smith wesson model 69

[errolhill]

Has anyone heard of any bad news or reports on the new model ?? I'm thinking of purchasing one and have'nt heard much good or bad ?? Also wondering if they are L frame round butt or square ?? If i buy one i have to change the grips i'm not a fan of the grips that come with them .

 

[kaaskop49]

There are 2 very recent threads on the M-69 in this forum that may provide your answers. Sorry, I do not know how to connect to them.

 

[Yorkie Man]

I have had one for several months and have fired close to 1000 rounds through it without any problems.The threads are related to the ball detent being off center. I have had the cylinder apart on mine for cleaning and you can see the inner hole for the detent, it can't be drilled anywhere other than where it is because of the thickness of the yoke. Mine works fine and I hope they bring the L frame out in 41 magnum and 45 colt I would buy one of each.

 

[errolhill]

Thanks for the info i also prefer 41. mag and would also buy one ,im going to purchase one i will report in a few weeks

 

[BruMatt]

Very happy with mine!

 

[Czbilly]

I like mine as well. I changed the grips to the older style finger groove hogues like what used to come on the revos. Just RB L frame grips. I am also using a nice Gould and Goodrich holster for a 4" k/l frame that I used to carry a m19 in. It fits like a glove. I am wondering if a speed loader for a Charter Arms or Tauras will work. So far I'm very impressed with mine.

 

[Kilibreaux]

It's basically an L-frame in .44 Magnum...and nearly 40 ounces BEFORE you start shoving shells into it!
The ball detent system seems to be generating a lot of angst...yet from an engineering standpoint one WANTS the "ball" to be slightly off-center so as to create an alignment point. IF the ball were "dead center" then wear over time would allow play to creep in...

Other than that ridiculous nit-picking, the M-69 is typical S&W...well-built, compact (for a .44 Magnum), and will provide excellent service for life.

 

[technosavant]

The ball detent system seems to be generating a lot of angst...yet from an engineering standpoint one WANTS the "ball" to be slightly off-center so as to create an alignment point. IF the ball were "dead center" then wear over time would allow play to creep in...

I see a lot of that complaint with the new mod 66 too... my thinking is similar to yours- with the detent slightly off center when in lockup it provides just a slight touch of thrust to keep it closed. If it were perfectly centered then it would potentially allow some wiggle unless everything was exactly perfect. Since absolute perfection is not really something that can be expected (these aren't PC guns), I'll take the cosmetic annoyance of it being off center with the added assist to keep it shut.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I have not seen any bad reports on the L frame Model 69. Like its K frame twin, the new Model 66, it uses a round butt.