I ordered mine when they were first announced. Prior to that I was shooting (the other 3" ss .44 spl). A Rossi. The Rossi came several years before the 696. Its essentially the same size gun. 5 shot, 3" bbl. etc.. Point is I have and still shoot both. All they get is a 250 gr. cast swc pushed by 7.5 grs. of unique. I believe they will outlast me.
Now as to Charter's 44's I wouldn't have one if they were free.

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S&W Accumulator