will 696's ever be produced again?
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I doubt they will be produced again, and thankfully so, as the "new" ones would have the lock hole. Also, there is a 696 for sale in the classifieds right now, check it out (not mine): http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/193568-wts-696-no-dash.html
RdrBill
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Sir.
The reason they quit making them is because they were a marketing failure. They could not be sold as a shooting gun. Mismatched frame and barrel components, bad ergonomics, reduced round capacity, and the wrong size. Too big for pocket and to small for a real man sized belt gun.
Frankengun. So they quit making them with a fairly short production run.
Now there are few of them and they are collectible. Only as a rare oddity.
Supply and demand. No one wants them, they quit making them.
In my humble opinion.
Bill@Yuma
The reason they quit making them is because they were a marketing failure. They could not be sold as a shooting gun. Mismatched frame and barrel components, bad ergonomics, reduced round capacity, and the wrong size. Too big for pocket and to small for a real man sized belt gun.
Frankengun. So they quit making them with a fairly short production run.
Now there are few of them and they are collectible. Only as a rare oddity.
Supply and demand. No one wants them, they quit making them.
In my humble opinion.
Bill@Yuma
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Bite the bullet and get yourself one. MOST of us love them. If you decide you don't like it, there will be no problem selling it ... except to Bill.
Charlie
Charlie
alaskavett
US Veteran
I seriously doubt they will ever be brought back. Sad, I know. I think Bill is just a bit jealous
? Regret from having parted with one in the past? Who knows. What he says is true to a degree, AZ is warm or too hot for me and I'm sure a 696 would be hard to carry concealed any time of the year. I do pack mine in the winter here as it will go through thick clothing or hide even better then my 1911's. As there will be no more made I would be looking for one if I did not have one. As stated you can ALWAYS find a marked for it right here. Kyle
? Regret from having parted with one in the past? Who knows. What he says is true to a degree, AZ is warm or too hot for me and I'm sure a 696 would be hard to carry concealed any time of the year. I do pack mine in the winter here as it will go through thick clothing or hide even better then my 1911's. As there will be no more made I would be looking for one if I did not have one. As stated you can ALWAYS find a marked for it right here. Kyle
gr7070
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I'm with Bill, but for slightly differing reasons.
The general shooting public doesn't buy/shoot much 44 magnums even though the ammo (and guns) can at least be found reasonably enough. 44 special doesn't exist in any typical, or reasonably priced ammo retailer.
"Exotic" ammo-eating guns (especially revolvers) just will not be bought by the general public.
Guns that make gunmakers money are bought en masse by the casual shooter. Actually they're bought by the casual gun *owner*, as most of those don't even shoot what they own let alone scour the city for rare, expensive ammo to sit on the shelves next to rare, expensive guns.
Fine gun or not it likely needs a much bigger audience to be a viable product.
There are some addition reasons like the demand for bigger capacities and more power where the 696 is kind of the opposite of that demand.
The general shooting public doesn't buy/shoot much 44 magnums even though the ammo (and guns) can at least be found reasonably enough. 44 special doesn't exist in any typical, or reasonably priced ammo retailer.
"Exotic" ammo-eating guns (especially revolvers) just will not be bought by the general public.
Guns that make gunmakers money are bought en masse by the casual shooter. Actually they're bought by the casual gun *owner*, as most of those don't even shoot what they own let alone scour the city for rare, expensive ammo to sit on the shelves next to rare, expensive guns.
Fine gun or not it likely needs a much bigger audience to be a viable product.
There are some addition reasons like the demand for bigger capacities and more power where the 696 is kind of the opposite of that demand.
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There have been multiple discussions here about the reasons of existence of the 696. There are those who like them and who do not. Same as for the 500 S&W magnum. Much to heavy for me and I don't dare shooting it.
But if you are a hunter, it's your choice?
I like the 696 and actually use it as a target gun. I shoot a competition with it on the shooting club. I use the 686 too.
As a reloader the odd caliber is not really a issue.
The question was, shall S&W ever put them in production again? If the demand would be large they would but that large demand is not there in think, for all the reasons mentioned here.
696 'target'
But if you are a hunter, it's your choice?
I like the 696 and actually use it as a target gun. I shoot a competition with it on the shooting club. I use the 686 too.
As a reloader the odd caliber is not really a issue.
The question was, shall S&W ever put them in production again? If the demand would be large they would but that large demand is not there in think, for all the reasons mentioned here.
696 'target'
jessegpresley
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What benefits does the 696 have over a 629?
Dave T
Member
And, for some of us there is a certain classiness in having a real 44 Special. I for one do not shoot 44 Specials in the 44 Magnums I have. They belong in guns marked "44 Special".
All that being said, I don't own a 696 and probably won't at the prices they are demanding these days.
Dave
Dennis The B
US Veteran
Before I finally saw...
...one at a gun show, I couldn't understand why anyone would really want one. It only holds 5 rounds vs. the Model 686 (six or seven rounds); it has a three inch barrel (Is it really a snubbie?); and it was in .44 Special.
As soon as I picked it up, I could see why people like them. I was immediately hooked, and I probably paid a bit more than I wanted at the time.
I got it home, cleaned it, and took it to the range.
I was hardly prepared for how well it handled and shot. The L frame is the perfect size for the cartridge. The three inch barrel balances perfectly in my hand. And the recoil is that of a .38 Special wadcutter. I now carry it daily in a Don Hume J.I.T. Slide holster, and have two speedloaders. It's loaded with WW 200gr Silver Tip HP. I've practiced with 200 and 240 grainers, and both would be great defensive rounds.
I consider myself fortunate in finding one, and the amount I paid for the revolver I now consider a steal. I also own a Model 24-3 Lew Horton, which I love; but "it ain't no 696".
It's a shame, but I also believe it won't be re-introduced any time in the near future. S&W is "Hooked On Classics, and Plastic Fantastics".
...one at a gun show, I couldn't understand why anyone would really want one. It only holds 5 rounds vs. the Model 686 (six or seven rounds); it has a three inch barrel (Is it really a snubbie?); and it was in .44 Special.
As soon as I picked it up, I could see why people like them. I was immediately hooked, and I probably paid a bit more than I wanted at the time.
I got it home, cleaned it, and took it to the range.
I was hardly prepared for how well it handled and shot. The L frame is the perfect size for the cartridge. The three inch barrel balances perfectly in my hand. And the recoil is that of a .38 Special wadcutter. I now carry it daily in a Don Hume J.I.T. Slide holster, and have two speedloaders. It's loaded with WW 200gr Silver Tip HP. I've practiced with 200 and 240 grainers, and both would be great defensive rounds.
I consider myself fortunate in finding one, and the amount I paid for the revolver I now consider a steal. I also own a Model 24-3 Lew Horton, which I love; but "it ain't no 696".
It's a shame, but I also believe it won't be re-introduced any time in the near future. S&W is "Hooked On Classics, and Plastic Fantastics".
NFrameFred
Member
I made a heck of a trade for my no dash at a gun show where someone apparently either didn't like it or didn't realize what they had.
I, too, was amazed at how accurate the gun was and how pleasant it was to shoot. Since I've gotten old and lazy and lighter is better, I don't carry it much but do take it out in colder weather when more clothes are the order of the day. Not something I can conceal under just a T-shirt easily. But 5 rounds of 240 grain hardcast Keith slugs trump 5 38's in a J frame any day. When you hit what you aim at, you may as well hit it as hard as you can.
I may decide to part with it some day, but I'm guessing it will be for something that won't come cheap if I do.
I, too, was amazed at how accurate the gun was and how pleasant it was to shoot. Since I've gotten old and lazy and lighter is better, I don't carry it much but do take it out in colder weather when more clothes are the order of the day. Not something I can conceal under just a T-shirt easily. But 5 rounds of 240 grain hardcast Keith slugs trump 5 38's in a J frame any day. When you hit what you aim at, you may as well hit it as hard as you can.
I may decide to part with it some day, but I'm guessing it will be for something that won't come cheap if I do.
semperfi71
US Veteran
I am accustomed to 5 shot revolvers because I shoot Colt and clone single actions.
I can fully understand RdrBill's concepts.
But I can also see the M696 shining as a carry-in-the-woods gun. Light but powerful enough to handle most critters. I wouldn't want to rely on it for Grizzly or Hippos though.
If I'm horseback, he/she gets to carry the weight and then its a full-frame .41, .44, or .45.
I can fully understand RdrBill's concepts.
But I can also see the M696 shining as a carry-in-the-woods gun. Light but powerful enough to handle most critters. I wouldn't want to rely on it for Grizzly or Hippos though.
If I'm horseback, he/she gets to carry the weight and then its a full-frame .41, .44, or .45.
WilliamP
Member
The reasons I traded my 696 for a 21-4 have been mentioned here: the 696 was a five-shot, 3-inch, adjustable-sighted revolver that didn't serve my purposes for a general purpose outdoors gun. Make no mistake about it, the 696 is a great shooting, great carrying gun, but it didn't meet my needs. Do I regret my trade? Not yet. Would I buy another if I could? You bet I would.
Stainz
Member
I bought my new 696-1 ~8.5 yr ago for $439. It's been fun... but it is limited, and not just by the number of chambers. It's dimunitive forcing cone keeps you in the mild area, power-wise - if you want a long barrel life (I don't believe they have replacements any more.). I baby mine. When I want to shoot 'real' .44 Specials, I opt for my current production 629-6 4", SKU #163603.
Sure - I know a 629 is a .44 Magnum. It is an inch longer in the barrel - and has a decent sized hammer & trigger, not to mention a 'real' forcing cone - and all for <6 oz more mass - and likely less money - new - than a decent 696. Just a thought. My 629 will be here when the 696 is gone... in fact, my 296, bought on the same day (Closeout - $349!), will be here longer, too. With the semi-ridiculous 696 prices now, perhaps it is time to sell? Naw, it seldom gets shot - the 296 gets more range time (Ouch!) - but it is kinda cute - especially with some wimpy 240gr LSWC's over 3.5gr Titegroup in .44 Russian cases - 692 fps - uber-mild - but makes 'major' power factor (>165!).
I can't imagine them making more - none of the X96 family has been popular while they were in production. Even the recent 396NG fizzled. 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder!' seems to rule here.
Stainz
Sure - I know a 629 is a .44 Magnum. It is an inch longer in the barrel - and has a decent sized hammer & trigger, not to mention a 'real' forcing cone - and all for <6 oz more mass - and likely less money - new - than a decent 696. Just a thought. My 629 will be here when the 696 is gone... in fact, my 296, bought on the same day (Closeout - $349!), will be here longer, too. With the semi-ridiculous 696 prices now, perhaps it is time to sell? Naw, it seldom gets shot - the 296 gets more range time (Ouch!) - but it is kinda cute - especially with some wimpy 240gr LSWC's over 3.5gr Titegroup in .44 Russian cases - 692 fps - uber-mild - but makes 'major' power factor (>165!).
I can't imagine them making more - none of the X96 family has been popular while they were in production. Even the recent 396NG fizzled. 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder!' seems to rule here.
Stainz
No I doubt they will make anymore. The .44 special is a cartridge that never did get much wide spread acceptance. I like it. I have a blue 4", a 624 Lew Horton, a Colt SAA, and my 696. I carry and shoot the 696 more than the rest because the size is just right. I admit I did change the grips to wood though.
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Shooting4life
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if they would have just made it a fixed sight with a 2 inch barrel I think they would have sold better.
JT
Member
I like them so much, I own 2 no-dashes. Great shooter and carry piece.
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