Model 69 - still love this revolver

W

Wheelie_Fan

New member
i think i did a quick review quite a while back when i first picked up this gem.... but after a very enjoyable range session this weekend, i just had to chime in again and reaffirm my praise for this wheel gun.

While i do occasionally bust out the .44 mag ammo, i tend to shoot .44 spl out of it more often than not. I have to say, it's really a fine, fine handgun and while i couldn't call it the prettiest in my safe (the bead blasted finish is functional, but doesn't carry the luster and class of a nicely blued firearm) it probably IS the smoothest action and feels great in my hand.

Accurate, a really nice trigger (surprisingly nice) and just handles really well. I was a bit hesitant, skipping over .357 Mag and going right to .44 (i've owned .38's and 9mm, but nothing in the Magnum category, up until now) but it's turned out to be a sound choice.

To anyone considering a .44 (mag or spl) i would highly recommend the Mod. 69

Yes, one less round than the Mod. 29 - but it really does feel right and looks right (proportionally speaking) For me, definitely a keeper. Now, i guess i gotta start reloading! :D
 
I agree, Wheel...it's a great hand gun.

My example is superbly accurate...<2" gps at 25 yds from rest with WWB .44 Mag ammunition or my Skelton hand load (7.5 gr Unique and any good LSWC) in Spl brass.

The SA trigger is typical Smith....in a word, superb. The DA leaves something to be desired...heavier than any other Smith I own (12) and with a bit of 'scratch' to it during the pull. A good gunsmith could hone it out but I'm going the "break it in myself" route so far.

Carrying is joy with it's light weight...I've pretty much abandoned my 629 with a 5" full lug bbl. for that reason. I like a Tom Threepersons' open top holster for it, OWB, of course and the gun sits there like a 4" M19!

Esthetics: I've come to like the flat SS finish...can't say why...just do...and it makes holster carry guilt free as there's no real finish wear.

Sight's are good, the grips are great...no knuckle rap with them, even with heavy Magnum rounds. But they're fugly...wish I could buy or make a pair of rosewood stocks that'd give me as comfortable a grip.

Had Smith come out with this 25 yrs ago, I'd not have bought the 4 M29's that have passed through my hands over the years...or maybe not...I do like the M29's.

Here are cpl pics. The first one is of my own version of the Tom Threepersons holster (never did like the closed muzzle end of the original, hence open bottom. The target shows the last 5 shots from a batch of 25 loads that seemed very good. A clean target went up and this was the result, Eureka! The last pic is a comparison with the 626 Classic.

Rod




 
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Add me to the list that thinks S&W got it right with the Model 69. I've never fired a magnum load in mine, probably never will. Those paper targets I shoot don't take much killing.

The trigger is great. The grips are maybe the most comfortable I've ever used. I like the matte finish, and have even grown to like the black cylinder release, trigger and hammer. Just a great gun.



 
As far as I know they're just standard round butt "L" frames, so any grip for a round butt "L" frame should fit, yes.

It's not that you can't find another grip, it's just that the rubber one is so comfortable. Ugly, yes, but comfortable.
 
Plus one, Cajun...fugly but comfortable. I'm gunna try to build some S&W grips for mine...haven't done that in 20+ years but do remember it was a PITA. I'll try to come up with a router solution this time to cut the mortises...but that grip that Smith has on it is perfect...that'll be what I'm shooting for.

I'll post some pics on progress...don't hold your breath. Rod
 
I can't remember if this has already been said, but I put the X500 grips on my 69, and it definitely makes the full-spec .44mag rounds nicer to shoot. The "pointing angle" is noticeably different from the stock grips ... the X500 grips seem to point more like my 1911 points, so I guess that's a good thing for me. But both of those guns seem to point a bit higher than comes naturally for me.
 
Glad to see there are fans out there... the bead blasted stainless is growing on me and i really don't mind the black accents at all. as for the grips, agreed, not exactly purty... but they DO fit my hand nicely and i really haven't found recoil to be an issue (at least not with 44 spl)

rodfac, BEAUTIFUL holster you've got there.... definitely a winner.

i was also thinking a chest rig might be kinda nice for carry out in the field/woods... so many options...
 
I've had two M69s since the first quarter of 2014. They are equipped with the Hogue 500 x frame grips. Without a doubt, my favorite double action .44 mag. Have shot them a bunch. Have tested loads ranging from 240gr commercial BB LSWCs at 750 fps to 320gr Beartooth WLNGCs at a chronoed 1,180 fps and pretty much everything in between. Mostly shoot 240 SWCs at 880 fps and 265gr SWGCs at 1,140 fps. Shot the latter load a couple of times this week. Always favorably impressed with the recoil handling qualities of this platform.

Paul
 
Mine is a keeper. I load mine on the wild side with full power magnum loads. I use the Hogue grips with the open backstrap.
 
Traveled 76 miles to see and buy a new M69 after hearing a lot of good things .
The M69 in person looked cheap the finish sucks and I came back without one .
 
I intend to buy the first one I happen upon, best thing they've done in a long time, though I see they only offer it with the defacing lock obscenity!
 
Traveled 76 miles to see and buy a new M69 after hearing a lot of good things .
The M69 in person looked cheap the finish sucks and I came back without one .
Click to expand...

:rolleyes: The finish sucked? Its stainless steel, all you need do is bead blast it, or have it hard chromed if you're so inclined, you can even have it ceracoated, but stainless steel is unfinished and as is! ;)
 
Badfinger
'
I try not to buy things I need to change to be acceptable
The Model 69 just looks cheap and poorly built .

I do have a number of stainless guns non look like the M 69
 
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