I have been waiting/searching for a S&W 696 for a long time ...and finally my local shop called me yesterday and they have a LNIB with everything, no dash. My lucky day? I went to the shop today and it is a complete package, all the paper work.....a slight turn mark on the cylinder...like new. My problem is that the forcing cone is very thin and is not smooth and flat...it looks like it is not cut right and looks long to me, it evens looks
like and feels as if it is flared or bulged. The guys at the shop looked at it and agree with me, that the forcing cone appears strange. We did not gauge the gap to cylinder. Does anyone know of any problems with this
Revolver or recalls? Any infor. that anyone can send my way would be great. S# on this revolver is CBP7xxx, this is a NO-Dash 696.

The forcing cones on the 696 are notoriously thin. I doubt it's flared, it just looks that way. It is the only percieved weakness of the 696, but remember it's a .44 Special, not Magnum. It should be about the thickness of a dime, about .050-.060.

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Dick

I agree with diamonback68, my 696 looks "weird" too, compared to most other Smiths, not to worry.

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RIP Labworm 11/22/2019

You're lucky I wasn't in that shop. You wouldn't have the opportunity to purchase it by now.

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Jaeger

If the barrel or forcing cone is not bulged, or cracked buy it quickly!

It won't be there long.

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NRA Benefactor Member

Snooze,
Ya' lose!

I owned an early M/696 like the one you're considering, in addition to the strange looking thin forcing cone I did not like the heavy full lugged barrel and the gun's muzzle heaviness. I swapped it for a 4" M/624 and am much happier. In my experience 4" M/624's can be as hard to locate as a M/696 but I believe you would be much happier with one. Food for thought, you might want to consider the matter.

Thanks guys!!!!!!!

I had two 696s, one of which developed a cracked forcing cone and I bought a replacement barrel from Brownells when they were still available and had it installed. Keep in mind, it was a used gun when I bought it and I never fired hot or even warm loads from it. That's when I decided to sell both 696s and keep my 3" 629, and just alternate betw. 44 Mag and 44 Spl with a good de-carbon scrape in between.

The 696 is nice concept but the execution lacking w.r.t. the forcing cone.

Noah

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Nicht mehr als 30 Zeichen

Look below and you'll see my current production 4" 629, SKU #163603, likely available new for less than someone else's possibly over-powered 696, and my 696. Brand new, my 696-1 did not instill great confidence in it's longevity - even with my wimpy Specials & Russians - that fc is teeny. Mine is fine - no bulge in the barrel like some have.



The 4" 629 weighs a whopping six ounces more than the 696, has a sixth round in the cylinder, has a one inch longer barrel, and both a larger hammer and trigger. It's fc is properly sized... it'll take a bunch of Keith-level .44 Specials - or SAAMI-spec'd .44 Magnums - with ease. Mine will be here long after the 696 is gone. In fact, someone in central Alabama make me a ridiculous offer (high) and mine can easily change hands! Super trigger - with Fed LP primers! I have the box, papers, OEM grip, etc. It's Christmas - and I need a big-screen HD TV!

Stainz

PS I doubt my 696-1 is going anywhere - except to the range. Super fun plinker with 240gr LSWC over 3.5 gr Titegroup in a Starline .44 Russian case - makes 692 fps - real poof load - but makes 'major' power factor!

Anyone wishing to get rid of their *** wimpy 696 no dash give me a shout. Can't have much value with all the trashing, can it?

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RIP Labworm 11/22/2019

I have a 696 with no dash and my forcing cone looks the same as well. We have some silicone that we use in law enforcement crime scene and so I have made molds of several of my barrels just to look at the inside. Its very neat looking and the forcing cone on the 696 seems very long as compared to other Smiths I own.


Shudy

Thank-you all,for all of your help and comments.

I like my 696, only 44 spcl I have fired. I like how accurate is, compared to my snubbies. I never looked at the forcing cone, in any great detail. Being a L frame, I always figured I was good.

To bad this gun didn't sell more.

Anyone interested my LGS/Pawnshop has a no dash for sale in excellent condition. They do online sales so I'm sure they will work with you. I believe they are asking $700. Anyone interested drop me a message and I'll give you their info. Only reason I didn't buy it already is I bought a 66-4 and 681 no dash this month.

What he said!!!

What is considered abusive for this gun? 900fps, 1000 fps?

Any load exceeding the maximum listed load published in the specific bullet manufacturers loading manual.

Well that for me is any gun isn't? Are you being serious, or saying there is nothing worry about?

PM sent regarding the no dash.

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Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa.

Loads published in the bullet manufacturers manuals conform to SAMMI specs. As long as you don't exceed these any gun built in that specific caliber should be able to withstand the pressure.

Is the 696 going to wear faster shooting max loads versus a light target load. Common sense would indicate yes.

The 696 is one of those great enigmas of the gun world. We couldn't give these away when they were new and blew many out for under 400.00 back then. Now people will pay almost double to get one, heck I want one myself! I think they were just introduced a little too early, before the real big push in carry guns came about.

Second in line.

I have a 696-1 and love shooting it. I'll be adding it to my ccw license this coming renewal.

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

Old thread that has been brought a couple times.

I have been researching loads for my 696, yes I have a few manuals. I think it is good idea to see what other people have tried though.

One thing about 44 special is lots of the loads people use are above the reload manuals. People say this is because of old junk guns. But it does make you nervous.

Alliant lists 6.3 grns as max for 240 LSWC. Searching the internet you would have trouble finding people loading that low. Yes I know you have to be careful on the internet, don't know what goomer you will run in to. But that can't all be crazy?

The forcing cone, does concern, mostly cause I am a worry wort, and they don't make this any more. Which is a positive with buying a 29 or Ruger model.

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Beware the man with one gun.

I have a 696-1 and a trio of 624s (3", 4", 6-1/2").
The little 696 continues to amaze with its accuracy.
I attribute this to the much tighter (.431") cylinder mouths as compared to the 624s (.433"-.434").

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95