Model 69 2.75" or 4"? "It's Here"

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timspawn

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I'm ready to order a model 69 and am going back and forth on barrel length. I will not be hunting with it and will be shooting 44 Special type loads in it. I have a 300 grain cast bullet load I shoot in my suppressed Ruger 77/44 that is subsonic. I'd like a companion handgun to go with the rifle. I am leaning towards the 2.75" barrel. I like the looks of the short barrel, and it should be easier to carry on the hip. Thoughts?
 
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I have one with 4.25" bbl and it is a handful with Factory 44mag. While you're shooting 44spl, it is with 300gr loads, and probably hotter than factory LRN 44spl loads. Better sight radius, slightly better velocity, probably better accuracy(shootability) and only 1.5" more length. I don't want one shorter than 4.25". To me, only reason the shorter bbl makes possible sense is if it's only a concealed carry gun. I think it was well thought out in the original length, if only it didn't have the pimple on the side (lock) :D Good luck, I think you will like it either way, it's just personal preference.

That's a neat combo with the canned ruger! I hope you're killin lotsa hogs with it!! :D
 
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If it's to be carried as a companion to a rifle then go for the sub 3" barrel for sure. I just did some light yard/machete work wearing a 4" barreled "N" frame... I barely noticed it was there. With the right holster & belt a 4" barreled revolver is easily doable. But I'd be lying if I said it wouldn't have been even easier with a 2.75" barrel...
 
Copied from another forum member's post.



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S&W ucla said:
I have one with 4.25" bbl and it is a handful with Factory 44mag. While you're shooting 44spl, it is with 300gr loads, and probably hotter than factory LRN 44spl loads. Better sight radius, slightly better velocity, probably better accuracy(shootability) and only 1.5" more length. I don't want one shorter than 4.25". To me, only reason the shorter bbl makes possible sense is if it's only a concealed carry gun. I think it was well thought out in the original length, if only it didn't have the pimple on the side (lock) :D Good luck, I think you will like it either way, it's just personal preference.

That's a neat combo with the canned ruger! I hope you're killin lotsa hogs with it!! :D
Click to expand...

It works wonders on hogs!
 
You would think that the engineering change to the cylinder lock up would make it a 69-1....
 
I have carried my 69 in 2.75" configuration for 4 months now and I love it. I put the Pachmyer Diamond Pro grips on it and they tame the recoil quite a bit. I carry either 215gr or 240gr lsw at about 900fps in .44spl. Good accurate load with moderate recoil. Accuracy at 25 yds has been good with several loads in .44spl and .44mag. Recoil is manageable with .44mag factory loads, but the .44spl is more fun to shoot. ��

The only problem with the gun was a factory DA trigger pull at 14+ pounds, but that was easily remedied with a Wolf mainspring. I highly recommend the 2.75" version.
 
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timspawn said:
I'm ready to order a model 69 and am going back and forth on barrel length. I will not be hunting with it and will be shooting 44 Special type loads in it. I have a 300 grain cast bullet load I shoot in my suppressed Ruger 77/44 that is subsonic. I'd like a companion handgun to go with the rifle. I am leaning towards the 2.75" barrel. I like the looks of the short barrel, and it should be easier to carry on the hip. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Your 300gr subsonic rifle load will probably only clock 800 or 900 fps in either barrel length. This will most likely require a higher front sight to properly regulate point of impact.

Either should work fine for your application. I have both and carry all day everyday - the 4 1/4" is my choice, although I could live happily with the 2 3/4" gun.

FWIW,

Paul
 
Hay timspawn, very nice pics, I wish my 69 snub had a barrel crown as good as yours! I love mine, I'm sure you will to!
Good luck
SEMPER PARATUS
 
I have both. I'd pick the longer barrel for hunting, but since I use mine primarily as a 44 special home defense/plinking gun, I'll probably end up selling the longer barrel.
 
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