What's Your Thoughts on the 669 for CCW Use?

Nalapombu · Oct 4, 2017

Hey all,

I've been kinda looking to get a tradition hammer fired DA/SA type pistol for CCW. Naturally I have been making notes on all the modern pistols and forgot about some of the S&W's from the past.
Today I was going thru some pics of pistols on a site and came across a pic of a model 669. I kinda remember them, but not that well. I believe it has a 3 1/2 inch barrel and weighs about 25 ounces. I don't know the capacity.

I'd like to know what you all think of this pistol for CCW use. Would you carry one? Why or why not?

Lastly, what other S&W autos that are under say 27 ounces and in 9mm should I also look at for CCW possibilities?

Thank you for your time.
Larry

Sevens · Oct 4, 2017

I use a 469 for carry when I cannot carry -- meaning, when my day takes me anywhere that I'll be forced to leave my carry gun in the car to be stolen. (the 469 and 669 are exactly the same except for color)

It is 12rd capacity with original magazines, but can take th full size 5906 mags if you don't mind them hanging out of the pistol.

Good for carry? Well, mine is loaded with extremely sharp edges and the 3rd Gen version of the same gun (6906) would be better. My double action trigger is extremely long and breaks very late.

It's a solid pistol that is accurate and absolutely works, but I really only chose it for this role for two reasons. First is that I really love S&W 1-2-3rd Gens and second is because I have very low money in to it.

I genuinely worry that it is at great risk to be stolen.

For a primary carry gun? I definitely wouldn't, I believe there are far better choices.

BAM-BAM · Oct 4, 2017

I'd go with a 3rd Gen 6904/06.......for the grip alone...... the 2nd Gen guns grips IMO felt like holding a 2X4.................. but they are cheap!!!!

I had a 469 and traded it as soon as the 6906 hit the market..... I've been carrying a 3913 or 6906 as a primary concealed carry gun since about 1990....... tried Sigs and Glocks ....... will admit to a fondness for the Beretta 92 Compact Type M ( single stack) in cooler weather....... but the S&W 3rd Gen Compacts are my primary CC 95% of the time.

cd228 · Oct 4, 2017

If you must have an all metal double column carry gun, I'd look for a used model 6906 as mentioned above. More updated design, better parts availability. If you don't mind Single Stack I'd find a used 3913 or a SIG P239. I carried the SIG and it carries well. My father absolutely loves his 3913.

Erich · Oct 4, 2017

Man, my dream gun of 1985: a profound factory improvement on the custom ASPs that Devel made (yes, I've shot both - used to manage a gun store). I don't see any reason why I'd feel underarmed carrying one today. And, unlike cd228, I prefer the Two-and-a-Half Gen 469/669 to the slightly larger (silly stocks) Third Gen 6904/6906/6946 models.

Here are things that I don't think are optimal about it - and these are completely subjective, based on my having carried for over 30 years now (dang!):

It's on the big side for a gun with only a 3.5" barrel and 12-round mag. It's the same size as a Glock 19, which manages to pack in a 15-round mag and a 4" tube. But . . . who cares? It's a perfectly packable CCW gun . . . just not optimized for the size given the state of the art of modern engineering.
After years of preferring TDA guns, practical considerations have made me realize I'm not in love with the two different trigger pulls. (But I like that it has second-strike capability . . . not that you'll ever need it.) But this isn't a big deal, at all: I shoot TDA guns just fine. And there's a comfort in knowing the gun is totally inert until you apply that long first pull to the trigger . . . and that you can re-strike if need be.
I don't like that the mag release isn't reversible. As a Southpaw, I've found that having the mag release on the left side (facing the world as I carry) has led to many inadvertent mag drops over the years, after I brushed up against things. If you're not a lefty, who cares? If you are, you might have to give attention to your holster to minimize this issue.

I'd be proud to carry a 669, Larry.

Cheers!

foxy320 · Oct 4, 2017

Carried either a 469 or 669 for many years as my off duty gun until I switched to a CS45. Never failed to qualify with it. Plenty accurate to 25 yards & eats anything. 469 is blue steel & 669 is stainless hence the color difference.

cd228 · Oct 4, 2017

Erich raises a good point, given the G19 size factor why not look at the M&P 2.0 Compact with thumb safety.

How do you like the grip and the sights on the 669? What condition is the pistol in mechanically?

URIT · Oct 4, 2017

I carry IWB and want an EDC that feels good. My 469 has too many sharp edges that dig into my side. I prefer my 908 for EDC in cool weather. My PPS40 works better with shorts and Ts.

mrchuck · Oct 4, 2017

The Kel-Tec P-11 with the "waistband clip" is the way to carry concealed.
Plenty of "stopping power" and concealment is super easy with their stainless steel waist band clip! THE BEST.

spad124 · Oct 4, 2017

BAM-BAM said:
I'd go with a 3rd Gen 6904/06.......for the grip alone...... the 2nd Gen guns grips IMO felt like holding a 2X4.................. but they are cheap!!!!

I had a 469 and traded it as soon as the 6906 hit the market..... I've been carrying a 3913 or 6906 as a primary concealed carry gun since about 1990....... tried Sigs and Glocks ....... will admit to a fondness for the Beretta 92 Compact Type M ( single stack) in cooler weather....... but the S&W 3rd Gen Compacts are my primary CC 95% of the time.

I inherited a 669. The sear was damaged when I came into possession of it but that wasn't the fault of the gun or S&W's design. That problem was induced by a family member. I sent it back to the S&W for repairs and the repair was excellent. But I agree about the 2x4 stocks. Very flat and slab sided. Also the sights are small and the front sight is integral to the slide so there are no option for changing the front sight unless you mill a dovetail. Finally I did not like the trigger. To me it felt like it had rubber bands instead of springs.

On the plus side the 669 I had was very accurate. And it ate everything, which is exceptional for a 1985ish semi. The concealed hammer when at rest is a big plus. It was compact and well balanced. I never felt the edges were sharp or dug into me.

For me one of the best features of the 669 as a CCW piece is the decocker. With a round chambered and the hammer decocked it's like a carrying a DA revolver. Definitely a big plus.

I explored modifying the slide to mount larger sights and determined a mounting a 6906 slide would be less expensive. And modified 6906 grips could be made to fit. 12+1 rounds was just fine with me. However, in the end I decided to trade it. It didn't last long at the LGS.

There is also a recall for some, not all, 469/669s. As of two years ago S&W still supported the recall.

If I had the option of a 669 or a 6906 I'd choose the 6906 based on the sights and grips. But if you can get a 469/669 at a good price it's a good option for an inexpensive carry gun.

stansdds · Oct 6, 2017

The 469/669 tend to be a very reliable performers and surprisingly accurate, but the 6904/6906 have definite improvements over the 469/669. The best improvement are the sights on the third generation pistols, but trigger pull also tends to be better.

barbara_em · Oct 15, 2017

Not the best choice, however. . .

There are better choices out there. For myself, I'd rather carry a single stack like a 908S or CS9 (when talking S&W). If someone wanted to give me a 669 to slip in my purse, though, I'd take it. And for $300 or so, I might even buy one.

What's Your Thoughts on the 669 for CCW Use?

Nalapombu

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Sevens

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BAM-BAM

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cd228

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Erich

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foxy320

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cd228

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URIT

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mrchuck

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spad124

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stansdds

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barbara_em

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