A new to me 3" model 69.
Haven't shot it yet.
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I sure like mine, it's on my carry permit for 4 wheeling in the back country

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NRA Endowment member

Neat-o! Thanks for reminding me about these.

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Now go make God proud...

5 shots of 44 Special or Magnum is a good use of the L-frame, but it also means you cannot use that famous quote, "Now I know what you're thinking, did he fire six shots or only five?".

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Great revolver! And lot of power in a L-frame.

Surprisingly good shooter too.

Wish they would make one in 10Auto or 41MAG also.

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Waiting for the break of day

Sure you can, the bad guy doesn't know your packing a 5 shot.

[and a New York reload in your waistband]

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Front sight and squeeze

And the bad guy better be sure that L isn’t a 686+…

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Uvidíme se později, aligátore.

I have both barrel lengths in the 69 44 and they love a 245gr Keith over 10.0 grains of Unique and a standard primer in a Magnum case. 1100fps out of the 2.75" Great boondocking gun!

That's usually a really good load for 44 Magnum brass. More energy than 44 Special, but less recoil than full power 44 Magnum loads.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I also have both barrel lengths and love them both. Defender ammo has a 44 mag target load that me and my 2.75 inch really like. They rate it at 1200 fps from an 8 inch barrel. I do not have a Chronograph so I don't know the fps from my gun but it sure is nice to shoot and very accurate.

Great compact .44 you have there OP! I'd jump on that. I love 3" revolvers anymore that's my favorite "Goldilocks" size. My 3" 686-6+ and my 3" GP100 in .44 Spl have been absolute favorites for EDC for years now.

I have one as well. I primary carry my 2.5" 686+, but sometimes I will throw the 69 in the holster when the mood hits me.

Every time I see a pic of a 69 it’s the right side. Hmmmmmm

There are plenty of pics of the left side one of which is in the OP. The "- 44 Magnum - Combat Magnum " is written on the right side of the barrel, so that's the side I took a picture of. The viewer can tell what model it is without me having say anything....

model 69 combat magnum - Google Search

Did I fire five or only four?

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S&W factory revolver armorer

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I have the 4 " and its my primary woods gun.
Didn't like the stock grips and tried a few different ones.
Grips make all the difference in a 'oh s#it that hurts' and a pleasant range experience.
Was hitting my knuckle with the stock grip,compact round butt was too small and X frame grip was nice shooting but too large for easy carrying.
Currently wearing a set of Pachmayr Diamond pros.
Very accurate with everything I have shot in it.

Yeah, just doesn't have the same ring to it.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Nice OP. I have a soft spot for big bore snubs. Haven't added a 69 to the stable yet. I've got a couple 44's and a 45 snub so I'm not missing out too bad.

My 2 thoughts exactly. It obviously can be done

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Romans5:8

It certainly would not take much engineering effort to make the Model 69 in 41 Magnum, but I don't think there is a huge market demand for 41 Magnum. It is generally and under appreciated cartridge. 10mm Auto would take more effort due to machining the cylinder for moon clips and making moon clips. Again, would there be sufficient market demand for such a thing, especially in this age of polymer pistols?

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I really like my M69...and my #2 son liked it so much I ended up buying him one for Christmas a few years ago. We both have the 4.25" bbl'd models.

Just an ounce heavier than my M66, the M69 throws a much heavier bullet with equal accuracy and mimic's the .357's light weight on the gun belt. If I were still making trips out to Colorado chasing elk in the high country, I'd probably take the 69 for it's lighter weight as a back up gun when packing out the quarters after a successful hunt.

Some have described the 69 as a .44 Special that'll fire magnums if reqr'd...an apt description IMHO...as that's the role it occupies in our use; and with no apologies either.

For loads, I'm a strong believer in Skelton's justly famous 240 gr LSWC backed by 7.5 gr of Unique for ~950 fps. This is a cheap, every day load for all day carry here on the farm. And has proved effective putting down large stock.

Another good one is Hornady's 200 gr XTP with ~9.0+ gr of Unique for an honest 1050 fps. This too is one heck of a great carry/all purpose load for us. It'll do for close in deer or varmint shooting. A third preference is Lyman's 429215GC, with 7.5 gr of Unique....giving a chrono'd 1000 fps from our guns. It's a bit easier on the hands in recoil than Skeeter's old prescription, and is cheap using wheel weight alloy.

We really like the guns...and have found them equally as accurate as our other Smiths. The above trio of loads will do sub-2" groups at 25 yds on demand. Lastly, I hate to admit it, but the factory rubber finger groove grips suit me just fine...totally eliminating the 2nd knuckle rap that standard S&W Targets are notorious for. I know their beyond fugly, but they WORK!!. Best regards, Rod

Pic below of my carry position, with my version of the old Tom Threepersons belt holster. Pretty sure that's my 69 in the bucket but it may be the 686...they both fit.

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Vote the bums out!

Congratulations!