Greetings from over the pond.

[dazza5622]

Hi Folks.

I have just purchased a model 469 in excellent condition and I am trying to get as much information on it as I can. Can any of the forum experts point me in the right direction regarding the history, how to tell the date of manufacture of my piece, finding a manual, alternative grips and sights.

I understand it is an old piece and replacement magazines, grips and sights are possibly like hens teeth. In the UK it is impossible to find anything for this piece.

I saw it I loved it I purchased it simple.

 

[martybee]

Greetings and Welcome to the Forum!
I take it you must be in Northern Ireland! I know handguns are forbidden in most all of UK.
Again Welcome!

mb

 

[dazza5622]

Yes thats right. Northern Ireland whilst heavily restricted still allows handguns thankfully.

 

[Flattop5]

Welcome!

Well, I'm sure that you can order spare parts by mail, depending on the part.

By the way, there was a recall of them at one time, but the problem sounds minor:
Firearm Recalls and Safety Warnings- FirearmsID.com

Magazines:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...6924-6926-6944-6946-9mm-luger-stainless-steel



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[BaldEagle1313]

Greetings and welcome. I have two 469's and like them quite a bit. I don't know what if any magazine capacity regulations/restrictions you may have, but in addition to the link in previous post regarding magazine availability the 469 will also accept and function with the larger, 14 or 15 round capacity magazine of the 59xx series pistols, if you find them more easily acquired than the 10 or 12 round 469 magazines.

 

[Jaysq]

Welcome from North Carolina

 

[dazza5622]

Thanks for the links Flattop. Unfortunately the Midway magazines are discontinued. Seems to be a common trait with this older piece. My serial number falls within the numbers listed in the recall but as its an old recall they probably won't be interested anymore. Might have to look at the larger magazine sadly.

Is there any way of telling what year the pistol was manufactured?

 

[MTS Cop]

Post the serial number but X out the last two digits. Someone who has the book can tell you.

 

[loeman]

Welcome and congratulations! Yes, your gun can easily be dated to within a year or two if you will post most of the serial number. You can leave the last two or three digits as XXX. The 469 was manufactured from 1983 to 1988. Also, regarding the recall, it may still be in effect. I just sent my 1984 vintage 686 to have recall work done. It didn't cost me anything.

I just now read in the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, 3rd Edition, that the 469 was first called the "Mini-Gun" and was important in Smith and Wesson's development of a full-power, compact size gun.

 

[dazza5622]

Thanks again guys. The serial number is TAC56XX

 

[loeman]

According to the SCSW your 469 is from 1984.

 

[trailmix]

Thanks for the links Flattop. Unfortunately the Midway magazines are discontinued. Seems to be a common trait with this older piece. My serial number falls within the numbers listed in the recall but as its an old recall they probably won't be interested anymore. Might have to look at the larger magazine sadly.

Is there any way of telling what year the pistol was manufactured?

Greetings from horse country. My 639 is in Springfield Massachusetts as I write this having the recall performed so you might want to give them a call. I had to call 3 times before I managed to find someone who was familiar with this old recall so it may require some perseverance to get it done.

 

[Barrie]

Welcome from Canada as well. WE actually have other members here from Ireland as well.

 

[S&W Oldtimer]

Welcome from Va.

 

[adwjc]

Hi Folks.

I have just purchased a model 469 in excellent condition and I am trying to get as much information on it as I can. Can any of the forum experts point me in the right direction regarding the history, how to tell the date of manufacture of my piece, finding a manual, alternative grips and sights.

I understand it is an old piece and replacement magazines, grips and sights are possibly like hens teeth. In the UK it is impossible to find anything for this piece.

I saw it I loved it I purchased it simple.

Welcome Dazza,

In regards to replacement grips, I had a 469 that an armorer friend updated with 3rd generation (from a 6904) grips. I much preferred the one piece wraparound grip that resulted, but be aware some adaption of the frame is required.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Welcome from Texas. Like everything else it is all online these days, cleaning videos, parts. Having said that, the fourth edition of the "Catalog of Smith & Wesson" by Supica and Nahas will be published soon and is available for pre-order on Amazon.com. I have no financial interest in it, but it is the main reference book for long term members of this forum and a must for S&W collectors. To give some idea of how it is respected here, it has a section on this forum. I recommend it to those interested in Smith & Wesson firearms without reserve.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Welcome from a transplanted Brit.

 

[Aussie Collector]

Welcome to the forum from the other side.
The 469 is my favorite of all the S&W 9mm, of the ones I have anyway.
This is a link to a book you need to get if you are serious for S&Ws the 4th will be out shortly. This page is for the 469.

 

[mbliss57]

Welcome to the forum. You are correct that the 469 was called the "mini" as it was S&Ws 1st Conceal carry pistols they developed. The 669 SS version came shortly after. S&W was quick to get it to market as Duvel and ASP were making Model 39 & Model 59 conversions for concealment. My "belief" is that S&W ignored Theodore's ASP that debuted in 1972 but when Charles Kelsey came out with the Duvel that became quite popular they couldn't ignore that market and the 469 was born. It didn't have all the "coolness" of a Duvel or ASP but it was there 1st entry into the market and it worked as the ASP and Duvel were soon discontinued.