Buying a model 69 combat

[tylerlayne]

I put this model 69 Combat on layaway. This will be my biggest handgun to date. I have a couple of 9mm pistols and one 38 revolver. I have not had a chance yet to shoot the 38.I have wanted to try a large caliber handgun for awhile. What can I expect from a model 69? I like the grips someone put on it but not sure how well they will handle the recoil. Since the original grips were rubber seems like they would absorb some of the kick.

 

[banjopkr]

I have the 2 3/4 version great carry revolver they are actually 44 magnum capable 44 specials you will find its a handfull with full house 44 magnums but with specials its great the accuracy is going to surprise you they are really accurate

 

[tylerlayne]

Awesome, I will get some specials then. I will have to try a box of magnums also just so I can say I did.

 

[PHS327]

I recommend light magnums. Something with 240 grain @ 1000 fps. is perfect IMO. Defender Ammo target load is my favorite but Choice ammo, HSM, Armscor. grizzly, and georgia arms also make nice loads.

 

[mikerjf]

Hey, you only live once. Try the big ones… just don’t buy more than one box!

As noted above, it will shoot 44 Special, which is a great cartridge equivalent to 45 ACP for self-defense use. Carry 44 Specials for town and 44 Mags for country.

 

[wproct]

I like the revolver, really like those grips, but I remain just in the like position. I'm old enough that I just don't want to deal with much recoil.

 

[Nanuk]

I have had 2 of them. They are great 44 magnums. The stress points compare favorably to an N frame 44 magnum. They are every bit as capable as an N frame but alas only hold 5.

Did he fire 6 shots or only 5.........DOH.....

 

[ken158]

Try the Hogue grips designed for the X frame and you will be a happy model 69 owner.

 

[stansdds]

Very nice, but you will definitely want to use mostly 44 Special or reduced power 44 Magnum loads.

 

[M29since14]

You can expect it to be another country compared to what you are accustomed to with your 9mm pistols. The stocks on the pistol may or may not suit you. That’s an individual thing. You won’t know until you try them. If you don’t like them at first, I’d hang on to them while you try different types. You might end up coming back to them.

If you are not a handloader, I would look around for a reliable source of .44 Specials, or .44 Magnums loaded to 800-900 FPS. If you use .44 Specials, be careful to keep the chambers clean. A .44 Magnum loaded with a 250 grain bullet to 850 FPS would be about all I’d want in that gun.

That’s a nifty revolver. Good luck with it!

 

[65Whelen]

Try it with those grips but it would be a whole different experience with the rubber grips. Everybody is different, if you don't like what's on it change it. Me I love shooting 44s.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Those G-10 grips look really nice on your Model 69, but I don't think that you would enjoy shooting it with those installed. The 4" L-frame 69 is a bit lighter (8-9 oz) than a comparable 4" N-frame (e.g. 629) and will have quite a bit more felt recoil. As others have suggested, you might want to change the stocks to rubber recoil tamer stocks (Hogue, etc.), and plan on shooting .44 Specials. With my vintage 4" Model 29-2, I change the GA target stocks to Hogues or Pachys whenever it goes to the range, and .44 Magnum loads are still a handful. For most purposes, .44 Special ammo can perform as well as .44 Magnum without the pain. Just some food for thought. Enjoy!

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

I got mine shortly after introduction through an awards program S&W had for retail salesmen. Pretty simple program: sell guns, earn points toward free guns. The downside was the wait, sometimes close to a year before your claim got to the top of the list. I was ready for the M69 though. Being a new introduction, there wasn't a backlog of claims for it, and when it hit the list of available models, I dropped a claim immediately and had my gun in short order.

Mine lives in a spot where it's hidden from plain sight yet easily grabbed in a hurry, loaded with a 200gr hard cast RNFP at an estimated 1000fps. Plenty of medicine for most ailments that might arise, and about as accurate as this old man can shoot it.

And yes, with full-power .44 Mag ammo, it's a handful. I tend to think of it like a J-frame .357; it's nice to have the versatility in case you ever need it, but day-in-day-out, stick with lighter loads.

 

[stansdds]

And yes, with full-power .44 Mag ammo, it's a handful. I tend to think of like a J-frame .357; it's nice to have the versatility in case you ever need it, but day-in-day-out, stick with lighter loads.

That is a great analogy, the L-frame Model 69 is to the N-frame Models 29 and 629 as the J-frame is to the K- and L-frame 357's.

 

[mtgianni]

I find it very manageable with 44 Magnum loads. Mine is also a 4.2". I do wear an XXL glove and shoot heavy magnums regularly.

 

[glenncal1]

I have the same gun. Great woods/outdoors gun. I like to load 1 CCI shotshell and .44 specials for the rest. Get a good holster and the 69 is very comfortable to carry. Make sure to fire a few Magnums at sunset just for fun

 

[Invictus357]

I have several 44 mag revolvers. Love the guns and shooting them.
I can handle 5 or 6 shots and then I'm done. It really hurts.
I shoot 44 specials almost exclusively in them nowadays.
Enjoy your new gun.

 

[mikerjf]

BTW, Hornady’s 44 Special 165 gr FTX Critical Defense has had some excellent expansion results in testing I’ve seen… good enough that I dropped my idea of creating a 44 “FBI” load and just got a box of that instead. Fairly low recoil as well.

 

[tylerlayne]

I am going to get a couple boxes of 44 specials. The dare in me has to get a box of magnums also. Call me crazy but I want to experience the recoil. If for no other reason so I can say "damn". Feel the full power of a 44 magnum.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I am going to get a couple boxes of 44 specials. The dare in me has to get a box of magnums also. Call me crazy but I want to experience the recoil. If for no other reason so I can say "damn". Feel the full power of a 44 magnum.

LOL! "A man has got to know his limitations!" You should absolutely get a box of full power .44 Magnum rounds and run them through your Model 69 and see how many you can tolerate. You may find that the recoil is very manageable for you...and then shooting the .44 Spl. rounds will be a breeze. I hope you'll keep us posted about your shooting experience.