Pulled the trigger on a new M69....

[shocker]

OUCH...Looks like a Severe over Pressure Event. Glad to hear You're OK and still Shooting a 69

172000 psi. All fragments flew perpendicular to the shooter. Since one is not anticipating the event there's no fear. Initial thought was how did I miss that big steel plate? Then, oh I just blew up a gun. There went all the money I saved by reloading.

 

[Chukar60]

I was interested in a 69. Mostly for a seemingly ideal platform for 44 spcl.
However, I found a very nice 696 and now have it.
After reading this thread I am wondering if any of you have owned/shot both the 696 & 69 and what observations can you provide, other than the obvious ability of the 69 to shoot 44 mag.

 

[PsTaN]

My first post on this board ... I too ordered a M69 a few days ago. Looking forward to its arrival. I have some 215 grain SWC over 10.5 grains of Unique to start with.

 

[bluelund79]

I love reading threads like these. The 4.25” M69 is my absolute favorite revolver. I’m trusting it as the bear repellent during hunting season here in MT. In fact, I just tested my 310gr flying sledge hammer load at 25yds. It’s going in the chesty puller harness when my family and I head to Glacier this weekend. I normally just use my 255gr Keith bullet over 10gr of Unique as an all purpose load. It flat out works in my revolver. Enjoy yours!

 

[Shuz]

For those who are bothered by trigger guard slap on a finger, try wrapping the finger with that adhesive type tape that the medical profession uses to hold a piece of gauze in place.(like that tape they wrap around your arm when you give blood). Works for me!

 

[PsTaN]

Anyone have an idea of velocity with 9.0 grains Unique under a 240 SWC? I shoot that load from my Super Blackhawk Hunter and it averages 1035FPS.

 

[joe44va]

I like mine a lot. Carry it with 200 gn JHP over some Longshot midway between 44 Special and 44 Mag.

 

[Paper Clip]

Congrats!!! Wanted one badly about a year ago before deciding on something else, my gun money is all gone for now. The one thing that I could not get over was the bead blast finish. I live in the south and it is humid here. I had a knife with a stainless steel beadblast finish. It started rusting within an hour of being in my pocket. I cant bring myself to touch anything that is beadblasted anymore. (the top of the guns don't count, I guess). Anyways, congrats on your purchase! Hope it does great for you!

 

[scout789]

I love my 2.75" M69. I put a pair of Jarawan targets on it and love the way they feel. I shoot mostly 240 gr Keith over 7.5 of Unique.

 

[nipperdog]

I forgot to mention that I had the 3" Ruger GP-100 in 44 Special.
I couldn't get a Decent Group with the 250gn Keith type LSWC.
The S&W 69 in my opinion is much more Accurate with said bullet.

 

[fortyshooter]

Well it should be here sometime Monday so maybe some range time on Tuesday...I hope. Got plenty of 240 gr.Xtreme bullets loaded over 9 gr. of Unique plus some .44 Special loads and some
300 gr. coated "Hammers" loaded with 14 gr. of 2400 just to see how they feel!
Mostly this will be a light load .44 Mag shooter or .44 Mag cases loaded to just under starting Mag levels.

 

[shocker]

Mostly this will be a light load .44 Mag shooter or .44 Mag cases loaded to just under starting Mag levels.

I didn't think the 4.25 was significantly worse than a 4" 629 with "real" 44 mag. The lower bore axis sort of compensates for the lesser weight. If you can handle "real" 44 mag loads in an N frame try a few in the 69. I sold my 629 because I could shoot the 69 just as well.

 

[fortyshooter]

I didn't think the 4.25 was significantly worse than a 4" 629 with "real" 44 mag. The lower bore axis sort of compensates for the lesser weight. If you can handle "real" 44 mag loads in an N frame try a few in the 69. I sold my 629 because I could shoot the 69 just as well.

I shoot the heavier loads in my 7.5 Ruger SBH...a nice tack driver it is!

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

I had an idea that I'd like the Model 69 when I first heard about it. Since I got one nothing has changed. I used it mostly as a 44 Special, but then the only thing I'm using it for is to punch a hole in a piece of paper.





I remember a lot of people complaining about the black hardware (sights, cylinder release, etc.) but I like the black/silver combo.

Do yourself a favor and shoot at stuff other than paper.
Its a 44!

 

[CajunBass]

Do yourself a favor and shoot at stuff other than paper.
Its a 44!

Thanks for the advice, but I don't get out to prowl around the woods much anymore. Paper is just fine with me.

 

[Struckat]

Had mine out to the range this morning. It’s a sweetie.

My target loads are what ever I ahave on hand pushed by 10gr of Unique.

Hunting loads are 240s pushed by book max 2400. My little girl hands and wrists don’t like a lot of full power loads, but it’s not bad. Very very accurate with the max loads.

Sent it in to the performance shop, wow! Worth every penny. The DA is so smooth. They put in a trigger with an overtravel screw, very nice.

I have considered the 2.75”, but that will be the 66-8 I think, maybe.

 

[bronco45]

I have had my 69 4.25 inch since 2014. It has become my favorite 44. Try 9.0 grains of Power Pistol and a 240 LSWC in a Mag case for 1K fps. Very accurate, and the PP load is a lot cleaner than the Unique load.

I'm getting 1138 out of a Pre 29 5inch with the 245 Keith and 10.0 grains of Unique, very accurate, and a standard for 44 Mags. Just enough recoil to make you pay attention.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

I have small/medium hands, never liked large grips and never found rubber to make any difference for recoil, and always disliked the look. After trying a large number of grips for my K-frame, .357 Magnums, I finally found a the right spulution with Kim Ahrends grips, particularly the finger groove combat grips.

I had a Redhawk and M-27 years ago and both just seemed overly large to me. I’ve always like the size and balance of K/L frames.

So, I finally bought a M-69 this year and put a set of those Ahrends on it. It was a great match. Of course, everyone is different, but for me, the Ahrends are the best fit and grip for the K/L frame. I really didn’t think they would be so effective with full 240 grain magnum loads, but they worked perfectly. I have about twenty S&W of various calibers, sizes and vintages, and this one is one of my very favorites. Naturally, it’s downright enjoyable to shoot .44 special loads (Hornady) with.

 

[fortyshooter]

Dang...I forgot my lower cost FFL transfer gun shop is CLOSED on Mondays when I just checked tracking to see an early morning delivery attempt was made!
Oh well maybe tomorrow.

Great reading about you folks who enjoy the Model 69!

I'm looking at some 240 gr. lead bullets to order and trying to decide between gas checked or just coated.

Also like the Speer Gold Dots and have some loaded in .44 Special. Only thing I can find is the 200 gr. version but not the 240.

 

[safearm]

I forgot to mention that I had the 3" Ruger GP-100 in 44 Special.
I couldn't get a Decent Group with the 250gn Keith type LSWC.
The S&W 69 in my opinion is much more Accurate with said bullet.

Ironically, I had the opposite result. I couldn't get my 4 inch Model 69 to group decently, no matter what ammo I used, either factory or handloads (I only shot .44 Special out of it). I sold it and bought a .44 Special GP100. I'm very happy with the result.

I also have a 24-6 and a 396, so I haven't completely abandoned S&W.