Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns S&W Model 69

Has there ever been, or will there ever be a Model 69 without the lock?

Got it in my head that I'd really like to try one of these. And I understand it is a simple thing to defeat the lock but I don't feel like dodging a designed in defect.

And there was a time when I liked shooting N frame Smiths. Never could warm up to carrying them.

I’ve removed the lock to preclude any issues. Absolutely love mine and carry it constantly here in northwest wyoming.

the greatest model number

Don't know if S&W will ever go back to "no lock" versions. I have both 4 1/4" and 2 3/4" versions. I like both, but the 2 3/4" is quickly becoming a favorite. I modified some S&W (Hogue Tamer) 500 X frame grips and it is comfortable to shoot with everything I've put thru it (up to and including 310gr over 20.0gr H110 at 1,100 fps)

Little gun on left with modified S&W 500 X Frames (removed finger groves and rounded butt with Dremel sanding drum or belt sander/knife sharpener.



Paul

OK guys, thanks...

Won't rule one out but I am surely prejudiced against the lock.

Paul,

Do you ever shot .44 special in the 2 3/4" 69? Do you know if there's a serious factory .44 special load suitable for larger critters?

Sorta an ugly cousin, but I think I might be able to like the Ruger GP100 in .44 special...

Bought mine so I wouldnt have to pack my super redhawk after whitetail. Seriously thought about the 44spl ruger gp100. But I can always load this lighter. So versatility won.

I think my phone loads those upside down because I'm a lefty, but I'm to computer illiterate to know for sure. Sorry.

Only complaint I've heard about the Ruger is a very thin barrel shank/forcing cone area. At least one internet post about cracking in this area.

Don't shoot 44 special from my 69s unless you consider 265gr SWCGC over 17.5gr of A2400 deep seated and crimped over the front drive band in .44 mag brass (44 special OAL) .44 specials -- for reference, recoil from these feel the same a 24.0gr H110 under 240gr JSPs.

Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore and Double Tap have some serious .44 special ammo for bigger critters.

https://www.underwoodammo.com/collections/handgun-ammo/cartridge_44-special

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=17

http://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/category&path=303_347

Probably some others I'm not aware of.

Paul

which mount are you using under the fastfire?

Paul I like what you did with the xframe grips.

That mount is from Raptor-engineering. It's pretty clean looking. I put a .020 shim under the front of it today at work. That should give me ~10.25" of elevation adjustment. I'll be ready to try the light loads out again this weekend.

I love mine, don’t even think about the lock.... feels good and has a excellent trigger.

Paul105

Hard to tell with rubber grips on them but is your 2 3/4" 69 a round butt? How about the 4 1/4"?

Did you need to modify the x frame grips to fit the model 69? Or just to fit your hand?

Both M69s are round butts.. No modification of X Frame grip required to fit M69. My mods only to make a bit more concealable. First picture with 3 44 mags (M69, M329, M629) all wearing X Frame grips -- the M69 on left was modified by removing finger groves and rounding butt -- other two factory original.

OK thanks...

Couldn't tell you if I've ever seen an x frame or not. If I did it was likely in a display case.

I am a bit recoil sensitive in that after a few full velocity rounds even with a 6 1/2" N frame I have to concentrate harder to keep my shots where they belong.

I just watched the first 2/3 of a hickok45 video on the 2 3/4" 69. The guy is windy but his points about this gun's recoil are valid, I'd guess. Maybe more for me than others who relish the big bore magnum handguns.
That said, I suspect I'd get along well with the set-up you've got.

With reasonable velocity loads...

Hickock calls it a 44 special and belabors how much recoil it has with magnum loads. His video kind of put me off the gun a bit. He complains about recoil being stiff several times regards the 2.75 model 69.

I might very well feel the same way about the gun. Nothing wrong with the .44 special cartridge in my estimation.

But when I go there, I always wind up thinking that the gp100 has no lock on it.

And I know guys who hate on Bill Ruger's memory because of his stance on gov't regulations. Others who hate on Smith for caving.

That's a major sector of the handgun market supply to hate on.

I do know that Smith still makes and sells revolvers with no lock. Any chance some distributor will push the issue and get a model 69 made up minus the wart?

And I also go to where the sig p320 .45 is lighter and has more capacity. I haven't even held one in my hand but I maybe ought to...

It's called OLDER MODEL Rugers and S&Ws, BEFORE the confounded giving into the commies!! Case in point: S&W 629-4 3" barrel: no lock, forged metal internals, solid barrels, forged steel frames that don't break...but OH MY GOD!!!! IT WEIGHS 10 OUNCES MORE (or whatever)!!!!! I CAN'T CARRY THAT AROUND!!!! Really? Why not lose 10 pounds of your gut, then you should be able to carry around 10 more ounces!!!