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Campfire Regular
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[quote=Bearcat74] I put a Dawson Precision fiber optic front on mine and added X frame grips with the finger grooves sanded down to my 4.25” S&W 69.
I changed the grips on mine to the Hogue X Grips also, changed my front sight to a Hi Viz fiber optic, and had my gunsmith smooth out the trigger and replaced the firing pin with one a tad longer. I kept the finger grooves on the X Grips, though. I REALLY like it.
"...why, land is the only thing in the world worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for,... because it is the only thing that lasts."
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,923
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,923 |
I have the 2 3-4” 69......becoming a 45 colt. And if the recoil bothers you....L,N&X frame all take the same grips I believe......the X frame grip has more padding
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 317
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 317 |
Paul105's info about the 69 on another forum convinced me to buy one. Been very pleased with mine.
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 9,679 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 9,679 Likes: 5 |
Paul105's info about the 69 on another forum convinced me to buy one. Been very pleased with mine. Paul105 has had vast experience with certain Smith revolvers. When he reviews or speaks of one, listen. He's not just another internet expert. I value his info.
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Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 317
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2021
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Yep. When he speaks, I listen too! Much, much more knowledgeable and helpful than most.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 656
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
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I have two of the 4” models. Both have been back to Smith for repair. One needs to go back again.
Run it up, until you blow it up, then back it down a bit.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,379
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,379 |
I have two of the 4” models. Both have been back to Smith for repair. One needs to go back again.
I'm curious, what wears out on the M69? I have a M329pd that I've sent in for repairs multiple times over the years, but I expect that if I shoot it a lot. I just assumed the all steel M69 would wear better.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 656
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 656 |
Both shot Way high with bullets over 200 grains. Rear sight blades had to be replaced with the correct height. Actions got tight and started to bind up on certain cylinders. Barrel on one started rotating in the frame. That’s all from new condition, not worn out.
If you want to wear one out, just get a no-dash 629. It will be shot out in short order, with severe cylinder back up issues.
Last edited by TonyRumore; 01/21/22.
Run it up, until you blow it up, then back it down a bit.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,079 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2007
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I have around 1k rounds down a 2-3/4" m69. I love the gun. More accurate than it should be, and feels pretty soft in the hand. My 4 5/8" bisley does not get shot much anymore. only issue I have had so far. Is every screw on the gun, with the exception of the side plate has rattled loose. ended up just putting blue locktite on everything that has a thread.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25,542 Likes: 9
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25,542 Likes: 9 |
I couldn’t resist the temptation either and just bought one. I chose the 69 and my buddy bought the Bulldog. I wanted a magnum without stepping up to the N frame size.
�Politicians are the lowest form of life on earth. Liberal Democrats are the lowest form of politician.� �General George S. Patton, Jr.
--------------------------------------------------------- ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,345 Likes: 13
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
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Which barrel length did you go with? Mine’s a 4.whatever. Great gun. Be sure to disable the lock. The simply rugged holster is my favorite so far.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25,542 Likes: 9
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25,542 Likes: 9 |
I went with the 4” barrel. While I don’t plan on doing much hunting down here in the years to come because hopefully we’ll have moved up north in the not too distant future the 4.25” barrel is legal for big game hunting here. Mostly I bought it for my wife to carry when she’s hiking, fishing or accompanying me on hunts. I’ve got a couple thousand once fired cases for the magnum and about 750 for the special. She’ll practice with the special and carry the magnums just like she did with her model 36. I was pleased to finally find a magnum revolver that didn’t carry like a magnum. I’m glad to see that the reviews are almost all quite favorable but being that it’s a S&W that’s not too surprising. 👍
I’ll have my gunsmith buddy do an action job and trigger job as well as disable the J lock. When I looked at the revolver the first time I was put off because of the lock but I decided I’m not letting a stupid and insignificant thing like the lock keep me from buying the revolver I’ve been wanting. I’ve never had an issue with the lock but I also always disable them immediately. 😁
�Politicians are the lowest form of life on earth. Liberal Democrats are the lowest form of politician.� �General George S. Patton, Jr.
--------------------------------------------------------- ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 390 Likes: 1
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 390 Likes: 1 |
Mine is the 4.25 inch. Has been carried all over the Beartooths and the big horns. Round count is over five thousand by now. Replaced the front sight with a Dawson green fiber optic. Not the greatest for long range shooting but it does work ok for that. The first time in the mountain with that sight was certainly interesting. It was spring bear season, stopped on the way down to take a leak. Had to check the front sight out!!!! Green glowing dot despite it was dang near dark. Six inches of snow helped the ambient light but my partners sixgun sights were invisible. The model 69 with x frame modified grips kicks less than an N frame and carries easily in a chest holster. Conceals fairly well under a vest, I carry two or three speed strips for spare ammo. My load is a 250 Keith (#503) at almost 1200. The same bullet cast hollow point runs about 1260. Makes a mess of picket pins and rockchucks.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,345 Likes: 13
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,345 Likes: 13 |
The skinny Dawson front with a fiber optic is a must have. I’ve been meaning to try a set of the x frame grips
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 606
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 606 |
Here's a Dawson 1/10" FO front on a M69 2.75" .
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,862 Likes: 5
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 4,862 Likes: 5 |
I went with the 4” barrel. While I don’t plan on doing much hunting down here in the years to come because hopefully we’ll have moved up north in the not too distant future the 4.25” barrel is legal for big game hunting here. Mostly I bought it for my wife to carry when she’s hiking, fishing or accompanying me on hunts. I’ve got a couple thousand once fired cases for the magnum and about 750 for the special. She’ll practice with the special and carry the magnums just like she did with her model 36. I was pleased to finally find a magnum revolver that didn’t carry like a magnum. I’m glad to see that the reviews are almost all quite favorable but being that it’s a S&W that’s not too surprising. 👍
I’ll have my gunsmith buddy do an action job and trigger job as well as disable the J lock. When I looked at the revolver the first time I was put off because of the lock but I decided I’m not letting a stupid and insignificant thing like the lock keep me from buying the revolver I’ve been wanting. I’ve never had an issue with the lock but I also always disable them immediately. 😁 Here's a good article by Brian Pearce on "pet" loads for the 44 spcl. for options between anemic factory loads and full 44 mag. Maybe give you and your wife some more options for load development. https://www.handloadermagazine.com/44-s-w-special-p
“Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals believe them.” ― G. Orwell
"Why can't men kill big game with the same cartridges women and kids use?" _Eileen Clarke
"Unjust authority confers no obligation of obedience." - Alexander Hamilton
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25,542 Likes: 9
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25,542 Likes: 9 |
Thank you Sir. I’ll dig into that when I get done with the tractor work today.
I like the looks of that Dawson front site. I have a set of XS day/night sites on my Glock 20 that I love. The damn things glow so bright that in the pitch black of our bedroom in the middle of the night I can clearly see where my pistol lays on the night stand thanks to those sites. 😁
�Politicians are the lowest form of life on earth. Liberal Democrats are the lowest form of politician.� �General George S. Patton, Jr.
--------------------------------------------------------- ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Dawson makes a tritium front as well, but it's wider than the fiber optic shown earlier in the thread. The one pictured by Paul 105 is a great option.
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