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

 

[BarryinIN]

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

Interesting. Thanks. I keep debating whether to send mine in for an action tuning. If I do, I'll just have the sight(s) addressed then. Instead of stewing on that a while, I should've called them and got something sent and replaced already.

What a neat gun though. Great size. Shoots nice. Great gun.

 

[Dave Lively]

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

Thanks Paul,

I called and they would not send me the sight. The person I talked to was not aware of any changes to the sight.

But they did offer to send me a shipping label so they can evaluate the gun and correct any problems they find under warranty. Sending me a new sight would have been a lot cheaper for them but the gun is going back. I thought about just buying a lower blade and installing it myself but would rather have them do it so I do not have to worry about buying the wrong part or somehow messing up replacing it.

My safe is going to look a little empty while it is gone. Maybe I should follow your example and buy a backup 69.

 

[Paul105]

I don't know why S&W is so reluctant to do easy fixes. I emailed them back in 2014 about the sight adjustment issue and asked them to either send me a taller front sight or shorter rear blade. They wouldn't do it and asked me to send the gun in. I bought a Bowen rough country rear sight and replaced the factory rear sight.

On another M69 I replaced the front sight with one from Dawson Precision.

Had a similar problem with the new M66-8. I replaced the rear blade with a shorter one. If I had it to do again, I'd send the gun to S&W and let them fix it.

My guess is you'll get your gun back with a new rear sight assembly and a little baggy with the orig assy.

If anyone is looking for a sight upgrade, both the Dawson front (several Profile/FO/Tritium/Width/Height options) and the Bowen rear are good choices.

Paul

 

[Mike in Reedley]

I bought mine last summer. I re-fitted the too long hand, did an action job, changed springs and replaced the RR front sight with a solid black ramp. Most accurate Smith revolver before and after the modifications that I've ever owned. 50 yard groups look like my usual 25 yard groups. Favorite load is 7.5 Unique in Special cases and 9.0 in magnum brass. I have a Fredom Arms 97 in .44 Spl that is slightly more accurate, a 1976 4" 29 and a 329. I like the 69 the best of all.

 

[GunnerMichael]

My write up - first impressions

Instead of starting a new thread I am just going to add to this one. Since my intention was to get some input on the M69 for myself and other interested in this model, this write up fits right in.

I finally got a chance to take her out to the range the other day. I am very happy with this purchase. If you are thinking about getting one, I say yes, do it.

Here are a couple points that are my opinions:

- Feel in the hand is very comfortable. I have medium size hands and the factory grips fit my hands well, I think for medium to large hands they are perfect. I can see how the X-Frame grips could be better, especially for larger hands, as the back is straight giving more purchase and could help buffer from recoil since there is more material. For smaller hands I would change to a set of Bantom grips and shoot light magnums or 44 special if the person is not very strong. My friend has very small hands and she cannot grip this gun comfortably. She cannot pull the hammer with her shooting hand and is not strong enough to shoot DA, but she is new to shooting so that could be part of her issues. My only issue with the gun is..... the trigger is lower than the top of the back of the grip, so you are reaching down with your index finger, if you don't have a correct grip you are pulling the trigger up instead of back. It just takes getting used to though, nothing I can't live with. The upside of this is the bore access is much lower than other revolvers in this class.

- Recoil is very manageable. I am not recoil sensitive though. Some have mentioned that they would not purchase this gun as it is to light for a 44 magnum, and I disagree. Get your hands on one and you will see. If you are uncomfortable shooting the M69 you would be uncomfortable shooting the N-frame as well and probably shouldn't be shooting magnum ammo.

- I was shooting full magnum 240gr FMJ-FN and the gun handled it just fine. I was at the range for an hour and would have stayed for longer if I didn't run out of ammo (range ammo was $1.75 per round for reloaded .44 spl and no magnum, no thanks). I do believe this gun can handle full magnum rounds all day every day with out any issue. Contrary to some that do not own this gun believe, the M69 will not rattle apart shooting regular magnum rounds. I have some Double Tap 320gr HCFN. They are with-in SAAMI specs and according to DT and S&W the M69 will handle them no problem. I will find out next time I hit the range. I am not going to shoot anything that is +P or +P+.

- This gun is as accurate as everyone says. Way more accurate than I am. I am by far not the best shot, I put a 12" target at 25 yards and I only missed 4 shots all day, for me that is great. I shot one DA and it just dumped in the dirt 15 yards in front of me (need to work on the DA trigger pull), 3 SA went up and to the left off the target, the rest mostly grouped high and left with a number of them in the middle. Need to adjust the sight to the right a bbit. As for shooting high, I am used to a center hold with my 9mm but the M69 shoots @ 6 o'clock so I just need to adjust to the correct hold.

That's my 2 cents on the Model 69. I am happy I bought it.

 

[Seaweed02]

Me too!

I just bought one of these Model 69 revolvers also. I also live in Northern California, Redding CA to be exact, so I can't actually pick it up until the 28th of this month due to the blasted 10 day waiting period in this dang State. It will be the last firearm that I buy in this State because I am moving to Arizona on December 7th.

Anyway it is nice to hear so many positive things about this revolver. Makes me extremely glad that I took a chance and bought it.

I also just bought a S&W model 696 which is another 5 shot L frame revolver, but it is one they don't make any more. It is chambered in 44 SPL only, and has a 3" barrel. I plan on carrying that one when I get to Arizona. Well actually I have to have the guy hold on to it for me until I move to Arizona, although I sent out the cashier's check today. I bought it right here on this form from a member called "crsides" who was very cool about the whole transaction.

 

[GunnerMichael]

I just bought one of these Model 69 revolvers also. I also live in Northern California, Redding CA to be exact, so I can't actually pick it up until the 28th of this month due to the blasted 10 day waiting period in this dang State. It will be the last firearm that I buy in this State because I am moving to Arizona on December 7th.

Anyway it is nice to hear so many positive things about this revolver. Makes me extremely glad that I took a chance and bought it.

I also just bought a S&W model 696 which is another 5 shot L frame revolver, but it is one they don't make any more. It is chambered in 44 SPL only, and has a 3" barrel. I plan on carrying that one when I get to Arizona. Well actually I have to have the guy hold on to it for me until I move to Arizona, although I sent out the cashier's check today. I bought it right here on this form from a member called "crsides" who was very cool about the whole transaction.

Congrats on both purchases, I know you will love the M69. Every bad thing I have heard about these I have found to not be true, which makes me think the issues were personal preference or presumptions (this is how false rumors get started: one person says, "I didn't buy one because it was light and I don't think the L frame will hold up to 44 magnum", then the next person says "I heard someone say they didn't think they would hold up to 44 mag.", then the next person says "I heard someone say they don't hold up to 4 mag. and will rattle apart", but then the gun is out for 2-3 years and everyone who bought the gun says, they handle magnum loads just fine al day long". And the truth is revealed).

Regarding the 696, I have heard those can be difficult to find, especially the 3" model. There are people looking for those who might pay a premium if in good condition (though if I had one I probably wouldn't sell it). I think you picked up a little gem without knowing it. (Or maybe you did.)

 

[Dave Lively]

My guess is you'll get your gun back with a new rear sight assembly and a little baggy with the orig assy.
Paul

Your guess was real close. I got the gun back today with the old sight in the case, they skipped the baggy. The new sight has a rear blade with a .05 deep notch instead of .1 on the old sight. By my calculations that will be pretty close to perfect.

They also touched up the crown and even cleaned the black rings off the front of the cylinder. Call me lazy but while I clean my guns every time I shoot them I long ago gave up trying to clean the front of the cylinder. The crown previously looked like it had some flash as if some metal was pushed out when the rifling was being cut. It was strictly a cosmetic issue but I am glad they fixed it.

I am very happy with S&W customer service and am glad they insisted I send the gun back. I could have put the new sight on myself but getting the crown fixed was worth the small hassle of sending it back. I cannot wait to shoot it.

 

[jmd025]

A 255 grain Keith swc at 1300fps hits 2" high at 25 yards with a dead center hold from my model 69 , the way it came out of the box . I imagine mind is most recent production

 

[Abflyboy]

Just want to add more stuff about the model 69. I started shooting it at 100 yards like I have been doing with my 629s and am VERY impressed with the accuracy. Targets were ten milk jugs full of water, last ten rounds of .44 Mag at the range, zero milk jugs left intact. I figured it would be good with the new barrel design, but this is deep into Classic DX territory.

There is so much to like about these little magnums that I predict another in my safe very soon.