Model 69

[GunnerMichael]

I just purchased a M69 and have been looking for some current info on them. All I have been able to find are write ups and threads from 2014 when they first came out. I'm hoping to get some insight from folks who have had them a while, thoughts and suggestions. I bought it because I love the 44spl round for range and HD, and so I can carry 44mag when I go camping in the cuts.

How well do these hold up over time with hotter magnum loads?

Are there any items I should immediately change or upgrade?

What should I look out for?

What are some good upgrades? I have read putting the X frame grips is good if I plan to shoot lots of magnum round. I also say Hogue has extended latchs, which are enticing to me as that was the one thing i think smith could have done better is the latch (ruler has the win for great cylinder latches). Has anyone used the Hogue latch with improved results? Also, speadloaders? Holsters? Etc.

I plan to hand load eventually so any tips on that are welcome.

Anything else other than 44 caliber is awesome, but more specific to the gun is what I am looking for.

Thanks.

 

[twodog max]

I have had mine a year and put 500 or so rounds through it mostly mid level magnum loads. May be the most accurate revolver I have ever owned and I have had a lot of them. Some forum members have reported shooting thousands of rounds with no problems. Right now I have Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips on mine and they really take the bite out of the heavy magnum loads I have shot. I have been using holsters I have for my other L frames with open muzzle ends. I have been looking for a 69 specific holster but all I have seen online are not what I am looking for in the way of design and function.
The Hogue cylinder latch seem way overpriced and I am not sure I would like it anyway so I passed on that.

 

[GunnerMichael]

Thanks, Good info to start.

I was looking at those same grips as an option.

And that was my though on the latch, over priced. I'm wondering if there is another way to smooth out the latch or if it will get smoother with use. I fondled a few other S&W revolvers and they had the same stiff gritty latch feel. Like I said the Ruger had a much lighter latch but the trigger on the M60 was just butter and I know they can be made better by a gunsmith.

 

[FWP]

I have had mine for about 1.5 months. I have between 150 and 200 rounds through it. About 15 to 20% of those were hot magnums and the rest were attempts to work up plinking loads and testing for accuracy.

It is a very accurate revolver. It shoots cast bullets great. My 29 and Anaconda do not like lead bullets so this is a plus.

The trigger pull is very heavy but also very smooth. I will buy a spring kit which should help. Single action is fantastic and up there with my better revolvers.

I took off the original grips. Shooting light loads my middle finger was getting bashed by the trigger guard. I had no problem with the magnum loads. The recoil was sharper with the mags and the barrel flip save my finger. I replaced the factory grips with Hogues and they set my finger below the trigger guard and solved the problem.

BTW the plinking load I decided on is 8.5 of Unique and a 240 cast bullet. It is accurate and has enough oomph to move steel and bowling balls....my favorite targets.

 

[PatriotX]

The Hogue X-frame grips turns this great gun into an excellent one.


The cushioning at the top of the grip makes full-tilt factory loads completely manageable, and lower-powered offerings a relative joy to shoot.


Others have also reported good results with the new Pachmayr grips, but they didn't have enough clearance for my middle finger. YMMV.

 

[bronco45]

Had my 69 for a couple of years and shoot it quite often. It has become my favorite 44 Mag. I shoot a cast 240 SWC at 1100fps and it is very accurate. I carry the 69 in a Doc Barranti, Hank Sloan holster. Use Charter Arms 44 Spl speedloaders for it. They work kinda/sorta. Hornady makes a 44 Spl self defense load that clocks 1006fps out of my 69. Enjoy I love mine and I own as many 44s as most people have fingers.

 

[joe44va]

Carried mine during 2 snake seasons and shoot it often. I had the S&W 500 grips but have changed to the Diamond Pros. Carry it in a Galco L frame holster. Great firearm. Has been back to the mothership for the Master Revolver Action Package.

 

[Paul105]

I posted this late summer of 2015 here http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...465-s-w-model-69-44-magnum.html#post138656409. I didn't bother to edit the post, so there is probably some info that GunnerMichael didn't ask for.


WIW, the M69 weighs 37 oz, and the M629 Mtn Gun weighs 39 oz, both with the same grips on my digital kitchen food scale. In additon, the gun is narrower, trigger reach is a bit shorter, and the bore to grip axis is lower. All of which makes it a different feeling revolver, both in the hand and under recoil. I wrote this when I first bought my M69:

"Early on, I took the M69, a 329, and a 629 Mtn Gun to the range one afternoon. Ammo was the aforementioned 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."

In a later article on the M69, Brian Pearce stated "Regarding recoil he said the smaller L-frame's lower bore axis "translates into decreased muzzle lift, less felt recoil and quicker follow up shots".

I've had M69s two since the first quarter of 2014. Bought the first in Jan
'14, and liked it so much bought another one in Mar (IIRC).

One gun has 4,500 rnds down the tube, the other right at 1,600. I've shot everything from 320gr LFNGCs at a chronoed 1,180 fps to 240gr SWCs at 750 fps and everything in between. Just guessing, but probably 60 percent were 240s at 870 fps, 30% mid level .44 mags (265 SWCGCs at 1,140 fps) and the rest full blown .44 Mags.

Updated round count as of 11-7-2016: 5,200 and 2,700
(Sent the "2,700" rnd cnt gun to S&W for action binding at approx. 2,200 rnds – they fixed the yoke – turnaround less than 2 weeks and zero cost to me)

Here's a brief recap of Brian`s article in Handloader Mag Dec 2014 (#293

Article addressed strength & durability w/long term use of .44 Mag level ammo – shot over 2,700 round while testing and discussed engineering features.

S&W Reengineered yoke to place enough supporting steel surrounding bbl threads to handle Magnum pressures and allow increased barrel shank diameter.

Due to location of bolt notches (chamber wall thickness at weakest point is .040" in 629 vs. .052 in M69) cylinder strength is more than adequate to handle .44 Mag pressures. Ball detent lockup is a plus and "aids chamber alignment and durability".

All endurance package features previously/currently incorporated in 29/629s have been included in M69.

Brian quotes S&W "the L=frame has a strong durable frame and barrel built for continuous Magnum useage". Further, S&W engineers subjected the M69 to endurance testing with full power .44 Mag ammo and passed with ease.

Per Brian "IT SHOULD BE EMPHASIZED, HOWEVER, THAT THESE GUNS ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR LOADS THAT EXCEED MAXIMUM SAAMI PRESSURE GUIDELINES FOR THE .44 MAGNUM, OR 36,000 PSI".

Regarding recoil he said the smaller L-frame's lower bore axis "translates into decreased muzzle lift, less felt recoil and quicker follow up shots".

Balance of article is basically discussion of load data specific to the M69 with some other observations.

Showed a table comparing velocities M69 vs M629 with various factory loads (210gr thru 300gr). Also included a couple of load data tables covering bullets from 180 – 300gr.

The ref issue of Handloader mag is probably worth buying as the above only briefly recaps some of the info covered and I probably missed something that would be of interest to others.

I am a big fan of the M69s, wish they were avail years ago.

Final thought, the S&W X Frame Hogue grips go a long towards making the M69 more comfortable to shoot.

Page Not Found | Smith & Wesson

FWIW,

Paul

 

[FWP]

Joe44va

Is the FO sight factory or did you add it? I was thinking about one for mine.

 

[Abflyboy]

I've had mine for over a year now. Somewhere around 1500 - 1600 rounds through it, all have been 240gr XTP over 24.0 gr H110. Pretty stout load.

It still surprises me how much felt recoil this gun does NOT have due to the lower bore axis. I thought about putting an X-frame grip on it but haven't really felt the need for it. Zero problems and it shoots fantastic.

 

[GunnerMichael]

Thanks all. And thank Paul, that was great.

That answers my questions mostly. I'm glad to here that you all like the gun and so far I haven't heard of any issues even with the heavier loads, other than some people are more recoil sensitive than others. I think I will just buy the X frame grips and the Diamond Pros, change them back and forth depending on what I am doing or shooting. If I settle on one I can always sell the other. But I would still like to make the latch smoother.

I'm actually wondering if it was dry and a little oil or grease might help.

 

[Geblynch]

I love mine. Some accurate revolver. I shoot lots of mild to std factory mags and 44 special velocity stuff. A very nice gun. Breaks a bit from tradition but well thought out. Love this one!

 

[joe44va]

FWP
SDM sight. Added it from Dillon Catalogue (great folks).
Shoot reloads at starting loads which required a higher sight.

 

[FWP]

​

FWP
SDM sight. Added it from Dillon Catalogue (great folks).
Shoot reloads at starting loads which required a higher sight.

Thanks Joe!

 

[BC38]

...320gr LFNGCs at a chronoed 1,180 fps...

HOLY SMOKES! A slug that size launched at that speed from a gun of that weight has got to be a memorable experience!

That must be one of those "switch hands every shot" loads...

WHEW! No thanks!

 

[BarryinIN]

FWP
SDM sight. Added it from Dillon Catalogue (great folks).
Shoot reloads at starting loads which required a higher sight.

Every load through mine requires a higher front sight. With the rear bottomed out, point of impact runs from 3" to 6" above point of aim at 20 yards.

 

[Paul105]

My first two M69s (bought early 2014 -- right after introduction) shot high with 240gr factory magnum ammo and the rear sight bottomed out.

Here's a target that I shot rested at 25 yds with the original sights. The rear sight was bottomed out. The point of aim was dead center on the big middle diamond. Two rounds only to minimize recoil fatigue and keep target clutter to a minimum.

I added a third gun late last year and it shot 240gr factory magnum ammo to the sights with additional adjustment available.

When I sent gun #1 back to S&W for action binding, I mentioned that the sights wouldn't regulate for factory magnum ammo. When the gun was returned, they had replaced the entire rear sight assembly with one that had a lower blade -- which now regulates w/magnum ammo.

Paul

 

[GunnerMichael]

HOLY SMOKES! A slug that size launched at that speed from a gun of that weight has got to be a memorable experience!

That must be one of those "switch hands every shot" loads...

WHEW! No thanks!

You think that's hot. Check out this

Double Tap 320gr WFNHC 44mag

Ruger 7.5" barrel
Muzzle Velocity: 1325 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1248 ft. lbs.

Anaconda 6" barrel
Muzzle Velocity: 1265 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1137 ft. lbs.

Ruger Alaskan 2.5" barrel
Muzzle Velocity: 1125 fps
Muzzle Energy: 899 ft. lbs.

All that in a standard pressure cartridge. Very impressive.

Just picked up 100 rounds. Got it to protect the family from black bears- cougars, and 2 legged predators when camping in the Sierra Nevada's. We sometimes go pretty deep in the cuts up in the Eldorado NF.


And, check out this load........

Heavy 44 Magnum +P+ Pistol & Handgun Ammunition

DO NOT shoot that in a gun not recommended by Buffalo Bore, including the M69. I am a BB fan boy. And I say YES, they are velocity chasers, but it's only because they chase perfection and those hot speeds are a byproduct. I'm used a lot of there ammo and every round I have fired from the has functioned flawless. But you pay for it. And I do.

 

[Dave Lively]

I added a third gun late last year and it shot 240gr factory magnum ammo to the sights with additional adjustment available.
Paul

Can you tell what changed on the third gun? The one I bought 2 years ago shoots high and I have been looking for a new front sight. If S&W has a new rear sight with a lower blade and more adjustment range that might be better.

 

[Paul105]

Lower rear sight blade on the new gun.

Call S&W and see if they won't send you a new rear sight assembly with the lower blade.

Paul