New S&W model 69 44 Mag

[Thunderball]

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.

 

[MrTrolleyguy]

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.

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

 

[smithman]

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.

 

[jaymoore]

That thing is going to kick like an angry mule with factory ammo...

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.

 

[Smith61]

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?

 

[ptgarcia]

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.

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.

 

[CleanHarry]

"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.

 

[AlaskaDawg]

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.

 

[Rafsob]

That thing is going to kick like an angry mule with factory ammo...

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.

 

[kaaskop49]

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!

 

[Rafsob]

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!

I would have to say she is definitely a keeper!!!!!

 

[Groo01]

Groo here
Talked to S&W at NRA 2014.
I told them I wanted an M-59.
AKA a 41mag with a 3in barrel.
The production manager smiled at the 41 [ he shoots one] but
the 3in caused his eyes to light up!!!!!!!!

 

[AlaskaDawg]

I am just glad she allows me to use her private shooting range

I would have to say she is definitely a keeper!!!!!

Yes she is. Am glad she lets me use her private shooting range, salmon fish on her property and travel together around Alaska these past few years...life has been good.

 

[jtcarm]

Exactly what are "all the problems"?

Unless there are documented, specific issues from reliable sources (i.e, not google) search results), it's wrong to post such a remark.

Even if it's true, the specific problems (or link to an article) should be in the post, instead of a blanket statement like that.

 

[AlaskaDawg]

Second visit of the Model 69 to the range

Too long a gap but a very busy summer. Hooligan fish run was great. Dried and some salted. The Model 69 and I did another long, for me, run at the range after I checked my model 19. The Model 69 again did really well. Odd thing is had some Remington 240 SJHP and they felt like a sharper kick than the 255 Hard cast Buffalo Bore which seems to "push" more but bite less. This for both my friend and I. We both like the same brand 240 soft point and we both felt it also had less "bite". She shot it twice and removed the rest from her revolver, a snubbie Performance Center. Also glad that came in a 20 round box.
Should point out we both wear our fingerless bike gloves when practicing with the 44 magnum rounds to avoid "tenderizing" between the index finger and thumb. All in all the Model 69 went through 50 more rounds of CCI 44 Spec., 32 rounds of 240 SP, 20 rounds of Buffalo Bore, and 18 240 SJHP, 20 rounds of 200 grain Gold Dot HP for snubbies and is running perfectly.
Bought some locally welded steel base stands with large screws that use standard 1x2 for supports to then staple gun IPSC targets. Results in more enjoyable practice as the wind does not blow the target over. We also have several brown bear currently wandering through the property at late hours (not night as the sun does not really set until about 11PM). Keep a fully loaded shortened barrel 45-70 lever on property at all times.. Model 69 is very much a part of life is good..

 

[horsemen61]

So is it a round butt or square ????

 

[Roadranger]

Mine is a round butt! Bob!!

 

[Bucksmasher]

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.

My detent ball is too far the other way. It will actually push the cylinder out a bit when the release is pressed. It seems like a decent idea but it requires a little more attention in the assembly line IMHO.

 

[DFrame]

Is this the part where everyone starts crying about the IL? Lol

=
They should put these people on the springer show and let them have it out

 

[Geblynch]

Model 69

I'm a fan of the 44 mag but for the shooting I enjoy I really don't need the power of full house loads. For quite a while I've loaded it down to 44 Special velocities. Now that I have a model 69 the 44 is a real bundle of shooting fun.
Now, I'm 71 years old and have seen lots of changes in the S&W revolvers and love tradition as much as the next person and have to say that what I see in the Model 69 are some good solid engineering ideas. The two piece barrel assures good alignment. The ball detent is slick and works better than the old way. The lock...****, I don't lock my truck and I'm not into locking my guns. I'm also not likely to be getting in a gun fight so 5 shots is fine by me.
Traditionalists can piss and moan about change but if you get a chance to handle and shoot a model 69 I'm bettin that you'll see things a little bit different. Good shooting folks !

 

[Geblynch]

I see as questions as to weather the 69 is a square or round butt. She's a round butt but I have square butt target grips on her. I filled the small gap left by it being a round butt frame with a small piece of walnut. It was a very easy fix taking about an hour or so.

 

[bronco45]

My favorite Model 69 load is a 210JHC by Sierra over a healthy dose of 2400 pushing that bullet at 1272 chronoed. No high pressure and superbly accurate. Easy to shoot and a joy to carry! L vs N the L is much easier to carry. Gun has shot all loads accurately, some very, very accurately.

 

[Geblynch]

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.

Did you buy this gun at a gun shop or on line?

 

[BC38]

That thing is going to kick like an angry mule with factory ammo...

Taurus has been making these for at least 5 years. About time. Joe

I don't know about the S&W 69, but the Taurus Tracker with the 2-1/2" barrel weighs 23 ounces - about the same as a k-frame snubby 357.

And being kicked by an angry mule is a pretty fair description of what it feels like to light off a 240gr factory magnum round in one....

 

[Dennis]

I ordered a m69 from my local shop a few months ago. They know me very well and I have spent a ****-ton of money there. So when I ordered it, I asked if I found it not up to standards, can I refuse it. Of course, they said. When I went to purchase it, I discovered a very fine piece of workmanship. Up to my standards. !0 days later, I picked it up and ASAP I was at the range with 210 gr silvertips over 8 gr. Unique and hard cast 240 LSWC over same charge. Very accurate and tight.
The insides were dry so they got a touch of FP-10. All surfaces were smooth and needed no stoning.
I love my 4" 29-3, but if I ever get outa this damned state and get a little land around me, the 69 will be my belt carry.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

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.

I've looked closely at two of them now. Not impressed.

Really wanted one in a 3" for carry, but so far no dice.

Got to thinking a 4" might be OK for field use, especially since I traded off my 3" 29 long ago.

Don't care for the IL, but then, who does? It can be replaced with a plug.

Then looked over the barrel. Two piece, so that washed out any ideas of having it shortened.

Then the MIM parts. Not happy over those. But they are what they are. Take'em or leave'em.

Then saw the gap, and what was worse, it did not take much pressure on the cylinder to move the crane around. The detent is NOT a replacement for the old method. It should have supplemented it, not supplanted it.

So at this point not sure. Will wait and look at some others. I hope the new crane detent is not something being planned as standard for other models.

 

[siberian505]

Just have two hundred federal 155s left out of five thousand. Three hundred are freshly loaded. Yes I shoot a lot and no I have had ZERO issues with my model 69. Yes I'll probably buy another one because I'll wear this one out. My everyday load is a H&G#503@ 1200fps. I did replace the front sight with a green fiber optic from Dawson.

 

[siberian505]

And it is very accurate with my three loads non of which are jacketed.

 

[digiroc]

I bought the first one I saw ..

And have not regretted it one bit. I've only shot 240 gr Magtech's out of it and it barks with authority.

I have a Crimson Trace laser grip on it that fills the hand and cushions the recoil.

It's a tack driver and the fit and finish is just beautiful.

Digiroc

 

[joe44va]

Love my M69. Tried S&W500 grips but settled on Pachmayr Diamond Pros. The ball detent is supposed to rest on the side of the slope so as to hold the crane closed. It shoots very well although I do load starting 44 Mag loads. Now my carry piece in the woods and rivers. Full loads are doable, but not too many. A cylinder of full loads does bring the Tupperware kids over wondering what the hell just happened.