Would appreciate any feed back , good or bad, on the S&W model 69 44mag, 5 shot , 2 3/4" Bbl. Your honest experience , please. Considering this S&W or the Ruger Redhawk Alaskan 2 1/2" revolver.

Ok, I was looking at those as well, but stumbled on a TAURUS SS 2.5"Bbl .44Mag TALO Edition, it's at Mag-na-Port as we speak, and I also Ordered up some new grips for it as well, so we'll see what we see, once I've got it back, and start shooting it some,,,,, I'll Post up some info: accordingly......
Lj in Alaska....

Much easier to shoot for me than the Redhawk Alaskan. Though recoil is definitely much more noticeable.

To me the Ruger sits too high in the hand and doesn’t point well.

I have relatively small hands, wear medium work gloves, and a K or L frame S&W is a very good fit for me. YMMV.

very fond of mine. Pretty easy to shooting pistol

Almost every screw on that gun has backed out on me at one point or another, even the extractor. No problems since dunking the thing in Lock-tite

Thanks so much. I realized the Ruger Redhawk is a much heavier 6 shot revolver, opposed to the S&W 5 shot , but this is a hand gun that will not be shot that much. A little practice , now & then. Plan to shoot my home cast 280 gr at about 1050 to 1100 fps.

The x frame grips will screw right on too..

The 2 3/4" is a little shorter barrel than I have a need for in a 44 magnum, but it makes a great 44 special gun. I have the 4 1/4" version that I prefer for 44 magnums. Great guns. I haven't had any problems with them.

A friend has the 2.75” version.
Excellent pistol, IMHO.

That's a good load imo - right in the sweet spot. Is the bullet a WFN?
There's a longtime 329 and 69 owner who really carries and shoots who might spot this thread and weigh in (paul105). His fave is the 2.75".

I agree, for the most part. I have the 4" version. It is a handful with full power 44 Mag loads, however. I am not averse to heavy recoil in reasonable quantities, but I do not shoot my M69 with Magnums much at all. I will carry it with full power loads, however I find a moderately hot 44 Special load is more pleasant to shoot and very accurate. I load a 240 gr SJHP over about 7.5 gr of Universal Clays gives an honest 1000 fps out of the 4" M69, and that is plenty of velocity and momentum for my needs.

I like mine a lot. Recoil isn’t as bad as I thought it would be although I can’t shoot it as accurately as my .44s with longer barrels. But it’s the only one that I like to carry on my hip.

I really like my 4 inch model 69. Friend of mine has the short one and he really likes it. I sure have packed mine around Wyoming and Montana. My load is a 250 Keith (Miha 503) at 1200 fps. A lot of the penta point version of that also. I put the x frame grip on it and belt sanded a bunch of rubber off. Makes the little thing easy to shoot well.

Yes the bullet I plan to use is a 280gr wide FN. Left bullet in the picture. Also considering the 310gr on the right .As stated before , it will be carried while I'm out working on the property. Black & Grizzly bears are a reality here. Shooting either of these bullets in a lightweight 44 will be very limited. Both of the bullets pictured shoot quite accurately in my Ruger Redhawk 7 1/2" . The Redhawk 7 1/2' is a bit too much to carry while working. .[img]https://i.postimg.cc/Nj7N3

The M69 is my favorite .44 Mag platform. Had one since they first came out. Have a pair and a spare of each bbl length (was initially worried they might be discontinued). Mostly shooting the 2.75" for several times a week for 3 or 4 years now. In my mid 70s now, so only shoot 20 (240gr at 1,100fps) or so rounds a session these days (leaning more and more towards .22s).

The 300gr bullet pictured on the right is one of my favorites (the .45 version also a favorite). Seat and crimp in top crimp grove and start with 18.0gr of H110 and you can work up to 20.0 if you feel the need - 18.0 runs about 1,040fps and 20.0gr 1,100 fps in my 2.75" - depending on gun, temp, component lot and primer (I've used WLP, Fed 155s and CCI350s) The CCI 350s always gave me a bit more velocity and are said by some to be needed in cold temps. The 300gr WFN seats deeper in the case (unless you deep seat the SWC) and gives a bit more room for movement in case of crimp jump. It is also accurate in every gun I've shot it in. Recoil with the 18.0gr load isn't bad

Here's a picture of mine with a set of hastily modified (belt sander knife sharpener) Hogue Tamers. I don't use a holster anymore, just the gun back pocket of my carharts.
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Paul

What have you found to be the max OAL for a round with the model 69? So far I have only loaded these bullets in my Redhawk which handles a long loaded length with no problem.

Ok,,,,, Very Nice, I like it.....
Lj in Alaska....

629 Mtn Gun Cylinder Length: 1.705”
M69 L Frame Cylinder Length: 1.670”

Lyman Lists 429421 loaded oal at 1.710" -- nose is very slightly below cyl face on my M69

This is a 355gr WLNGC from the now defunct Beartooth Bullets -- Loaded OAL measured at 1.710
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The 355gr WLNGC Loaded in M69 cylinder
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Thank you paul105. . " SO MUCH "!! . Exactly what I needed to know. That means either my 280gr or 310 gr will work. I can get some ammo loaded up even before the piece arrives.

Just make sure you are not experiencing any bullet jump that might tie up your cylinder at an inopportune time. Good luck and enjoy.

Paul

YES, I agree whole heartily,,,,,, I would suggest Shooting 4-rounds in real Quick Secession, Open Cyl. and Measure that 5th rounds OAL,,,, as it appears you don't have much room, if any at all..... looking at Paul's photo.....
Best Of Luck going forward....
Lj in Alaska....

Sounds like sound advice to me.. Thanks again..

Had one. I thought with the extra weight it'd be a replacement for my 329PD .. less recoil. Turns out with the shorter yet barrel, it recoiled at least as much as the 329 PD, was heavier, and held one less cartridge. So I sold it. I have a 4.2" barreled M69 now .. haven't shot it yet.

I don't think there's any real comparison between the S&W 69 and the short Super Redhawk .. the Ruger is going to be a lot more shootable and packs one more cartridge but it's substantially heavier. Which I'd recommend .. depends on what your use is. If you want to pack a lot and shoot comparatively less, S&W for the win. If you plan to shoot more, maybe pack less, probably the Ruger.

Ok,,,,,I agree with your assessment, and I've been packin a 329 for awhile now, we'll see what we see, when I get this TAURUS back from Mag-na-Port......
Lj in Alaska....

Talked to my young friend today. The model 69 is what he carries. We were trying to remember when he bought it and we just couldn’t.
My four inch has been to North Dakota also. Sure works on porky pine’s especially with the penta point. Exits will launch into Buffalo berry stems.
It’s a handy, powerful and accurate sixgun that’s easy to carry

I love the short barrel 69. It's easy to carry and manageable with the right loads. Hogue grips do make a big difference. My son lives and works in hard core griz country and carries one regularly.

With Specials it is a pussy cat. My sissy load for practice is a 200 or 240 RNFP over 4.5 grains of Titegroup. Kick is far less than my 637 .38.

For a heavy load, I use Missouri Bullet 240 over 19.0 of 2400. Not quite full power, but enough magnum for me. It's accurate and manageable.