There always seems to be an interest in the stainless steel 5 shot .44 spcl. I decided to start a new thread and relate on my experience with one of my favorite Smith & Wesson. It does not carry as easy as 5 shot .38 special but it has a larger bullet. It is not as comapct as a "slab sided 1911" but it can handle different loads without a worry. I did not like the feel of the rubber grips so I bought rosewood from S&W.

I have carried my revolver mostly on hikes through the woods and fishing. Because of the shorter bbl length, it is out of the way paddling in my canoe. There is still plenty of punch in the .44, even with the velocity loss. It conceals easily under a shirt or jacket and with a IWB holster it disappears under a T shirt. There are too many snakes in this state and I unfortunately shot a rattler on the trail. It did not rattle and my wife and I almost stepped on the 4 footer. Three feet away, coiled and ready to strike. It was fear for my algeric wife, that caused my reflexes to take over. I try to be observant but saw it in the nick of time. Who knows if it would have bit one of us.

There is plenty of loads for the .44 special. It is fun to shoot and the recoil is low enough for my wife and daughter to enjoy a day plinking. I like Speer Gold Dots, Federal and Winchester 200 grn bullets. The Federal LHSWC is the most accurate in my revolver, followed by 6.4 grns of Unique pushing a 225 grn LSWC. Of course the first 2 loads in the cylinder are CCI snake shot. There are good cartridge carriers on the market. I especially like the Tuff speed strip similar to the one made by Bianchi for the .38 / .357. I have one in my top shirt pocket.

There are bears, alligators, poisonous snakes, pythons now, and panthers, even sightings of a skunk ape, Floridas bigfoot. ;-)
The most dangerous of all are the homeless people living in the middle of no where off the trails. They are always watching what you are carrying and often approach asking for cigarrettes. My S&W 696 is always a comfort when encountering the wildlife especially the inquisitive strangers. I know the compact revolver can keep things safe, at least it has so far.

I have no monitary interest or stock in any of the products. Feel free to comment on anything but my spelling. :-)

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JIM
NRA Pistol Instr

Nice gun! I wish Smith would bring them back.

The speed strips really are nice. I own several and use them for 45 Colt and 38/357. For my five shot 38s, I only carry five in the speed strip though. For me, that gives a little better control with more to hold. Just my 2 cents...

Happy shooting and enjoy that rig!

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Proud anachronism

Thanks for sharing! I'd love to get my hands on a 696. I recently picked up a 396NG as it's the closest thing I could find to it.

Nice post.

Good to see someone using and enjoying their 696. We get enough of distractors posting how it does not fit anywhere in their arsenal.

Those snake shot loads can be very effective on the inquisitive stranger situation if it ever escalates.


Charlie

cochise, excellent thread! I took my 696 to the range yesterday for a bit of a workout and it is very pleasant to shoot, great balance and enough weight to make recoil very mild. I was shooting Winchester cowboy action ammo and it has to be the most dirty stuff in the world, after 15 rounds the gun the was almost black. I also took a model 610 with me and it is another gun I highly recommend. I usually gravitate to much older S&W's but bought the 610 and 696 because they were a bit unusual, after shooting both I understand why they quite sought after. I must confess I do worry a bit about the thin forcing cone on the 696 and restrict myself to light loads in the gun. Thanks for the post and great photos.

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John. SWCA #1586

Probably the only revolver I would consider buying new if they did bring them back.

I have been looking for a decent deal on one of these for a long time. I want one to carry concealed. I have total confidence in the 44 special as a defensive round. Maybe one of these days I'll run into a deal.

It's funny how when the 696 came out it was a poor seller hence it was dropped from the line. Now they have become a desired classic attaining almost cult status. Anyone fortunate enough to own one of these beautys knows just how good of a revolver it is. A great calibre in a near perfect sized package, I wish I would have bought several when they were affordable.This one was a whopping $350.00.

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As a longtime owner this revolver 696 I can concur all your experiences. I would like to suggest however, that for carrying concealed you consider any of the products by Greg Kramer of Kramer gun leather. I have three of his holsters for this particular weapon. They consist of inside the waistband and two outside the waistband. He also manufactured to speed loader cases for me. I think you're very pleased with his work; you can get them in either cowhide or horsehide.

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NRA Life Member and Instructor

I apologize ahead of time if this is a threadjack question but I have a question about practice ammo choice for the 2/3/696. Given how thin the forcing cone is, it definitely seems prudent to not use really hot loads with any regularity, but does bullet weight matter as well in regards to not cracking anything? I seem to remember that you aren't supposed to fire anything heavier than 200gr in the 296, but I saw no such warning in the paperwork for my 396.
My handloads are medium power charge-wise, but I always use 240gr plated bullets. Will this be a problem over time?

I had a 696 when they first came out, and always whished they had put a 4 inch barrel on it. I sold it and can't belive the price on them now. I still wish they had put a 4 inch barrel on it, well it is long gone now! And, yes if they where to bring it back again, I would buy one even with the IL on it.

I see no problems using 240 grn bullets, just don't push them hard. Forget the 7.5 grn or even 7 grn Unique loads. "Medium" should work just fine.

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JIM
NRA Pistol Instr

I bought one in April, and I carry it regularly. Along with my Model 65, it's rotated about once every two weeks. I don't notice much difference between the K frame, 6-shot, Model 65, and the L frame, 5-shot, Model 696. I keep Winchester STHP's as the ammo, and I practice with 200 gr SWC reloads.

The 3" Models 65 and 696 are the best of what S&W ever produced, with regard to self-defense. They're rugged, reliable, and most of all, comforting.

I know the trend is to "pocket rockets", but I'll take a bit of beef every time.

Interesting, which models ?
thanks

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JIM
NRA Pistol Instr

Very nice SW!
BTW, nice to learn you have had a sight of a sasquatch !! You cannot miss it with the homeless at least !
Hope you do a report to tha BFRO site
R.

Dis be mine.



I'm planning on shooting the Hornady 240 grain lead SWC to about 850 fps. A very soft bullet. With that load I hope to avoid damage to the forcing cone. Plus that load will do just about anything a .44 Special can do.

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Have guns...will shoot'em.

It is a good looking gun and you aren't sacrificing power for the size.
I'm glad it's kept you safe, as a shooting iron isn't worth it's wait in salt if you don't get the peace of mind.

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27-2, 66-1, 640 Pro, 10-5

Here is mine purchased just today.......box, holster, and speed loader.........$537 out the door. When I first saw it I thought I was looking at a 3" barrel 686! 44 Spcl is one of my favorite calibers and the L-frame my favorite DA mid-frame. A marriage made in carry heaven! Now for some different grips.........



Dave

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From my cold dead hands.....

In the area you are in I cannot disagree with your choice. I recieved an e mail the other day where a python, with a head just a little bigger than a mans hand, ate a full grown deer whole...

The 44 Special with 44 Special +P loads is a great choice.

I have a friend that is an Alaskan Brown Bear guide that carries a 44 Special just like yours loaded pretty hot, with heavy hard cast bullets.

The wife and I carry S&W Mountain Guns in 44 Mag when ever we are in the field. We spend a lot of time in pig country and in bear country.

We have found that the 44 Speer shotshells are great for small game and birds for the pot.

And as you have stated, 2 legged varmints are probably more dangerous than 4 legged ones, in todays world.
With a good 44 Special/ 44 Mag, you are prepared for both.

Jag312...WICKED SLICK! Happy New Year to all

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45.acp-why shoot twice.

Great gun - now I need to go dig mine out of the safe and take it to the range next time! I agree with the poster who said that this and the 610 are two of the best...

Excellent string. I enjoyed it very much.

Preachin' to the Choir. One of my favorite Smith models. Carried one for several years big game hunting or when taking out other hunters. Enough power to kill a wounded deer or elk or protect ones self from the occaisonal bear if needed.

7.5 of Unique, over a #429421 Keith slug.....all a guy needs.

Glad this thread was brought back to life. I enjoyed rereading it. Too bad they can't make a 45 Colt L Frame.

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Proud anachronism