S&W Model 69 Combat Magnum Revolver in .44 Mag

For the first time, a .44 Magnum ‘Combat Magnum’ will be offered by Smith & Wesson in the L-frame.  The new Model 69 revolver will look like the classic Combat Magnum revolvers (such as the recently re-introduced Model 66.)

The guns will have a two-piece 4.25″ barrel topped with a red ramp front sight and adjustable rear sight.  The stainless steel frame is glass bead finished, and the stainless steel cylinder holds five rounds.  Like the classic Combat Magnums, the top strap and barrel have ridges.

Checking the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, it the entry for Model 69 is listed only as “experimental.”  So, I presume the company has never used this model number for a production revolver before now.

Smith & Wesson 69 Specifications

caliber	.44 Magnum
capacity	five rounds
barrel length	4.25"
overall length	9.75"
weight (unloaded)	37.2 oz
front sight	pinned, red ramp
rear sight	adjustable, white outline
finish	glass bead
MSRP	$849.00

We will have more information on the Smith & Wesson Model 69 at the 2014 SHOT Show.

Update – Smith & Wesson was awarded the Golden Bullseye Award in 2015 by the NRA for this gun design.

Update 2 – Smith & Wesson now offers a second Model 69 with a 2.75″ barrel. The rubber grip is a bit more rounded in the back for easier concealment. Otherwise, this is the same .44 Magnum revolver as the 4.25″ barreled version.

It has a 5-shot cylinder, a front ramp sight with red insert and an adjustable rear blade sight. It is a pretty handy concealment gun if you need big bore power for protection. I found the trigger to be a bit heavy in double-action mode, but fairly smooth nonetheless. In single-action mode, the break is very crisp.