Picked up a new Smith M 69 last week for the outstanding price of $677 + tax. That's a deal I couldn't resist. Here's a brief range report on it.
Weight was 37.3 oz. One reason that I bought it. I've got a 5" Smith 629 that shoots wonderfully, but it's heavy as a brick on the belt. The same goes for my Ruger Flat Top...great shooters but heavy as all get out. This M 69 feels the same as my 1911's with steel frames and is comfortable with a good pants belt carry. The heavier guns need a dedicated gun belt to be really comfortable.
Trigger pull right out of the box was 4# in single action, about the same as my cherished Ruger Flat Top .44 Specials. A bit heavy for a Smith when compared to my other Smiths. Double action was an estimated 10+ lbs. and will need to be tuned for better defensive shooting. Both are smooth, but a bit heavy. In all honesty, I really don't like a Smith, or any revolver with a 2 lb. trigger. I find that the shot breaks just too soon for me. This one is just right in SA mode...the DA needs some work.
Accuracy from the 15 yard line with a Weaver stance is great. Cast bullet gas check loads with Lyman's 429215 gc and 432244 gc will cut ragged one hole groups if I'm having a good 'eyes' day. Both bullets left no visible leading in the bore, but I did note some with a plain base 240 gr LSWC with the same loads after 15 shots.
With the rear sight bottomed out, the heavier (265 gr) 432244 bullet hits 1.5" high at 15 yds. The lighter (220 gr) 432215 is right at point of aim. Windage is doable, with just 3 clicks right applied to center up my impact points from a two-hand hold. The loads used with Herco, averaged 1050 fps with the lighter bullet and 950 with the heavier.
With 200 gr Hornady XTP handloads at a chrono'd 1350 fps, recoil is quick, but not at all uncomfortable. I was a bit surprised with how good the gun felt with this relatively high speed load. Granted, a 240 gr at the same speed is going to come back a heck of lot harder, I'm happy with the 200 gr XTP for a defense/deer load out to say, 75 yds. Accuracy with this bullet ran just over an inch at 15 yds, Weaver stance.
The grips that came on the gun are smaller for this 'L' frame, than those supplied with the big 'N' frame 629. Recoil with the two cast bullet loads above is about the same as full house to +P loads in a 1911...not unduly heavy, but not cream puff either. You know the gun's shooting an authoritative load but one that allows good controllable follow up shots. I'd say that the 1350 fps, 200 gr XTP is still great from a 2nd shot control standpoint.
Fit and finish are good, no machining marks evident...and I particularly like the flat finish black treatment of the sights, and cylinder latch. Yep it's still got that bloomin' internal lock, but I've had no issues with it engaging in recoil. It's a feature I could do without, but I've got no operational issue with it to date.
I revise this write up as testing continues, and add some pics. I'll be looking for a pair of good, recoil absorbing grips down the road, and will have to build a Tom Threepersons open top OWB holster for it as well.
The pics below show the size difference, especially in the grip area. That last one with the target shows 5-shots in 3/4" at 25 yds. The 2nd target demonstrates a 1 click up elevation change with the same load. As always: that's my load, and it's a stout one, it's been safe in my gun, you should work up to it if interested after consulting a good manual and considering the pressure implications. Remember, this is a .44 Magnum not a .44 Special.
Edit: 5/3/15...found that the holster I'd built for my 5" M629, fits this new "L" frame very well. A bit long for the barrel, but with good security. I like that design which offers good protection for the gun, covers the trigger during the initial stage of the presentation but doesn't hinder speed. I carry at the 4 o'clock (FBI) position for the most part allowing good concealment and a full combat grip while still in the leather. See Pic.
Best regards, Rod
Weight was 37.3 oz. One reason that I bought it. I've got a 5" Smith 629 that shoots wonderfully, but it's heavy as a brick on the belt. The same goes for my Ruger Flat Top...great shooters but heavy as all get out. This M 69 feels the same as my 1911's with steel frames and is comfortable with a good pants belt carry. The heavier guns need a dedicated gun belt to be really comfortable.
Trigger pull right out of the box was 4# in single action, about the same as my cherished Ruger Flat Top .44 Specials. A bit heavy for a Smith when compared to my other Smiths. Double action was an estimated 10+ lbs. and will need to be tuned for better defensive shooting. Both are smooth, but a bit heavy. In all honesty, I really don't like a Smith, or any revolver with a 2 lb. trigger. I find that the shot breaks just too soon for me. This one is just right in SA mode...the DA needs some work.
Accuracy from the 15 yard line with a Weaver stance is great. Cast bullet gas check loads with Lyman's 429215 gc and 432244 gc will cut ragged one hole groups if I'm having a good 'eyes' day. Both bullets left no visible leading in the bore, but I did note some with a plain base 240 gr LSWC with the same loads after 15 shots.
With the rear sight bottomed out, the heavier (265 gr) 432244 bullet hits 1.5" high at 15 yds. The lighter (220 gr) 432215 is right at point of aim. Windage is doable, with just 3 clicks right applied to center up my impact points from a two-hand hold. The loads used with Herco, averaged 1050 fps with the lighter bullet and 950 with the heavier.
With 200 gr Hornady XTP handloads at a chrono'd 1350 fps, recoil is quick, but not at all uncomfortable. I was a bit surprised with how good the gun felt with this relatively high speed load. Granted, a 240 gr at the same speed is going to come back a heck of lot harder, I'm happy with the 200 gr XTP for a defense/deer load out to say, 75 yds. Accuracy with this bullet ran just over an inch at 15 yds, Weaver stance.
The grips that came on the gun are smaller for this 'L' frame, than those supplied with the big 'N' frame 629. Recoil with the two cast bullet loads above is about the same as full house to +P loads in a 1911...not unduly heavy, but not cream puff either. You know the gun's shooting an authoritative load but one that allows good controllable follow up shots. I'd say that the 1350 fps, 200 gr XTP is still great from a 2nd shot control standpoint.
Fit and finish are good, no machining marks evident...and I particularly like the flat finish black treatment of the sights, and cylinder latch. Yep it's still got that bloomin' internal lock, but I've had no issues with it engaging in recoil. It's a feature I could do without, but I've got no operational issue with it to date.
I revise this write up as testing continues, and add some pics. I'll be looking for a pair of good, recoil absorbing grips down the road, and will have to build a Tom Threepersons open top OWB holster for it as well.
The pics below show the size difference, especially in the grip area. That last one with the target shows 5-shots in 3/4" at 25 yds. The 2nd target demonstrates a 1 click up elevation change with the same load. As always: that's my load, and it's a stout one, it's been safe in my gun, you should work up to it if interested after consulting a good manual and considering the pressure implications. Remember, this is a .44 Magnum not a .44 Special.
Edit: 5/3/15...found that the holster I'd built for my 5" M629, fits this new "L" frame very well. A bit long for the barrel, but with good security. I like that design which offers good protection for the gun, covers the trigger during the initial stage of the presentation but doesn't hinder speed. I carry at the 4 o'clock (FBI) position for the most part allowing good concealment and a full combat grip while still in the leather. See Pic.
Best regards, Rod
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