I think highly of the 44 Special

[HWooldridge]

My Colt SAA in 44 Special is very accurate - basically ORH at 25 yds with cast bullets. I bought it new in the 1980's and it's never seen a jacketed abomination <LOL>.

Also helps to have a very light, crisp trigger pull. Some years ago, I killed a feral hog with it at about 75-80 yds - held even on the top of the head and dropped him, although I must admit to resting across the top of the truck's hood.

The Charter Arms gun yields man-killer groups at 25 yds - and you can roll a soda can around with regularity.

[rkrcpa]

Isn't the M69 a larger, heavier handgun? I am thinking I want to hit the happy medium between small and light 357 mag and heavy full sized 44 magnum.

Nope, M69 and the M696 are both 5 shot L frame revolvers. The only meaningful (IMO) differences are the M69 has the new style barrel that solves the thin forcing cone issue and it's chambered in 44 magnum.

[Chill Wills]

Nope, M69 and the M696 are both 5 shot L frame revolvers. The only meaningful (IMO) differences are the M69 has the new style barrel that solves the thin forcing cone issue and it's chambered in 44 magnum.

Thank you!

[sixshot]

I love the 44 specials & have a few of them to choose from. I have taken several deer with the Ruger flat tops, both in the plow handle shorty, the 5.5" bisley & a very special 7.5" bisley. Another one is my lovely little S&W 696, nice trigger, very accurate & easy to pack.

Dick

[JAC43]

My only qualm with the GP100 44 Special is the wisp of a forcing cone.

[Gray Fox]

I have a 696 3" and a 2.75? 69. The latter may be my new trail carry gun, but I also have a new-to-me 2.5" 325 .45 acp that is handy with moon clips and hollow points that carries lighter.

[gc45]

Based on what many posters here had to say, I bought the 696 sometime back, it is a dandy gun for any old man, easy to carry when hunting too. No it is not a mag revolver but I never feel under gunned with 5 44 specials in the cylinder. I handload all my ammo and this great carry gun gets 210grain cast bullets as I have found accuracy to be better than heavier bullets. I give it a good load of 231 and unique both and she shoots terrific groups with either at 25 yds, well enough I feel confident if needing it in a hurry outdoors. Owning several 44 special revolvers from both Ruger and Smith, I do love them all!

[MT Gianni]

I have a Blackhawk 44 special, a 24-3 Smith 4" 44 special and a 4.25" 69. I bought the 24 unfired earlier this year and when I put the first 6 through it, I realized it was my most accurate revolver. I have 11 others. The Model 69 leaves the house the most often.

[Lloyd Smale]

Attachment 318319 i think highly of this S&W 624.

ive got a blued one just like it and love it. other then my 3 in 610 its the most accurate n frame ive owned

[murf205]

My only qualm with the GP100 44 Special is the wisp of a forcing cone.

Is that Ruger accurate? That sharp forcing cone can be fixed fairly easy. If I could find one, I would give a report on the 44 spl Ruger but everywhere I searched, there are none to be had. As far as a S&W 69 goes, they have a reputation for really good accuracy.Attachment 318345
This old girl is the only 44 spl I have left in the safe and it's long barrel makes it a bit ungainly for totin' but it is as accurate as can be. It;s almost 100 yrs old and that say's a LOT about the 44 spl.

[beemer]

My only qualm with the GP100 44 Special is the wisp of a forcing cone.

And cylinder wall is rather thin, I am under the impression that it is not a good idea to hot rod them. I don't own one but my good friend left his and the dies with me for a while. I believe that they were pushing the limit when they crammed the 44 in that frame. I do really like the gun and standard loads would do more than I ever need. The wood grips feel fine but slide around in my hand, a good set of mud grips would help.

[murf205]

Nope, M69 and the M696 are both 5 shot L frame revolvers. The only meaningful (IMO) differences are the M69 has the new style barrel that solves the thin forcing cone issue and it's chambered in 44 magnum.

I gotta' ask: If the 69 and the 696 are the same L frame, how did Simth & Wesson solve the thin forcing cone problem without changing the centerline of the of the cylinder? If it will take the over 30,000 lbs of pressure a full tilt 44 mag generates, the metallurgy must gave played a part as well. From the pic of that GP 100 the forcing doesn't have a ton of "meat" on it either. It would be informative to measure a 696, 69, and a GP 100 side by side. The only thing that gives me pause (other than the ridiculous prices) on a 696 is the fact that S&W would probably give you misery over service on a discontinued gun.

[Paul105]

Sold my my 696 before i could take any measurements. Have a 396, but too lazy to drag it out an take measurements. I did take some measurements vs 629 when I first got my M69.

629 Mtn Gun weighs 39 oz
M69 L Frame weighs 37 oz

629 Mtn Gun Cylinder Diameter: 1.70”
M69 L Frame Cylinder Diameter: 1.56”

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

(Note: The M69 cylinder is 1.670 inches and isn't recessed for cartridge rims -- a 1.712" hand load fits, but is right at the face of the cylinder. Lymans No 49 edition shows OAL w their 425421 Keith Bullet is 1.710". A .429 minus plug gauge will enter all throats a .430 plug will not.)

629 Mtn Gun Frame Window - Height: 1.735“
M69 L Frame - Frame Window Height: 1.600“

629 Mtn Gun Frame Window – Width: 1.880“
M69 L Frame - Frame Window Width: 1.820“

629 Mtn Gun Cylinder Wall at Narrowest Point: .095” -- (.0900” between chambers)
M69 L Frame Cylinder Wall at Narrowest Point: .060 “ -- ( .130 “ between chambers)
(629 Cyl Bolt Cuts are over the chamber while M69 bolt cuts are between chambers)

629 Mtn Gun Frame Top Strap – Width: .665“
M69 L Frame - Frame Top Strap Width: .665“

629 Mtn Gun Frame Top Strap – Height: .220“ to top of frame (includes sight mortiss)
M69 L Frame - Frame Top Strap Height: .210“ to top of frame (includes sight mortiss)

629 Mtn Gun Barrel Shank OD: .630“
M69 L Frame - Barrel Shank OD: .620“

629 Mtn Gun Frame Over Barrel OD: .900“
M69 L Frame - Frame Over Barrel OD: .880“

629 Mtn Gun Trigger Reach: 3.10“ (same grips for both 629 & M69)
M69 L Frame - Trigger Reach: 3.00 “

Brian Pearce -- Bolt notches weakest point - M69 thicker than M629 at this location


Took some pics of cyl/crane gas block interface 396 vs 69
.
396
.

.
M69
.

[Paul105]

Duplicate

[MGD]

I agree with Dave S. The 329 Smith is the best packing 44 special out there. You get light weight and a full grip and 4" sight radius. Just think of it as a 44 special that you can use 44 mags in. I loved mine but my hunting buddy loved it more so I'm looking for another.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Here’s a pic of the barrel stub on my L Frame Model 69.

[brokeasajoke]

Gp100 44spl 5"

[lar45]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1010642157

[murf205]

Thanks Paul. Yr be r the thicker cylinder notches os the 69 were a surprise. I’ve never heard of one blowing out the notches but I would guess that it could bulge the bottom of the notch with an excessive load. Most of the 696 pics I see involve the rear shank cracks.

[Anchorite]

Hold the nostalgia and pass me a 44Mag. There is no substitute for cubic inches. In terms that are easier to understand, you can make a 44 Mag a special, but you can’t make a Special into a mag.