Model 69...Range Report

[Doc44]

Model 69 went to the range today. I shot about 100 rounds each of 44 Magnum and 44 Special. Magnum loads ranged from Remington factory 240 grain JSP to 240 grain hard cast SWC (slightly reduced loads). The revolver shot about two inches to the left at 25 yards with 44 Special ammunition, but was near the bulls eye with 44 Magnum ammunition. The 69 functioned flawlessly with no extraction problems with magnum ammunition. The 500 Magnum stocks tamed the recoil of the magnum loads. The target (below) was the last ten rounds of magnum ammunition I fired once I got used to the revolver, its recoil, and blast.

This is definitely my new field carry revolver and I highly recommend it.

Bill

 

[yfdcap]

Looks like a good shooter. Been on the fence with this one. LGS has one just sitting there winking at me everytime I come in.

 

[Iggy]

Good lookin' gun and that target is sure enuff minute of moose.

 

[Seaburry]

Thanks for the range report. Looks like s&w design inovation is alive and well. Can't wait to try one. Wk

 

[jaymoore]

Have found that my 69 likes .44 Magnum rounds much better than .44 Special. May even deer hunt with it this fall. Will add a microreddot of some sort in the next month or so. Maybe sooner if one gets robbed off one of the other S&Ws.

 

[matt2009]

That will be my next gun purchase if one is readily available when the time comes.

That was good shooting too.

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

 

[Jlduke]

So it doesn't bang you up too much shooting magnums? I fired my brother's Anaconda a while back and it was punishing.

 

[KentN]

I wonder if they will come out with a 3 inch snub version.

 

[M29since14]

That will be my next gun purchase...

That is what I have been saying to myself, and trying to stay away from the gun shops.

Thanks for the report on your experiences - and good shooting!

 

[CWH44300]

I definitely don't need a new 44. But I really, really want one of those.
I'm thinking it would ride pretty tight with some eagle secret service grips and a good pancake. Thanks for the photos.

 

[Paul105]

Glad to see someone else with a favorable opinion of the M69.

As most of you who follow the M69 threads, I have two - one with 800 rounds and one with 1,400. I've shot 325s at 1,180 fps and 240gr at 700 fps. Have settled on two loads 6.5gr HP38 under a 240gr Laser Cast SWC seated and crimped over the front drive band in .44 Mag cases. Haven't chronoed these, but should be about 850 fps.

The other is 265gr SWCGC (429244 Thompson GC) over 17.0gr of A2400 also crimped over the front drive band (basically .44 special OAL) - these chrono 1,140 fps (both loads at 5 long paces from the muzzle at 60 deg F).

I put the Hogue 500s on mine and have been carrying the m69 in an older Simply Rugged Sourdough Panake off and on while walking the dogs.

6.5gr HP38/240 SWC - Top Target, lower right group.
.

.
17.0gr 2400/265gr SWC - Bottom target, middle left group.
.

Haven't had any problems and am real happy with mine.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[pittspilot]

So it doesn't bang you up too much shooting magnums? I fired my brother's Anaconda a while back and it was punishing.

I find that my 69 recoils less than my 4 inch 629 and a little less than my 6 inch 29-3. I think it has to do with the lower bore axis. Any heavily loaded .44 magnum is going to make you work a little, but I wouldn't shy away from a 69 due to recoil concerns.

 

[Mark F]

Another Model 69 Report

Shot my Model 69 for the first time yesterday, using an assortment of (re-loads) 44 Specials and 44 Magnums and some Factory Loads. I'm happy to say it's by far the finest shooting revolver I've owned in years. My 69 is equipped with 500 x-frame grips and a Leupold Delta Point sight. The first 25 rounds consisted of 220 gn. SWC Specials, powered with 12.0 grains of Alliant 2400. The muzzle flip was negligible and my group at 15 yards was 3/4" high and to the left 1" all shots were within a 1.75" circle. The second group (of 25) was 240 gn. XTP powered with 13.5 grains of Alliant 2400. These were dead on POA at 15 yards. these had a little more recoil and a substantial muzzle blast. Again, very controllable recoil, (thanks to the 500 grips). I let several people try out my beauty, and we ended up shooting another 200 rounds.

My final trial was to put some REALLY HOT 44's through it. My selection for this task was Hornady Custom 300 grain XTP pushing these rounds at 1150 fps. Make no mistake, these rounds are the definition of potent. These recoil like a Howitzer, and has a muzzle blast like a 500 Magnum. How'd they do? FANTASTIC! Manageable recoil although very stout. My Model 69 had zero issues with these rounds. I shot 20 of these beasts maintaining a group the size of a silver dollar @15 yards. Slightly high .75" and slightly left .75".

My conclusion for Smith & Wessons' Model 69: LOVE IT!

I own a lot of S&W revolvers, including a 329PD, several 629 classics a Performance Center 44 Mag Hunter Plus, several 686 pluses, a 617, Model 19, and a 500 Magnum. My Model 69 has moved to the top of my Favorites List.

 

[Mark F]

I find that my 69 recoils less than my 4 inch 629 and a little less than my 6 inch 29-3. I think it has to do with the lower bore axis. Any heavily loaded .44 magnum is going to make you work a little, but I wouldn't shy away from a 69 due to recoil concerns.

It's sort of difficult to explain how the 69 reacts to Magnums. It's totally different than any other 44 Magnums. I shot 20 rounds of Hornady 300 grain XTP's @ 1150 fps velocity through my 69 yesterday and it was actually fun. Yes, it has a strong recoil but it does not slap your hand like other 44's. It has more of a "push" like a 1911 on steroids.

 

[Mark F]

I find that my 69 recoils less than my 4 inch 629 and a little less than my 6 inch 29-3. I think it has to do with the lower bore axis. Any heavily loaded .44 magnum is going to make you work a little, but I wouldn't shy away from a 69 due to recoil concerns.

I totally agree.

 

[Mark F]

Glad to see someone else with a favorable opinion of the M69.

As most of you who follow the M69 threads, I have two - one with 800 rounds and one with 1,400. I've shot 325s at 1,180 fps and 240gr at 700 fps. Have settled on two loads 6.5gr HP38 under a 240gr Laser Cast SWC seated and crimped over the front drive band in .44 Mag cases. Haven't chronoed these, but should be about 850 fps.

The other is 265gr SWCGC (429244 Thompson GC) over 17.0gr of A2400 also crimped over the front drive band (basically .44 special OAL) - these chrono 1,140 fps (both loads at 5 long paces from the muzzle at 60 deg F).

I put the Hogue 500s on mine and have been carrying the m69 in an older Simply Rugged Sourdough Panake off and on while walking the dogs.

6.5gr HP38/240 SWC - Top Target, lower right group.
.

.
17.0gr 2400/265gr SWC - Bottom target, middle left group.
.

Haven't had any problems and am real happy with mine.

FWIW,

Paul

Hi Paul,

I see you used 17.0 gr. A2400 and had a superb group. I use A2400 also, with similar results. I've used H110 for years, but leaning towards using A2400 exclusively for my future loads. I did try TiteGroup, and not happy with it.

 

[skypilot1941]

You guys are making me rethink my timeframe for getting my 69 out of layaway. I had my name put on the "list" for when they got another Model 69. I had my hands on the first one they got several weeks ago, but I already had my 629 on layaway (my preferred method of gun purchases), so I wouldn't get it at that time. Later I was wishing I had gotten it because my salesman said he didn't know when they would get another. I told him to put my name down for one. The NEXT day, he calls as says, " I have your 69." Great!! But just finished paying for the 629. Went ahead and layed it away anyway. Looking forward to shooting it. Thanks for the reports. Its just rushing me a bit...

 

[Mark F]

You guys are making me rethink my timeframe for getting my 69 out of layaway. I had my name put on the "list" for when they got another Model 69. I had my hands on the first one they got several weeks ago, but I already had my 629 on layaway (my preferred method of gun purchases), so I wouldn't get it at that time. Later I was wishing I had gotten it because my salesman said he didn't know when they would get another. I told him to put my name down for one. The NEXT day, he calls as says, " I have your 69." Great!! But just finished paying for the 629. Went ahead and layed it away anyway. Looking forward to shooting it. Thanks for the reports. Its just rushing me a bit...

You won't regret it.

 

[targetchief]

I wonder if they will come out with a 3 inch snub version.

If they make a 3 inch I will have to have one. Would be ideal to carry on the farm for whatever kind of varmit you may encounter.

 

[yfdcap]

Gave into peer pressure. Just picked one up at LGS.