Smith & Wesson 669 9mm Questions

[DDGator]

Just purchased a S&W 669 in very nice condition. I hadnt really been looking for one, but I have always liked these guns since a friend carried one as a duty gun back in the late 80s.

I like the TDA type double action and the decocker/safety on the Smith guns. When I rediscovered the 669 with all that combined with a light alloy frame and 13 round capacity -- I had to get it.
I took it to the range yesterday and fired 100 rounds with not a single problem and remarkable accuracy.

A few questions that I cant seem to find answers for:

How different are the 669 and 6906? Will holsters necessarily interchange? I have a squared trigger guard with the serrated front surface.

If I ever have a problem -- does SW honor the lifetime repair policy for subsequent owners?

I have sent away for the manual, but in the meantime -- how do you field strip this thing?

Anyone try the 15 round Ramline mags for the 669 -- as seen on Gunbroker.com?

The front sight seems to be a part of the slide. Does that mean night sights are not possible?

Anything else I need to know as a new S&W Auto owner?

Sorry for so many questions. Thanks in advance.

 

[BLiTzNicK]

I have a 669 as well. It is a fairly good pistol, and lives on my nightstand, being shot very little. Mine suffers from some wear, and could stand being refinished. The sights suck! I'd love to replace them, but the cost is keeping me from it.

Smith & Wesson told me directly that my gun is not under the lifetime warranty, they said that the 669 was too old.

You can have night sights installed, but the slide will have to be milled (cut out for a front site). I believe the quote from S&W was $150. If I was having this done, I'd send it directly to S&W and let them do it. I'd also have it refinished while it was there, as well as checked out for any potential problems.

To field strip the gun, pull and hold the slide slightly back until the notch in the slide is over the front of the slide stop (closest to the muzzle). The slide stop can then be pushed out to the left of the pistol(this may be difficult). After this is done, the slide can be removed by simply pushing it off from the front of the frame. Reassemble in reverse order.

I only use factory mags in mine, since they are easily obtained, so I'm not sure about the aftermarket models.

 

[LWCmdr45]

The majority of holsters made specifically for S&W 9mm's are model specific; i.e., a M669, with its curved trigger guard, will NOT fit in one made for the later M6906.

I received some Ram Line 15-round mags when I bought my pistol. They have always worked OK in the M669, but I've had less success in other designs. As has been noted, OEM mags are readily available for reasonable prices, so I'd stick with them.

The M669 was subject to a recall regarding the operation of the safety. If your pistol falls within SN ranges A745000-A865000 or TAA0001-TAL9999, check its operation. With the hammer at half-cock, engage the safety. If the safety doesn't turn all the way down and the hammer doesn't fall to the "at rest" position, it needs to go back to the factory for the modification.

Steve

 

[9mmepiphany]

it seems that all your questiona have been answered, and very well done too, so i'll just add a little history.

the 669 is the stainless version of the 469, which was in turn the factory version of a DEVEL custom (cut-down) 59 (later the 459 and 5904). the 669 lacked the lightening cuts, in the slide, the thinning of the trigger guard and the window, in the grip, of the DEVEL. DEVEL also produced a single stack (m39) version which was copied as the 3913/14

the DEVEL was a competitor for the original cut down 39...the ASP (another legend itself)

 

[Kahr carrier]

Congrats on your new 669.

 

[DDGator]

Hmmm. My serial number does fall within that range and my hammer will not drop from half-cock -- the safety lever will not fully engage.

I have e-mailed S&W about a fix.

Do you know whether there is any danger above and beyond the obvious -- i.e., the gun is "stuck" in the half-cock position until fired (or dry fired).

 

[LWCmdr45]

To my knowledge, the gun is still safe even if the recall hasn't been performed; you just need to take extra care to be sure that the safety is really on. But, it's "not right," so let the factory fix it.

Steve

 

[DDGator]

LWCmdr45,

Just got a reply to my e-mail to the factory. They will pay for shipping both ways to make the fix. I can't argue with that -- not bad for 15 year old gun.

Is there anything else I should have them do to the gun while they have it?

Thanks for the info on the recall... I had actually noticed that problem, but didnt even think it could be a recall issue.

 

[BLiTzNicK]

If you want new sights, or a refinish, have it done when they are paying for the shipping.

If you do it later, you'll be stuck with the shipping costs, both ways.

 

[DDGator]

I inquired about night sights -- but S&W doesnt offer them on the 669.

What is done on a refinish?

 

[longspurr]

I had a 669 and was not really happy with it until I put the Uncle Mikes rubber grips on it. Then I could hold on to the little beast. Holsters were also a problem. I had a gunsmith grind off the lower front to the squared off trigger guard so it now resembles a current model. The smith did a nice job and it is now polished on the lower front of the "rounded" trigger guard. My Smith was also very accurate with loads it liked. I tried Smith 15 round mag's in it and they worked just fine. You have a nice high cap. toy to play with.

 

[DDGator]

Longspur,

Do you have any pics with the modified trigger guard?

 

[BLiTzNicK]

I inquired about night sights -- but S&W doesnt offer them on the 669.

When I called them, sometime last year, they told me that night sights could be fitted. I talked to the Performance Center, so maybe that's why I received a different answer than you.

As to a refinish, it should make the gun look brand new all over again. I think I was quoted $75 for that, but not sure.

According to their web site, they do install night sights, HERE

 

[DDGator]

Thanks for the info Blitz. I guess you are right -- I was talking to the factory warranty people. I will call the Performance Center.

 

[longspurr]

Pic of the modification?

Sorry Gator I have sold the gun awhile back and I don't think I ever took a picture of it. It should be easy enough to visualize grinding off the raised front of the trigger guard, the profile is exactly like the current edit of Smiths IE the thickness and radias of the guard is the same from top to bottom without that raised section on the front.

If you didn't know it was ground off you would just wonder why part of the trigger guard is polished.

Finding a holster is MUCH easier without that raised trigger guard.