696 vs 69?

[MightyMouse4466]

I'm probably going to end up with both of these at some point!

I have found a odd ball, used 696 no dash, 3" barrel, plastic grips, nice finish, lite turn ring, sweet piece!

OR

I could buy a S&W Model 69 3", Is the finish on all these the sand blasted dull finish or are some the polished finish?

[CCantu357]

Both of those seem like great revolvers. However, I would go with the 696. I prefer revovlers without the lock, plus I do think the finish is better on the 696. I also wonder how the K-frame will hold up shooting .44 Magnum rounds.

[DT75]

Both models mentioned are based on the L-frame.

[Collo Rosso]

If you found a 696 with a nice price, buy it! I bought a 69 2.75" for almost half of what 696's were selling for. Great revolver by the way.

[shocker]

Bead blast finish on 69's. It's practical. Matte finishes are "in" these days.
As a shooter and handloader I'll take the 69. 44 magnum is a more versatile cartridge.

[The Norseman]

All the new 69's I seen, appear to
have that Utilitarian Finish on them.

I recently found and bought a New In
The Box Factory fired circa 2008 S&W
696-1 44Special. Paid a little north of $1K.
Had to have it for my growing collection
of 44Spl's.

I like it. Shoot it about every week at
the Indoor Range. Very accurate with
my Reloads, Lighting Ammo cast 240gr
.429dia or Oregon Laser Cast .431dia
boolits. Alliant Red Dot powder used.

Need to Reload today.

[Paul105]

696s don't often come up for sale at reasonable prices -- if you've got the itch, scratch it.

The 696 was one of my grail guns. Finally found a nice "no dash" and jumped on it. Great little gun - nice finish, one of the nicest action I've ever felt. For some reason I couldn't shoot it or make it shoot no matter what I tried, so it went down the road. Just my personal experience - most others here will disagree vehemently.

Still have a 396 and both barrel length M69s.

Paul

[Dan Christopher]

For collectability? The 696. For versatility and overall fun? The 69.

[MightyMouse4466]

Just don't like the finish of the 69, that dull blasted finish seems cheap. Gonna try to work a deal on the 696 no dash.

[CH4]

696!
Besides the IL, I can’t get used to the aesthetics of the new font, two-piece barrel and rear frame profile. Further, I prefer my .44 mags to be N frames.

[CCantu357]

Originally Posted by DT75

Both models mentioned are based on the L-frame.

I did not realize the Model 69 was based on the L-frame. For some reason, I thought that it was five shot .44 Magnum version of the Model 66. That being said, I still wonder about the long-term durabilty of an L-frame in .44 Magnum.

That being said, there is no doubt that both models in question are quality revovlers. I just belive that the 696 is the better of the two models.

[Struckat]

I accept the new and old for what they are. Better? That is a relative term.

My 69 is a very nice revolver. It seems to like any handload I make for it and is super accurate. Is the two piece barrel more accurate? I don’t know. But it’s not exactly a new design and there are plenty who think so.

I bought it for a woods carry gun, a role in which it really shines. I’ve worked up some nice magnum loads for it with 2400, but nothing that isn’t books. Those are my woods loads. Most of the time I feed it loads that are in that great void between special and magnum. It’s a happy place.

This is my first and only 44 and at this point I could not be satisfied with a 44spl. It just wouldn’t have a purpose in my world.

Now I just need to figure out how Paul trimmed that X frame grip down without butchering it like I did the last one.

[Dan Christopher]

Originally Posted by CCantu357

I did not realize the Model 69 was based on the L-frame. For some reason, I thought that it was five shot .44 Magnum version of the Model 66. That being said, I still wonder about the long-term durabilty of an L-frame in .44 Magnum.

That being said, there is no doubt that both models in question are quality revovlers. I just belive that the 696 is the better of the two models.

The 69s haven't been out long enough to say for certain, but I suspect they're actually tougher than N frame 29s/629s.

1) They have a ball/detent lockup feature.
2) The cylinder stop notches are between the charge holes, not underneath.
3) There's actually more steel between the charge holes on a 69 than is on a 29 or 629.