New Model 69

[RoyM52]

I tried the X frame grips, the Diamond Pro's and the regular Hogue grips besides the compact's. I wanted to CC the 69, the other grips were all fine but the compact's fit better for CC and still allowed a good grip. Took sending them back 3 times to get a pair that would fit properly and still had to put a small washer under the screw that holds them on.

I like the way the compacts feel and am not impressed with the company for these . The ones I have on a J frame were perfect....not so for the N or L. But once they were on, I like them the best. Funny because the Diamond Pro's are Pach's and they went right on and fit {but they are slightly longer}

 

[oink]

I like the Hogue Bantam Boots as they are smaller and more concealable but I don't really like the way the rubber ones go on. I ordered the wood version but they were a poor fit. My frame is currently at Hogue so the wood Pau ferro grips can get fit properly. No, they don't have rubber padding but I like the size and shape. I'm very happy with the way my round butt N frame pau ferro bantams fit my 3" N frame 44 mag.

 

[km101]

I like my 2.75” M69. I put the Pachmayr Diamond Pro’s on it and it feels great. I’m shooting a 200 grain lead SWC at 1125fps and the load groups better than I can hold it. (had a friend with younger eyes and steadier hands shoot it for accuracy). It will hold 3.5 - 4” for me at 25yards with this load. Not bad for a short barrel EDC gun IMO.

 

[sanjuan65]

I like my 2.75” M69. I put the Pachmayr Diamond Pro’s on it and it feels great. I’m shooting a 200 grain lead SWC at 1125fps and the load groups better than I can hold it. (had a friend with younger eyes and steadier hands shoot it for accuracy). It will hold 3.5 - 4” for me at 25yards with this load. Not bad for a short barrel EDC gun IMO.

Are you getting any leading? Did you cast them yourself?

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[soonerbb]

Sanjuan5, What mounting system do you have under the Vorex red dot????

 

[sanjuan65]

Sanjuan5, What mounting system do you have under the Vorex red dot????

That's not my gun.

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[joe44va]

Sanjuan5, What mounting system do you have under the Vorex red dot????

My mount came from Raptor Engineering.

 

[JtWilson]

I bought one about 6 months ago with the 2.75” barrel. I’m very happy with it, except for the problem that it leads the barrel, quite a lot. I have an Outers Foul Out electronic bore cleaner so it’s not too difficult to remove, but the amount is significant. I was shooting Bayou coated 240gr SWC and SNS Casting 200gr RNFP. Accuracy was outstanding I thought. So, I decided I would shoot about 1000 jacketed bullets through it and see if that does anything to smooth out or burnish the bore to make it more cast bullet friendly.

The other thing that I might do is try some other cast diameters to see if that’s the problem.

 

[stu1ritter]

Interesting that you are getting leading from Bayou 240SWC, those are the same bullets I'm going to be loading. What level loads were you shooting. I've measured my charge holes at .429.


Stu

 

[JtWilson]

They were light loads, 6.5gr Red Dot and 10.0gr Universal. The SNS coated 200gr RNFP were 44 Special, 5.0gr Red Dot.

 

[stu1ritter]

Humm, that 10.0 Universal is near maximum (10.2) and it IS the MAX for Red Dot. (6.5) That might explain your leading. When I talked to Dennis at Bayou about load levels he told me to just use cast bullet levels with some moderation.

Stu

 

[JtWilson]

While the 6.5gr Red Dot is max for the 240gr cast, the velocity is nowhere near the velocity that you would see using a slower powder such as 2400. The listed velocity is only 905fps, and probably slower out of the shorter barrel. So, I don’t think it’s an issue of pushing them too fast.

 

[km101]

Sanjuan65 said:

”Are you getting any leading? Did you cast them yourself?”

No Sir, no leading. Cast using wheel weights and 2% tin, and lubed with White Label Lube’s Commercial 160.

 

[toad67]

While the 6.5gr Red Dot is max for the 240gr cast, the velocity is nowhere near the velocity that you would see using a slower powder such as 2400. The listed velocity is only 905fps, and probably slower out of the shorter barrel. So, I don’t think it’s an issue of pushing them too fast.

Speed might not be your leading issue. If you are at max charge, and not using a gas check then you might be melting your bullet a bit, and leaving some of that lead in your rifling. You're not getting the speed because the barrel is to short to build up enough pressure to produce the speed.

 

[smoothshooter]

I have been on the fence for about a year thinking about buying one and then getting annoyed with myself for thinking about buying "another" one. Especially something with the dreaded MIM/lock combination. Ran across a new price I could not refuse and bought it. 2.75" barrel version because I like short barrels.

Gave it the going over before I transferred it and everything looked just fine. All in alignment and nothing broken or not properly finished. Took it home, took it apart to clean, polish, lube. There is a new mounting system for the hand spring so of course, it went sproing as it isn't captured. Had to contact Armorer951 to find out how it went. Simple once you know. There are some changes in the new guns that will require some study to get as smooth an action as I like.

To the range. I sight in at 10 yards. First group of 5, out of the box, on target just a bit low ( I don't shoot full magnum 44"s, I'm too old for that). Raised the sight and right where it belonged. Also, took the factory grips and put them in a drawer and installed a Pachmyer Compac which has much more padding on the palm side than the factory grips and made it very comfortable to shoot. I think I'm really going to like this revolver.

Stu

Does anybody know why Smith didn't go with a full 3" barrel????

 

[smoothshooter]

I bought one about 6 months ago with the 2.75” barrel. I’m very happy with it, except for the problem that it leads the barrel, quite a lot. I have an Outers Foul Out electronic bore cleaner so it’s not too difficult to remove, but the amount is significant. I was shooting Bayou coated 240gr SWC and SNS Casting 200gr RNFP. Accuracy was outstanding I thought. So, I decided I would shoot about 1000 jacketed bullets through it and see if that does anything to smooth out or burnish the bore to make it more cast bullet friendly.

The other thing that I might do is try some other cast diameters to see if that’s the problem.

Try some softer bullets that may obturate enough to get a better has seal.

 

[Shark Bait]

I really like mine with VZ grips. I added the medallions. It's one of my favorite revolvers, despite the lock. A Wilson Combat spring kit made the action excellent.

 

[RoyM52]

Before the new cylinder lock-up system, a 3 inch barrel was the shortest possible barrel to still use a full length ejector. Now 2 3/4 is the shortest barrel possible with the ability to still use a full length ejector.

 

[stu1ritter]

I bought one about 6 months ago with the 2.75” barrel. I’m very happy with it, except for the problem that it leads the barrel, quite a lot. I have an Outers Foul Out electronic bore cleaner so it’s not too difficult to remove, but the amount is significant. I was shooting Bayou coated 240gr SWC and SNS Casting 200gr RNFP. Accuracy was outstanding I thought. So, I decided I would shoot about 1000 jacketed bullets through it and see if that does anything to smooth out or burnish the bore to make it more cast bullet friendly.

The other thing that I might do is try some other cast diameters to see if that’s the problem.

Just went and looked at my new 69 to check for leading and sure enough there are some really nice deposits in the barrel. Very interesting since this is the same load I shoot in my 629-3 which has never exhibited any leading at all and I have been shooting this load for years. Actually this load has been shot in several .44's without leading. Think I might throw some jacketed down the bore for a bit (after Chore-Boy'ing it) and then see what happens. As I mentioned before, .429 charge holes and .430 bullets.

Stu

 

[Borderboss]

I put Smith X frame grips made by Hogue on my 69 4-14" revolver and I love them.

After my failed attempt to get a good pair of Pach's Compacts, I ordered the Hogue X-Frame for this gun. Wow, these grips are great!

The X-Frame grips are a bit longer than the factory grips and they make the grip have a more square appearance than a rounded appearance. This doesn't affect the way I carry the gun in any way.

The feel of the grips is much better than the standard Hogue grips. The finger grooves seem to be better spaced out.