model 696 or the new model 69?

[rclmd]

quality

I cannot speak to the S&W 44 spl/mag revolvers...I own a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter with a Leupold scope which I have used hunting and at the range. About 1000+ rds through it without issues...very accurate even with 44 spl. However I do have experience with S&W 38 spl/357 mag revolvers. I bought a 686P 6" and a 2 1/2" back in 2002 and 2003. I have fired thousands of 38's and 357's through these and have had no problems. BUT, I recently added a 327 R8 and out of the box it would not fire...since my dealer and range are one in the same, it was not difficult to get the owner to try the gun and see that it malfunctioned. We sent it back and some work was done (including replacing several parts) and has worked well since with over 500 rounds at this point. I also had problems with a 617 I bought a couple of years ago - turned out to be some kind of thick oily substance in the barrel which took a lot of brushing and cleaning by my dealer to clear. It was causing my shots to "keyhole" and made accuracy impossible until corrected. Works fine now...With only 4 S&W revolvers I may have too small a sample size to draw conclusions...but my older revolvers did seem to have less quality issues. Finish on all of them is pretty good and at least equal to other manufacturer's revolvers I have experience with.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

mute point now. I just picked up a 4" model 629-6 mountain gun. shot 6 times and put up, still used but barely. I have to get over this built in lock or find a "plug" and have my local smith remove the junk. gun is lighter than I figured.

 

[Goblin]

Congrats on the new piece. You may still lust for a 696, but I bet you'll love that MG.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

I still want a 696, but I can't be lustful and practical at the same time.

 

[Stirling]

mute point now. I just picked up a 4" model 629-6 mountain gun. shot 6 times and put up, still used but barely. I have to get over this built in lock or find a "plug" and have my local smith remove the junk. gun is lighter than I figured.

That's what I said! LOL Congrats on a great find. Pics would be good too.

 

[629shooter]

Congratulations on the Mountain Gun.

 

[S&W SS Revolvers]

If the gun was up to the old S&W quality standards I would be a happy camper but like a lot of new entry guns all is not roses.

Great size, good hand fit & balance quality simply sucks.

No way to sugar coat it , in today's S&W mantra if it remotely looks like gun they ship it regardless of defects & let customer service sort it out with the customer.

THIS IS SUCH A SAD COMMENTARY ON THE STATE OF AFFAIRS @ S&W. THEY MUST BE AWARE OF THE SHODDY PRODUCTS THEY ARE SHIPPING, BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND RETURNS. THE ONLY CONCLUSION THAT I CAN COME TO IS THAT THEY JUST DO NOT CARE ABOUT US, THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS………...[/QUOTE]

I just ordered a new extractor rod and centerpin for the 686 from S&W because it was bumped on the workbench. The new one wobbled as bad as the one I screwed up. So with time , gentle touches of a plastic hammer and measurements I did what could have simply been done with the old one...disappointing.

 

[snubshooter]

I think the problem with most gun makers these days is shear volume. QC drops with the NEED to produce as many SKUs and numbers in each SKU, as possible.
If Smith were to slow down and really check each unit before it leaves the factory production would probably be half what it is now, but quality would be twice as good.
BUT, the public would be screaming for more production. As it is, here in N. Colorado, I am lucky to see some of the new guns within a year of general availability.
I guess that Smith is trying to make as many people as happy as possible, and fix the problems that get through.

 

[ayetee]

I think the problem with most gun makers these days is shear volume. QC drops with the NEED to produce as many SKUs and numbers in each SKU, as possible.
If Smith were to slow down and really check each unit before it leaves the factory production would probably be half what it is now, but quality would be twice as good.
BUT, the public would be screaming for more production. As it is, here in N. Colorado, I am lucky to see some of the new guns within a year of general availability.
I guess that Smith is trying to make as many people as happy as possible, and fix the problems that get through.

This is not the first time S&W faced demand out-pacing production. I remember wanting a Model 29 in the early seventies and looking for a Model-66 right after it was announced. S&W DID NOT compromise back then, it is, however, willing to cut corners now. Sad.

 

[jaymoore]

mute point now. I just picked up a 4" model 629-6 mountain gun. shot 6 times and put up, still used but barely. I have to get over this built in lock or find a "plug" and have my local smith remove the junk. gun is lighter than I figured.

When you find a new production revolver that S&W got out the door "right", then they're outstanding. Have been quite pleased with the last two 629-6s and a 69. But it's like picking through mounds of rubble to find the treasures sometimes.

 

[jaymoore]

mute point now. I just picked up a 4" model 629-6 mountain gun. shot 6 times and put up, still used but barely. I have to get over this built in lock or find a "plug" and have my local smith remove the junk. gun is lighter than I figured.

When you find a new production revolver that S&W got out the door "right", then they're outstanding. Have been quite pleased with the last two 629-6s and a 69. But it's like picking through mounds of rubble to find the small buried treasures sometimes.

 

[MJFlores]

When you find a new production revolver that S&W got out the door "right", then they're outstanding. Have been quite pleased with the last two 629-6s and a 69. But it's like picking through mounds of rubble to find the small buried treasures sometimes.

Very true. The last new S&W revolver I purchased, I asked to compare all the same models they had and chose the one that felt and looked right. These were 4" 629's, brand new. One you could see the barrel was mounted off center with more meat on one side of the frame than the other, another had a finish that looked like it was dragged behind a truck for a few miles. I chose the one with the tightest crane, straightest barrel, and top strap to sight alignment. You simply shouldn;t have to go through this...especially when you're ready to drop $810 on the best of the group of misfits. The one I chose had to go back to S&W twice. Now, after 2 trips and a lot of tinkering it's a very nice shooter but wow what a lot of effort on my part! When you buy new S&W revolvers, you're buying rough project guns that need to be tuned, aligned, etc. Many need new barrels without ever being shot (some people don't realize that or have to tools to inspect a new barrel, or don't care). The good thing is my new 629 is perfect, and was so hard to get like it is now that I doubt I'll ever sell it. However, I'll never buy a new S&W again. It's just too much work. If I ever just had to have a new S&W...and was crazy enough to do it I think I'd send it straight to a Smith and have it made right before even trying it. I'm still thinking that if a good shop wanted to...they could make some outstanding money simply by purchasing brand new S&W revolvers, going through them and making them right and then selling them as such. I think a lot of use would go that route if it were available. And now, the S&W "custom" shop isn;t the answer...they churn out just as poor quality **** and then charge you more.

Anywho...congrats on your new 629 MG...let us know how it shoots. And, welcome to the 629 club.

 

[mag318]

I have a 629 4" and a 696 no dash and they are both very high quality revolvers that will last several lifetimes. I looked at a couple 69s and just can't get past the two piece barrel. I don't care what anyone says they just look cheap to me and S&W admits they're cheaper to produce. I'd definitely go with the 696 especially if you can obtain a no dash version.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

I will admit, the MG is not on par with my 1991 oshp 681. but the MG was $300 less than the cheapest 696 which ranged from mid $800 to $1000 and came up at the last minute, I had to jump on it before I committed to the 696. I guess I "pulled a S&W" by going cheap huh? well, at least now I can still afford a good holster for the gun, and a reflex red dot for my AR.

 

[Chief Tom]

This is not the first time S&W faced demand out-pacing production. I remember wanting a Model 29 in the early seventies and looking for a Model-66 right after it was announced. S&W DID NOT compromise back then, it is, however, willing to cut corners now. Sad.

That recent poor quality output is simply inexcusable. My last new S&W purchase was a nickel M22 back about 6 years ago and it is simply beautiful, although the main spring is a bit too heavy for my DA taste. I still love it, and was thinking about the same gun in the Heritage series cuz they're so purty...but I'll have to wait out their incompetence it seems. Alas...the 1970s!

 

[Model 15-4ever]

... But it does shoot good, just high.

I had the same issue with mine. I sent it back to S&W on their dime and they replaced the entire rear sight assembly with a lower blade unit - and included the original assembly as well. It's accurate, but a bear with magnum loads... not for high volume magnum shooting. Heavy .44 Special handloads, ideal.

 

[Gunhacker]

Can't even see a 69 here in California, at least not yet, due to the "approved" list.

Greg (and all other Kali prisoners) ... check the roster, you'll get a surprise

 

[Izzydog]

I had a 696 no dash once, I never even got to shoot it. I brought it to my pops, to get his opinion. When he saw what I had, Squealed loudly, then he screamed "Mine!", and disappeared into a back room with it. All this happened before I realized what was going on. Nobody could wipe the grin off of his face, for weeks. Go with the 696.

 

[Daimler1989]

I gave a 696 no dash NIB to my wife as a wedding day present about 5 years ago. She loves it, and I'm always very happy when she let me shoot it. Great accuracy even at 25 meters. I could handle the 69 on the range some weeks ago (a buddy got one) and I found it somewhat crude looking, finish was far away from what I know from 30 years owning S&W wheelguns, the trigger was so-so. My comparison: The 696 is a very high quality gun in every aspect, the 69 pretends to be one although it might be on par with the 696 in accuracy (which I can not testify).

regards from Germany
Ulrich

 

[wheelgun6969]

I'm happy with my model 69