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.
model 696 or the new model 69?
- Thread starter 681ismyfavorite
- Start date
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
Member
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.
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.
Attachments
OP
681ismyfavorite
Member
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.
Last edited:
Chief Tom
Member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2014
- Messages
- 18
- Reaction score
- 30
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!
Last edited:
Model 15-4ever
Member
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.
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
Member
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
regards from Germany
Ulrich
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2015
- Messages
- 2
- Reaction score
- 18
I'm happy with my model 69
ironhead7544
Member
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
Member
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.
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2015
- Messages
- 1,365
- Reaction score
- 1,597
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.
Last edited:
Biginge
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
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.
Attachments
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
Member
Dad says that Smith&Wesson used to be like Toyota. Now they are Dodge.
OP
681ismyfavorite
Member
S&W used to be S&W, now they're Taurus?
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2015
- Messages
- 1,365
- Reaction score
- 1,597
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
Member
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.
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
Member
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.
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.
OP
681ismyfavorite
Member
my apologies for the delay in posting pix.
