Model 69 Combat Magnum finish question

[Scooter1942]

Curious to know if early model 69 combat magnums were ever available in a polished stainless finish as opposed to a matte (bead blasted) finish?

About to buy one used. Marked 69 no dash. Stainless cylinder release and the finish looks (and the seller claims) it is polished and not matte.

Did S&W have a distributor run or were early ones polished?

 

[CH4]

Not to my knowledge, but I don't follow the new guns that close. I thought they all had the matte look.

 

[310Pilot]

They were standard with a matte finish. It is likely that an early owner polished it using Flitz, Mother's mag polish or something similar. It doesn't take too long or much effort to attain a polished finish by so doing.

 

[bronco45]

I have 2 model 69s, the 4" was purchased soon after their introduction and it is matte finish as well as the 2.75 I purchased this spring. Never saw a factory high polish one. They're my favorite 44s. I follow them closely!

 

[10Mad]

I have the 4 inch and really like mine. As said, I've never seen a polished version in either barrel length.

 

[ken158]

I have a very early 4" 69 and it is not polished nor have I ever heard or seen a polished 69. IMO you have run across someone that did the deed and wants to make it worth more than worth less…

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Curious to know if early model 69 combat magnums were ever available in a polished stainless finish as opposed to a matte (bead blasted) finish?

About to buy one used. Marked 69 no dash. Stainless cylinder release and the finish looks (and the seller claims) it is polished and not matte.

Did S&W have a distributor run or were early ones polished

Are you asking about a 2-3/4" or a 4" M69?

As far as I know all M69s made to this date are no dash.

I know some people like to change out the factory black cylinder releases to the stainless steel ones but I don't think the factory ever shipped them this way.

If it's polished I'd suspect it was done outside the factory.

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[scruffy]

I have a 66-8 with bead blasted finish. I got some light scratches on it when new from a holster snap which messed with my OCD. I took a very small amount of Flitz with a t-shirt and lightly took the scratches out. The surface looked slightly lighter than the original finish, but was still matte. I did the entire gun and really like the way it turned out. A brighter matte silver than original. Clean but very subtle. A little Flitz and very, very light pressure and it's done. This is it compared with my polished stainless 686+.

 

[Bill Lear]

A fully polished M69 will be the result of an intrepid home craftsman, and there's nothing wrong with that!
If only we could figure out a way to lower that punishing KICK!

 

[Warthogge]

I have a Model 69 purchased in 2014. Never cared for the glass bead blast finish. So, I fully disassembled, buffed with benchgrinder/cotton wheel/ white jeweler compound, then final polished with Mother's mag & aluminum compound. For those hard to reach dips and crevasses, I used a dremel with cotton miniwheel. It is now a beautiful bright finish.

 

[PHS327]

If only we could figure out a way to lower that punishing KICK!

georgia arms sells a 240 grain 44 mag @ 1000 fps
choice ammo sells a 200 grain 44 mag @ 1150 fps
hsm sells a 200 grain 44 mag @ 975 fps
any 44 special

All shoot well out of the 69 with little or very tolerable KICK.

 

[soonerbb]

I love my 69, it has become my favorite. Great to hear it can be polished with no negative outcome...A good project for post Christmas.....