Review of my new S&W 69 and minor custom work

[derek45auto]

I recently bought a S&W 69.

I've always been a big fan of the L-frame . . . and the 44 magnum round.

Decided to try one out a few weeks ago.

I broke her in hard with a lot of shooting, mostly 6.5gr Win231 and 9gr universal over a Keith bullet. Also some 2400 and H110 full magnum loads.

Got it so hot, that I have a burn blister on my thumb.

so far, nothing has broke, no trouble with much the scoffed at MIM and Lock.

I didn't like the Black trim, so I removed the bluing with Naval Jelly and paper towels.

Added a Dawson Precision .100" fiber optic front sight, and some HOGUE X-frame Tamer grips

today, I removed the Lock, and replaced it with this...

https://www.originalprecision.com/lock-delete-parts.html

The gun seems fine.
timing, endshake, ect. everything is just right.

I Like it

 

[derek45auto]

Big LEE flatpoints, powder-coated...

180grXTP 30.5gr H110 muzzle flash

compared to my Ruger super blackhawk 5.5"
bullets are clear coated ARSENAL H&G503 Keith SWC's

with my old Andy Horvath Custom 5" 686-4

 

[M29since14]

I hate reading these favorable Model 69 reviews.

I also don't care much for the silly black parts on a stainless gun, so I think it appears that you improved your gun's looks.

Thanks for the report - and congratulations on your new .44!

 

[ctxcummins]

That looks fantastic!

I'm not a reloader but I'm assuming those are pretty stiff loads given the still shot of the muzzle flip. Very impressive.

 

[Paul105]

Nicely done! Looks like a totally different gun - pic with the wood grips (1st post, pics 1 & 2). Great range!

I'm a big fan of the M69 have both 4 1/4" and 2.75" and shoot them several times a week. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I've enjoyed mine.

Paul

 

[fortyshooter]

Wow you are killing me here as my "new" Model 69 sits in S&W rehab !!
Maybe get it back mid-late August...I hope.

Love what you did to it and about those great looking grips.... how is the recoil with the wood as compared to the factory grip?

Like that front sight too. Is the .100 at the same height as the factory sight and with the new sight does that put the rear elevation adjust in middle of travel?

Great job and hope to get some fun with mine soon with my loads.


You must watch a bit of Hickok45 judging from your range setup!!!

 

[fortyshooter]

Maybe I'm confused.....you were shooting it with the X frame rubber grips and those nice wood grips were on for the pics?

What are those wood grips and how to they feel and shoot on the 69?

 

[derek45auto]

The wood grips are HOGUE and AHREDS borrowed from my 686 for show.

They are fine for milder 1000fps loads, but I prefer the X-frame hogues for hotter loads.

I kept the front sight .280" high, the factory sight zero'd fine with the elevation up a bit, and I don't plan on shooting many 300+ gr loads

a 240gr at 1000fps is plenty for big Midwestern deer.

The range has been around a lot longer than Hickock45's videos
LOL

 

[Snapping Twig]

MUCH prefer the look without the black trim!

My Spl in a magnum case is 7g W231 with a 250g SWC, in a Spl case I use 6.5g.

Give Kurac a PM and get him to makes you some cokes in a nice wood.

Heavy magnums with proper fitting wood grips is comfortable.

 

[brjr51]

That really does look nice without the black. And I'll second the 7g W231 with a 240 SWC in a magnum case load. One of my favorites.

 

[joe44va]

Good move. I like mine too. It went back to Mother for the Master Revolver Action Package.

 

[derek45auto]

Good move. I like mine too. It went back to Mother for the Master Revolver Action Package.

Nice

I like the over-travel screw.

How's the vortex holding up ?

 

[Dieseltech56]

I agree that really looks better without the black trim.

 

[MCorps0311]

I had my S&W 69 at the range about a month ago,I really enjoyed putting 100 rounds through it. I had though about changing the grips,nope i'm staying with the ones that came with the revolver.

 

[PsTaN]

I really love my M69.

10.5 grains of Unique under a 215 grain powder coated SWC is running right at 1100fps with great accuracy.

9.0 grains of Unique under 240 grain powder coated SWC shoots well also, but I havent run these through the chrono.

I bought this gun for general woods carry, but it's making me want to carry it hunting this fall ... I'm sure I will.

 

[bulletpoints]

I assume the darkened parts (trigger, hammer, cylinder release) are just coated stainless?

 

[Echo40]

Looking good!

It looks MUCH better without the blued trigger/hammer/latch, makes me wonder why they come that way in the first place.

 

[joe44va]

Derek
Vortex holding up well. Has yet to fail but less than 300 rounds with it. I chose it because it stays on for 14 hours. Had a Burris FF3 on it and that had no issues either.

 

[derek45auto]

Derek
Vortex holding up well. Has yet to fail but less than 300 rounds with it. I chose it because it stays on for 14 hours. Had a Burris FF3 on it and that had no issues either.

cool

what mount is that ?

 

[Dieseltech56]

I really love my M69.

10.5 grains of Unique under a 215 grain powder coated SWC is running right at 1100fps with great accuracy.

9.0 grains of Unique under 240 grain powder coated SWC shoots well also, but I havent run these through the chrono.

I bought this gun for general woods carry, but it's making me want to carry it hunting this fall ... I'm sure I will.

Unique loads are what I like in my 69 also. A 210gr gold dot will go 1200 fps with 12.0gr Unique.