Picked up a Model 69

[cjjohn]

I picked up a new Model 69 today. I was originally looking for a 29, but this just fit better. I ran 50 rounds of 240gr Federal JHP. It was hard to eject the spent casings so I guess polishing the chambers in order. I will be primarily loading with 44 specials, and I'll save the 44 Magnum for the woods. Overall happy..... Tips? Thoughts?

Oh, Hogue grip is probably going on it. I started flinching at the end of the box.

 

[OldChief]

How about some pictures?

 

[Gripgrabber]

Hello, what barrel? Check your barrel about 3/4" from the fc. mine had a mysterious ring, the mothership put a new barrel on mine. Otherwise I love it!
Semper Paratus

 

[cjjohn]

How about some pictures?

I'll get some later this week.

 

[cjjohn]

Hello, what barrel? Check your barrel about 3/4" from the fc. mine had a mysterious ring, the mothership put a new barrel on mine. Otherwise I love it!
Semper Paratus

4.25" barrel. I will check again. I didn't notice anything, but I didn't shine a light down the barrel.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I ran 50 rounds of 240gr Federal JHP. It was hard to eject the spent casings so I guess polishing the chambers in order.

Were all the chambers equally hard to extract from? How did the brass look?

Glad you like it otherwise.

.

 

[jigen_daisuke]

I held one of these new Model 69s at the local shop and thinkin about the recoil. I felt like they should've put target conversion grips on em, would help aid in the recoil

 

[twodog max]

I enjoy my model 69. My favorite 44 magnum mostly because of its size and weight. I have the 4.25 barrel version. I also put some Pachmayr Diamond Pro grips on it and they soften the blow considerably. I also load less than max as a concession to age and arthritis. The barrel in mine is smooth and shiny and getting broke in just right after around 1,500 rounds through it.
I wish S&W would make a six inch version.

 

[Dave Lively]

I really like mine too. It balances and feels better than the larger 44 magnums. The Hogue grips help but it is still a relatively light 44.

It doesn't have to be all or nothing when it comes to ammo. The ammo I like to shoot the most is rated at 1000 fps with a 240 grain bullet.

 

[shocker]

Oh, Hogue grip is probably going on it. I started flinching at the end of the box.

The Federal 240 is a full power magnum load, in a model 69 it even made Hickok45 cry, LOL, and it only took 1 cylinder full to do it.
Agree with many the sweet spot for these is 240 gr bullets at 1000-1100 fps. Full power 44 mag is like the fire ax behind glass, break in case of emergencies.

 

[Collo Rosso]

My 2.75" is a great shooter with 240gr. coated SWC's loaded 900 to 1K fps.

 

[RoyM52]

I have a Model 69 with a 2 3/4 inch barrel. I've pretty much settled on the 210 Gold Dot made by Speer. I load it to a little beyond the 900 fps. I thought about loading it up a little more, but then decided , other than a Bear....this would be enough and allows for a fast second shot. Very pleasant to shoot. I also have a 3 inch model 629....but the 69 is a nicer size for most things and the barrel is lower in relation to my hand, it changes the way I feel the recoil. Love my 69!

 

[Bill Lear]

I was an early adopter of the M69. I like the smaller, more compact size which, combined with the 4.25" barrel adds to a sleek profile. I also appreciate the technological advances that signal the future (Ruger is now making multipiece barrel models for improved accuracy).

For me the L-frame action isn't on par with that of the N-frame - most notable is the difference in how the M69 feels when cocking the hammer, versus the more "rolling" sensation of the bigger N-frame.

Shooting-wise, it's what you'd expect, it kicks pretty hard with full-house loads, yet thanks to the grip design tends to stay put in the hand, but this is not a gun one wants to shoot a lot of heavy loads from. Underwood's 220 grain Xtreme Penetrator seems like an excellent factory-made choice.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Hi CJjohn!

Congrats on the new M69!

 

[Dieseltech56]

With my 69 4" I have settled on a 210 gr Gold Dot going 1200 fps. This load shoots really good point of aim with no major sight adjustment. I shoot the 69 with S&W 500 Hogue grips and carry it with Hogue bantams.

I put on the 500 grips to see if I could control the hotter loads/heavier bullets but I've only shot it once with heavy loads and the results weren't good. I'd much prefer to hit what I was aiming at rather than miss with a super knockdown load.

I cast a 280 grain WFN for my Rossi 92 but that bullet definitely isn't a good match for an L frame 44