Pantherclass2004
Member
Any recent thoughts or opinions from those that have had a model 69 for a while?
Thanks
Thanks
Model 69 thoughts
- Thread starter Pantherclass2004
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nipperdog
Member
I like mine. I have owned it for about 6mos. I have fired full power .44mag loads and the accuracy and recoil was fine. The only Complaint is the Ball Bearing lockup on the Crane. It just barely engages the locking notch, but the Cylinder does not unlock even under full 44mag Recoil.
I have 6 N frames and I still really like my 69.its a handy dandy
LittleCooner
Member
I have put about 300 rounds down range in the 3 months its been around. Absolutely love the gun. My 6 1/2 inch 29-2 is a nice gun, but at this time, I prefer my 69. I plan on hunting whitetails this fall with the 69 and leave the 29 in the safe. Love the balance and feel of the L frame. I recommendation is for you to go ahead and purchase one, they appear to be much in demand in my part of the world.
Similar to LittleCooner, I like shooting my 69 more than my 29-10 6.5" . I highly recommend the "500 Impact Resisting (absorbing?)" grips that S&W sells. IMO, it should have come with them. With those grips, felt recoil is about the same, maybe a tad better, than my 29-10 with a set of Hogue Monogrips.
Kernel Crittenden
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Lots of M69 love. S&W hit this one out of the park.
In six months, expect it to be cancelled.
In six months, expect it to be cancelled.
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Smooth DA, accurate and reliable. I bought mine used, and it's never had a lick of trouble. I only shoot .44 Spl, so I can get away with Pachmayr Compac Pro grip with an open back strap. With my hands, the trigger was a bit of a reach with the stock grips. N Frames are way too big for me, so I was very happy when they introduced the 69.
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I really like mine. I never shot it without the 500 grips but they feel better than the ones that came with the gun. Mine has a minor cosmetic issue with the crown and I wish the front sight was a little taller but since the gun shoots so well both those issues seem less important than when I first bought the gun
Yorkie Man
Member
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I like mine but it would be nice if they brought one out in 41 magnum
I wouldn't recommend the 69 as the first 44 magnum for a pistol shooter stepping up from lesser cartridges, sort of in the same way I wouldn't recommend a 1000 cc sportbike to a beginner motorcyclist. But if one has shot say a 629 with a 4" barrel and can tolerate the recoil the 69 shouldn't feel much worse.
i would rate mine at 4 1/2 stars. Trigger has a bit too much creep in SA for my taste. Otherwise, it's 5 stars.
i would rate mine at 4 1/2 stars. Trigger has a bit too much creep in SA for my taste. Otherwise, it's 5 stars.
Mike_Fontenot
Member
My 69's SA trigger out-of-the-box was not as good as my J-Frames were, and so I got a trigger job done on it. Now, it's the best SA trigger I've got. I can't feel ANY creep at all, and it measures at 2-1/2lb (but feels like ounces). The SA trigger on my EDC BUG (scandium/titanium 11oz .357 snubby, 360sc) is VERY good, but not quite as good as my 69. The 360sc never had a trigger job ... other than the "trigger-job-by-LOTS-of-dry-firing-and-live-firing".
I REALLY like my 69 ... conceals as well as my 10mm 1911 (which is near-perfect concealment). The 69 shares EDC primary duty with my 1911. (I've got the X500 grips on my 69 also).
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petemacmahon
Member
Dunno, as I don't own one. But the only one I ever picked up at a GS in central PA had the very worst DA trigger pull I have ever felt on a NIB S&W. I decided right then and there that they weren't worth all the hype. But reading all the postings above leads me to believe perhaps I dry fired a lemon?
I love mine, and I was quite enamored with it when new. For some reason, I initially thought the trigger was slightly worse than my 686. Now, months later, many rounds and dry fires later, it seems clearly worse than the 686. If it was my only revolver I'd think it was fine, but the 686 is silky smooth in comparison. I assume S&W puts in a stiffer trigger for the larger round. If it's supposed to be the same effort as my 686, something is off.
My 63-5 had a great trigger right out of the box, which is especially impressive to me since a rimfire has to have a stout hammer strike.
What is done typically for a L frame trigger job? I might have one done on the gun as I intend to keep it till the grave.
This thread inspired me to shoot the 69 today. Must say I was pleased with the accuracy I achieved today. I know the gun is much more accurate than me so I gave myself the credit for the good results. WLP, 16.5 gr AA 9 w/ 240 cast bullet.
Mike_Fontenot
Member
Now that the bears are awake, I use Underwood 240gr XTP JHP's. During the colder months when the bears are hibernating, I use a mix of Underwood 180gr JHP's (I think the bullets are Noslers), and DoubleTap 240gr Golddots.
Mike_Fontenot
Member
I don't know what my gunsmith did, and I don't really know much of anything about the internals of a S&W DA/SA revolver ... quite different from the fact that I, like most all 1911 owners, have had to become an amateur gunsmith just to keep it running.
I CAN tell you that he tried to get the DA pull down to about 7lb, and was getting occasional light-strikes there, so he had to increase the DA pull to about 9lb (down from about 12lb out-of-the-box, I think). He said that with the old firing pins that were part of the hammer, the DA trigger could be as light as 7lb or so, and still give good ignition. But when the firing-pin block was incorporated, some of that hammer energy gets lost. He said there is an aftermarket longer firing pin that allows slightly lighter DA triggers, but I didn't pursue that. I can live with the 9lb DA trigger, because I don't like to shoot DA anyway ... it's strictly an emergency procedure for me, to be used only if and when a bad guy is so close that I don't have time to cock the hammer. What really mattered to me was that he get me a VERY nice, light SA trigger, and he did that perfectly.
The L Frame just works for me. I have had two since early in 2014 - 4,300 rnds thru one and 1,600 thru the other. About 50/50 240gr at 880 fps and 265gr at 1,140 fps. Have tested 240s at 700 fps thru 325s at 1,180 fps. No problem with either gun and both seem to be as tight as when new.
Both guns are bone stock (except for Hogue 500 X Frame Grips) and single/double actions are fine.
Would be one of the last guns to go.
FWIW,
Paul
Both guns are bone stock (except for Hogue 500 X Frame Grips) and single/double actions are fine.
Would be one of the last guns to go.
FWIW,
Paul
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LittleCooner
Member
Some how, almost every single gun I own has been modified in some way from how it left the factory. That said, I do not understand the idea of not liking a certain gun or not buying one because of the trigger. If you do not tinker with you firearms, then carry it to a good smith and let him "tune" the trigger to you desire. A little stoning of the factory surfaces, a change of a spring or two and you have a super trigger and not much money has been spent. Just my 2 cents worth and my rant for the evening. no offense intended.
I'll get mine when they make it w/out the hole in the side...
GB
Member
Had mine for about 6 months. Still with a low round count. Have tried several grips (Set of X frame on the way) No problems with any of the grips tried yet, just looking for that perfect feel. Very happy with mine. Do I think it is perfect? No. I would like to see them offer a target hammer and a wide trigger(combat). Have had no problem with the lock but would not be unhappy if it wasn't there. Add my name to the list if they ever offer it in 41 or 45 ACP.
