696 - Built for Business

[CH4]

I was fortunate to have acquired two excellent 696 no dashes in the past few weeks. I put away the one that came complete with box and goodies and decided to do do some minor, reversible customizing of the other.

SDM gold bead front sight
SDM cylinder release.
DL fixed rear sight
VZ grips
13 pound rebound spring

She's ready to go to work.

 

[lppd4]

very cool. I like the VZ grips may have to look into a pair for my 696

 

[75Vette]

It'd be hard to beat the 696 for a self defense revolver. I really like the sight set up you've added. Congrats.

 

[petepeterson]

Pretty gun. Looks mean!

 

[HamHands]

I was fortunate to have acquired two excellent 696 no dashes in the past few weeks. I put away the one that came complete with box and goodies and decided to do do some minor, reversible customizing of the other.

SDM gold bead front sight
SDM cylinder release.
DL fixed rear sight
VZ grips
13 pound rebound spring

She's ready to go to work.

That is legit serious! VZ grips are underrated... I approve of all the "mods" for sure. The one other upgrade I would do personally is install a spurless hammer (and not bob the current one due to the reversible option).

I think Apex-Tactical makes a drop in spurl-ess hammer kit that is rather a flush frame fit and offers snag-less presentation draws. I believe they also offer the kit with a half to 1 pound increased hammer strut/spring to ensure 100% detonation as well to account for the lighter hammer weight.

I was going to install the same or "similar kit" on my old M625 4" as it was my dedicated "Woods" rig carried with Buffalo Bore's 255gr .45Super's for outdoors and 200gr Gold Dot's for urban use.

Nice Revolver and carry rig set-up for sure, good job!

ETA: what is the OEM rebound slide spring poundage/rating? After performing a complete trigger job on the wife's M642 trigger pull was amazingly smooth yet crisp. I polished 3 sides of the rebound slide to a mirror like sheen (removing no material, just polishing) and a Wolff 1lb reduced rebound spring to make for a lovely 5.5lb DA only pull; yet still touches off even the hardest of primer's (Wolf Steel Case) ammo.

Either way you have done a fine job!

 

[CH4]

very cool. I like the VZ grips may have to look into a pair for my 696

I like them too, especially their 1911 grips. I have 5 sets of their revolver grips and, unfortunately, they all leave the backstrap standing proud. But they look sharp. My favorites are the the black cherry and blue/black, which appears to be discontinued.

 

[CH4]

That is legit serious! VZ grips are underrated... I approve of all the "mods" for sure. The one other upgrade I would do personally is install a spurless hammer (and not bob the current one due to the reversible option).

I think Apex-Tactical makes a drop in spurl-ess hammer kit that is rather a flush frame fit and offers snag-less presentation draws. I believe they also offer the kit with a half to 1 pound increased hammer strut/spring to ensure 100% detonation as well to account for the lighter hammer weight.

I was going to install the same or "similar kit" on my old M625 4" as it was my dedicated "Woods" rig carried with Buffalo Bore's 255gr .45Super's for outdoors and 200gr Gold Dot's for urban use.

Nice Revolver and carry rig set-up for sure, good job!

Thanks!

I like the idea of swapping for a bobbed hammer, but I mostly use a shoulder holster and the hammer spur keeps her in the holster. However, I'll definitely look in the Apex parts.

The factory rebound spring is said to be 18 pounds. I tried a Wolff reduced power main spring (6.5 lb DA), but it failed to light 3 of 21 CCI 300 primers, but it worked on 100% of commercial SD loads. It currently has a Wolff standard power spring at 8 lb DA. Both are much smoother than the factory spring.

 

[HamHands]

Thanks!

I like the idea of swapping for a bobbed hammer, but I mostly use a shoulder holster and the hammer spur keeps her in the holster. However, I'll definitely look in the the Apex parts.

Ahhh, got you... You have to have the full hammer for a shoulder rig to work so I understand. I've never carried that way but am interested in doing such especially in the woods. I've carried a Drop Leg holster for my CZ 97B for the deserted hiking trails in parts of Highlands NC. I loved the way it presented and balanced on my body. A shoulder rig would offer much more conceal-ability though which is highly desirable.

 

[jem102]

Great revolver! I have my 396 Night Guard setup in a very similar fashion. The only problem is I bought it new and never expected the Night Guards to be worth so much so I am hesitant to shoot or carry it very much. An SD round you might like for it is the Hornady 165 gr. FTX #90700.

 

[HamHands]

I like them too, especially their 1911 grips. I have 5 sets of their revolver grips and, unfortunately, they all leave the backstrap standing proud. But they look sharp. My favorites are the the black cherry and blue/black, which appears to be discontinued.

These are VZ's "Alien" (slim-line) grips that offer a super comfortable hold for our dedicated night-stand pistol. I have a pair of the "Black Cherry" colored one's with the "Fragmented" cut option I believe VZ calls them. They are slim and offer a great hand purchase as well. Too bad they disco'd the Black Cherry as they pop really well especially on stainless or similar frames/guns.

 

[CH4]

Ahhh, got you... You have to have the full hammer for a shoulder rig to work so I understand. I've never carried that way but am interested in doing such especially in the woods. I've carried a Drop Leg holster for my CZ 97B for the deserted hiking trails in parts of Highlands NC. I loved the way it presented and balanced on my body. A shoulder rig would offer much more conceal-ability though which is highly desirable.

It's also great if you sit a lot in a car or behind a desk. For woods carry, backpacking, I use a chest rig. I do carry OWB, but after wearing a duty rig for years, I don't like wearing a belt if I don't have to.

 

[HamHands]

Thanks!

I like the idea of swapping for a bobbed hammer, but I mostly use a shoulder holster and the hammer spur keeps her in the holster. However, I'll definitely look in the Apex parts.

The factory rebound spring is said to be 18 pounds. I tried a Wolff reduced power main spring (6.5 lb DA), but it failed to light 3 of 21 CCI 300 primers, but it worked on 100% of commercial SD loads. It currently has a Wolff standard power spring at 8 lb DA. Both are much smoother than the factory spring.

Yeah, a 6.5lb Main Spring is little on the light side on striking force. The Wolff Rebound Spring is probably near perfect though.

A light polishing of it's 3 sides took a lot of grit out of the pull on the wife's M642 to the point my brother thought it was a PC version but no, just the Wolff springs and 20 minutes of light polishing on contact points made for a great trigger with reliable ignition even on the hardest of primers.

 

[HamHands]

It's also great if you sit a lot in a car or behind a desk. For woods carry, backpacking, I use a chest rig. I do carry OWB, but after wearing a duty rig for years, I don't like wearing a belt if I don't have to.

You are so correct! Not to just the emboldened but your whole post... Front seat and desk wearing for absolute sure...

For the vehicle my carry rig tucks nicely between the seat and center console inside the Comp-Tac holster making presentation one smooth draw and point. But a shoulder holster is more secure and a better method I'm positive.

 

[wproct]

I'm another fan of your VZ grips, and I also like some color on a stainless steel handgun.

 

[CH4]

Took her to our indoor range to see where she was hitting with the new sights.

Top 250 Keith over 7 gr Unique
Bottom 180 Hornady Critical Defense

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Different strokes for different folks............

 

[press-1-for-english]

Does anyone know if there is a fixed rear sight available for older Smiths like my 1980 model 67-1? No drilling or tapping required?
Thank you all in advance.

 

[CH4]

Does anyone know if there is a fixed rear sight available for older Smiths like my 1980 model 67-1? No drilling or tapping required?
Thank you all in advance.

Not that I know of.

 

[press-1-for-english]

Not that I know of.

OK. Thanks.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

...and decided to do do some minor, reversible customizing of the other.

SDM gold bead front sight
DL fixed rear sight

What are the heights of the front & rear sights?

Nice build.

.