4.25" Model 69 on the way

[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.

 

[Paul105]

Love that holster posted by bronco45-- doesn't get any better than Barranti or the Hank Sloan.

Simply Rugged Holsters has a clearance sale goin on -- I picked up this sourdough pancake with Rick Geitlein (sp?) carving for a great price. It fits my 4 1/4" M69 perfectly.

 

[Geblynch]

I've had mine for quite a while and love this gun . Put the older Coke Goncalo Alves grips on it . It's like a Model 19 in .44 Mag. Can't beat that!

 

[santacruzdave]

Great little revolver. I put the S&W 500 Magnum grips on mine. Very accurate with a classic Skeeter load, 7.5 gr Unique under a Acme coated 240 gr SWC in a magnum case, easy shooting with light recoil. Fun gun!

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

Ok, I think I'm done. The lock plug and a new Protocall Design Patridge front sight with gold bead are installed:

 

[TAROMAN]

 

[Mike_Fontenot]

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.

WOW! That's really good shooting.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

Lol. I just noticed spellcheck doesn't like "Patridge."

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

After almost a year I'm still liking my 69 enough that I want to get a newer .357 to do the same treatment - I'm thinking I want to find a 4.25" 620. I'm really enjoying actively shooting revolvers again! I still need to start loading for the 69, though.

 

[derek45auto]

I'm having fun with my 69 too

 

[Struckat]

Here's mine.

25 yards, 240 gr lswchp over 20 gr of 2400. This is my hunting load.

The fifth shot just clipped the edge of the plate. I can't make more than four good shots in a row because I suck.

Last year it went to the performance center for the action package. Worth every penny, she is so smooth.

Most of my shooting is with 10 grains of Unique pushing what ever is on hand.

 

[edw794]

ken, which lock plug you end up getting? was it an easy install?

 

[derek45auto]

I found the one that I didn't think took PayPal actually does, so he got my order. Sitill no reply from the first one after two emails, so my business won't be going to him.

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.

I got the...
https://www.originalprecision.com/

I like it.

 

[MCorps0311]

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.

That's a sweet pair of S&W revolvers.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

ken, which lock plug you end up getting? was it an easy install?

Mine was from Ed Jennings, I don't remember if he has a website. Installation was a piece of cake, maybe ten minutes.