The 396 might be the best "woods bum" gun of all time. Mine weighs 18 oz empty with the 3 3/8" barrel, while my 296 with a 2 1/2" barrel weighs 18.5 oz. I agree with the earlier poster's opinion that the 296 might be the better choice for town.

I've shot 165gr LRNFP, 185gr LSWC, and 200gr LRNFP out of both with no trouble. But I don't load my .44 Specials to "fire-breathing" levels ...

Since they've got the titanium cylinders, cleaning is a little different. I've read that you should avoid scrubbing the cylinders in an attempt to get them "as new" clean, because you'll eventually damage them. Therefore I clean the chambers just enough to get out any fouling. The outside of the cylinders get a nice "lived-in" look, but I just think of them as working tools, not for showing off.

Commercial Speer 200gr GDHP ammo chronographed at 860 fps out of the 396, and 820 fps out of the 296. Both were comfortable. By comparison, my S&W 624 4" clocked 900 fps with the same ammo.

Of all my .44 Specials, the 396 would be one of the last that I'd ever part with.