cowboy loads will work too. They are typically loaded in a magnum case but as mild or milder than 44 specials and no more expensive. The downside is they tend to be quite smoky which can be an issue at indoor ranges. Not much easier to find but another option.

[jmd025]

Just put some ahrends tacticals on my 69 . Digging them

[LittleCooner]

I put a set of Rosewood grips from the EBay seller on mine. I like them a lot better that the factory "goodyears". I love this L frame and carry it a good bit now, the 29 just makes the range every once in a while. I have a set of Kim Ahrends on a 28-2 that look just like those of jmdo25 and I really like the looks and feel of them. My first set of Culina's were in the mail box this morning. I understand why they are at the "top of the heap" if you are looking for the best. I have goodyears on all my vehicles and wood on all my firearms. Call me what ever you want, but those rubber grips all belong in the trash can IMHO. Butt Ugly beyond words.

[Abflyboy]

It's good to see more and more positive feedback about the M69.

They are very pleasant to shoot. I have one and will soon have another.

The first rounds through mine were my 240gr XTP magnum handloads and I was very surprised by how little felt recoil there was for such a small and light .44 Magnum.

Accuracy is not an issue either. My M69 can plug milk jugs at 100 yards every bit as good as my 629 Classic DX.