New S&W model 69 44 Mag

Snapping Twig said:
P7010001_zpsd24da7c8.jpg


Problems with the 696?!

I haven't heard of them. What would they be?

Thin forcing cone I understand, but other than that...
Click to expand...

It was my understanding that forcing cone & frame failures, along with very slow sales were the reasons they were discontinued.
'Course I could be wrong, haven't stayed at a Holiday Inn in a long while.............
 
624's-as I got it, had some problems in the heat treating of the cylinders of some guns, but they were unable to supply replacement cylinders, and the ser #'s of effected guns seemed vague when I looked into it several years ago.
 
I look forward to the new model 69. Not super happy with the lock etc but I guess it's just a sign of the times. I like my original classic 5". It shoots great but I don't like the weight. I had the 3" L frame scandium frame it was ok but didn't ever warm up to the 44spl. It shot good and was a delight to carry. I then got the 44 mag 4" with the scandium frame. Couldn't really warm up to it. It was tolerable with full house loads but I found it way to light to hold on target. I looked at the L frame 44 spl. It felt good in the hand but by then I got rid of my 44spl brass and didn't want to mix. I picked up a 3" 629 I like it but kind of wished for a mountain gun with the 4" tube. I am looking forward to when I can check out the new 69. It can shoot light loads without changing brass or fouling the chamber and have the heavy loads for when I need them with a little lighter and slightly thinner gun. Jerry J.
 
I thought it was my dream date too. However when i got one in my hands, it looked like this:
Thunderball said:


Click to expand...

So I wrote S&W customer service. This is their response:
"Dear Customer,

well they try to get them as close as possible but they dont line up perfect

that is normal

If further assistance is required please reply accordingly. "

I will just wait and see if they correct the problem.
 
amazingflapjack said:
Will it be available in Pink? Maybe with a flower etched around the hole? I, like Broker 50, think they should fix what they're making now before venturing out with a new holer.
Click to expand...

They addressed the forcing cone problem with the model 66 when the dash 6 F comp model came out. They changed the forcing cone and the metallurgy. That was back in 93 or 96 IIRC Since then there have been more improvements in metallurgy so the problem should have been addressed.

There is no need to pile on Smith. JMHO

Trolley
 
Well, if Taurus can make one work well (which the Tracker seems to), I'd guess S&W might be able to make a run at it.
 
Sebago Son said:
That thing is going to kick like an angry mule with factory ammo...
Click to expand...

Yes, but it plants bullets with very satisfactory accuracy. Good enogh it'll probably go deer hunting this fall.

And it shoots soft swaged bullets (Speer LSWC) with minor leading. Which is a VAST improvement over any of my older .44s! Same ammo was a complete disaster previously.

Yah, it's an old thread. But revived above. And I'm so tickled with the thing there may be another. Didn't think it could be so good! Indifferent appearance aside, it's a shooter.
 
It is RB right?

I'm guessing the 69 is a roundbutt L-Frame right? I mean sure it has a rubber grip standard. But nothing on S&W website or here on the forums has identified RB vs. SB.......

Is it Roundbutt? anybody?
 
Last edited:
Thunderball said:
I thought it was my dream date too. However when i got one in my hands, it looked like this:


So I wrote S&W customer service. This is their response:
"Dear Customer,

well they try to get them as close as possible but they dont line up perfect

that is normal

If further assistance is required please reply accordingly. "

I will just wait and see if they correct the problem.
Click to expand...


Might not appear very elegant but it looks functional to me. I can't really see them being able to line it up any closer than that.
 
"Close as they could get?"

You must be kidding. The crane fits so beautifully and tightly... The fit and finish on the gun is spot on. I want to hear Smith and Wesson say that's the way it's supposed to be, if that is the case.

I would have loved to be in the meeting when they made the compromising decision to ship the Model 69 like this.
 
Finally went to my friend's private range and brought along a Model 69 L frame 44 magnum. Three others also tried it out. Of course with 44 special 200 grain factory all found it pleasant shooting. At 15 yds. 2-3 rounds would typically touch. At 25 yds one shooter pulled 2 inch groups consistently. Then moved to 240 grain factory soft pint Remington and with the right grip, stance it was fine. We went through two boxes shooting multiple targets in called order.
Buffalo Bore 255 grain hard cast of fifty rounds and no hiccups and vey manageable by three of us but one found it more than she liked so she is staying with the 240 grain loads as her standard 44 magnum outdoor carry. Agree with her view it is better to hit well with what you carry.
I used the 255 grain for a moose and it did fine but it was close while I was still in camp. Not really a hunt as much as a shoot of opportunity.

Last was a box of Federal Premium 300 grain cast core. For three of us doable for hits and repeats but also we were fine with just shooting the twenty round box. Overall this may become my favorite carry 44 revolver. With a Blade Tech Razor IWB holster easy carry quick and surprised to find the 4.25 inch barrel works well in this manner.

We ended with shooting off a grab bag of odds and ends with the model 69. I am pretty certain anything not solved with five well placed rounds will unlikely be solved with one more so that does not worry me. My Night Guard I am not as accurate with and I finally have a S&W 44 magnum that fits my hands. I do think the excellent shape and cushioning of the grip makes a big difference.

My hunting round is a 45-70 in a custom Marlin lever. The Model 69 is an Alaska defensive tool when required... and fine for me.
 
Sebago Son said:
That thing is going to kick like an angry mule with factory ammo...
Click to expand...

Not really. that is if you are not recoil sensitive!!! I have a M69 and fired different rounds through it the other day. The .44 Spl I had was a 240 LFN traveling at about 850 fps. This was a dream to shoot. I then switched over to my magnum rounds. These wee 240 gr. bullets LFN, and I had loaded them with 11 grs. of Unique and getting about 1300 fps. I figure just short of factory. It was nice and had some recoil, but not uncomfortable. I was surprised at how comfortable it shot. It will make a great woods gun during hunting season.
 
attn AlaskaDawg

Thanks for the field report. Would like to see more posts of folks actually shooting the new 69 and reporting their findings. Only this will tell us how good or bad the 69 really is.

Imagine, a gal preferring a certain factory .44Mag round as her carry load... What a gal!

Kaaskop49
______________
Best $1.80 I ever spent!
 
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