model 696 or the new model 69?

[ironhead7544]

I have examined a number of M69s at gun shops and shows. I looked for the common complaints and found none. It doesnt look as good as my 696 no dash looked but it will be functional. 44 Magnum is just more practical for me. I do like the 4 inch over the 3 inch.

 

[nipperdog]

I am extremely pleased with my Model 69. I have found no fault with it. It has been very accurate with most types of .44mag Loads and also with 44spl loads. The only change that I made was a reduced power rebound spring to lighten the D/A pull. There have been a couple of individuals who have been disparaging this revolver in every thread that comes up concerning the M69. I guess they got a Lemon and want to Condem every other M69 regardless of weather they function well or not. I think that a 5 shot .44mag capable Revolver on a .357 Frame is a great idea and is long overdue. I will enjoy mine for the rest of my shooting career.

 

[Dave Lively]

There have been a couple of individuals who have been disparaging this revolver in every thread that comes up concerning the M69.

I am not sure if I am one of those guys but since my first post on this forum was a picture showing some flashing on the muzzle of my 69 it sounds likely. If so, you have the wrong impression of how I feel about my revolver. While I wish it had a cleaner crown, a lighter DA trigger pull and sights that could be adjusted to POA with heavy loads I am still very happy with it overall. For what I want a .44 for it is still the best choice and like yours mine shoots very well. But if the flaws were corrected my opinion would have gone from "I really like this gun" to "Wow, best revolver EVER!!!". The size, handling and accuracy are exactly what I was looking for and while it is subjective I really like the way it looks too.

That Smith got so much right makes the few minor flaws more frustrating.

I would have paid more for a gun that was cosmetically perfect, had a higher front sight and the soft rubber grips from the 500. The higher front sight and 500 grips would have had negligible effect on the cost. It as if Smith put in 99% of the effort to get this gun exactly right and at the last minute management decided to just ship it as is instead of letting the designers finish. I work in a different industry but have heard managers state that in the life of every project there comes a time to shoot the engineers and ship it. Maybe S&W management went to the same business school.

While the DA pull is heavy I have to think Smith put in the strong spring for a reason, if it was possible to have 100% reliable ignition with a lighter spring I cannot see any reason they would not have done so. I am still debating whether or not to install a lighter spring on mine. The only change I made to mine was the 500 grips, they should have come with the gun.

I hope you keep enjoying your gun as much as I am mine.

 

[Biginge]

Boys, I can't opine on the new 69 but can assure you my 696 ain't leavin my digs anytime soon. My old reloader and I like that ole devil. Will do just about anyting I need to do with a handgun. New set of pommel bags too.

 

[S&WForty]

I would have paid more for a gun that was cosmetically perfect, had a higher front sight and the soft rubber grips from the 500. The higher front sight and 500 grips would have had negligible effect on the cost.

What sucks about those grips is they are hard to find. I just got mine yesterday after about a two month wait after ordering them.

 

[zelda]

Dad says that Smith&Wesson used to be like Toyota. Now they are Dodge.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

Dad says that Smith&Wesson used to be like Toyota. Now they are Dodge.

S&W used to be S&W, now they're Taurus?

 

[Dave Lively]

What sucks about those grips is they are hard to find. I just got mine yesterday after about a two month wait after ordering them.

Where did you order them from? I ordered my set a few weeks ago directly from S&W and they arrived 5 days later.

 

[S&WForty]

Where did you order them from? I ordered my set a few weeks ago directly from S&W and they arrived 5 days later.

I ordered through a LGS after all online places I searched were out of stock. I had read of some long wait times ordering directly from S&W, so I took the chance with the LGS and stretched my Patience muscle. It hurt, but I survived.

 

[zelda]

OK, l want a 696 so bad l hurt. l just cant afford it now til tax season is over and still have not shot the 686 Competitor l got with last years refund. lf S&W were to bring out a PC model of the 69 l think the quality would be better. All the Performance Center guns l have seen seemed better than regular production guns.
l am a buyer and have to deal with vendor customer service every day. l only drive used cars for that reason.

 

[Macinaw]

OK, l want a 696 so bad l hurt. l just cant afford it now til tax season is over and still have not shot the 686 Competitor l got with last years refund. lf S&W were to bring out a PC model of the 69 l think the quality would be better. All the Performance Center guns l have seen seemed better than regular production guns.
l am a buyer and have to deal with vendor customer service every day. l only drive used cars for that reason.

From what I've been reading on this forum; just as much **** comes out of the so called PC as the regular production guns.

 

[SAFireman]

I really like my 3" 696.....no offense, but the new 4" 69 just doesn't do anything for me.

And to be brutally truthful.....the 44 special will do pretty much anything that the 44 mag will do (with regard to SD purposes) if need anything more, you probably should have brought a long gun.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

my apologies for the delay in posting pix.