S&W Model 69

[Yorkie Man]

I've had one since February and have close to 2000 rounds through it. I put on a set of Hogue grips because the factory grips were too small for my hands. I also made a patridge front sight for it to do away with the red ramp and finally an action job. Mine shoots pretty good and about the same as my 629-4 5". As far as the ball detent goes it needs to be off center from the notch. If you have had the cylinder apart you can see that if the hole is drilled any closer to the center of the yoke it will be drilled into the back of the gas ring. The way mine is the ball detent is constantly putting pressure on the yoke to keep the front of the cylinder closed. I think if the ball rested in the center of the notch there wouldn't be any inward pressure on the yoke.
As much as i like this revolver I don't know if I will be purchasing anymore new ones in the future due to the price but I said that 20 years ago when I bought the 629-4 and paid $500.00 for it. I have only bought three new revolvers over the years and I prefer to buy used.

Mike

 

[Mark F]

Has the delta point held up ok I like the idea I am just curious if it will hold up

Leupold makes a GREAT Red Dot. It holds up excellent. Yes, there are cheaper Red Dots out there, but if you want your revolver to hold zero a Leupold is my first choice. I shoot maximum loads often and I haven't had to re-sight the DeltaPoint yet.

 

[horsemen61]

Does it come with a correct mounting plate or was that a separate part you bought

 

[Mike_Fontenot]

I just bought a Model 69 last week, and shot it a bit yesterday. So far, I like it. The trigger is heavier than I expected ... I've only had J-Frames before (two 360sc .357 snubbies and a 3" Model 60 Pro .357, and they all have (without a trigger job) about a 3lb (single-action) trigger ... I was expecting the same for the Model 69, but it's about 5lb (single-action). I'll probably get a trigger job on it, to get it down to about 3lb.

I was surprised that, when I fully push the ejector to the stops, that it doesn't push the casings all the way out. The same thing happens with my 360sc's, but I've always thought that that was because the 360sc is just the .357 version of the Model 337 .38Special, and the ejector can't be made any longer. There seems to be plenty of room in the 69 for a longer ejector rod, so I don't know why S&W didn't use a longer one.

I bought 4 different kinds of ammo (all .44mag), from the lowest energy American Eagle's (Midway says 742 ft-lb, but the box says 805 ft-lb), all the way to PPU (Midway says 1272 ft-lb), all 240gr JHP's. I was surprised at how much recoil the AE's had ... wasn't using gloves, and within three shots had a big bruise/blood-blister between my thumb and index finger. Put on gloves, and shot one round of the other 3 types (with MUCH apprehension), and one additional round of the AE ... I couldn't tell any difference in recoil between the four types! Should be pretty obvious, I would think, given the 742 ft-lb to 1272 ft-lb spread.

Years ago, I had a US Arms Abilene single-action .44mag, and I don't remember its recoil being as heavy (or as bruising) as the 69 ... it might have been a fair amount heavier though (and I was a fair amount younger!).

 

[Paul105]

Mike,

Major ammo makers "specs" aren't necessarily realistic, except in longer barreled guns (and some not even then). Some of the smaller specialty ammo makers (Buffalo Bore, Double Tap and several others) will be closer to advertised velocity.


I find the PPU "specs" as listed by Midway to be particularly "OPTIMISTIC" for a handgun.

Technical Information
Caliber: 44 Rem Mag
Bullet Weight: 240 Grains
Bullet Style: Jacketed Hollow Point
Case Type: Brass


Ballistics Information:
Muzzle Velocity: 1541 fps
Muzzle Energy: 1272 ft lbs


The American Eage Specs are much more realistic:

Technical Information

Muzzle Velocity: 1180 fps
Muzzle Energy: 742 ft. lbs.


I've chronographed Two Factory Loads

Federal 240gr JHP at 1,217 fps
Remington 240gr JHP at 1,245 fps

Both from 4" S&Ws -- the same Federal Load Chronoed 1,375 fps from a 7 1/2" Ruger Bisley Hunter.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[Mike_Fontenot]

[...]
The American Eage Specs are much more realistic:

Technical Information

Muzzle Velocity: 1180 fps
Muzzle Energy: 742 ft. lbs.


I've chronographed Two Factory Loads

Federal 240gr JHP at 1,217 fps
[...]

Thanks for that info. I suspect that the Federal and the AE have the same ballistics ... at least, that's what Federal has said. That would support the ballistics on the AE box (805 ft-lb, 1230 ft/s) ... Midway's info on AE must be wrong. That would also help explain why the AE had more recoil than I expected ... although it still FELT like more than 805 ft-lbs to me.

The reason that I was expecting the AE to feel pretty mild, is that I have shot full-spec 125gr Underwood and 158gr DoubleTap .357's (which have almost as much muzzle-energy as the .44mag AE Midway data) in my Model 60 Pro (which is quite a bit lighter than my new Model 69), and the recoil was reasonable. I realize that for equal energies, a heavier bullet will have more momentum, and momentum is what most closely correlates with felt recoil (for equal-weight guns), but I still didn't expect THAT much difference in felt recoil.

 

[horsemen61]

Mark f did the mounting plate come with the delta point and I can't wait I pick my 69 up in a week

 

[Mark F]

Has the delta point held up ok I like the idea I am just curious if it will hold up

No problem at all. It was a great investment....

 

[Mark F]

Mark f did the mounting plate come with the delta point and I can't wait I pick my 69 up in a week

Yes the mounting plate is included IF you buy the DeltaPoint that includes all the adapters with it. I bought mine at Cabala's.
You can sell off the other adapters 20 bucks each. The Leopold adapters work with Docter Red dot sights too.

 

[Mark F]

Does it come with a correct mounting plate or was that a separate part you bought

Yes, I bought mine with the correct mount.

 

[archertl]

I was seriously temped by the 69 but ended up getting the 66 next to it. The 69 is very nice revolver.

 

[M29since14]

I finally found a Model 69 to have a close look at today and I was favorably impressed. I wouldn't say very favorably - just favorably. The shop also had a new Model 66, which I looked at briefly. Both seemed like pretty darned nice guns, if one can set aside concerns about "the modern design features" and the heavily "frosted" (bead blasted) finish. Both seemed like worthy additions to what I already have that is more than I will ever need.

Tonight I am arguing with myself about the 69. It is a terrible temptation. I am resisting, but I suppose it is just a matter of time before it wins.

The new Model 66 is cool too.

 

[semperFi]

How Long do you think it'll be around?

If you can find one at a price you can afford BUY IT IMMEDIATELY!
Do not assume the M69 is going to be an offering the in S&W line forever...it likely will not be.
Don't listen to all the negative **** about whether it will hold up to half-a-billion rounds of full-power ammo...anyone spouting that is an i***t. The gun was built to allow you to shoot full-power .44 Magnum when needed, and you can shoot .44 special or "mid-range" magnum fodder all you want.

IF the price is reasonable, buy it and enjoy it!

Just wondering, how long do you think it'll last in the offerings? I was a bit surprised the NIGHTGUARD series ended when it did as I had a .357/8 shot and it was a sweet shooter. The 5' 4" wife enjoyed shooting it too (I only let her use the .38s).

 

[Backlighting]

I want one but want to handle it first and have not seen one yet.
Its on my "next Smith" list.

Sigh...To date I haven't seen one at Sportsmans Wherehouse or Bass Pro Shop here in Vegas. I too need to handle one before purchasing.

 

[Mike_Fontenot]

Sigh...To date I haven't seen one at Sportsmans Wherehouse or Bass Pro Shop here in Vegas. I too need to handle one before purchasing.

I bought mine at Cabela's a few months ago (just north of Denver). They had at least two then.

 

[Voyager28]

I bought one a couple of weeks ago on GB, LNIB, for $625. I've had it to the range twice and I must say I am impressed. The recoil is tough but not punishing and the gun functioned flawlessly and proved to be extremely accurate just like all my other S&W revolvers.

While this is not a gun I will shoot "a lot" it will be shot occasionally and it is certainly one that will be carried on my hip every time I'm out in the woods which is the express purpose for which it was purchased. When not in the woods it will reside in the nightstand beside my bed.

All of my other S&W revolvers, 19s and 66s, are ones that I have a love affair with. I love them because of their look, style and shootability. They are works of art that function above all others. (IMHO) Not so the M69. It is a tool. It is a hammer or a pair of pliers. It is not beautiful and it is certainly an exercise in form follows function. But, in that role, it is flawless. It is heavy, durable, accurate and reliable. "She ain't much to look at but she sure can cook." In a SHTF scenario I would reach for it without hesitation.

Bob

 

[Paul105]

Paul, thanks so much for this post. This is what I've been looking for since the debate on the 69 started: true velocities and indications of regular use comprising 100s of rounds, not simply 5 chrono'd rounds of each load. Also, many of the loads are true magnum types, not only sub-loads or .44 Spl. 'friendlies.' Appreciate.

And yet, others above believe the 69 will not last. Would like to hear their views why. I do not disagree.

Quick round count update:

Gun #2 -- 1,992 total rounds (775 of those were 265gr at 1,140fps and Fed Factory 240s at 1,217 fps).

The gun shows no signs of wear -- still as tight as it came from the factory and no end shake at all.

FWIW,

Paul

 

[M29since14]

That's pretty impressive. Those loads are nothing to sneeze at.

I wish you guys would quit bragging on your Model 69s...

 

[yfdcap]

Mine spent the last 3 days on my hip while spending time in the mountains. Sure feels nice. Great packing gun.

 

[Mike_Fontenot]

[...]
(775 of those were 265gr at 1,140fps and Fed Factory 240s at 1,217 fps).
[...]

Definitely not .44Special, but not full-spec for .44mag ... the above weights and velocities are in the 7xx ft-lb range (765 ft-lb and 789 ft-lb) ... way above .44Special, but well below full-power .44mag. DoubleTap 240gr JHP's are listed at 1500 ft/s and 1200 ft-lbs (7.5" barrel), probably somewhere around 1370 ft/s and 1000 ft-lb for a 4-1/4" barrel, I suspect. PPU's are listed at about the same level.