Model 69, 2.75" barrel, Pin gauge update

[Paul105]

Shark Bait. Thanks for the reply and starting this thread. Won't be long and several of us can compare notes.

Paul

 

[Shark Bait]

Found one! Going through my Emails and had one from grabagun. Never dealt with them before but have read good things. Went to the site and found S&W model 69 2.75" barrel and ... in stock! Simple check out and they had a gun store I can walk to already listed in the FFL's. No credit card fees either. With shipping and FFL transfer I'll be just under $700.
That was the easy part. Hard part is breaking the news to the wife tonight. Hope it doesn't hurt to bad.

Yes. That's a screaming deal! I saw it too, but it was too late for me to benefit from it. I let a friend know about it and he ordered one right away. I paid more than $100 more. Oh well, I have one.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

On the box label what is the date code?

Would appear as 6-digit number, something like: 021517.

 

[Shark Bait]

On the box label what is the date code?

Would appear as 6-digit number, something like: 021517.

For the Kernel, looks like 040417.

 

[Njanear]

That is one sharp looking revolver.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

For the Kernel, looks like 040417.....

Then it shipped April 4, 2017.

"DEx" is a brand new serial number prefix.

Previously the newest Smiths I was seeing were using "DDx".

 

[riverrat38]

My new 2.75 inch 66-8 is a DEE41xx serial number.
Six digit number is 041717. April 17, 2017? I bought it on April 21, 2017, at my LGS. Pretty fresh! They said it had just come in that morning.

Best,
Rick

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Won't be long and several of us can compare notes.

Definitely let us know what size your throats are because .432" is disappointing. (I really want one too.)

Maybe oversized throats is the new thing for S&W? The 360J 2-Tone .357 Mag I just bought has .359" throats.

.

 

[shocker]

Throat size of 3 different 44's made in different era's, including a 4" 69, all measured 4295-430. I'd be very surprised if SW suddenly decided 432 was better. Would also be surprised if the bore was bigger than 429.

First thing I would check is the validity of the measurement system. Then worry about the factory being out of spec.

 

[Shark Bait]

Throat size of 3 different 44's made in different era's, including a 4" 69, all measured 4295-430. I'd be very surprised if SW suddenly decided 432 was better. Would also be surprised if the bore was bigger than 429.

First thing I would check is the validity of the measurement system. Then worry about the factory being out of spec.

I may have used too much pressure when opening the calipers in the throats. I admit that I am not an expert on taking such measurements. I'll check them again later today.

 

[shocker]

I may have used too much pressure when opening the calipers in the throats. I admit that I am not an expert on taking such measurements. I'll check them again later today.

I slug the throats with 44 cal lead round balls, and measure those.
That is the preferred way I believe of doing such a measurement. The bullet casters I have talked to say so, anyway.

 

[Collo Rosso]

Remind me shocker and I'll measure mine when I get it. I have a set of ball gauges from when In worked in aerospace.

 

[Shark Bait]

I slug the throats with 44 cal lead round balls, and measure those.
That is the preferred way I believe of doing such a measurement. The bullet casters I have talked to say so, anyway.

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to get some and try it. That should provide a more accurate result.

 

[diyj98]

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to get some and try it. That should provide a more accurate result.

I used to use an unsized soft lead bullet for the same purpose.

 

[blackdeuce]

Found one! Going through my Emails and had one from grabagun. Never dealt with them before but have read good things. Went to the site and found S&W model 69 2.75" barrel and ... in stock! Simple check out and they had a gun store I can walk to already listed in the FFL's. No credit card fees either. With shipping and FFL transfer I'll be just under $700.
That was the easy part. Hard part is breaking the news to the wife tonight. Hope it doesn't hurt to bad.

I ordered a 627 from them on Friday. Received a shipping notification this morning. Shipping UPS 2nd day air for $7.99. I've purchased from them numerous times without any issues.

 

[Shark Bait]

I just slugged 44 call round balls through two chambers. Both measured .430. Again, this is only as accurate as my calipers are.

 

[Paul105]

Thanks for the update.

Paul

 

[Shark Bait]

Duplicate post, internet being goofy.

 

[Shark Bait]

I was able to spend a little time at the range yesterday with my new 69. I only shot 26 rounds, but it's a start. I shot 15 rounds of Ultramax 200 grain 44 Special Cowboy loads, 3 rounds of Buffalo Bore 190 grain 44 Special soft lead hollow points, 3 rounds of Buffalo Bore 255 Grain hard-cast Keith 44 Special, and 5 rounds of American Eagle 240 grain 44 magnum hollow points. Obviously, this is not enough to provide any good data, but I did get a feel for how the gun performs. I like it. All rounds shown below were fired from a standing position with a two-hand unsupported grip, single action. The 44 Special was very nice to shoot. The 44 magnum had significant recoil. You can see my group opened up a fair bit with it.

Even though I fired only 3 rounds of the BB 255 grain Keiths, it seems the gun shoots it very well.

 

[Nemo288]

.430" is way better than .432" !
The 2 newest S&W 44's I have (post year 2000) both measure .4295" using Meyer Gage pins (- .0002").
They are also the most accurate of the dozen or so 44 revolvers I have acquired over the years with the possible exception
of a 7.5" Redhawk and a DW 7445 given the right ammo.