Advice on a 696

[JLM]

Hi All
I've looked at a 696 locally, for what seems like a good price. No dash, no lock, but also replaced grips. No papers or box. It's a bit dirty but no functional or cosmetic issues that I could tell at inspection. The forcing cone really looks thin on this gun. Is there any gotchas or concerns with this model? I'm a handloader and confirmed lead bullet fan. I don't push the limits with ammo.
Thanks
John

 

[k22fan]

[...] Is there any gotchas or concerns with this model? I'm a handloader and confirmed lead bullet fan. Don't push the limits with ammo
Thanks
John

The gotcha could be how concerned your wife is about its effect on your budget. Logically, the market for Model 696s will soften after 2 3/4" Model 69s become available everywhere.

Mine has been trouble free. While I've not read about a cracked forcing cone in a Model 696 I only shoot light loads in mine.

 

[H Richard]

I think everyone that bought one loaded it realistically due the the thin forcing cone area, and I have not heard of any problems with them. Used responsibly it should last a very long time

 

[b_san]

Hi All
I've looked at a 696 locally, for what seems like a good price. No dash, no lock, but also replaced grips. No papers or box. It's a bit dirty but no functional or cosmetic issues that I could tell at inspection. The forcing cone really looks thin on this gun. Is there any gotchas or concerns with this model? I'm a handloader and confirmed lead bullet fan. Don't push the limits with ammo
Thanks
John

They came with rubber Uncle Mikes combat grips so not a big deal that they've been replaced and easy to come by fairly inexpensively if you choose to return it to original configuration.

 

[rburg]

Different strokes for different folks. I think they look really sharp with old round butt diamond magnas. Don't be foolish. If you've found one, buy it before someone else does. The no lock guns are in great demand.

 

[ContinentalOp]

I just mentioned in another sub-forum that I passed on a 696 several years ago before the prices became crazy high. I would say jump on that deal if you want it, and agree about avoiding hot loads if you do get it.

 

[Pizza Bob]

The only advice you need is: BUY IT!

 

[ladder13]

Got one myself, great big bore gun.

 

[22hipower]

Have had a 696-1 a couple years now and it is one of my favorite 44s. No issues with the forcing cone so far. If the price is right buy it. I have the original stocks somewhere but prefer those shown below. Let us know if you get it. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Snapping Twig]

You can shoot any load in it up to 900fps, so no worries there.

I'd say the gotcha is if you don't get it. They are not common and very well done.

 

[k22fan]

I've only shot home cast bullet through mine and this is how I've treated it.

You can shoot any load in it up to 900fps, so no worries there. [...]

However, an approximately 245 grain SWC at 900 fps kicks more than I can enjoy a lot of target shooting with. Perhaps that's the gotcha. .44 Specials recoil less in N frames, especially heavier barreled .44 Magnums. Model 696s do not meet Washington's minimum 4" barrel for deer hunting so hard kicking loads aren't useful for me anyway.

The other possible gotcha is that relatively large 5 shot revolvers do not fit into any matches that I'm aware of.

 

[CH4]

The only advice you need is: BUY IT!

Yes, buy it!

 

[Snapping Twig]

I've only shot home cast bullet through mine and this is how I've treated it.

However, an approximately 245 grain SWC at 900 fps kicks more than I can enjoy a lot of target shooting with. Perhaps that's the gotcha. .44 Specials recoil less in N frames, especially heavier barreled .44 Magnums. Model 696s do not meet Washington's minimum 4" barrel for deer hunting so hard kicking loads aren't useful for me anyway.

The other possible gotcha is that relatively large 5 shot revolvers do not fit into any matches that I'm aware of.

It's all about the grip fit.

Get grips that fit you and your worries are no more.

Big time magnum fan here, even have 3" & 4" 44's with... wooden round butt grips - but they fit me. I shoot a home cast 265g SWC @ 1200fps in them. Stout load and while they are impressive, due to grip fit, they are no problem.

 

[tacotime]

Take a close look at the forcing cone from the side. See if it is shaped like a funnel with the big end toward the cylinder. If so, look very closely for cracks beginning. I have seen two 696's and both showed the obvious stretching of the thin forcing cone. If a crack occurs, I think it is unrepairable and pigs will fly before finding a replacement 696 barrel. A stretched one might still be OK but it has obviously been stressed. One found not stretched would be a nice find if the price is fair.

The 696 has been reported to exhibit a fair number of barrels with a "thread choke" where the bore deforms slightly when installed. At least one of the ones I saw had a noticeable deformation in the bore near the thread area.

If mostly healthy, one of the ultimate all around hiking guns in my opinion (unless you have a bear issue!), and works well with the wood magnas.

 

[at_liberty]

Hi All
I've looked at a 696 locally, for what seems like a good price. No dash, no lock, but also replaced grips. No papers or box. It's a bit dirty but no functional or cosmetic issues that I could tell at inspection. The forcing cone really looks thin on this gun. Is there any gotchas or concerns with this model? I'm a handloader and confirmed lead bullet fan. I don't push the limits with ammo.
Thanks
John

Stay close to 200 gr bullets and forget about the Blackhawk loads, and you should be fine. I doubt the gun was intended to be shot a lot, but it makes a great big bore carry gun. Don't feel bad about the original grips, if you would rather have nice wood than rubber. You have time to find original grips for later collector interest.

 

[Snapping Twig]

Bullet weight makes no difference - save for recoil.

It's the velocity that matters.

Keep them below 900fps and you'll be fine.

 

[at_liberty]

I believe it is well established that this gun does best with 200 grain bullets.

 

[k22fan]

I believe it is well established that this gun does best with 200 grain bullets.

Is that from personal experience or do you have a source for that?

 

[at_liberty]

Is that from personal experience or do you have a source for that?

If that needs to be a debate, it should in a different thread. I suggest the OP obtain a copy of the 396/696 article from Dec-Jan 2015 Handloader.

 

[Gunhacker]

If that needs to be a debate, it should in a different thread. I suggest the OP obtain a copy of the 396/696 article from Dec-Jan 2015 Handloader.

Wrong issue.. it's Handloader issue #293 Dec-Jan 2014, you can get a copy on CD for $5.95: Handloader Single Back Issues on CD-ROM

I'm a long time subscriber, I looked at the article... it's a well written by Brian Pearce (who I feel is on par with Skeeter Skelton in his handloading and handgun knowledge), and worthwhile to read/obtain.

He list loads for 200 - 254 gr bullets, but the key, as Snapping Twig pointed out, is velocity... 900 or below, that's as high as his published loads go, and he said it keeps the pressure level below the level where barrel bulging and forcing cone splitting starts to take place.

He notes that the test gun used was a Model 396 Mountain Lite AirLite Ti, and his best performing loads in it were with the Hornady and Speer 200 grain bullets.

As numerous reloading articles and reloading manuals often mention... you results will/may vary in the gun that you use and the gun used for the load developing/testing.