Ive been contemplating buying my first full size revolver. I’d mainly carry it while hunting. I had contemplated just carrying one of my semi-autos, but I mainly want an excuse to buy a gun. I want an S&W, so that’s all At first, I was originally looking at Model 66s and Model 686s. I didn’t want a huge gun. Then I saw the 69, which is a 44 in an L frame. Anyone have one? Looks like a great blend of power while being mid-size.

I recently bought one, but have not yet shot it. I intend to shoot mainly 44Spl.

It's the same size as my 4.2" 686. Different barrel/shroud contour.

I really like mine. It is the 4.5" barrel one. It is well balanced and has a good feel to it. I handload for it using 240 gr. either coated cast lead SWC or 240 gr. JSP bullets. It can handle .44 Russian, .44 Special, or .44 Magnum cartridges. For hunting, you can kill darn near anything with a .44 Magnum. I cannot say from experience, but it is my understanding that you can blow through both shoulders of an elk with one. I use a hot load .44 Special "+P" for anti-personnel carry use - 240 gr. lead SWC over 7.7 gr. Universal. That gives me 961 FPS actual. In the words of the great late "Skeeter" Skelton : "one shot and hostilities will cease". My magnum load is either a lead 240 gr. SWC over 10.2 gr. Universal that gives me 1132 FPS actual or 240 gr. JSP over 10 gr. Titegroup for 1267 FPS actual. Recoil with the Russian loads is very mild and with my "+P" Special loads it is not bad at all. Magnum loads recoil is quite manageable. Tip: put some LockTite on the rear sight mounting screw (not the adjustment screw).

I haven't considered a new Smith & Wesson since they added the key lock, but that little short 69 is sorely tempting me.

They're a pretty nice gun. I've owned two of them. I only sold the last one because I felt it was redundant in that I have a Mountain Gun and a Ruger Flattop Blackhawk in the same caliber...both relatively light-duty 44 Mag's.

It doesn't recoil that badly. IIRC, I shot it with mainly Cowboy Loads but also some standard 240 grain loadings and it didn't recoil as much as you'd have though-certainly nothing like the descriptions of the 329, which I've never shot. I like the other two better but if I needed that last bit of concealment in a 44 Mag, it's the gun I'd choose.

What is a Smith and Wesson M69? Why would you want one? I don't understand.

They have a Combat Magnum configuration of the 69 that I've been tempted to buy. It would make a great .44 Special.

Of course, you will want to have a gunsmith deactivate the key lock function.

Thanks for all the info! I’m thinking about ordering one today.

All 69s are “combat magnums “

And disabling the key lock and tossing a cleaner looking plug in its place are far from a gunsmith job .

I foolishly let my 69 go to get something else . I truly preferred the size over a N frame .

Yeah, I got a PM to that effect. Did not know that.

Is the key lock thing any idiot can do?

For $800, Id rather have a prelock 4" N frame in 44 mag such as a 629. 6 rounds capacity too

Does the lock create a reliability/performance problem? Or is more a matter of principle on how it got there?

It's seriously tempting to me too, even with the lock, which I would get rid of. I'd probably just shoot specials in it as well, and it's hard to justify with a 3" GP100, and a Flat Top Ruger, and a C/A Bull Dog along with 2 different Taurus 431's all in 44 Special. Matter of fact hard to justify having 5 44 Specials, plus my 44 mags, with the arthritis I have in my shooting hand.

The model 69 is a wonderful carry revolver. Replace the issue grips with Hogue X frame grips. Attack them with a belt sander to make them smaller and without finger grooves.
The idiot lock is easily removed, lots of YouTube university videos showing you how.
I have carried mine many miles in northwest Wy in a chest holster with a couple speed strips. Normal load is 260 Keith at 1190. Lots of varmint shooting with it and rocks way out there. It is my favorite revolver to carry and shoot.
Replaced the front sight with a green fiber optic from Dawson. Makes a huge difference for me seeing it against varying backgrounds.

Pretty much this, in spades. I kept the factory grips but hogged out the bottom to fit one of those looped hogue screws they make for the .460/.500s so I could attach a retractable lanyard. I removed the dumb lock and added the narrowest Dawson fiber optic front sight. It’s incredibly better than the factory front. I carry this gun constantly due to its perfect balance of power and size. My load of choice is 300s at 1150, hardcast for bear defense and XTPs when deer are in the offering. I’m planning to switch to the 300 gr A Frames for my expanding bullet needs though.

Be careful, a 69 might have you ignoring any 4" N frame you might have.

Biggest or smallest might have their pluses, but the 69 seems juuuusst right. 2-3 ozs. lighter than a Mt. Gun but it seems the recoil is less, muzzle flip is less for sure. A different weigh distribution.

I’ve had one for a couple of years and really like it. It fits my hand better than an N-frame and the bore axis seems a bit lower so it feels like it has less recoil than an N-frame to me. I usually shoot low end magnum loads or high end 44 Special loads.

I like S&W's. I could care less if there's a lock on it or not. I probably shoot the L and J frames the most. I had a I-frame in 32 long, but I'm afraid it's been lifted - that was my wife's favorite pistol. I have my 629 in my pickup and I'm hoping to use the 629 on whitetail this year. I think a 69 would be a perfect revolver for hunting and hiking.

It can be used as camp gun to defend against wild animals and for hunting especially if drilled and tapped for scope mount (which anything chambered today in revolver for .44 Magnum should be). It's much easier to mount extra long eye relief scope (commonly called scout or handgun scope) on revolver than a pistol with cycling slide. A pistol chambered for .44 Magnum or larger cartridge will obviously be a "boulder" to handle and carry (eg Desert Eagle).

You and glockdoofus should get an apartment together and just spend the day chatting in person, this would salvage the handgun forum .

Good call

He probably has a scope on a SNUBBY j frame too

I bought a 69 in 2014 to the best of my memory. Has served me well and is more accurate than I am. Not sure why I keep it around as I really don’t have a use for it but it’s difficult for me to get rid of any .44 or .45 revolver.

Shot the 2.75 model wanted to run away with it but the owner is faster than I am so I gave it back.

Yes.

Both?!?!

Good answer.

Have you looked at the 329PD?

It isn't that easy to handle with full power .44 Magnum loads, but it is probably my favorite .44 Special. But I also like the Rossi 720s and Taurus 441s better than the S&W 696, so who knows. When I'm out and about during snake season I almost alway belt carry a Rossi 720 or a 4" stainless Taurus 441 with 2 loads of CCI SnakeShot and 3 hard cast 240 grain SWCs.

Not much fun without pictures. Versatile guns - 2 3/4" and 4 1/4"

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Paul

It's one more thing that can go wrong. You hear cases of them locking due to heavy recoil, and if it does you will need the key to unlock it.

That lock will have to go. Thanks for all the info. Wish my LGS was open more than Tu-Fri.