Model 69 examination:

[jaymoore]

The 41 Mag should fit just fine but I'm with you. I think this would be a "good excuse" to formalize the 41 Spcl. & make compact revolvers for it.

A five shot .41 Mag won't hurt my feelings a bit! Just my wallet.

But the six shot .41 Special has been done at the custom level for long enough to be proven for me. It's at a power level that I load for most often anyway. Shortening the case would save on a little powder and keep the "power mad" folk somewhat in check.

I'd even go for a Rimmed .40 for no good reason except lots better bullet selection these days. Have been contemplating cutting off some .30-30 cases and rounding up a spare 686 cylinder reamed out to some fun length to install in the 646. Just plotting and scheming at this stage, mind you!

BTW, what's this business about the 1/4" longer barrel thwarting the use of old 4" holsters? Went through five or six favorites (leather and nylon, closed and open front, most with locking straps) and had no trouble...Even did photos but don't know when they'll get uploaded. Sooner if folk keep lamenting about something they likely haven't tried!

 

[Paul105]

The S&W 69 is my next 44 for sure how was the felt recoil on the 310gr bullets paul105? Thanks for the test pics nice to see. You got a pic of your 69 and scope setup by any chance?

The gun w/4x Leup, base and rings weighs 48 oz on my kitchen food scale. Recoil with the above 310 gr Lee wasn't at all uncomfortable.

Have shot the M69 with iron sights and 310s at 1,141fps and 325s at 1,182 fps and while they will get you attention, they are manageable.

Recoil is very subjective, so you mileage may vary.

M69 with 4x Leupold

Paul

 

[Berserker]

Mounted a 4x Leupold on the M69 to do some load development. It was windy, and even though I had a good rest, it was not perfectly stable.

Loads are marked on the targets. The 265 SWCGC crimped over the front drive band chronoed 1,142 fps and the 310gr Lee FPGC chronoed 1,141 fps (not a typo) seated and crimped in the top grove (short OAL). Both at 50 - 60 deg F and 5 long paces from the muzzle.

The 240gr/6.5gr HP38 is seated deep (1.502 OAL) and runs 883 fps on the chrono.

As most know and the targets show, it pays to test various loads to determine best potential accuracy.
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Stil have other stuff to test, but thought those following this thread would be interested in the accuracy potential of the M69.

FWIW,

Paul

I load 2400 and H110. Not sure what the other powders you used were. So far I have just been loading 200 and 240grn bullets. Like to try a big one, more so for my 1894.

Does scope base come with the gun? Does the entire rear site come off as hole or do you have to re-sight when you go back to iron.

I have never tried a scope on a handgun. If I could go back and forth with ease I might.

I worked up alot of loads this winter. I am planning on getting a chrono and building or buying a bench. I have been having lots of fun just being a nerd and document everything I loaded.

 

[Berserker]

Why 4.25"? Has it been done before? I can't recall fractions between 4 and 5", not that I know them all. Seems almost every other inch has a half increment except 4.

 

[Berserker]

I didn't know Canadians could even own handguns. But if they can they have to be over 4.1", 105mm. Which really puts most of them at 5". Why they would not set it to 101.6 is beyond me. Probably because they don't want you to have one.

 

[Paul105]

I load 2400 and H110. Not sure what the other powders you used were. So far I have just been loading 200 and 240grn bullets. Like to try a big one, more so for my 1894.

Does scope base come with the gun? Does the entire rear site come off as hole or do you have to re-sight when you go back to iron.

I have never tried a scope on a handgun. If I could go back and forth with ease I might.

I worked up alot of loads this winter. I am planning on getting a chrono and building or buying a bench. I have been having lots of fun just being a nerd and document everything I loaded.

These old eyes need all the help they can get when developing loads. Typically, I don't carry scoped handguns in the field. I will say that the M69 w/a handgun scope makes a tidy little package for those that require optics to shoot effectively.

The base is an aftermarket Weaver. It doesn't come with the gun but is available from most online sources that carry shooting optics/mounts (I've bought several in the past from mine from Midway USA and Buds). They retail for around seven bucks.
Weaver Top-Mount Scope Base #401

You have to remove the rear sight to install the base. The gun's sight mortis is factory drilled and tapped so the base is easily installed after the rear sight is removed.

Before removing the rear sight, count the number of clicks required to bottom it out (turn the elevation screw clockwise until it stops – don't force it at the bottom). Make sure you write this info down and store it with the rear sight. When you reattach the rear sight, bottom it out, then back it off the number of clicks you wrote down when you removed it. This will reestablished your original sight setting.

Here's a very good video showing how to remove the rear sight, re-zero it and mount the base (this happens to be a Weigand base). Smith & Wesson K L N Frame Scope Mount Weigand Weaver Style - YouTube

WST = Winchester Super Target (a shotgun powder with some handgun applications – mostly target loads).

HP38 = Hodgdon's HP38 (Same as Win 231) also used for target and mid range handgun loads.

Paul

 

[WPWarhawk]

I have close to 1,100 round thru 2 M69s. Everything from 240s at 750 fps to 325s at 1,180 fps (actual chrono numbers). Most (approx. 75 %) have been .44 special level loads. My guns are equipped with the S&W Hogue 500 grips (all my round butt S&Ws are so equipped due to a problem with the bone at the base of my thumb).

Questions that always seem to come up.


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Weight with Hogue 500 grips:
629 Mtn Gun weighs 39 oz
M69 L Frame weighs 37 oz

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I took the 329, 629 Mtn Gun and the M69 to the range. Ammo was Federal Factory .44 Mag 240gr JHP (No. 44A). My perception was that recoil of the 329 is definitely snappier/faster, and the Mtn Gun has a bit more muzzle rise vs. the M69. Only thing I can think of is that the barrel is skinnier and the bore to grip relationship is higher on the 629 vs. the M69 (which rides lower in the hand and has a bit more weight forward). Could also just be my imagination. As should be expected, the Mtn Gun feels a bit bulky compared to the M69 – subtle, but noticeable to me.

Recoil is subjective, so your mileage may vary.

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Barrel shank/forcing cone measurements:
629 Mtn Gun Barrel Shank OD: .630"
M69 L Frame - Barrel Shank OD: .620"
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Pictures
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M69 Barrel Shank/Forcing Cone area:
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M696 Barrel Shank/Forcing Cone Area:
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I really like this gun.
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FWIW,

Paul

Glad to see these pics. I had a 696 for a while, that super thin barrel shank worried me and I finally sold it. Very good to see that Smith corrected that and enlarged the barrel shank on the 69. One of my concerns is gone.

I see that you're a handloader, is the 69's cylinder long enough to accept a real Keith bullet such as the Lee 429421 crimped in the crimp groove?

 

[joe44va]

I like my M69 a lot, especially after I put S&W 500 grips on it. I carry it river fishing and hiking with 2 snake shot rounds first and 3- 200 grain HPs. It rides well in a DeSantis 4" L frame pancake holster. I have yet to punch anything but paper with it though. Actually, I like it belter that way.

 

[Paul105]

Glad to see these pics. I had a 696 for a while, that super thin barrel shank worried me and I finally sold it. Very good to see that Smith corrected that and enlarged the barrel shank on the 69. One of my concerns is gone.

I see that you're a handloader, is the 69's cylinder long enough to accept a real Keith bullet such as the Lee 429421 crimped in the crimp groove?

Yes, I've loaded and shot the 429421 (crimped in cr grove) in my M69. The M69 cyl length is 1.670". Lyman lists loaded .44 Mag OAL w/429421 as 1.71". .44 Mag Rims are .060", therefore cartridge in chamber is 1.650" vs. 1.670" M69 cyl length. You will need good neck tension and firm crimp to prevent "crimp jump" with heavier loads.

Paul

 

[WPWarhawk]

Thanks Paul, I generally use the Lee factory crimp die in all my big bore calibers. Seems to give me the most consistent and repeatable crimp.

I ordered a 69, it should be in early next week. I better get busy and check my ammo supply.

 

[WPWarhawk]

I like my M69 a lot, especially after I put S&W 500 grips on it. I carry it river fishing and hiking with 2 snake shot rounds first and 3- 200 grain HPs. It rides well in a DeSantis 4" L frame pancake holster. I have yet to punch anything but paper with it though. Actually, I like it belter that way.

I was rummaging thru the spare grip box last night and found a set of these X frame grips. They are GREEN, and I can't remember where in the world they came from.

My favorite grips on my mountain gun are round butt rubber Hogues with the finger grooves ground off. I may do the same to set of RB K frame grips for the 69.

 

[joe44va]

I replaced my front sight with a red light bar sight from Dillon. .300" high. It helped with starting loads. Also, a tidbit. Smith has had two part barrels before. My 60-18 ,which I believe was made in 2008, has one (or is it two).

 

[WPWarhawk]

I put some new grips on my Model 69 today. These are the new "fingerless" Hogues. They lack the texturing of most Hogue rubber grips, and are made of a softer material. The are similar in shape to the old "coke bottle" grips. I like them.

 

[686-380]

Still lurking from LGS to LGS to find a 66 or a 69. Idaho is the last place on Earth outside of London to receive new or cool handguns. One of the most friendly to gun states and the last to ever receive anything new.

I bought my M69 on a Gunbroker auction, $725.00 plus shipping and Transfer fee...