What would be considered the going rate (fair price) for a pre-lock, 396? Is the 200gr. max an issue?

I have a 696 no dash...not the same gun, but my favorite load (so far) is the GA Arms and Ammo 200 grn GDHP.....
I haven't started reloading yet, but the 200 gn limit for a fighting handgun doesn't seem like much of a deficit to me.....

I paid almost $600 for mine, not new but very close, in the metal S&W carry case with all the paperwork. This was a year ago or so.

The prelock 396's are hard to find. I jumped as soon as I saw it. I'd like to find a prelock 386 also, although now that you can buy a new 386 or 396 from Smith this may keep the prices down.

Hope that helps,
Munster

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GO NAVY!

The 396 Mountain Lite with the Hi-Viz green front sight would be the only pre-lock one I know of. These are fairly scarce. The ones you can buy now are Nightguards. There is a pawn shop near me that has had a Mtn Lite for almost 2 years (I guess no one wants it). They have it listed for $600-650? (I don't remember exactly). Every time I go in there, I make an offer for $600 out the door and they won't come down a bit. I have a friend who has one, but his doesn't have the "200 gr. max" printed on the side? There is one currently on GB for $825 with CTC laser grips, so yea about $600.

Cherrys Fine Guns recently had 2 NIB 396's for $650 each. I went back a couple hours later and they were both gone.

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Sure you did

Mike,
Was that Cherrys here in NC? I check their website frequently so they must have come and gone quickly. Were they both pre-lock?

I got a 396 with lock from Cabelas last month- used in 99 % condition with alum case for $ 650. After shipping and a transfer fee, I have over $ 700 in the gun. I found the gun on their web site via Google. I am pleased with the amount I paid as they are hard to find and I had been looking for quite some time to find one. Its not for sale this morning, I may have paid to much, but when you can not find one for sale, its a sellers market.

Ed, pm sent.

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Sure you did

I found and bought one a year and a half ago for I think $525. Of all places at a street fair. It came with some ugly grips on it, and a cheap ugly holster from Uncle Mikes. The gun actually fit the holster, a problem with the 3" L frame guns. It was my 2nd, as I snapped up the first when I saw it new at a gun shop. I was also an early adopter of the 696 when it first came out. These are really nice guns and the small form 44 has a strong following.

I don't like stout loads in small or light guns. A few shots are OK, but they're just not pleasant for long. Anyone buying a 396 needs to understand going into the deal they aren't getting a gun to take shooting often. Its a great carry gun, great woods gun, great self defense gun. Its also a lousy target revolver. Just not the preferred gun to take out for a few hundred rounds. Its why God made 3# M24s.

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Dick Burg

The 200gr issue is not an issue (IMNSHO). The various 200gr Gold Dot loads perform extremely well.

Any body else on the 396 issue or the 200gr max issue? I've offered $700 without the box or grips and the seller says, "No". I think without the box, etc. $650 is the limit, but they don't make the pre-lock stuff any more. Should I suck it up and hope that the future is kind to the pre-lock market??

You shouldn't have any problem with GDs, 200 gr Blazers, or my favorite, the Federal 200 gr. LSWCHP. I guess you could try Silvertips in it also.

I'd say if you want it, get it. They are fairly scarce and aren't likely to get any cheaper.

Rationally, I agree with the OP, but realistically, I think BBJ has it right. A year from now, honestly, are you going to be worried about paying $50 "too much"? Probably not...?

JN,
Good point! Anybody else out there interested in talking me into or out of this one?

I can't believe you aren't posting pictures of it already....buy it

Now see! That is the type of support and encouragement we should all respect, condone and appreciate on this forum.

I just shelled out for a Smith 49 for my pocket...like I didn't already have a safe full of guns to pocket carry, why should you get a break??????....

can't have too many Smith revolvers....and if you don't buy it, someone else is going to have too.....

I bought my M396 Mtn Lite when they were first offered. I talked by phone with a S&W vice president familiar with the then new 396 about the "200 grain limit." As I suspected, the warning was due to concern that, because of stiff recoil, there might be a crimp jumping problem ... and if care was taken to use a strong crimp, there should be no problem with heavier loads.

I've been using Buffalo Bore's Heavy .44 Special 255 gr. @ 975 fps (in my barrel) for the last decade, without problem. At least 1000 rounds, so far. It was my primary woods carry sidearm for all that time.

Love my 396ML. For me, it's like my belt knife and Leatherman; it's a tool I don't leave at home, on the truck seat, or in the sled bag.

So what would be the value of a 396-1 with IL, metal case, paperwork, IL key, ect. ?

i just sold mine with 50 rounds downthe tube. 680.00. green top has one in va used ,no alum case for 629.00 you can get it for 600.00 i think