Can someone tell me what the model number of the 44 special air weight is, I think that it is stainless with the darker cylinder, and I think a 2 1/2 inch barrel, pre lock.
Any information would be appreciated.

I believe you're talking about the hideous 296 humpback . . . the 396 with the exposed hammer has a longer barrel.

Gal I know keeps a 296 that her dad gave her in her purse. Works for her. CDNN couldn't give these things away, but they're sought after now.

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Thanks Erich, that is what I was looking for.
A friend called me and found one and wanted to know if I would be interested in it. The shop wants 525.00 for it, no box or papers. He could not remember the model number, and neither could I.
Anyone know the going rate on these? I have searched the auction sites and cannot find any sales, except one which is not a good sampling.

Back in April I sold the 296 pictured below, NIB with all papers and accessories, for $750. That was actually less than the going rate at the time--a few weeks before that, two of them sold on GunBroker for $850 each + shipping (both NIB). Around the same time a couple used ones sold online for $700+ each.

Hope that helps!

Here's the one I sold. Erich is correct--they're hideous!

That's the prettiest picture of one that I've ever seen. Viewed from the side, they cause pregnant women to go into early labor, children to cry, and grown men to look about for an escape route.

They were $339 brand new from CDNN in 2003 . . . too bad you bought all those shares of AIG instead, eh?

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Thanks for the replies.
DC7 - That looks good in the picture.
Erich - You mentioned that they were 339.00 in 2003, I wish that I would have invested in guns like this rather than the stock market.

Would this model be on the N frame platform?

The nice part is most of them haven't been fired much? 'Cause they kick like a freakin' mule with most loads! They are butt fugly. But they do fire a serious big bore round, that in some loadings equal or best the .45ACP.

L-frame, Cobra . . .

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Thanks for the replies.
I thought that it looked smaller than the N frame.

Best description ever! Cover your eyes, everyone:

Aaaaaaauuuugh!

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Still as fugly as I remember--but I wish that Smith still made them--paid $300 NIB for mine back in the day--then traded it in on a .45acp CQB from the P/C--dmd

I know were a Very Nice 296 is in my area for $550 cash..
Wish I had the extra Dough..
Gary/Hk

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Shwing! I really like the looks of those! Add one to my list.... (I'm a 642 kind of guy.)

Glad I got mine from CDNN, a matched pair no less. Only problem is the clear coat can wear off somewhat easily. I have never asked S&W if it can be repaired. If you want a big bore wheelgun that can still be carried easily, this is it! I use GD 200 JHPs in it, works quite well, and it does kick a little.

I've slept with uglier things than this.



I'll take one of these.

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If the world was made of gold, men would die for a handful of dirt.
--- Gary Cooper in Garden of Evil (1954)

I carried my 296 for a year and the finish went bad. S&W re-finished it under warranty.

Here is mine, bought new locally 1/03 for $349 the same day I bought a new 696 at their regular sale price - $439. They gave me another $10 off for buying both at the same time. The 296 was closed out for less than half it's last MSRP. The whole X96 line was closed out - the 696 followed the 296 - and the 396 was last - they were poor movers.

In fairness, their dimunitive forcing cone doesn't instill great confidence in any of them for a life of Keith level .44 Specials. My 296 has ~ 2,500 rounds through it, all but ~200 being either CCI Blazers or the Georgia Arms equivalents, equally split, sporting the Speer #4427 200gr Gold Dot and making a chrono-ed 800-805 fps from the 2.5" barrel - and saying 'Howdy!' quite well with those boots. Note: My 296 spent years as an OWB pancake holster rider - with UM's rounded Combats - an infrequent CCW. Several years ago, I had R. Mika make me a pocket holster for it and the 642 - the 296, with it's OEM boots, fits 3/4 of my pants' pockets in that Mika holster - the 642 fits all. The 296 is with me a lot these days.

Here it is with the 696 - and a 2" 10 and 642 - for size comparison:



Yeah, I'd pay $550 for another one... would love to find it's ugo twin in .38 - the 242.

Stainz