New Model 69: what accessories to get?

[joe44va]

My 2.75" M69 is box stock but I've worked on my 4.25" model. It has S&Ws Master Revolver Action Package, a Venom, and Pachmayer Diamond Pro's. I like it.

 

[bitstream]

Followup:

I got the Galco Silhouette SIL-104 holster in and have had a chance to wear it out a few times. First, it fits the Model 69 perfectly. The design and cut allows the revolver to fully seat down and in where the trigger is completely protected and the hammer sits perfectly where the thumb break covers it so the rig is far safer than the Galco Combat Master is. I think the Combat Master holster will be great for taking to the range, but for daily carry, the Silhouette is the clear choice. The leather is well made and stitching great, plus you can't beat the smell of good leather over any of those plastic or fabric holsters.

Finally, my Altamont walnut checkered grips with fleur de lis and silver medallions arrived today. They feel much better in the hand than the Pachymayr laminate grips. They look very nice as well and the fit was tight and clean. Here are some pics included.

 

[Paul105]

Really like that Galco.

Forgot to mention aftermarket sights. Here's a picture of my M69 with Bowen Rough Country Rear and Dawson Precision 1/10" front. Sight picture improvement has to be seen to be believed - big help to these old eyes.

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Paul

 

[Dave Lively]

Forgot to mention aftermarket sights. Here's a picture of my M69 with Bowen Rough Country Rear and Dawson Precision 1/10" front. Sight picture improvement has to be seen to be believed - big help to these old eyes.

My M69 shot high with heavy bullets and ran out of adjustment range. The factory solution was a shorter rear blade. The rear notch is also short and makes it hard to get a good sight picture.

Does that rear sight have plenty of adjustment range?

 

[oink]

Just a side note:
I called Safariland. They don't make a speed loader for the 69. Speed loaders are not a big part of their business and their interests are elsewhere. Armor is their current center of interest according to their spokesperson. They haven't introduced any new speed loaders in years and apparently have no plans to do so. It sounds like they need to sell that part of their business off to someone more interested in that segment of business.

 

[Classic29]

I have Model 69 with the 4.25" barrel now which I love. All these pictures of the 2.75" model have me lusting for one ��

 

[Paul105]

Just a side note:
I called Safariland. They don't make a speed loader for the 69. Speed loaders are not a big part of their business and their interests are elsewhere. Armor is their current center of interest according to their spokesperson. They haven't introduced any new speed loaders in years and apparently have no plans to do so. It sounds like they need to sell that part of their business off to someone more interested in that segment of business.

My M69 shot high with heavy bullets and ran out of adjustment range. The factory solution was a shorter rear blade. The rear notch is also short and makes it hard to get a good sight picture.

Does that rear sight have plenty of adjustment range?

Not sure but doubt you could get full range of bullets (180gr - 320gr) and various velocities from 800fps to 1,200 fps to zero. The pictured setup is a .370 Bowen (which corresponds to S&W .126), and a .320" Dawson front sight (IIRC, S&W front is .280"). Currently sighted in with 240gr JSP/20.1gr A2400 (about 1,100 fps) and there is .050" down avail (pretty much topped out - i.e no more up elev).

The Bowen was originally purchased for a 4 1/4" M69 because the factory sights shot high with 240gr (and heavier) magnum loads with rear sight bottomed out - the Bowen fixed the problem without changing the front sight.

Here's the S&W/Bowen rear sight height cross ref table:

S&W .126 uses BCA .370
S&W .146 uses BCA .385
S&W .160 uses BCA .400
S&W .196 uses BCA .430

Bowen offers the rear blades separately, but they are $46 plus shipping.

I don't know why S&W doesn't make all revolvers with the DX replaceable front sight - would solve a lot of sight issues. Then they could offer a deeper rear sight blade notch.

Hope some of that helps.

Paul

 

[Dave Lively]

Hope some of that helps.
Paul

It does, thanks.