Alot of people love the "N" frame, same amount love the "K/L" frame, Then the little "J" has just as many loving it. That is why they build 4 frame sizes. Myself if it is bigger than a "L" Frame I have no use for it, you take a model 27 and a 686 - the 27 weight is 2X that of the 686. Now to the meat of this mile long "BS" is that the 696 is a great gun and will be around for a long time, I have two 696-0 one is the Queen and the other is for the woods. The 696 is like a model 19 - not made for hot loads. You eather love them or hate them.