Ruger Forum banner

Smith & Wesson Model 69

28K views 26 replies 21 participants last post by  ifithitu 
#1 ·
I recently acquired one of S&Ws new Model 69 Combat Magnums at a LGS. I'm glad I did (even though I didn't really have the budget for it) because it seems like the first run has already dried up, and who knows when the next batch will get out there (Still searching for a GP100 Match Champion). Anyway, the Model 69 is a REALLY nice handling gun...a true "gun fighting" 44 Magnum as the owner at Trident Armory put it. The L Frame with the 4" barrel just feels right in my hand, and S&W seemed to put some thought into the strength of this gun. The 5 shot cylinder has bolt notches that are exactly in between the chambers, and it seems as if the forcing cone/barrel shank area has a little more heft to it as well. Now I don't plan on running top end red hot loads through the 69 (that's what my Redhawk is for), but with 240 grainers at 1100 fps this will make a great trail/carry gun. I also installed Wilson Combat springs and polished up the action. This new Combat Magnum has really impressed me. I think it's a keeper!
 
#2 · (Edited)
Pictures please!

This would be neato if they made it in 45Colt as well....
 
#5 ·
Thanks! I have shot it a few times. 240 grain bullets at 1250 fps generate some kick in the gun, but nothing outrageous. It's a surprisingly controllable gun despite being built on the lighter L Frame. If anything, the slightly smaller round butt grip makes it easier to get a solid grasp of the gun. Still, I will probably limit the gun to low and mid level 44 loads with 240 grain bullets. This gun is more of a trail or backup hunting gun than a primary gun. Plus, I'm not sure what the long term longevity of the L Frame would be with red hot 300 grain loads being run through it. I'm really a fan of it though and I'm glad I bought it when I did!
 
#6 ·
Wow thats a nice revolver S&W L frame 5 shot .44 magnums that if I had it this beauty would be fed mild .44 magnums and a steady diet of .44 special that is a very very nice revolver hey Ruger wake up there is no reason why a GP100 can't be made up with a 5 shot .44 magnum cylinder BigRedHawkGuy very well done!:D
 
#9 ·
Congratulations on your new 44. I have been a 44 fan since the early 70s. I have a S&W model 696 in 44 special and I shoot mostly" Skeeter" loads with 8 grains of Unique with a 250 grain Keith lead SWC its got some recoil since its only a 3 inch revolver but it is manageable and accurate. I will absolutely be watching our local shops for a M69 to add to my collection of 44s which currently consist of 2 M29-2, a Heritage edition M29, 1 M696, 1 M24 44 special 1 Lipseys flattop 44 special,1 Lipseys Bisley 44 special , a Virginian Dragoon 44 mag and a earliy 70s Super Blackhawk.
 
#16 ·
Looks like quite the collection of 44's. That's impressive Southerngunner.
 
#11 · (Edited)
S&W model 69 is a super gun after reading up on it . It will handle the 44 mags better then the 629 . The cylinders walls are thicker and it has a new design cylinder lockup is better then the 629 , plus the "L" frame let most shooters shoot the DA far better the larger "N' guns . S&W when the extra mile on building this gun .:p :p :p It is not the gun for everyone .
 
#13 ·
The cylinder on the Model 69 is probably stronger than the typical 6 shot N Frame 44 cylinder. This is due to the location of the bolt notches being between the chambers as opposed to right over them on the 6 shot cylinder. I have not measured the chamber wall thicknesses so I can't testify to that part of the gun. However, the N Frame itself is stronger and larger than the L Frame. As I said in an earlier post, I'll be interested to see how the L Frame holds up in the long run with 44 Magnum ammo. I'll probably be one of the first to find out :)
 
#14 ·
I find the 69 a handy way to carry a 44 Mag. Overall dimensions are smaller than a N Frame. Mine is fed a steady diet of the old Skeeter load and also the load my 44 Sp. Bisley loves 8.0 of Power Pistol and a 245 Keith for 1K velocity and outstanding accuracy.

I stole the Power Pistol load from Brian Pearce in Handloader magazine.
 
#18 ·
Elmer Keith passed away when I was only two years old (1984 I believe), but as I've gotten heavily into shooting over the past several years, his writing and work has had a mark on me as well. Ok, a little movie called Dirty Harry also helped spark my interest in the 44 when I saw it as a teenager as well. I have special editions of both Elmer Keith's Sixguns and the Dirty Harry DVD set lol. All that aside, the 44 Magnum is easily my favorite handgun cartridge. It is flexible, can be used in handguns and rifles, is easy to load for, and components are everywhere. While I prefer the 357 Mag for "social work" in town, the 44 is what you'll most often find riding on my hip. I do need to work on my lack of 45 Colts soon though...
 
#19 ·
I got a chance to fire a customized model 69 yesterday. Wow!

A friend was at my LGS/Range and had just received his 69 back from getting a trigger job and magna porting. He let me shoot it (he only brought factory 44 special loads). With 240gr specials, it felt like shooting wad-cutters out of a K-frame. Much nicer trigger pull as well (the gun came with a 13.25lb DA and 4.25lb SA pull). I didn't have my gage yesterday, but would guess 8-9 lbs. Quite accurate as well.

This Smith would make an excellent trail gun. :cool:
 
#20 ·
Congrats! As much as I love the 44 mag, I would have had a hard time passing that one up, even though I already have the job of a backup carry gun in 44 mag covered and, yes, we do have bears in our neighborhood, sometimes in the yard, even. (I have two other 629s that cover the bulk of my 44 mag shooting.)

 
#22 ·
She's a looker..... ;)
 
#24 ·
Another Model 69



Congratulations on your purchase. I also have recently purchased a new Model 69 and find it very agreeable. In the past I have had a Model 629 Mountain Gun and a couple Ruger .44 & .45 pistols but find that the Model 69 seems to fit my hand much better and find it a very handy companion to carry in the woods. I especially like the loud muzzle blast of the .44 mag to help dissuade aggressive moose, bears, and wolves, even a mountain lion, though they are very few and far between. The loud muzzle blast helps protect me without having to kill any of them.
 
#25 ·
I just picked up my new M69 two days ago and took it straight to The Gun Range (yes, that is the name of the place in San Diego), to try it out. With 44spl 240 grain factory loads it shot to POA and kept nice tight groups at 10 yards. I like the gun a lot, and will probably never shoot 44mag in it. I'm a "special" kind of guy, and love that caliber.

Now I need a good holster for it, if anyone has any recommendations.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top