Is the Model 69 GTG or does it have problems?

[Stopsign32v]

A 44 magnum L frame!?!? In a 2.5" barrel????

My dream has come true! Is it good to go as far as durability goes or will 44 magnum kill it?

 

[Mule88]

Its good to go. If it wasn't capable of 44 magnum ballistics and pressure it wouldn't be offered as such. Keep pressure within standards and your fine. May kick a bit however.

 

[Stopsign32v]

Its good to go. If it wasn't capable of 44 magnum ballistics and pressure it wouldn't be offered as such.

66s with hot loads and 624s were the first things that came to mind.

 

[Stopsign32v]

And please tell me that God aweful black cylinder release and screw would be an easy fix.

 

[TAROMAN]

And please tell me that God aweful black cylinder release and screw would be an easy fix.

It is:

 

[Stopsign32v]

Wow that looks SO MUCH better!

What's the finish on it? Would polishing it to a brushed/mirror'ish finish be doable or would it damage it? My 686 was cake to do that.

 

[Paul105]

I have a couple of M69 4 1/4 inchers and one 2 3/4". The the 4 1/4" guns have seen 2,800 and 5,800 respectively. The 2,800 rounder went back to S&W at 2,300 apprx for binding -- the fixed the crane/yoke (all on their dime) and all has been good since.

The 2 3/4" gun has a little over 400 rnds thru it with without a problem. Here's my recent experience with the newly introduced 2 ¾” S&W M69 (5 shot L Frame .44 Magnum).

Single action trigger broke at a bit over 4 lbs on my RCBS trigger scale. Throats are between .429 & .430 (.429 plug gage go, .430 no go). Didn’t measure bbl/cyl gap because I could find my feeler gages. Gun weighs 35 oz with Hogue 500 grips.

Shot a fairly wide range of ammo ranging from 200 Saeco full wadcutters to 325gr WLNGCs and 22.0gr of H110. Don’t remember the 200gr WC load, but performance on paper was terrible. The best groups at both 25 and 50 yds were shot with a MBW 260gr WFNGC, 23.0gr H100, Fed Mag Primer and new Top Brass. This load shot a bit over 2” at 50 yds. Thought this was a fluke so to verify I shot 5 more with similar results.

The little gun is an absolute delight to shoot with both .44 special equivalent and full mag loads. The lighter loads are obviously more fun for extended shooting sessions.

I have both 4 ¼” and the new 2.75” M69s. My impression is that the 2.75” gun shoots “softer” recoil wise than the 4 ¼” version. I’ve chronographed both with the same loads and the short barrel runs about 100 fps slower than it’s longer brother – this moderates recoil. Of course, you get a bit of muzzle flash with H110 loads. Both of mine are equipped with the S&W 500 X Frame Hogue grips.

Here are some chronograph results:

Chronoed these from the 2.75” M69. Three rounds at 5 Long paces from muzzle and 68 deg F. Larger sample could change the results a bit. Largest ES was 42 fps.

260 WFNGC w/23.0gr H110 avg 1,125 fps
240 Zero JSP with 23.5gr H110 avg 1,126 fps
240gr Fed Factory avg 1,125 fps
265gr CSWCGC (Lyman Thompson) with 17.5gr A2400 (Deep Seat) 1,119 fps avg
325gr WLNGC (BTB) with 22.0gr H110 avg 1,104 fps

For comparison purposes these were shot a while back from my 4 ¼” M69: Same temp, distance from the muzzle.

260 WFNGC w/23.0gr H110 avg 1,224 fps
240 Zero JSP with 23.5gr H110 avg 1,230 fps
240gr Fed Factory avg 1,220 fps
265gr CSWCGC (Lyman Thompson) with 17.5gr A2400 (deep seat) 1,140 fps avg
325gr WLNGC (BTB) with 22.0gr H110 avg 1,182

Here's one of the 50 yd targets

Crummy pic with a couple of holsters made for my 396.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[Macinaw]

I have had zero issues with either.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

M69 snubnose

Yep, It's Good To Go!

I'm happy with mine.

I've shot over 500 rounds thru it so far; about half 240gr plated & half 240gr JHP.

Just bought (1000) Zero 240gr JSP & resized them to .430", per Paul105 's tip, so I can pound on it some more.

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Lee Push-Thru .429" Sizer & Zero 240gr JSP bullets (reduces diameter from .4312" to .4302")


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(with Badger grips)


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( It compliments my other snubnose compact 44s well. )
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[Groo01]

I have a couple of M69 4 1/4 inchers and one 2 3/4". The the 4 1/4" guns have seen 2,800 and 5,800 respectively. The 2,800 rounder went back to S&W at 2,300 apprx for binding -- the fixed the crane/yoke (all on their dime) and all has been good since.

The 2 3/4" gun has a little over 400 rnds thru it with without a problem. Here's my recent experience with the newly introduced 2 ¾” S&W M69 (5 shot L Frame .44 Magnum).

Single action trigger broke at a bit over 4 lbs on my RCBS trigger scale. Throats are between .429 & .430 (.429 plug gage go, .430 no go). Didn’t measure bbl/cyl gap because I could find my feeler gages. Gun weighs 35 oz with Hogue 500 grips.

Shot a fairly wide range of ammo ranging from 200 Saeco full wadcutters to 325gr WLNGCs and 22.0gr of H110. Don’t remember the 200gr WC load, but performance on paper was terrible. The best groups at both 25 and 50 yds were shot with a MBW 260gr WFNGC, 23.0gr H100, Fed Mag Primer and new Top Brass. This load shot a bit over 2” at 50 yds. Thought this was a fluke so to verify I shot 5 more with similar results.

The little gun is an absolute delight to shoot with both .44 special equivalent and full mag loads. The lighter loads are obviously more fun for extended shooting sessions.

I have both 4 ¼” and the new 2.75” M69s. My impression is that the 2.75” gun shoots “softer” recoil wise than the 4 ¼” version. I’ve chronographed both with the same loads and the short barrel runs about 100 fps slower than it’s longer brother – this moderates recoil. Of course, you get a bit of muzzle flash with H110 loads. Both of mine are equipped with the S&W 500 X Frame Hogue grips.

Here are some chronograph results:

Chronoed these from the 2.75” M69. Three rounds at 5 Long paces from muzzle and 68 deg F. Larger sample could change the results a bit. Largest ES was 42 fps.

260 WFNGC w/23.0gr H110 avg 1,125 fps
240 Zero JSP with 23.5gr H110 avg 1,126 fps
240gr Fed Factory avg 1,125 fps
265gr CSWCGC (Lyman Thompson) with 17.5gr A2400 (Deep Seat) 1,119 fps avg
325gr WLNGC (BTB) with 22.0gr H110 avg 1,104 fps

For comparison purposes these were shot a while back from my 4 ¼” M69: Same temp, distance from the muzzle.

260 WFNGC w/23.0gr H110 avg 1,224 fps
240 Zero JSP with 23.5gr H110 avg 1,230 fps
240gr Fed Factory avg 1,220 fps
265gr CSWCGC (Lyman Thompson) with 17.5gr A2400 (deep seat) 1,140 fps avg
325gr WLNGC (BTB) with 22.0gr H110 avg 1,182

Here's one of the 50 yd targets

Crummy pic with a couple of holsters made for my 396.

FWIW,

Paul

Groo here
I have seen that the heaver the bullet , the less difference the barrel length makes.
With the SSK 320 cast bullet , 100% loading of AA1680 [ like WW680]
had a difference between a 4 3/4 to a 7 1/2 in barrel of 50 fps...

 

[Paul105]

BLUEDOT37's pictures are excellent.

Agree with Groo1 comment regarding loss of velocity and heavy for caliber bullets. Individual guns will cause some variance, but for the most part, heavy bullets lose less velocity as barrel length decreases.

Not meant as a criticism, but I have a different outlook on the durability issue. With S&Ws lifetime, no cost to owner, warranty, I hope I'm able to shoot enough to wear one of these guns out. Very few will shoot enough .44 Mag level ammo thru these M69s to wear one out (especially the 2 3/4 incher.

For me, the M69 2 3/4" is GTG.

One last picture -- 2 3/4" M69, 265gr SWCGC, 23.5gr H110, offhand at 25 yards.

Certainly can't do that on demand, but this little gun is fun and easy to shoot, at least for me.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

The one I had came with the best out of the box trigger I ever owned.
At 15 yards shot ragged holes.
I could not get over the "look". The Glock of revolvers to me in appearance.

 

[zeke]

Just picked up a M69 2 3/4 incher, put Houge bantam rubbers on it, and shot 180 and 200 jhp mid range loads through it. The only real concern is the rear sight, which is the shortest height available and bad sight pic for my old eyes. It is cranked most of the way up for the lighter bullet loads, but have a higher white outline version on the way.

Really like the smooth cut barrel, chambers and forcing cone. And everything is concentric. Like all lighter big bore pistols, it is not easy to make it into a target pistol.

Not really planning on using full bore 44 mags through, more like a forever plus p 44 special. Will be getting a iwb holster to cc it.

Which brings me to the question of cleaning the cylinder. Does anyone remove the extractor rod to separate the yoke from the cylinder to clean it?

Thanks

 

[BLUEDOT37]

With the SSK 320 cast bullet , 100% loading of AA1680 [ like WW680] had a difference between a 4 3/4 to a 7 1/2 in barrel of 50 fps...

I suspect that's because that powder is so slow. It'd take a much longer barrel to burn it completely so there's not much difference between those barrel lengths. (AA load manual V6.0 doesn't even list data for that powder in a 44 Magnum)

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...but this little gun is fun and easy to shoot, at least for me.

Ditto !!

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Which brings me to the question of cleaning the cylinder. Does anyone remove the extractor rod to separate the yoke from the cylinder to clean it?

On this model you turn the knob end of the extractor rod (CW) to separate it from the extractor to slip off the yoke -vs- the traditional ones that don't need separating to remove the cylinder from the yoke.

Since on this style the yoke can slide quit a bit before it hits the knob you probably won't need to separate the two, routinely, to clean the yoke barrel of powder residue; I haven't.

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[GunnerMichael]

I have owned a 4" M69 for a while now and love it. No issues yet. Favorite gun in my relatively small collection.

And as for the black parts, I personally like it. I wish I could get a black cylinder. I might get mine Blued at some point. But I do like the brushed chrome. I have an AR with a SS Bead Blasted barrel that has a similar appearance and it looks awesome inside the black forend.

 

[zeke]

On this model you only remove the knob on the end of the extractor rod to slide the cylinder off the yoke vs. the traditional ones where you actually unscrew the extractor rod to separate them.

Since on this style the cylinder can slide quit a bit before it hits the knob (where the other style doesn't move at all) you probably won't need to separate the two, routinely, to clean the yoke barrel of powder residue; I haven't.

.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, it be appreciated

 

[CajunBass]

I always liked the contrast of the black cylinder release, screws, and sights also.

 

[zeke]

Update-Got the .160 w/o rear site, widened out the notch to the edge of outline and installed it. Huge difference in old eyes being able to aim the pistol, and only 1 click up for the mid range 180/200 jhps.

Even with tilting head down and progressive lenses, the light in between the front post and rear sight enables lining up the fuzzy edges.

 

[Breakaway500]

As much as I have wanted to like my two month "old", 2.75" bbl. model 69...I never warmed up to it, and once I bought a 329PD the 69 hasn't come out of the safe. I offered it to a friend yesterday who was in the market for a snubby .44 magnum. I'm not saying there was anything wrong with it..it's just that some guns don't instill a sense of comfort for me,and I move them along.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Update-Got the .160 w/o rear site, widened out the notch to the edge of outline and installed it. Huge difference in old eyes being able to aim the pistol, and only 1 click up for the mid range 180/200 jhps.

What about 240gr bullets, what's their POI & sight adjustment like?

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