New Model 69: what accessories to get?

[bitstream]

I got a new Model 69 today. Even the guys at the gun shop were admiring it when I went in to pick it up (I had ordered it off their online store to pick up at the LGS, so they just got it in and opened it up). I had seen one at another LGS a few weeks ago and loved it, but foolishly didn't buy it on the spot, so after that store sold theirs, I got the bug and went shopping to find another small LGS nearby had it on their small website. I like to support the small shops; they are so much better than any big box.

Anyways... anyone got recommendations for grips, holsters, speedloaders, etc.? I went ahead and ordered a Galco leather belt holster (it said L-Frame 2.5 inch 686/686 Plus which I believe will fit?) I also ordered a Speed Beez Model 69 speedloader, which claims to be a direct fit and they had a video showing a Model 69 with it, so I'm pretty sure that is going to work.

What else am I missing? Any good holsters? I'm thinking I'd like a good shoulder holster as I believe it will be more comfortable.

Here she is brand new in the box:

 

[seldon14]

I would go with HKS for the speed loader. For factory holsters I like safariland, but galco makes really good off the shelf stuff as well. Grips are a personal thing, I like wood square buts on a shorter barrel k or l, and target grips on a longer barrel. I would not recommend a shoulder holster for most purposes. A good belt holster, with a good belt is quicker, more concealable, and more comfortable in most situations.

 

[PatriotX]

The best accessory I put on the 69 was the 500 grips with extra padding.

 

[Nick B]

The best accessory I put on the 69 was the 500 grips with extra padding.

Got any pics of your M69 wearing those grips ?
Thanks.

 

[The Norseman]

44 Mag Forever

Congratulations on your new S&W Mdl 69 44Rem Mag.
That is a very nice Revolver.

I was in one of the Local Gun Shops in Cheyenne WY yesterday,
and in the display case was one. It was very nicely made and
finished; S&W hats off to you.

When you shoot your's please give a Range Report.

Sorry I don't have any advise on accessorizing, unto each their
own. There will be good advice coming shortly.

Thanks for sharing your Story and the Pictures.

 

[Nick B]

The best accessory I put on the 69 was the 500 grips with extra padding.

I thought those grips would only fit the N and X frame .

 

[shocker]

Speed loaders for a 34 oz. snub nosed 44 magnum? LOL. By the time you shoot five the possible outcomes are
Whatever you shot will be DRT and there's no need to reload
OR
Your hand will be too numb to hold and fire the gun
AND
You will be permanently deafened.

My 69 is "as delivered".

 

[Shark Bait]

I have a Galco shoulder holster for mine and it works very well with all my short barreled L frames. VZ grips also work well and are comfortable. I added the medallions.

 

[tlawler]

A lock delete plug and a higher profile cylinder release that will cover the outline of the plug. A forum member on here makes them.

 

[Invictus357]

Congrats on your choice.

A K frame Combat Mag deserves combat grips

I would install these immediately

https://www.altamontco.com/shared/photos/SKR-CF06.jpg

 

[Paul105]

I thought those grips would only fit the N and X frame .

Left - 500 X Frame unmodified on 41/4" M69

Center - Modified 500 X Frame (rounded butt, removed finger groves on 2 3/4" M69

 

[Paul105]

Modified 500 X Frame on Model 19 Carry Comp

 

[Nick B]

A lock delete plug and a higher profile cylinder release that will cover the outline of the plug. A forum member on here makes them.

Link please.

 

[PHS327]

I thought those grips would only fit the N and X frame .

I had some on mine and they fit fine. I stopped shooting heavy loads so I went back to the grip that came with the gun.

I think these are the ones S&W K, L, N, X, Z Frame Round Butt Rubber Tamer Conversion Monogrip Black - Soft OverMolded Rubber - Full Size Conversion Grips - Round to Square - K and L Frame Round Butt - K/L-Frame Revolvers - Grips for Smith & Wesson - Handgun Grips - Hogue Products

 

[PHS327]

A lock delete plug and a higher profile cylinder release that will cover the outline of the plug. A forum member on here makes them.

That's Tony Rumore and the website is tromix.com. It's the Smith & Wesson Extended Cylinder Release Latch. I have one on mine and really like it. Not because it covers the hole but because I have arthritis in my hands and it makes the cylinder a lot easier to open.

 

[smoothshooter]

Two or three speed strips, and a couple of Safariland speed-loaders.
Safariland speed-loaders work better than HKS.
With HKS, you have to hold the cylinder still to keep it from rotating when you twist the release knob.
With the Safariland, you don't have to do that since you merely press down on the release button to drop the cartridges in the chambers.

I get the impression that most shooters don't even know Safariland makes a speed-loader ( poor marketing on Safariland's part ), but most know about HKS,

 

[seldon14]

Two or three speed strips, and a couple of Safariland speed-loaders.
Safariland speed-loaders work better than HKS.
With HKS, you have to hold the cylinder still to keep it from rotating when you twist the release knob.
With the Safariland, you don't have to do that since hou merely press down on the release button to drop the cartridges in the chambers.

I get the impression that most shooters don't even know Safariland makes a speed-loader ( poor marketing on Safariland's part ), but most know about HKS,

Safariland is definitely better than hks, but I do not believe they make a 5 shot 44 loader.

 

[bitstream]

Congrats on your choice.

A K frame Combat Mag deserves combat grips

I would install these immediately

https://www.altamontco.com/shared/photos/SKR-CF06.jpg

Thanks for that tip! I just ordered a grip set from them! I chose Walnut checkered with fleur de lis and silver medallions. I'll post pics when they come. They say that checkered grips are taking 5-8 weeks due to COVID I guess it's worth it since these look great.

Again, thanks for that tip!

 

[bitstream]

Follow Up:

First off, a Range Report. I took my Model 69 out to the range with some .44 special and some .44 magnum loads. The .44 special rounds are really nice and are easy to handle. It is more than accurate enough at pistol distances of 7-12 yards. The .44 magnum rounds are strong with the short barrel, but manageable. The recoil gives a strong snap and the force goes through your wrist. It didn't bother me much, but my sons each shot one 5 round with the magnum and went to the special. I didn't have any wrist pain or other issues, but my youngest son's wrist felt it for a while afterwards. I would say that, if you're in a situation where you need the .44 magnum loads for personal defense, you'll have no problem running the 5 rounds with the adrenaline going unless you have arthritis or other issues. The .44 special is really easy to handle and I'd say most people could shoot that all day with the Model 69.

I ordered a set of Altamont walnut checkered grips with fleur de lis and silver medallions ($76). They are going to take awhile to arrive due to covid, so I got impatient while waiting and ordered some Pachymayr rose wood laminate grips off Amazon that arrived in 3 days. I just put them on; they look pretty good. For the $39 laminate, they fit almost perfect with just a slight lip on the bottom where the two halves meet that you can just feel with your finger. All and all, they look perfect.. I had to run out, so I put it in my leather holster and figured I just run open carry because it's Arizona. I had a guy in line ask about it; it caught his eye and he complimented how it looked. With all the black plastic guns out there, a beautiful revolver with rosewood grips in a good leather holster is nice to see. Here are the pics:

 

[Fishinfool]

Looks sharp with those grips. I am not a big fan of the laminated look, but those grips do look nice. I am still running factory rubber on my 69, as they seem to fit my hand well, and I shoot mostly 240 grain SWC's at about 950 fps out of it.

Larry

 

[wood714]

I polished mine and replaced all the black bits with stainless, except the hammer and trigger. Put an old style thumb piece on it too.

Then I gave it to my dad.

Grips were just for the picture.

 

[The Norseman]

It's all in the Grip

Thank you for the Updated. Great Range Report and Pictures.

Yes with all the Plastic Pistols running around out there I bet it
was nice hearing a compliant on a Revolver. People know a
Real Gun when they see it.

Please give a Range Report on the Altamont walnut checkered
grips with fleur de lis and silver medallions when you get
them.

Thank you again, very nice.

 

[smoothshooter]

A couple of Safariland speed loaders. They beat the heck out of HKS brand design. Also some speed strips.
I prefer the Safariland speed loaders because you do not have to twist a release knob like you do on the HKS, or hold the cylinder with the other hand to keep it from rotating when the HKS release knob is turned.
With the Safariland you merely insert the tips of the cluster of cartridges into the chambers and push right on down until the release clicks and drops the rounds into the chambers in one smooth motion.
A superior design.

 

[RoyM52]

[/IMG]I accessorized my M 69 with the Altamont Combat Grips , a set of Meprolight night sights and did the long wait in order to have a Milt Sparks VM 2 IWB holster. I also have a couple of speed strips.

 

[PHS327]

Safariland is definitely better than hks, but I do not believe they make a 5 shot 44 loader.

I don't think they do either but it's hard to tell. You would think they would put a list of what speed loader fit's what guns but if it's there, I couldn't find it.

 

[Paul105]

 

[bitstream]

Paul, I found it on the 5 star firearms website, can you confirm that it doesn't interfere with the cylinder release? It looks like the way it is shaped might just slide right past?

 

[bitstream]

I should also update that I tried a few accessories:

HKS speedloader: It does work. The twist towards the revolver tends to try and move the cylinder back, which closes it against the frame catching the speedloader. It's not too hard to simply pin it with your finger as you work it, but could have been better thought out. The fit works, mostly because HKS makes their loader loose. Not exactly fast, but it does work and it does retain the rounds.

SpeedBeez speedloader: Superior design to the HKS, it clips each round in snugly and retains the nicely. It releases with a push, which is much more natural and quick. The only issue on the Model 69 is that it rubs the cylinder release and you have to work it past, which makes it hard to do with any speed at all. I'd guess that their design is exceptional on a larger frame revolver with more room to get past the release button.

Galco Combat Master CM-104 holster: Galco holsters are always very nice and this is no exception. The fit and finish and leather are great. The only 2 issues with this holster for the Model 69 is that the gun fits perfectly, but it is for a 2" barrel and the 69 is a 2.75" barrel, so it doesn't seat quite as deep as I'd like. The back of the trigger is left out of the holster guard (which is not a 100% foul, but I would prefer full covering of the trigger. Also, it just rides with a little more out of the holster than I'd like. It seems firm and I can get in and out of my truck and go about my business. I can even bend down and pickup something and the gun doesn't move at all. But, I'd prefer it ride deeper by just a bit. As far as drawing, it doesn't have a thumb break or other retention device, so it's fast, especially with the snub nose. That said, I'd prefer a strap so it is positively retained and I don't have to worry. I can unsnap pretty fast, so the safety and security of a strap would be good.

I've ordered a new Galco Silhouette SIL-104 so I'll post a review once it arrives and I can try it a few days. I think it will fit much better and it has a thumb break.

 

[Paul105]

Paul, I found it on the 5 star firearms website, can you confirm that it doesn't interfere with the cylinder release? It looks like the way it is shaped might just slide right past?

Yes, it clears the cylinder release BUT the rounds splay out a bit and longer rounds (magnums depending on nose profile) are more difficult to release from the loader if seated deep in the cyl. May just be my loader.

.44 Specials with 255 gr Keith work fine.

Paul

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
I put Pachmyer grips , shoot reduced loads most of the time , [can shoot mags with new grips] "may" install a fixed sight[C&S] but most of all a holster.
Mine is a LOBO Tommy Threeperson with a hammer strap...