Good start with a Smith 69

[ECVMatt]

I have wanted a compact .44 Mag for a while that carries easy and shoots accurately. I almost held out for the new Ruger GP100 in .44 Spl as a compromise, but living in California it will be some time until it gets approved for sale. I then started looking at the Smith 69. My only other Smith is a beautiful 27-2 5" that is one of my all time favorite revolvers.

So I read up on the Smith and decided to give the new design a go. I was able to shoot about 200 rounds of .44 Spl and .44 Mag this past weekend while shooting with my son and I have to say that I am really impressed. The gun was very accurate during informal shooting and I got several 3" offhand groups at 25 yards. I was able to easily hit an old propane bottle out to 75 yards. So the Hillary Hole, two piece barrel, and MIM parts so far have impressed me. While it is definately different than my 27-2, it is still a great gun thus far. I look forward to putting a couple more hundred rounds through it this upcoming weekend between the rains. The only thing I will change are the grips. I think I will order a set of X Frame grips. My hands are kind of large and I lose contact with the backstrap as I grasp the grips firmly.

To prevent this thread from being worthless, here are some pictures:

[byteheed]

Sweet Model 69! I've got a couple N-Frame Smiths in .44 Mag and love them both, but I've been eyeing this L-Frame.

Question: It's a five-shot right? Must be a nightmare getting those speed loaders in your photos to work. ;0)

[Che762x39]

I have wanted a compact .44 Mag for a while that carries easy and shoots accurately ...

That is a nice looking revolver.

If you like the .44s you got to reload. My last batch of .44 Specials were about 18 cents a round with a 245 grain LFP.

[ECVMatt]

Sweet Model 69! I've got a couple N-Frame Smiths in .44 Mag and love them both, but I've been eyeing this L-Frame.

Question: It's a five-shot right? Must be a nightmare getting those speed loaders in your photos to work. ;0)

Too Funny! I was using those with the my Redhawk, but threw them into the picture for effect. I need to pick up some 5 rounders for sure.

I do reload for my .44's to make it a bit more affordable.

[sealocan]

Come on, you can be honest.
You were loading six rounds into the five shot because you didn't know any better.




I like the photos and the write up.
but I think putting the Ruger Redhawk in there would've made more of us envious.

Speaking of envy, I dig the flower power artwork target.

And up till now, I've just been drawing black circles on paper.