View Full Version : S&W Model 69 Combat Magnum 44MAG
I just like saying that. What a great name for a cannon. My LGS had it for $650 plus $30 rebate thru S&W. What a great feeling pistol... Range report to follow soon.
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P1000504 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiowadriver/12978004024/) by KiowaDriver (https://www.flickr.com/people/kiowadriver/), on Flickr
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P1000505 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiowadriver/12977998874/) by KiowaDriver (https://www.flickr.com/people/kiowadriver/), on Flickr
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P1000502 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiowadriver/12977587335/) by KiowaDriver (https://www.flickr.com/people/kiowadriver/), on Flickr
That is very cool. I'm interested in the 66, 69, 986, and 929 offerings this year.
They could have put magnum on the barrel one more time.
I do like it!
Looking forward to hearing about this one. That is a nice piece of iron. I just got a Model 29-3 in a trade and I love it. For some reason S&W wheel guns are hot again.
montanadave
03-06-14, 19:34
Nice gun. Nicer price. Score!
Good looking wheelgun there, I am really looking forward to the review on this one. This was the new model that intrigued me the most when it was announced. I think it would make for a great woods/trail gun, just a slightly smaller package over an N frame.
My only concern, and I have not seen one in person to look, is the forcing cone on the smaller frame. I have a 696 .44 Spl., and the forcing cone on that frame was a bit thin, and most recommend keeping away from the stouter loads.
And, by the way this is a MAGNUM.
Have not seen one "in person" yet. VERY sweet revolver. Does it have a lock?
Skip
I just like saying that. What a great name for a cannon. My LGS had it for $650 plus $30 rebate thru S&W. What a great feeling pistol... Range report to follow soon.
1st responder only price though right?
Have not seen one "in person" yet. VERY sweet revolver. Does it have a lock?
Skip
Yes it has a lock. I wish that it did not. However, not nearly enough to keep from buying it.
And yes, this is QTS first responder price.
SeriousStudent
03-07-14, 21:19
Interesting pistol.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they bring back the Model 65 with a 3" tube, or a run of CS-1 revolvers.
I'll look forward to the range report!
Well today I took her to the range. I fired three different types of 44MAG. Hornady XTP 240gr, 225gr Lever Evolution, and Federal 240gr Personal Defense.
The pistol is typical of large revolvers. Good sights, good trigger. Grip is inadequate for full bore loads, but comfy. I didn't fire any 44 SPC. If I were truly shoot powerful loads, I would install Hogue. Something with more surface area to grip.
Accuracy was great with both JHP loads. It was just OK with the Lever Evolution.
Well today I took her to the range. I fired three different types of 44MAG. Hornady XTP 240gr, 225gr Lever Evolution, and Federal 240gr Personal Defense.
The pistol is typical of large revolvers. Good sights, good trigger. Grip is inadequate for full bore loads, but comfy. I didn't fire any 44 SPC. If I were truly shoot powerful loads, I would install Hogue. Something with more surface area to grip.
Accuracy was great with both JHP loads. It was just OK with the Lever Evolution.
How much worse was the recoil vs an N frame?
It sure is a beautifully proportioned revolver. Maybe they'll offer it in a 5 shot .41 mag format some time. A little less bite; that'd be sweet too.
You could install the grip from an X frame.
For what it's worth this thing is marginally lighter than a Smith and Wesson Mountain Gun.
Super choice. May want to try some Buffalo Bore Heavy 44 Special 190 grain loads. 1150 fps from a 5.5 inch barrel. Excellent for social purposes.
brushy bill
03-12-14, 23:43
Is there a ball detent lock up point under the ejector housing? Can't tell from the pics. Great feature if so.
Yes it has a ball detent. It locks up beautifully.
I just like saying that. What a great name for a cannon. My LGS had it for $650 plus $30 rebate thru S&W. What a great feeling pistol... Range report to follow soon.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/12978004024_6fd84d555b_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiowadriver/12978004024/)
P1000504 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiowadriver/12978004024/) by KiowaDriver (https://www.flickr.com/people/kiowadriver/), on Flickr
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2475/12977998874_ede390fd32_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiowadriver/12977998874/)
P1000505 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiowadriver/12977998874/) by KiowaDriver (https://www.flickr.com/people/kiowadriver/), on Flickr
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3486/12977587335_51d04a9afb_b.jpg (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiowadriver/12977587335/)
P1000502 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiowadriver/12977587335/) by KiowaDriver (https://www.flickr.com/people/kiowadriver/), on Flickr
need knowledgable info needed.
trying to make a decision for a fishing/ bear gun. s&w owes me,gun from rock castle last year. i can have either.
no cost to me.
the new mod-69 or the titanium-329. i want a lt wt, carry a lot,shoot little, bear gun when i go out west.\
WHY ??? short fat guys have NO CHANCE in waders in a river againest a hungry/momma bear.
which gun: only 2 options i am interested in are the 329-4" titanium,or the model 69-4-1/4" i dont really like long 4-1/4 bbls on a gun but i will have it shortened to 3-1/2 form a known gun smith. 4" in lt wt doesnt bother me.
someone with "bear gun experience", i have to make a decision asap as s&w are pushing me, as they want it off their books.
any help would be appreciated
DO NOT go into
ammo: tdl will load for me he has an awsome bear load for lt wt guns per elmer kieth.
holsters
speed loader
sights
got all that covered with Ken Hackathorn. he is now a .44 mag junkie. btw his everyday carry gun.
just need input on guns with info on weight, the most needed.
[QUOTE=jjw;1881618]need knowledgable info needed.
trying to make a decision for a fishing/ bear gun. s&w owes me,gun from rock castle last year. i can have either.
no cost to me.
the new mod-69 or the titanium-329. i want a lt wt, carry a lot,shoot little, bear gun when i go out west.\
WHY ??? short fat guys have NO CHANCE in waders in a river againest a hungry/momma bear.
which gun: only 2 options i am interested in are the 329-4" titanium,or the model 69-4-1/4" i dont really like long 4-1/4 bbls on a gun but i will have it shortened to 3-1/2 form a known gun smith. 4" in lt wt doesnt bother me.
someone with "bear gun experience", i have to make a decision asap as s&w are pushing me, as they want it off their books.
The 329PD weighs 25.1 oz and the 69 weighs 37.2. The appropriate question is how tolerant are you of felt recoil? The recoil with the 329 PD is not pleasant, with the 69 tolerable.
If it's free, get the Scandium gun, and if you can't handle the recoil sell it and buy the 69. You'll come ahead in the end.
[QUOTE=jjw;1881618]need knowledgable info needed.
trying to make a decision for a fishing/ bear gun. s&w owes me,gun from rock castle last year. i can have either.
no cost to me.
the new mod-69 or the titanium-329. i want a lt wt, carry a lot,shoot little, bear gun when i go out west.\
WHY ??? short fat guys have NO CHANCE in waders in a river againest a hungry/momma bear.
which gun: only 2 options i am interested in are the 329-4" titanium,or the model 69-4-1/4" i dont really like long 4-1/4 bbls on a gun but i will have it shortened to 3-1/2 form a known gun smith. 4" in lt wt doesnt bother me.
someone with "bear gun experience", i have to make a decision asap as s&w are pushing me, as they want it off their books.
The 329PD weighs 25.1 oz and the 69 weighs 37.2. The appropriate question is how tolerant are you of felt recoil? The recoil with the 329 PD is not pleasant, with the 69 tolerable.
I had a chance to handle one of these yesterday. I was impressed.
Now, which kidney do I sell?
I bought mine last week. Shot about 60 rounds through it in two sessions. Point of impact is 4" high at 25 yards, and 9" high at 50 yards, with the rear sight bottomed out. It's going back to S&W, with note telling them what I think of their new "two-piece barrel" (it's actually a one-piece barrel tube with a shroud containing the sight and ejector rod housing apparently glued over it).
Shoulderthinggoesup
04-08-14, 15:36
Magnum wheelgats make me moist. Congrats on the purchase
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2
The Dumb Gun Collector
04-08-14, 17:13
MANGUN
Coal Dragger
04-08-14, 20:44
I bought mine last week. Shot about 60 rounds through it in two sessions. Point of impact is 4" high at 25 yards, and 9" high at 50 yards, with the rear sight bottomed out. It's going back to S&W, with note telling them what I think of their new "two-piece barrel" (it's actually a one-piece barrel tube with a shroud containing the sight and ejector rod housing apparently glued over it).
Has nothing to do with the barrel.
Big bore revolvers recoil enough before the bullet can leave the barrel that point of impact can and will be high if the front sight is not tall enough. This will be exacerbated when shooting heavy bullets that are moving slower. The smaller and lighter the gun is, the more pronounced this phenomenon is going to be. I can't tell you what load S&W has in mind for this revolver but if it is a fast moving 180gr pill, and you were shooting 300gr bullets or even 240gr bullets your results sound pretty typical.
I experience this with my Freedom Arms .454 Casull, this revolver fortunately is equipped with easily interchangeable front sights so you can make your elevation adjustment both on the rear sight and front sight. When I shoot 325-360gr bullets even at relatively high speeds I install a taller front sight. My revolver has a front sight that is .380" tall stock, which works well with 240-300gr bullets and I purchased a .430" tall front sight for 325-360gr bullets and it works very well. In fact by adjusting the loads, I can change zero without much rear sight adjustment at all by just changing out front sight blades. I might have to go back to irons in this gun, they are superb iron sights.
When you send it back to S&W see if they offer a taller front sight or if they can do some custom work to make the front sight base take inserts. It will greatly increase the versatility of your revolver.
I bought mine last week. Shot about 60 rounds through it in two sessions. Point of impact is 4" high at 25 yards, and 9" high at 50 yards, with the rear sight bottomed out. It's going back to S&W, with note telling them what I think of their new "two-piece barrel" (it's actually a one-piece barrel tube with a shroud containing the sight and ejector rod housing apparently glued over it).
Coal Dragger covered this well. The front sight on the model 69 looks pinned. Find an after market sight that is taller and your problem is solved. It's not difficult to change these sights out yourself.
Coal Dragger
04-08-14, 21:24
I would call Smith & Wesson and see if they make a taller front sight, if it is pinned like most of their other revolvers (forgot about that!) then it should be pretty simple to correct this without even sending the gun back. Just have them send you a taller front sight, or go aftermarket.
I bought mine last week. Shot about 60 rounds through it in two sessions. Point of impact is 4" high at 25 yards, and 9" high at 50 yards, with the rear sight bottomed out. It's going back to S&W, with note telling them what I think of their new "two-piece barrel" (it's actually a one-piece barrel tube with a shroud containing the sight and ejector rod housing apparently glued over it).
I'm curious to hear how that one fellow is going to cut a two piece barrel down.
I'm curious to hear how that one fellow is going to cut a two piece barrel down.
funny u should mention this. Ken Hackathorn called me monday to tell me its a 2 pc bbl (sleeved) he was doing some vid's for wilson combat abd saw bill wilson's. knew i was going for the 29 to take to idaho in june. spending a week with him and going to elmer keith's old home and personal shooting booth.
i called and caught it before it was shipped. changed to the 329-4"
i livee in a small town and no 1 had a #69 or a #329 for me to look at. i had a 329-2-1/2" and sold it. just wanted a longer bbl
tks for the heads up anyway. i dont knnow this
jjw
Drifting Fate
04-16-14, 00:19
Didn't realize they went back to naming their revolvers.
I was interested, now I must have one. Names are so much better than numbers.
decodeddiesel
04-16-14, 13:09
Just saw one of these last weekend, and got my nasty dickbeaters on it. I had been saving for a new G17 and a 442, but I almost plunked it all down on the Model 69 man-cannon combat super killer elite death destroyer. Such a sweet revolver! I never had much interest or practical need for a .44, but I really loved the trigger and overall feel of this gun. It seems like a real shooter. Plus, it's the Model 69...heh.
Interesting pistol.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they bring back the Model 65 with a 3" tube, or a run of CS-1 revolvers.
I'll look forward to the range report!
It is my deepest wish that they resurrect that 3" K-frame .357, they are in my humble opinion the perfect wheelguns...
I would call Smith & Wesson and see if they make a taller front sight, if it is pinned like most of their other revolvers (forgot about that!) then it should be pretty simple to correct this without even sending the gun back. Just have them send you a taller front sight, or go aftermarket.
This. They had the same problem with the Model 22, Model of 1917. New front sights squared it away quickly.
Okie John
Combat_Diver
05-05-14, 13:49
How much worse was the recoil vs an N frame?
It sure is a beautifully proportioned revolver. Maybe they'll offer it in a 5 shot .41 mag format some time. A little less bite; that'd be sweet too.
There's my vote and money, chamber it in .41 Mag!
CD
It is my deepest wish that they resurrect that 3" K-frame .357, they are in my humble opinion the perfect wheelguns...
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/securedownload28.jpg
I agree.
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