Finally, a 396 in the safe!

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75Vette

75Vette

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After months of waiting and seeing several posts of other forum members getting theirs, I finally brought mine home. I was starting to feel like a red headed stepchild but it's in the safe now. With all the talk about S&W's qc I gotta say I couldn't be more happy with the new hotrod. I didn't know what to expect in the recoil department so I'd loaded a handful of 180 gr XTPs with 5 grains of TiteGroup and also took my usual 44 spl loads with max load of 6.6 gr of CFE-P pushing a 240 gr coated lswc. The recoil from both loads was very manageable and could see popping off a hundred rounds at a time easily. I was really happy with both loads and for the first time shooting the gun had decent groups at 15 yards. Count me another satisfied customer.



 
I picked one up this week also, Very happy with it so far, 5.0 grs of N320 with 200gr cast shot nice groups @ 15yds. 25 shots moving the sights every 5 shots. Goes well with my 696 no dash and 3in GP 100 44 spl.
 

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Tinknocker
That’s a sweet heart, congratulations
I’ve never owned a 44 special but really enjoy the 240 at 800 so definitely know what you’re talking about, pure plinking pleasure.
Looks like a great tramping around gun
Great to see another positive post😎
Enjoy it buddy
 
Congratulations! I sure have been champing at the bit for one, but just can't seem to pull the trigger. I've noticed availability has been drying up. I wonder if S&W/Lipsey's will make a 2nd run?
 
sparkyvega said:
Congratulations! I sure have been champing at the bit for one, but just can't seem to pull the trigger. I've noticed availability has been drying up. I wonder if S&W/Lipsey's will make a 2nd run?
Click to expand...
From what I understand this isn't a limited run so I suppose they'll keep pumping them out until the guns stop selling.
 
I picked mine up about 6 weeks ago. I was shooting it a little today. I tried another Factory ammo. My carry ammo is 200 grain Speer Gold Dots (875 fps). Very mild and accurate! Today's new load is Underwood's 200 grain "Hard Cast" full wadcutter @ 1000 fps.(they look powder coated) Noticeably more recoil! Unbelievable accuracy!

I EDC a Model 49 no dash for the last 14 years, with Speer Gold Dot 135 gr +p ammo. The 396 is much easier to get small groups!

Several people have had problems with sighting in! The Underwood's were perfect on windage (sight centered) and elevation (sight bottomed out). The Speer Gold Dots tend to shoot high and left 2" each at my standard 10-yard distance. My 200 grain RNFP Cowboy ammo has the POI as the Gold Dots.

Ivan
 
I want to like it, but I don’t understand what’s up with the white dots. I’m asking honestly and in a polite way can someone explain why they don’t match the overall finish.
 
DEF3 said:
I want to like it, but I don’t understand what’s up with the white dots. I’m asking honestly and in a polite way can someone explain why they don’t match the overall finish.
Click to expand...
I believe those are titanium pins. Titanium can be darkened or plated, but I'm sure it keeps the costs down not doing it and may be visual bragging on S&W's part that they are indeed titanium.
 
Ivan the Butcher said:
I picked mine up about 6 weeks ago. I was shooting it a little today. I tried another Factory ammo. My carry ammo is 200 grain Speer Gold Dots (875 fps). Very mild and accurate! Today's new load is Underwood's 200 grain "Hard Cast" full wadcutter @ 1000 fps.(they look powder coated) Noticeably more recoil! Unbelievable accuracy!

I EDC a Model 49 no dash for the last 14 years, with Speer Gold Dot 135 gr +p ammo. The 396 is much easier to get small groups!

Several people have had problems with sighting in! The Underwood's were perfect on windage (sight centered) and elevation (sight bottomed out). The Speer Gold Dots tend to shoot high and left 2" each at my standard 10-yard distance. My 200 grain RNFP Cowboy ammo has the POI as the Gold Dots.

Ivan
Click to expand...
I took the gun back to the range yesterday, spending more time concentrating on accuracy. The 180 gr XTPs were hitting perfect on windage at 15 yds and with the sight bottomed out hit great on elevation too. I'm really liking this little whipper snapper!
 
75Vette said:
After months of waiting and seeing several posts of other forum members getting theirs, I finally brought mine home. I was starting to feel like a red headed stepchild but it's in the safe now. With all the talk about S&W's qc I gotta say I couldn't be more happy with the new hotrod. I didn't know what to expect in the recoil department so I'd loaded a handful of 180 gr XTPs with 5 grains of TiteGroup and also took my usual 44 spl loads with max load of 6.6 gr of CFE-P pushing a 240 gr coated lswc. The recoil from both loads was very manageable and could see popping off a hundred rounds at a time easily. I was really happy with both loads and for the first time shooting the gun had decent groups at 15 yards. Count me another satisfied customer.



Click to expand...
Really, nice looking 44 Special.
 
75Vette said:
After months of waiting and seeing several posts of other forum members getting theirs, I finally brought mine home. I was starting to feel like a red headed stepchild but it's in the safe now. With all the talk about S&W's qc I gotta say I couldn't be more happy with the new hotrod. I didn't know what to expect in the recoil department so I'd loaded a handful of 180 gr XTPs with 5 grains of TiteGroup and also took my usual 44 spl loads with max load of 6.6 gr of CFE-P pushing a 240 gr coated lswc. The recoil from both loads was very manageable and could see popping off a hundred rounds at a time easily. I was really happy with both loads and for the first time shooting the gun had decent groups at 15 yards. Count me another satisfied customer.



Click to expand...
Enjoy
 
Well, I “special ordered” this about two weeks ago, but didn’t think it would arrive so soon. I believe this is a well made gun. I was not quoted a price when ordered but figured MSRP was ok.

Got to the dealer, filled out the 4473, no NICS with CHP, and THEN asked the price before paying. ‘Twas $160 under MSRP. Made me even happier.

This gun is so light in the hand, minus the ammo of course. Great sights on it, though somewhat tall. Now I need some leather.
Sold a gun to a forum member in a FTF meeting today also.IMG_6176.webp

Black guns rock.
 
ladder13 said:
Well, I “special ordered” this about two weeks ago, but didn’t think it would arrive so soon. I believe this is a well made gun. I was not quoted a price when ordered but figured MSRP was ok.

Got to the dealer, filled out the 4473, no NICS with CHP, and THEN asked the price before paying. ‘Twas $160 under MSRP. Made me even happier.

This gun is so light in the hand, minus the ammo of course. Great sights on it, though somewhat tall. Now I need some leather.
Sold a gun to a forum member in a FTF meeting today also.View attachment 895936

Black guns rock.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the club. I think you'll enjoy it. I need leather too.
 
There seems to be a small but growing group of folks who are becoming enamored of the .44 Special round...which is a good thing. I have owned and shot .44 Specials since about 1952... I currently own about four of them, and they are all good shooters. Just sayin'....
 
I got my 396-2 just before I was scheduled for extensive spine surgery on June 15th (a 7 1/2 hour procedure) so I didn't have a chance to take her out on a date, but the fit and finish is is absolutely beautiful! I like 44 spec. and I've shot quite a few rounds through a stainless Charter Bulldog 44 spec in 2 inch. It's a bit of a handful, but a heck of a lot of fun. I hand load as well so I can control the amount of fun. I can't wait to take my Night Guard 396-2 to the range but I'm told the healing process for this type of procedure can be lengthy. :sick:
 
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