Model 69 .44 Combat Magnum question

[Boudiepitbull]

I've been looking at short barrel 69s with an interest to buy and I'm seeing two distinct styles of the 2.75 inch offering under the same model name and numbers. I'm assuming these are just an older and a newer version of the same gun. I believe the original incarnation has larger rubber grips and a shorter underlug, the alternative has a smaller grip, longer underlug, a two piece barrel, and few black parts which I find visually offensive (but function trumps aesthetics). Intended purpose is OWB carry and plinking. Can you fill me in on the evolution of the two and thoughts as to preferences and why. Thanks!

 

[bronco45]

I purchased the 2.75" model in April 2022. Good shooter with the new lock up. The 4" was purchased in 4" in early 2015 with old lock up. Both are terrific shooters. VZ grips on both.

 

[Dave Lively]

I bought my 69 with the 4.25 inch barrel right after they came out. Mine, like all 69s, came with a 2 piece barrel, black hammer, trigger and cylinder release and compact black rubber grips. Like many here I replaced the grips with larger Hogue grips originally made for the S&W 500 that do a better job of handling recoil.

The one shown on the S&W website looks exactly like the one I purchased 7 or 8 years ago. The only two change I know of is that I have read S&W now uses a taller front sight to correct the problem of the gun shooting high with heavy bullets.

The 2.75 inch model has a slightly different ball detent lockup but I think it has been that way from the start.

Can you provide links to the 2 different models of the 2.75 version you saw? I don't think there have been any substantial changes since the gun was introduced.

 

[Boudiepitbull]

These two images are what prompted my question...

 

[Dave Lively]

There's something wrong with the picture showing the short underlug. It's like the seller is using a picture of the 4.25 inch model where someone shortened the barrel in Photoshop.

The model 69 locks up using a ball detent instead of the ejector rod latching into a catch in the underlug. One advantage of this is you can have a full size ejector with a a 2.75 inch barrel instead of the 3 inch barrel typically required with the older system. The short underlug would be too short to house a full length ejector.

One other change I never noticed is my 2015 69 has the same squared off grips the gun in the photo with the short underlug. has. The S&W website now shows rounded grips on both the 4.25 and 2.75 inch barrel versions of the gun.

Bottom line is I think you will get exactly the same gun from either seller. And it will come with the rounded grips and full underlug. I am guessing one seller is using a picture that was photoshopped before stock photos of a real 2.75 inch barrel version was available and never changed it.

 

[Oracle]

I gave my model 629 3" to my brother-in-law, I have an itch for another 44 magnum. The model 69 looks good, my concern is the L frame. Can a model 69 handle a steady diet of commercially available standard 44 magnum rounds?

 

[Fishinfool]

I attached a pic of my 2.75 inch model to note ejector shroud length.

Larry

 

[ImDrRich]

I don't see what's wrong with the N-Frame 629 with a 3" bbl.

 

[PHS327]

There's something wrong with the picture showing the short underlug. It's like the seller is using a picture of the 4.25 inch model where someone shortened the barrel in Photoshop.

The model 69 locks up using a ball detent instead of the ejector rod latching into a catch in the underlug. One advantage of this is you can have a full size ejector with a a 2.75 inch barrel instead of the 3 inch barrel typically required with the older system. The short underlug would be too short to house a full length ejector.

One other change I never noticed is my 2015 69 has the same squared off grips the gun in the photo with the short underlug. has. The S&W website now shows rounded grips on both the 4.25 and 2.75 inch barrel versions of the gun.

Bottom line is I think you will get exactly the same gun from either seller. And it will come with the rounded grips and full underlug. I am guessing one seller is using a picture that was photoshopped before stock photos of a real 2.75 inch barrel version was available and never changed it.

Bought my 4.25 inch in 2017 and the 2.75 inch a couple months ago. Been following the M69 since before I bought my first one.
Love both guns. I never noticed the squared of grips either. I'll have to check mine. I replaced the grips on my 4.25 inch a couple times and finally settled on some coke bottle reproductions from Altamont. I believe you are correct on all counts, especially the parts about the photoshopped photos.

 

[PHS327]

Bought my 4.25 inch in 2017 and the 2.75 inch a couple months ago. Been following the M69 since before I bought my first one.
Love both guns. I never noticed the squared of grips either. I'll have to check mine. I replaced the grips on my 4.25 inch a couple times and finally settled on some coke bottle reproductions from Altamont. I believe you are correct on all counts, especially the parts about the photoshopped photos.

I found the grips that came with the 4.25 inch barrel gun and they are the squared off version. The gun was purchased in 2017. I wonder when they changed to the rounded grips.

 

[Boudiepitbull]

Well...
my bid took the prize on the round gripped unphotoshop'd 69. Range report to follow when the snow melts enough to tromp down to the range and set up some targets.

 

[RoyM52]

I don't see what's wrong with the N-Frame 629 with a 3" bbl.

There is nothing wrong with the 3 inch 629. {I have both 3 inch N and 2 3/4 inch L}
This is more about L frame vs N frame and what a person likes to carry for size and weight.

I can carry an L frame IWB easier and Milt Sparks makes a VM2 to fit the 2 3/4 inch M 69. same size as a 357 only it's a 44.