4.25" Model 69 on the way

[S&W ucla]

I wasn't crazy with the fit of the full sized Hogue 19000s so I popped on a set of their rubber Bantams I had that were destined for my 64. I think these are the ones.

Except for a range trip where you're shooting lots of full house 44mag, to me, the large grips defeat the purpose of a compact revolver. That's why I have the bantams as well. Great with 44spl+P to 44maglight loads. If the need for full 44mag arises, they work fine for 5 shots. Starts to hurt after that,lol.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

Except for a range trip where you're shooting lots of full house 44mag, to me, the large grips defeat the purpose of a compact revolver. That's why I have the bantams as well. Great with 44spl+P to 44maglight loads. If the need for full 44mag arises, they work fine for 5 shots. Starts to hurt after that,lol.

Yeah, with the original grips it felt good to quit shooting the full house Magnums at about 15 rounds. I can't imagine the Bantams will be much worse.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

The Bowen Rough Country rear showed up yesterday and dropped right on. I'm still deciding what front blade I want, I'm thinking either a SDM gold bead or an XS standard dot. The lock plug should be here soon, too. Things are starting to come together.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

I finally had a chance to shoot the 69 with the Bowen rear sight and the Hogue rubber Bantams.

I was holding off ordering a new front sight blade until I shot again, and I'm glad I did - with the .400 rear bottomed out I was shooting a little high at 50 feet with the original .278 front. I'll order a .300 front.

The Bantams worked great - with .44 Specials recoil was mild, and with Magnums it was no worse that with the stock grips with the advantage of fitting my hand better.

Also, my lock plug arrived and dropped right in.

 

[S&W ucla]

I haven't tried the Bowen sights, but I really like the looks of them, kinda Bomar-ish. You have it about as perfect as can be in my book. I thought I had mine that way, until I see the Bowen, lol.

 

[bronco45]

My favorite load for my 69 in the Skeeter Range is: 245 LSWC, 8.5 grains of Power Pistol over a standard primer in a Magnum case for 1,000 fps. Low pressure and very accurate.

 

[MCorps0311]

I just picked up my S&W 69.44 Mag.4.25" four days ago. Going to the range this Friday.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

Well, the Ahrends grips may be going back to Brownells - the fit isn't great and the shape is not working for my hand. I'll throw a set of rubber Hogues on there for now while I decide what to do - the idea of a set of fancy wood grips is appealing. Maybe wood Hogues are the answer, i think they're the same contour as the rubber ones.

I also ordered a Bowen plain black target blade Rough Country rear and installed the stainless finish sideplate and crane screws and thumbpiece. I'm probably going to order a lock plug, too. A Lobo Enhanced Pancake is on the way, too.

Things are starting to come together!

Sorry to hear about your experience with the Ahrends. I have found them to fit my hand like no other grip in any caliber/cartridge and improves recoil for me. However, all hands are different, and I am not recoil sensitive (I have small/medium hands). Sounds like those Hogues did it for you; I do like them particularly for autos. I think we have a little Model 69 club growing here, just got mine last week like you and Mcorps. I have no dies or even brass yet for reloading; haven't had a .44 since '87! All I can easily find in a box around here is Hornady's 225 grain in special and 240 in magnum and should be getting them to the range soon. We'll see how my Ahrends do then.

 

[WPWarhawk]

For me the non finger groove Hogues are the answer. I didn't care for the factory grips at all, but these fit my hand perfectly.

I also bought a 2.75" model 69 and am trying to find the right grips for it.

 

[joe44va]

Put a .300 SDM on the front end of mine. Worked well until the Venom came along. Also had the factory do their Master Revolver Package on it. Great woods carry gun.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

Soooo, I got my 69 to the range Friday a week ago. I did not try shooting with Goodyear’s, I went ahead and left my Ahrends on. I fired a mixed 100 rounds of Hornadays .44 spl 225 gr FTX 44 mag 225 leverevolution FTX, .44 mag 240 gr XTP, Remington 240 gr SJSP, 180 gr SJSP. I mostly was shooting to get accustomed to the recoil. I am not recoil sensitive in that I don’t mind it, however, I got tired faster than usual. I did not find the recoil that bad, actually kind of like it and I swear by those Ahrends. My neighbors on either side of me had really big eyes after I was done and both asked me what I was shooting, seems most shoot non mag autos at that range these days. I will say that 69 is not an indoor gun. I will also say I enjoyed shooting it; much more than I had anticipated. I had a redhawk in the 80s I never could get used to and sold it after one range session to a buddy. But I will never sell this 69, I am extremely happy with it. I seemed to shoot the 180 grain the best, but think that’s more than likely due to getting used to the recoil. I would routinely shoot fairly tight groups at 10 meters, but would have a flyer or two in each string. But it was me, and I think it will shoot well after I start doing my part. I am really pleased with mine, hope Mcorps had a similar experience.

 

[Dieseltech56]

My 69 4.25" originally wore bantams but I wound up switching them out for the factory 500 X-frame grips. It makes the heavier loads more manageable.

My go to load is 12 gr Unique under a 210gr Gold Dot. This comes out of the barrel right at 1200fps and has very good accuracy. The recoil is much more mild than a full house load.

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
My 2 3/4 M-69 wears Pachmyer grips. [the thin ones NOT the "compacts"]
I am also looking at the C&S fixed sight.
For a nice lighter load, take a cast 240 gr bullet [or so] a hot or magnum primer, and a heavy crimp.
Fill the case to the bullet base with Trail Boss,
You will likkkeee ..

 

[cowboy4evr]

I use 7.0 grs of IMR 700-X with a 245 swc loaded in a magnum case . Makes a dandy target , practice load . It is reported a little over 900 fps from a 4" , 44 . Would make a real nice everyday carry load, out walking etc .

 

[RoyM52]

I've been liking 9.5 grains of Unique with a 210 gold dot. Fun for target and plinking and general use from my 2 3/4 inch model 69 {Chronographed at 930 fps 10 feet from the muzzle of my 3 inch}....or in my 3 inch 629-6. To actually hunt seriously....I use 23.8 grains H110 and a 240 XTP {hunting, I use my 6 inch, non fluted 629-3} I love the 44's

 

[TAROMAN]

I feed mine 44 Special.
Favorite load:
LSWC 240 Power Pistol gr:7.5, lo:899, hi:921, avg:908, es:22, SD:6.60
Very accurate and just right for bowling pins.

Offhand at 20 yards.

 

[StakeOut]

I reload only 44 magnum cases for use in my 44 magnum revolvers.

In a 4" 629-4 Mountain Gun my range load is
Hornady 44 Magnum Case
240gr Hard Cast Bullet(Summers Enterprises)
8.5gr Unique
S&B LPP
1.600 OAL

In 3" 629-4 Backpacker range load:
Starline 44 Magnum Case
240gr Hard Cast Bullet(Summers Enterprises)
5.0gr Bullseye
S&B LPP
1.600 OAL

In a 3" 696-0 range load:
Starline 44spl case
240gr Hard Cast Bullet(Summers Enterprises)
4.4gr Trailboss
Federal LPMP
1.480 OAL

You can shoot a few hundred of these loads in one range session and still enjoy the day.

 

[bronco45]

Looks like the 69 is finally getting some recognition! Love mine, bought in 2014. Was totally non impressed when announced but the first one I picked up I fell in love with and bought it.

The size, balance, accuracy and power makes it all happen for me. I tried Vz grips and on Special loads they were great. Magnums not so much, I went to Hogue original K frame round butt grips and I love them.

 

[bronco45]

Just screwed up, that image of a 44 Smith in my post of a few minutes ago is of a old Mountain Gun that I have in the back of the safe. Need to go through my photos and find the 69. The weapon in the holster is the 69 as I had Barranti build the Hank Sloan for it.

 

[S&W ucla]

That's a Really neat holster! May have to get one, I know Mike does great work.