I am pretty new to the forum and have spent most of my time in the revolver sections. Here is my first pistol that I ever bought. I got it new in 1987 on my 21st birthday. (Interesting side note- the salesman who reccomended it showed up on the evening news a few days later arrested for mailing a letter bomb to his boss).

I shot my 669 and my UZI model B carbine at least 3 times a week. About 6 months into it I was cleaning my 669 and to my horror I found a crack in the frame on the left side running from under the slide release down towards the trigger. I thought it was just dirty, but when my fingernail caught it, I knew it was cracked.

I called S&W and they said send it in. They sent it back with a new 6906 frame and my slide. They stamped the 6906 frame 669 and my old serial number. You can tell it is for a 6906 frame because it has the ambi safety indicators on the frame while the 669 had one on the slide. I put some black paint in it back then. It still shoots great. At the time I was a little pissed because I figured they should have just given me a new 6906 instead of making my pistol a 669/6906 hybrid. However, since I am never selling it, I don't mind now and think it makes it interesting.

It does make for an interesting piece and story. I'd like to think some collector 100 years from now will be scratching his head trying to figure this one out.

Yes and maybe he will be a member in here and find this post on page 45087 of the archives when he searches "669 6906 hybrid"....

All I've got to say is... You've got to LOVE Smith and Wesson's customer service! And you more than likely have the ONLY 3rd generation 669 out there.

A co-worker of mine is within a few months of retirement. He's spent the last 20+ years assigned to Homicide. Back when he was a rookie he bought a model 37 Airweight. A few months ago he looked at it while cleaning and discovered a crack in the frame below the barrel. He brought it in to show me and I verified that it was indeed cracked and now unsafe to shoot. Needless to say he was heartbroken that his trusty off duty carry gun had died in the line of duty. I suggested he call Customer Service and send it back with a nice letter.

To his surprise he received an E-mail back saying that the revolver was not repairable but they would send a replacement to his FFL of choice. When he went to pick it up they had sent him a 637 free of charge. He wasn't too happy about the internal lock but hey, it was FREE!

Now, how many companies can we think of where you can use an item for almost 30 years, it breaks and they send you a free replacement?

I'll be a Smith and Wesson fan FOREVER!

S&W CS was great to deal with and fast as I recall. It would have been 1988 and the 6906 had just come out. I was even thinking of trading the last year's 669 for the 6906 before the crack occurred. When I first got it back I was worried about the trade in or resale value. As you can see, 23 years later I haven't sold it or traded it and I do not plan on it. Now I am glad they didn't just send me a new 6906, but gave me a "Gen 3" 669 instead. I am curious to know if there are any others or similar ....

I have a similar gun. Just sent this email to S&W:
"About 25 years ago I sent in a model 669 that had a cracked frame. S&W deemed it as falling under warranty coverage. However, no replacements were available. I was contacted and asked if I would consent to the custom gunsmithing shop doing the machining necessary to marry my 669 slide to a new 6906 frame; I, of course, assented.

I put the weapon on the top shelf of my safe, in the original box. There was no correspondence. It has lain there unused since. I've meant for years to inquire as to just how many of these actually exist.

Should I go through the "letter of authenticity" process?"

Have wonder how many of these are out there and how collectible/valuable they might be!

I am surprised that S&W still has some un-marked and un-numbered receivers!

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

I know I know. I keep posting the picture of mine.

It’s different and in my mind kinda cool but I don’t see any collector value other than actual true value. It was missing a few parts which I had and I didn’t pay very much for it.

I said this before but S&W told me the date it shipped. Of course it was well after the 669’s were out of production but it has a TAH prefix.

Jim

Attached Images

8D75012E-1388-4154-A7D2-C2C85B12D104.jpg (82.2 KB, 39 views)

Hey, I'm a member of this franken-669 club also...

669 frame failure - pictures!

If you need any spare magazines, a shop here in NE Georgia has used twelve round SS mags for $15.99 each.

I put a 6906 slide on my 669 to get the Novak style sights. I bought the slide complete with barrel on EBAY. It was cheaper than the sights would be.

I bought a 469 with Hogues that I didn't like at all.
Rather than beat the bushes to find a set of factory grips, I fitted a 6906 grip.
That makes it a hybrid, sort of.

__________________
I'm with her

I just checked in on this old thread and am happy to see other "hybrids" out there. I am going to the range today and will take mine. It's been a long time since I shot it.