I was scanning the classifieds and found this statement:

"If it has the 696 barrel bulge I've never been able to see it but I won't swear it isn't there if ALL of them have it. "

I have never heard of this, can anyone shed some light? I have a 696-1 and I am concerned now. What should I look for?

Thanks,
Karnivore

Karn,
My no dash (1998' new purchase) has what's been described as the "bulge" or "darkening", "crush" or "ring". If yours has it, it will be just at or ahead of where the barrel is threaded in the frame. On some, it's so subtle that the barrel will need to be very clean and dry to even be able to detect it. It appears to be about a 50%/50% proposition. One thing that all that have it (mine included) seem to have in common, is that it does NOT affect it's accuracy in any way. Nor has it affected the guns mechanical soundness. In fact, they're a wonderfully accurate revolver!

Karn, it's not a bulge at all. It's a ring created by the crush fit barrel during manufacturing. It's not a defect or a bulge that can happen from a squib accident. It's not that something happened to the gun, it's just there on most no dash guns as a result of the manufacturing process. It does not affect the accuracy of the value of the gun.
I have a dash 1 and it definately does NOT have the ring. Maybe they straightened it all out by the time mine was made, I don't know.

__________________
Dick

My -4 has it.

My mistake - I read it fast as a 686.

Sorry about that - J.Solo

My no-dash does not have it

I wasn't aware they ever made a 696-4. I thought they stopped making them at the -2 level.

Edited: The dash -1 went to MIM parts and frame mounted firing pin. The dash -2 got the dreaded lock. What were the other two changes?

__________________
Dick

My Dash 1 has "the ring". Appears to affect the accuracy not one bit.